14th
2/9 Golf course skiing
I tackled new terrain today. I checked the clock every 5 minutes at work after lunch. I was eager to get out and hit the links. Yes, golf links. Shawnee Golf course, around the corner from work, is a metroparks golf course that opens up it’s land for XC skiing.
It was snowing heavily when I left the office. I fought some bad traffic for 20 minutes, concerned that I was losing precious daylight. I finally got there and wasn’t sure whether I was at the right place. A golf course in winter looks eerily empty. I parked off in the corner, unpacked and was on the course.
It was really cool. The coolest skiing yet. It was different because there was so much snow. I was probably skiing through 8” of powder on top of a 3” base. It was a great workout breaking the trail. I realized that I enjoy breaking a track first and then skiing back through that track.
I skied to the back of the course. It was a great feeling to be remote. That’s not even very remote, but remote for a city dweller like me. I was all alone without a house, car, or person in sight. It was snowing lightly and I imagined myself out in the back country skiing. Awesome feeling.
I skied for about an hour and was completely worn out by the time I got back to the car. What a great way to end the work day.
