If you’re looking for something to do during the winter months here in the Keweenaw, cross country skiing is an option and we have beautifully groomed trails at Swedetown in Calumet, where Judy Byykkonen was recently. She said this day was just so peaceful and the scenery was outstanding as you can see from her photos. The snow on the trees makes for picture perfect scenes, like you’re on a covered road, but this one is covered in clumps of snow. Those bottom two photos are close-ups of two of the bigger clumps, which Judy said are just waiting to dump on some unsuspecting skier. That comment reminds me of back before my knees bothered me, when I could still cross country ski and would go with friends...one of them was a bit of a prankster and whenever we’d be going along, she’d grab a branch, give it a shake and make the clumps of snow fall on the person behind her, which was usually me. You had to be on the ball when following her, so you didn’t end up with snow down your neck. It was all in good fun, though and we had many laughs because of it.

We’re heading out skiing now with Ashton Boehm. He’s going to take us downhill on a few of his favorite runs at Mount Bohemia, overlooking Lac La Belle and Lake Superior. It’s a fun way to enjoy the view and the runs, while not having to worry about hitting a tree or breaking an arm or a leg. Sit back and enjoy!

The snow on the trees is so pretty. If you didn't
see some blue skies, you'd swear these were black
and white photos.

Hi
I still do try to get out and cross-country ski
when the snow depth permits. I never skiied with
pranksters. However I do remember what we called
"short person trails" where a branch could snatch
the hat off your head if you weren't careful.

The video made me gasp & flinch in places. From
the one time I was on downhill skiis I know that
you have more control in turning than you do on
cross-country skiis, but yikes! Mr. Boehm got
really close to the trees.

Uncle Chuck, I saw your post last week but it was
the next evening. I hope you do well.

The pictures are beautiful...that video....made my
stomach hurt. I would so faceplant on one of those
trees, and it sure wouldn't be down the mountain!
Broken bones and all!!

Very pretty snow & tree shots!
That video looked like it might have been speeded up (sped up?) but I know it wasn't. Yikes is right! It's easy to see how you could meet a tree head-on if you weren't skilled or careful. Think I'll stick to ice fishing.

Yikes!
Those trees had Sonny Bono written all over them.

Speaking of lone ski tracks...
A couple of days ago, the MTU Mt. Ripley camera caught this guy "cruise'in" down the Portage, just after dinner time. I couldn't see any ski poles and the snow depth doesn't look right for snow shoes. Hmmm?