Winter Travel

Haven't been traveling lately, but have been getting out on my daily walks.  It's been cold here in Bellingham.  Frost and freezing fog--but sunshine--which is a godsend.  For me, if there's sunshine in the winter, I can take the cold, and long dark nights.  It's the gray and rain during the day, and then dark at 5, that bothers me, depresses me, actually.  It's usually January and February that grow too long, too depressing.  It's the time of year to travel--go somewhere warm, hangout for awhile.  Although I've been getting down to Post Point, my favorite place to walk in the winter, or on cold sunny days, as I can sit in the sandstone, sheltered, above the water and soak up the rays.  It's healing, these moments of warmth, breathing in good clean sea air, feeling the elements.  I feel happiest in the sun.

David is in Antarctica.  He's having cold weather too.  Lots sideways blowing snow.  Here's what he says about the wildlife.  "Just back myself from our landing at Petermann Island with Adelie and Gentoo Pengies, Antarctic Shag (Cormorant), Kelp Gull, Antarctic Tern, Skua and Weddell Seals. It was a nice cruise thru the Lemaire Channel getting here, saw the Ocean Nova and the CEO wanted us to photograph him with the Quark flag... only they(12) were like a kilometer away and tiny dots... right!  So, got a bit cold in the wind with the barometer now dropping... Will be driving zod this afternoon at Pleneau Bay amoungst the icebergs doing two cruises...so will bundle up!"

Soon he'll be back and we'll be getting to the mountains and the snow.  Last year I snowshoed for the first time.  In the 70s I cross-country skiied, which I loved.  When my daughter was born, I carried her in a pack on my back while skiing.  It was fun, but hard--keeping my balance, staying warm enough.  I don't recall that I ever fell with her.  Now she downhill skies.

My skies are old, wood skies from the 70s that need waxing.  I'm hoping the snow will come low this year again, so I can ski in the neighborhood.  The plan is to get out of here in January and go to Utah, to the canyonlands, to the red rock territory.  So if it's nasty then, it won't matter.  This I'm excited for--to feel the land of red earth.  Good stuff.

Okay, I'm going to eat my breakfast now.
Happy travels,
Nan