The Red Ski Is For The Right Foot

wood skis with bamboo poles !

 

Yes, they are two different cross country skis (wooden and from Finland, yet !) but they are the only ones I have with the old fashioned ankle-breaker bindings.  The skis I had as a kid had bindings kinda like these.  If you get them adjusted just right the ski will come off if you fall rather than mess up a leg.

  The more modern cross country skis require what I think of as clown shoes with an extended sole in front.  There's a clamp on the ski that holds this extended sole down in front while letting the skier raise their heel in back - these aren't like the click in bindings and boots of downhill skis.

I had dug a path through the snow to the storage building where I keep the skis so I thought I'd try getting out the skis to check on the maple sap.  I haven't been out to the trees for a week and a day.  Here's my path out there:

Actually the snow drifts were highest by the house.  There were some bare patches by the trees.  So I think I'll just walk out to the trees from now on.  I got 4 gallons of sap from the trees on the west except for this one:

I hate when that happens, at least the rope kept me from losing the bottle under the snow - it can get really windy !

The problem was bringing that sap back - it's hard to carry an 8 pound milk jug of sap in each hand at the same time working ski poles.  I suppose I could rig up a sled but by the time I get that done the snow will have melted and slumped down a lot.  Also, why risk my leg health on those janky old skis ?  

One ski session a year is enough - quit while I'm ahead !  :)

Best Regards,
Chuck, WB9KZY
http://wb9kzy.com/ham.htm