Hairsicles

Last weekend, we went snowshoeing again. We couldn't help ourselves. The fluffy white snow was calling our names, "Erika! Joe! Come play!" (If only we knew it would hit us hard later!) So we packed a picnic, hot cocoa and headed east. But I apparently forgot to pack my common sense because my hair turned to ice. Next time, tuck it in your hat, Peterson. I had hairsicles.

But seriously. We love snowshoeing and want anyone and everyone to join us sometime. Except for the man running up the hillside in snowshoes. I would consider that self-inflicted torture. (Says the girl who willingly did this.)

Snowshoe Crew

On Sunday, Maddie, Casey, Joe and I took on Gold Creek Trail up at Snoqualmie Pass. We ordered up some blue skies and mild weather for the most perfect afternoon. It was a fairly easy trail and ended with a beautiful view. Throw in some picnic action, complete with hot cocoa and marshmallows (and great company!) and you've got yourself a successful winter outing. Gotta make the best out of cold, sometimes miserable weather, right? What do you do to fight the winter blues?

P.S. More snowshoeing adventures.
P.P.S. Maddie's take.


Joe likes to "off-road". Or maybe pretend like he's Bigfoot?

Hot cocoa tastes like heaven in the cold and at high elevations. Trust me on this one.

Ain't no mountain high enough

When you have SNOWSHOES on! I got Joe snowshoes for Christmas, so we didn't have to borrow all the time. This, in turn, meant that I would also have to buy them for myself. What a pity :)

So on our little mini-trip to Leavenworth, we went on 2 snowshoeing adventures. Once in Leavenworth and once at Stevens Pass, but on the other side of the ski area. At Stevens, we gained some major elevation and weren't too far from the top! I kept blaming my lack of breath on the high elevation... I'm sure it has NOTHING to do with my lack of exercise recently, right? In Leavenworth, however, it was a bit more flat. But we did forge the river because it was frozen over! I guess they call is Icicle River for a reason.

Near the top! Isn't it lovely? Minus my bright red nose. Am I Rudolf?

We even "off-roaded" a bit, which was my favorite part.

And I found this hole in the snow and took a rest.

And Joe conquered this mini-hill. This was in Leavenworth when we thought this was a big hill... before the monstrous mountain!

We ended up snowshoeing until the sunset, which isn't too late this time of year, but still. We're badass.

Pigeon-toed snowshoer

Yep, I'm a pigeon-toed snowshoer.

Not sure exactly why, but my snowshoes kept creeping in at the top. (Well, it was probably my lack of experience getting my boots in the bindings...) After a little help, the problem was solved, but I definitely used a few muscles that aren't regularly used in the process.

But snowshoeing is oh-so-fun! It's not too tiring, but I still considered it cross-training. We also lucked out with some beautiful weather - the sky was clear and the sun was shining.

We "off-roaded" a bit to set-up a little picnic down by the water. (Yeah, we're rebels.) Despite having three layers, my butt was no match for the snowy ground. Thus, we ate in a hurry and headed back to the Snoqualmie State Park before the lions and tigers and bears, oh my, came out at night!

I dubbed the lake behind me, Lake Erika.

(What? It could be.)

Snowshoeing Extraordinaire.