The big news is SNOW … a rare commodity until now, but there’s LOTS of fluffy powder after the most recent storm, making conditions ideal for skiing. Cold temps have kept the awesome ice sculptures in town perfectly intact, and if planning a visit, they are definitely a ‘MUST SEE’! Dana and I have been cross-country skiing all week. After overcoming the initial inertia, I was in fine form and didn’t want to stop; I can’t think of anything that makes me feel healthier than XC skiing!
Two of our favorite guests, sisters Gene Fontaine and Eloise Brittain have spent the week with us here at The Lodge, inspiring everyone with whom they come in contact. At 90 and 91, they ski every day, and live and love life to the fullest. Gene, still the world traveler, has many adventures planned after she leaves us today. Eloise still composes music and plays in a praise band, and has recently been on the lecturing circuit. Their zest for life is marvelous as well as contagious. Gene’s son and wife spent the week with them this year as well, and cousins from Vermont also met them here for a couple of days. “Cousin Wilbur” could be heard to remark each morning as he came down the stairs, ”It’s another grand and glorious day of golden opportunity.” Wow.
The best bet for this week is skiing, either downhill or XC with the discount passes we have for our guests. The upcoming weekend will bring the annual Snow Sculpting Competition, an event that attracts a wide variety of sculptors, both amateur and professional. The winning team of this State Championship will receive a trophy and an invitation to compete in the United States National Snow Sculpting Competition, to be held at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin in 2013. Each team will be given a cylinder shaped block of snow 4 feet in diameter by 8 feet tall to create their snow sculptures. Most of the teams will start sculpting on Friday, January 28th and continue working through the night on Saturday to complete their sculptures in time for the judging on Sunday afternoon January 30th starting at Noon. Judging is based on creativity, technique and message. Other activities planned for the snow sculpture weekend include a welcome reception dinner, with a bon fire and roasting of marshmallows, sleigh rides and more. Come on up for a visit to see this absolutely marvelous and enchanting art form!
Wow, you have lots of beautiful, white snow. We don't have any snow here. I live less than a mile from the ocean, on the central coast of California. Howver, I did hear that it actually hailed one year. Hmm...a rarity for sure :) :) Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California (formerly Oregon), Heather :)
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