Skiing again.

.
.
It looks like my skiing will be a solo venture. My younger friend tried it, but says the steel rods in his leg do not work well with the confinement of the tracks and the incline, I think. He will be thinking about it though. The first time I went, I went for far too long and with boots that were a little small. If I was not interested in getting beyond, I might have considered quitting too. I hope he reconsiders but will do it on my own until then.

I stopped into a shop that specializes in ski gear and talked one of the guys up and down on the topic. It looks like I should really start with simple cross country gear, which prices to $500 for the whole package. There are places for used in Salt Lake City, and perhaps even Ogden, for the more expensive gear and once I get there, if I get to that point of course. The nice thing about owning is I can go on a moments notice, there are no returns, and I pay nothing after that initial cost. Of course, you would have surmised as much. I would have to ski 42 days to make the price worth the expense but I do not think that will be a problem.

I also found a place very close by which is merely a flat track. It would not be too bad, though it is rather plain in many ways. With Green Canyon just about as close and a lot more attractive and exciting, it would be difficult for me to entertain the notion of a half mile circular level track. Now, if I get different gear, say skate skis or backcountry or something, it would be a nice safe place to explore using the equipment, checking out how things work, and such.

As I said, if I need to go alone, so be it. I am going to try to make it a weekly thing at first. Maybe more often once as I get in better shape. I will be looking into my money, seeing what is coming and going, and then I will decide when to buy. It might not be this year, but I am pushing to have them sooner rather than later. Until then I can easily afford even 6 to 8 times a month. I just hate having to go in, size things every time, ski just a bit, then drop them back. Triple the work compared to owning them.

Oh, and I am learning to really like skiing. I have no trouble with heat or cold now, the exercise is there but if it gets a bit much I can slow down or rest, and the downhill part... well, let me just say that if it looks to steep hiking is then in order. If nothing else, I know when I am going to fast and that I can handle a pretty hearty wipe-out. Better to hit the snow hard than to hit a tree or big rock. A few more times and I might be ready to take my camera. Ha, I did not fall down once this time. Then again, I was not skiing for nearly 5 hours either. We were on the skis for a good 2 hours, though, I would guess.

Good luck in whatever ventures you are up to. Have a great day!