New Adventure

I have been wanting to go cross country skiing as a family this winter. Finding a weekend where everyone is well, nothing else is already planned, no parties, and good weather has been difficult! We finally got a day and went yesterday. We went to Stevens Pass Nordic center. We got there early and signed up for a first time skiers class. The weather was looking pretty good, with sun out and fairly warm temps (Pineapple Express for the Northwest this weekend). We had a good instructor who spent about an hour giving us all the basics. It's pretty simple! The kids seemed to do pretty well. I went once in college, and Kipp went with friends at Whistler a few years ago and took a lesson, but that was it. The lesson was good, and we felt ready to go. The instructor mentioned that there were benches all along the main trail, which was the beginner trail. So we headed out. Just as we were starting, Ilea felt a drop of rain. Sure enough, in about 5 minutes it was raining pretty good. We headed very slowly up an easy hill. The kids did OK, but not very fast. It wasn't hard skiing, just shuffle and gliding along. By the time we reached the first bench, Kyler was starting to get frustrated and tired. Kipp and I didn't sit down because of the rain, but the kids did. We ate our lunch as our paper bags disintegrated in the rain. We packed up again. The kids had heavy coats, but not waterproof, and none of our backpacks were. We decided to keep going a little more. After maybe 10-15 min, Kyler gave up and started crying. He was just tired and frustrated. The up part is slower and not as fun. I loved it and Ilea was having fun too. The adults were able to glide a little more than the kids. They shuffled more than gliding. So Kipp agreed to take Kyler back and Ilea and I continued on for a little more. Someone from the lodge said that there was a small hill coming up and so we went up and turned around to come back. Down was fun! Just slide down. There were lots of flatter places so you couldn't get too out of control. The kids need a little work on balance. Kyler had a great time coming down, and later that night said he LOVED skiing! Ilea and I really did have fun, and Kipp enjoyed it also. I think we'll try it some more, and the kids will get better and better.