Wintry Tidbits

I was over at the Alpen Haus Ski Center this week and happened to run into Gale Tuggle.  We talked about the great snow conditions and how nice the groomed track is for cross-country skiing and skate skiing.  Gale volunteers his time grooming the golf course.  He asked if I had gone to the free cross-country ski clinic which Alpen Haus had put on a few weeks ago, and I replied that I hadn’t.  I have a good enough style for what I need and, believe me, though its basic, I get a nice workout.

He told me that there had been eighty-two people that came to the clinic and he was the instructor.  Alpen Haus had offered their rental skis for half price on that day and it had been mentioned to the participants that donations would be appreciated.  They are used to paying for the gas that is used in the snowmobiles for grooming the course.   Less than forty dollars was donated by those persons.

I really appreciate their efforts in keeping the cross-country ski trails maintained so I always donate something before I go out on the course.  I feel safe there.  I don’t have to worry about avalanches which might be possible in more remote places, and I enjoy being out in the fresh air, getting some “rays”.  If you decide to go to the Alpen Haus course, don’t forget to donate some bucks.  We are very lucky to have such a place as this in town to go to.  And, who knows, you might see a buddy out there getting their exercise!

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The bobcat that popped out from under our deck a few weeks ago is still around.  My husband sighted it underneath the bird feeder in the dim morning light.  Slowly, it walked over the edge of the overlook and disappeared.  By the time my husband told me about it, it was gone.  And then again this week, he saw only the end of its short bobbed tail as it walked past the door.  We think it is once again going under the deck where it will prey on rabbits, etc., which often go there during the winter. I’ll have my camera ready just in case it appears in the open again.  But I’ll have to be quick!

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I enjoy a good western movie to watch once in a while.  Some of the old Clint Eastwood movies are some of my favorites.  Gary Cooper, John Wayne, and Charles Bronson; the latter was in one of my very favorite old movies, “Once Upon a Time in the West”.  Henry Fonda and Jason Robard were also in that spaghetti western.  Robert Redford was great in “Jeremiah Johnson”, another favorite of mine.  And who can forget “Lonesome Dove” with Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones?

Since I’ve seen most of the good western movies already, I read.  Author, Louis L’Amour helps with my insatiable taste for western stories.  I’ve picked up most of his books at area thrift shops.  Being the prolific writer that he was, I never thought

I’d have most of his books, but I do.  Of course, if you don’t want to buy books, there is always the local library.  One of my favorite stories by him is not a western, but more of a modern day adventure called, “Last of the Breed”.  It was great!  Sigh…...,it’s great to curl up with a good book on a cold winter night.