Trying to teach my self to cross country ski...

I've always thought of trying cross country skiing (xc skiing). I've been down hill skiing when I was younger, but I'm a) not very good, and b) not fond of going fast down hill. I don't know. I just never really took to it. I had a roommate in college who xc and it sounded interesting. I just never really lived anywhere that it was feasible... until now :)

So, Lloyd and I found me the gear I'd need. I looked up some things about it on the Internet and watched a few videos. I decided today was the day I'd try it out. My first trip out I was the only one home and just went around in our yard. Made some trails, fell a couple times, you know all that fun stuff. Of course the hubby wasn't around to get pictures, until later that day when I went out again. I am so glad he has me around for his amusement :)



Me and Maggie moo going out... on a hill...


at first things seem to be going all right...


Then I get to close to the muddy-icy-muck made by vehicles...and WIPE-OUT :) Thanks Maggie and Hada for all the support and kisses, hahaha :)



But I make it back on my feet...




and Maggie and I are off again...



I think next time I'll try an area more level....

The first snow of the season

We had our first real snow! (We had a dusting last month, but it melted faster than it fell). Everyone has been teasing me, because I'm excited about it. Of course coming from the desert snow is not something I have seen very often, except when I would travel to it. I'm going to enjoy it. Lloyd took me out for a driving in snow lesson. I stomped around in it and played in it. So, tease me all you want. Maybe by March or April I'll be tired of it... or maybe not. ;)

The ranch was beautiful. The landscape reminded me of being in a Christmas card. In fact this will be the first time I might actually have a white Christmas! That's never happened before for me.

This is coming up our lane once you turn off the highway.



The trees just looked magical...

Lloyd took these pictures of the snow hanging on the antlers on one of the old buildings.

I thought this one looked pretty darn cool.

This is one of the old bunk houses. Just imagine living in it...

and having to run outside to use this... brrrrrrr

Rex was not to sure about his first snow storm. He didn't want to come out from under Lloyd's pick up, so...

Lloyd had to shovel him a path to the sidewalk :) Spoiled cat!

Maggie went out to "rescue" Miss Em... I don't think she really appreciated it that much.

Fall on the ranch

Once we got somewhat settled in, Lloyd took me out to see the place. I had only been up there twice that wasn't in late fall or early spring in 22 years. There were many parts of the ranch I had never seen. This is one of my favorite views. As you cans see Maggie and Hada like it also.




One of the things we did (even before I got there, thanks to my wonderful MIL) was get kittens. Because no one had lived full time there for so many years there were many rodents. This one is Bandit. He was helping me take pictures of birds.


Can't you tell how much help he was?

Lloyd's parents also bought him a buffalo hunt at an auction for his 50th birthday. (The auction was a benefit auction for the local volunteer fire department. Lloyd got to hunt it and keep the hide and half the meat. The fire department received the other half of the meat.) So Lloyd and his cousin Craig went to the IPY Ranch for the hunt. They had a blast and we have a freezer with half a buffalo!



Lloyd and his buffalo.