It's been the best winter for local cross country skiing in a long time. I believe our first outing was Saturday. Jan. 9.  Seven of us, three from The Water Buffalos running club --Judy Tolliver, Stacey, and Laura -- and Richard McClary, Sue Ellen Finkenbiner, Anja Kohl, and me from CSC braved the single digit temps to do a loop around Homer Lake. It was one of Richard's first times and using my extra {garage sale} equipment he was struggling a bit. It was just him and I and a bunch of very hardy women who were leaving us farther and farther behind. I coaxed him on by saying "Richard, these women may leave us out here to die if we don't get moving!" It seemed to help and he kept up the rest of the way even though we got off of a real trail and did some bushwhacking (true x-country skiing): it was a great day.

Then on Sunday, Jan. 17, Anja and I joined Lori Freemon at Allerton Park for a loop along the Sangamon River then back on the ridge where you pass the "Centaur" and the garden area. Although at first it seemed we might be thin on snow, we had a great time gliding farther than normal on each push being on the ice formed by river's previous overflow.  I missed two weekends when I was on the Breckenridge trip, but some of us got back together on Feb.13 again at Allerton Park. In attendance were Doug Staske, his girlfriend Wendy, Bob Morris, Richard McClary, Sue Ellen Finkenbiner, Anja Kohl and me. We decided to do the trails south of the river, where many of us had not been in several years. It was Wendy's first time and although she did pretty well she felt bad for the rest of us who stopped to wait occasionally. We didn't mind waiting but she and Doug coaxed us to go on ahead. None of us knew the trails very well and we took a long loop toward the west then back to our cars.  We hoped Doug and Wendy had found the short cut and would be there when we arrived. When they weren't there we went looking for them. We didn't get far down the road when a van flashed us and out popped Doug.  They had found the westernmost parking lot and had gotten a ride back.  We were relieved to see them.

The next day, Sunday, Feb. 14, nine of us gathered at Homer Lake for another loop around the lake. Present were Randy and Judy Haydel, Tony and Deb Curcio, Doug Staske, Richard McClary, Phil Johnson with June (his dog), Anja Kohl and me. It was a very nice day near 30º F.  Although the snow was thin in spots, we still had a great time. It was Deb's first time but she learned fast and stayed right with us. We had to climb up the fairly steep slope at the dam to go around the spillway and then go down the steep slope on the other side. Nearly all of us tried to ski down. Some of us made it and some didn't. No one was hurt and we continued on back to our starting point. A few beers and snacks were devoured and we felt pretty good about the six miles or so that we covered.    If we get more snow this winter don't stay inside and be a whiner, come join us for some great fun and exercise.  I have several sets of XC skis and gear so come on along.