De-stressor

Full day today.  Painted the front deck and stairs twice in 34C degree heat.  I was grateful for the wind. :)

A few km's from our home is a valley of trails used in the spring/summer/fall for hiking, mountain biking, motorcycle/quad riding and running.  In the winter these trails are mecca for cross country skiing!  With a base elevation of 1160 metres/3800 feet, the timbered valley has a micro-climate that provides ideal Nordic skiing conditions.  The snow is generally dry, seldom more than 1-1.5 meters deep and the temperatures usually between 0 to -15 degrees throughout the winter.  It's been a very long time since I've gone cross country skiing so am looking forward to getting back into it again this winter.

My favourite way to destress at the end of the day is an early evening quad (ATV) ride.  For me there's nothing like barreling along trails, wind on my face, taking in the beauty and wildlife.  

A friend from the Valley we recently moved from asked me today how I was doing.  My reply was...

"I'm so happy.  What a different life I'm leading here on the mountain!  It's wild, rugged, unpredictable, physical, solitary, sweaty and I'm constantly dirty but I absolutely love it.  I feel like it's what I've waited my whole life for."





And in case you're wondering...yes, legally we are supposed to wear helmets. We will get them soon.  I promise!