First, after the Christmas/New Year's working marathon, a friend and I went up to Canada for a little R and R and to get another friend who is from there to bring her back to Amherst for the Spring semester. Well, for Christmas my mom got me a Garmin (which I affectionately call WOH-VA.... as in Elmer Fudds dog, rover!) I put in the start and end (mount snow and Lavel, a small city outside of Montreal) and got the directions. I faithfully followed them at first, since I had asked for the shortest route I thought i should believe it. Well, let me tell you. In New England, the "shortest routes" include dirt roads. The following two pictures are from the dirt road we ended up on in a State Park that had only been maintained by SNOWMOBILES! Good thing I had a car that would go that way. But it was SUPER fun and really pretty. So, while it added time (not the fastest route) it added excitement and fun to the trip right from the the beginning!
The first full day we were there (there meaning Tremblant) we walked into town and while crossing this really narrow bridge saw this beautiful waterfall. With all the ice formations and the ice mist on the trees it made a small little fall seem so pretty and majestic.
The first full day we were there (there meaning Tremblant) we walked into town and while crossing this really narrow bridge saw this beautiful waterfall. With all the ice formations and the ice mist on the trees it made a small little fall seem so pretty and majestic.
These are pictures of the village and the mountain from afar. The mountain actually has some great pitches on it and great bumps and the village is like a little bit of Europe in North America.
Finally, to the good stuff from the trip. Besides a great day of skiing on Monday, Tuesday was the real adventure. All weekend we had been talking about climbing up a hill behind the multimillion dollar home we were staying in. Well, we had sort of discussed going Tuesday before we left, but as we went to sleep we said we were leaving at 9 and I knew that the hike was out, at least with one of the friends I was with. If I had discussed it with the other I think she would have been up for it, but i didn't; I was tired. But when I woke Tuesday morning I thought, HMMMM? I could go right now, and let them sleep and I'd be back in time to go at our scheduled time. SO I got up, got dressed, went to my car to grab my snowshoes, and headed up the hill. IT was about 600 and I had snuck into the other bedroom where my friends were sleeping to grab my friends camera (successfully pulled that off) because I didn't take mine on the trip. I was intending on getting a beautiful sunrise picture. So I decided to follow some deer tracks up the hill, thinking they would find a nice way up I could manage. This hill was pretty steep so I thought I'd use them as pathfinders. I got about 5, 6 minutes into the hike when I actually stopped and looked ahead of me. At which point, I saw three bodies, each with four legs, walking just at the ridge (about 100 yds) ahead of me. I moved around trees, peering as well as I could to get a better look. Then, all of a sudden I saw a BIG BUSHY TAIL pop up on one of them. I admit it, I thought they were deer.... the deer I was following, maybe? UNTIL, the tail. I then hid behind a tree, hoping to "disappear" for a bit so the WOLVES would continue peacefully up and over the ridge. Peering around the tree a few moments later I noticed eyes. It was not quite light yet and in the Eastern Canadian forests it is hard to see between the trees, so I had to take a longer look. Then I noticed, they had TURNED AROUND, and were walking back down the hill! So, needless to say, I "high tailed" it out of there. Sliding and scurrying down the hill to the house as quickly as I could without arousing more interest. I was never scared because all I was thinking was get to the house, get to the house. I did get to the house, but not unscathed. Since i was taking a more direct line to the house and not meandering they way I had climbing up, I had to take a few risks; like jumping over fallen trees. I was successful on all but one attempt; but it only takes one! My snowshoe went into the snow tail in first and my shin came down on top of it. Leaving a wonderful bruise and scrape. Unfortunately, that is my only memory of the wolves: no pictures :(! But every time I make a turn in skiing now i remember those silly wolves, and probably will for the rest of the season. :)
So the trip to canada was the last road trip for Jeepers. Yes, we have finally parted ways. We had to go to the car hospital three times in 6 weeks and I just couldn't afford that anymore. So, with the generous help of my mom I have a new baby. I'm still working on a name, so if there are any suggestions???? It is just almost perfect so there isn't too much character yet to help with the name... but that is a GOOD thing! :)
Finally, to the good stuff from the trip. Besides a great day of skiing on Monday, Tuesday was the real adventure. All weekend we had been talking about climbing up a hill behind the multimillion dollar home we were staying in. Well, we had sort of discussed going Tuesday before we left, but as we went to sleep we said we were leaving at 9 and I knew that the hike was out, at least with one of the friends I was with. If I had discussed it with the other I think she would have been up for it, but i didn't; I was tired. But when I woke Tuesday morning I thought, HMMMM? I could go right now, and let them sleep and I'd be back in time to go at our scheduled time. SO I got up, got dressed, went to my car to grab my snowshoes, and headed up the hill. IT was about 600 and I had snuck into the other bedroom where my friends were sleeping to grab my friends camera (successfully pulled that off) because I didn't take mine on the trip. I was intending on getting a beautiful sunrise picture. So I decided to follow some deer tracks up the hill, thinking they would find a nice way up I could manage. This hill was pretty steep so I thought I'd use them as pathfinders. I got about 5, 6 minutes into the hike when I actually stopped and looked ahead of me. At which point, I saw three bodies, each with four legs, walking just at the ridge (about 100 yds) ahead of me. I moved around trees, peering as well as I could to get a better look. Then, all of a sudden I saw a BIG BUSHY TAIL pop up on one of them. I admit it, I thought they were deer.... the deer I was following, maybe? UNTIL, the tail. I then hid behind a tree, hoping to "disappear" for a bit so the WOLVES would continue peacefully up and over the ridge. Peering around the tree a few moments later I noticed eyes. It was not quite light yet and in the Eastern Canadian forests it is hard to see between the trees, so I had to take a longer look. Then I noticed, they had TURNED AROUND, and were walking back down the hill! So, needless to say, I "high tailed" it out of there. Sliding and scurrying down the hill to the house as quickly as I could without arousing more interest. I was never scared because all I was thinking was get to the house, get to the house. I did get to the house, but not unscathed. Since i was taking a more direct line to the house and not meandering they way I had climbing up, I had to take a few risks; like jumping over fallen trees. I was successful on all but one attempt; but it only takes one! My snowshoe went into the snow tail in first and my shin came down on top of it. Leaving a wonderful bruise and scrape. Unfortunately, that is my only memory of the wolves: no pictures :(! But every time I make a turn in skiing now i remember those silly wolves, and probably will for the rest of the season. :)
So the trip to canada was the last road trip for Jeepers. Yes, we have finally parted ways. We had to go to the car hospital three times in 6 weeks and I just couldn't afford that anymore. So, with the generous help of my mom I have a new baby. I'm still working on a name, so if there are any suggestions???? It is just almost perfect so there isn't too much character yet to help with the name... but that is a GOOD thing! :)
