Yesterday I was invited up to the Kawartha Nordic Ski Lodge to see their "Groomer" at work. Outside the temperature was in the "deep freeze" but being Canadian, off we went. The machine is the Cadillac of ski trail grooming and Dave handled it like he was driving an ATV. Up and down the trails, never out of control or dumping too much snow in the wrong place. One pass and the trail is packed, groomed and ready for the crowds tomorrow. If my grandma could see how we live today.
Before we reached the ski lodge we passed many old barns like this. Hand cut logs pulled out of the bush by horse a hundred years ago. Today we speed by at 100 km/hr or fly by on snowmobiles and cover in an hour the distance our pioneers would take a day to travel. These barns make me think of my uncle Gordon who farmed by horse and never travelled outside of Ontario. How things have changed.
Yes that does say 10 below; perfect weather for a little x-country skiing or reading a good book beside a cozy fire as the snow falls and whirls about outside.
This is the beast, the Piston Buddy, that will groom a trail in one pass. Of course this little baby cost almost as much as a house, but, hey, it's heated as well as talented.
Dave and Sean stop to decide which trail to do next.
A log cabin so the skiers can get warmed up.
Sean follows with the packer. If you love to be outside in the winter check out the Kawartha Nordic Ski Club just north of Peterborough.
Lots of beautiful trails meander all over the property. Dave has seen deer, fox, owls and mink as he works his magic on each trail.
One last shot as the "beast" drops me off and heads back out. Thanks for the ride Dave. What a great day and you can't do that in the desert.
This one's for Annie. Are you coming home to help shovel?
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