[Paddlewise] Cross Country Ski Report

Ok, I know it's not a paddling report... but it includes a lake (not frozen)
and water (frozen) and, anyway, it's all I've got...

After over two months of moving from our family farm (we filled two 40-yard
dumpsters and have some stuff in the third - not to mention the stored
stuff) we really needed to get out. Our daughter and son-in-law, often our
paddling partners also like to x/c ski; a testament perhaps to the
corrupting power of an obsessive father (in-law). At any rate, they packed
us and our 1-yr old grandson (Ethan) into their 4wd vehicle and off we went.

Some areas of the Pacific Northwest (or Pacific Southwest for you Canadians)
serve a dual purpose by forming the backdrop for both paddling and skiing
adventures and our destination,  Lake Wenatchee State Park located just east
of the Cascade crest along Highway 2 between Everett, WA and Wenatchee, WA,
is one of them. In the winter the boat launch area becomes the parking lot
for skiers who use the groomed trails of the park (and many other areas) by
paying $60 for a parking permit that's good for a year. That's right... we
can fill the vehicle up with skiers and spend hours skiing on carefully
groomed trails every weekend all season long for the price of one downhill
ski ticket at a fancy resort.

Two sides of the park (north and south of a small river) give us the ability
to enjoy different trails separated by a snack break. On one side you park
next to the lake and move inland following what will be, in a few short
months, the access roads to the summer camping spots. On the other side you
park next to the highway and make your way through the pines and firs to the
river and then follow that down to and along the lakeside only to work your
way back to the parking lot after a mile or so of shoreline.

There are so many parallels to paddling in x/c skiing. We often wear the
same clothing (layers of polypro), many of the physical movements are
similar, and the physical effort is broken up by frequent stops to enjoy the
views and the wildlife. In our case yesterday the view of snow-capped
mountains surrounding the blue lake and the evergreens in sunshine was
spectacular. In past years we've enjoyed the company of eagles but this time
only a few ravens chose to tag along; a disappointment for me since I wanted
the kids to get the entire experience (they'd never been on these trails
before). Ethan mostly slept warm and cozy in his sleigh while Daddy towed
him along.

We may not be able to paddle comfortably all year long (or at all on the
frozen lake outside my window) but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy our
paddling spots in different ways. Variety is the spice of life. :)

Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
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