![Skyway](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Recent-Shots/2016-UnNikon/i-6BHWHFf/0/M/CA_01101622495097-M.jpg)
Cross-country skiing didn't see any time on my calendar last year, but we're making up for it this year!
We kicked off the new year (a week late) with a two-day Nordic swoosh atop the Grand Mesa.
![The Lizard](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Recent-Shots/2016-UnNikon/i-FZSbwb3/0/M/CA_01101622490185-M.jpg)
![Gorgeous Blue Sky](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Grand-Mesa/i-QjdC8dh/0/M/DSCN1960-M.jpg)
![The Lizard at Skyway](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Grand-Mesa/i-TzkXZwV/0/M/DSCN1971-M.jpg)
Typically, when I first put on my skis again each year, I have to learn to balance, turn and stop all over again. This year, physical therapy since my last time on skis has made me just a bit stronger! I still had to get that balance thing under control again, and I'm still not too sharp on turns and stops, but I had fewer sound effects this time around snapping into my skis.
Typically, The Lizard has had to help me snap into my skis. Not this year! I did it myself the first time ever! And without falling down, too!
![Ready to Glide!](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Grand-Mesa/i-VRtGkZG/0/M/DSCN1959-M.jpg)
Skyway is wonderfully groomed Nordic track along the western edge of the top of the Grand Mesa. Most of the trails are easy for a beginner/klutz like me. Miles and miles of gentle rises and falls, with four feet of padding when the inevitable spill does occur.
![Skyway](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Recent-Shots/2016-UnNikon/i-sxC4RGf/0/M/CA_01101622492854-M.jpg)
![buried](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Grand-Mesa/i-FmdJCGg/0/M/DSCN2090-M.jpg)
![frosted aspens](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Grand-Mesa/i-6bv26f8/0/M/DSCN2006-M.jpg)
I do still need an extra hand to right myself when I go belly up, but I fell down fewer times this trip.
I had to walk up two steeper hills. The Lizard carried my skis when I had to walk.
![Carry My Skis](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Grand-Mesa/i-qhcGFjb/0/M/DSCN2032-M.jpg)
![Glorious Skyway](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Grand-Mesa/i-x4QDdPf/0/M/DSCN2010-M.jpg)
![NOT the moon!](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Grand-Mesa/i-5tmQ7g2/0/M/DSCN2000-M.jpg)
![like a Christmas card](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Grand-Mesa/i-j8fMcsd/0/M/DSCN2073-M.jpg)
The weather was gorgeous. Frigid cold, but gorgeous blue sky, occasional peek-a-boos by the sun, and shimmering snowflakes big enough to admire as I slid along. I didn't take my extension tubes or lights, so I couldn't do extreme macro, but I had fun shooting the big luxurious flakes with my portrait lens and available light on the black fabric of my church dress...
![on my dress](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Seasons/Winter/Super-Macro/i-wvHqJjS/0/M/DLA109844-M.jpg)
![on my dress](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Seasons/Winter/Super-Macro/i-Ctm64VF/0/M/DLA109889-M.jpg)
the black fabric of my coat...
![on my coat](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Seasons/Winter/Super-Macro/i-PddRrMQ/0/M/DLA109898-M.jpg)
the car window...
![my car window](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Seasons/Winter/Super-Macro/i-vrB8NCR/0/M/DLA109909-M.jpg)
![my car window](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Seasons/Winter/Super-Macro/i-ds32wgF/0/M/DLA109923-M.jpg)
my skis...
![wish I had better light](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Seasons/Winter/Super-Macro/i-X6ttD53/0/M/DLA109905-M.jpg)
and my ski boots!!!
![my ski boots](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Seasons/Winter/Super-Macro/i-Pk7d6DP/0/M/DLA109860-M.jpg)
![stacking up on my ski boots](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Seasons/Winter/Super-Macro/i-kFQC2LS/0/M/DLA109858-M.jpg)
![Gorgeous!!!](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Seasons/Winter/Super-Macro/i-tk6jfVn/0/M/DLA109871-M.jpg)
While The Lizard loaded our skis at the end of the day, I went belly down on the nearly empty parking lot to shoot the last rays of light reflecting off the freshly fallen sparkling snowflakes covering the ground.
![belly down](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Seasons/Winter/Super-Macro/i-BTMC9xT/0/M/DLA110047-M.jpg)
Awesome how you caught them so up close. I tried skiing once years ago, let's just say I like walking too much to every try that again lol
ReplyDeleteNice shots! The Mesa is a hidden jewel.
ReplyDelete