Fargo, ND Christmas Tour - 12.25.08

Yep, you read it correctly.

Fargo, ND.  If you heard me say "boat", you'd know it to be true.  When visiting home, there are two things that I grew up doing that help me pass the down time when I'm not feeling conversational - XC Skiing and ice skating (or hockey if possible! ;)

When the highest possible point gives you a 30' vertical drop at max, not only does it make touring easy, but it also can inspire one to learn new things.  Or at least try.  I was determined to at least get the concept of telemarking down.  Better yet, I had some old three-pins to learn it on.  When I told the fam I was going out for a tour, my dad exclaimed, "I used to climb the buttes in South Dakota and do that too!"  Seriously?  I was in awe for two reasons - 1) Of all the times I talk about skiing and such, this is the first time my dad bothered to mention that he used to telemark.  2) It then dawned on me that I would be using his xc/tele gear...circa 1976.



After I called and was brought a different (although painfully smaller) pair of boots, I decided to begin the real tour, and start following the Red River from south Moorhead, MN into west Fargo, ND.  The weather was perfect - sunny with hardly a cloud, 12*F, and an E wind sometimes managing 5 mph.  The new snow was so light that 20" was the equivalent to 1" of rain.  I quickly made my way along the river until I arrived at the "The Dike West".



It wasn't pretty.  Although I'll admit I had a few good turns and started getting the concept, I had trouble balancing on the skinny skis and my sweater turned white more than once.  However, it was good to be out in the snow and my mom thought so too...

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