If the energy, enthusiasm and fortitude of The Eastern Mass Bill Koche Skiers is any indication of who will be running our country 10-20 years from now, I have renewed hope and Peace of Mind that we are in good hands! This young crew of skiers is one group of kids to celebrate and be proud of!
Dozens of bundled cross country skiers from ages 6-14 and their freezing parents gathered at Weston Ski Track this past Sunday to skate two .5 KM heats of the beautifully groomed course. While the temps rose as the day progressed, for the hour duration of the race, these formidable and determined kids skied hard and fast as the slide show below illustrates.
Their dedicated parents kept time, poured hot chocolate, recorded scores, cheered and kept kids warm with hugs and layers of jackets...all for a collective love of a super healthy lifelong sport. Bravo EMBK parents and kids!
While multi-colored ribbons were given to all participants, the EMBKL kids eyed the real prize: a choice of treats: sweedish fish, chocolate bars, lolipops and the like. At least we know they have earned the calories!
Bravo Bill Kochers young and old!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Cross Country Bliss at Craftsbury
For the past four MLK weekends, my family and I have joined a group of Vermont and Massachusetts friends for three days of cross country skiing bliss at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Craftsbury, VT. The combination of fresh deep powder, new tracks and the anticipation of the inauguration made this weekend a particularly blissful one for all.
Craftsbury is one our group's favorite cross country skiing destinations. We all have kids and love to spend as much as much time as possible being with them, skiing and enjoying the outdoors. Craftsbury, with its simple rooms and suites is surrounded by a vast, diverse network of 85 KMs of trails for all levels of skiers. Families flow easily and safetly between ski trails, skating rink and the ever popular sledding hill. Three delicious buffet style meals are also included and enjoyed at their rustic community dining hall, steps away from all accommodations and in full, glorious view of Lake Hosmer.
All the trails are beautifully groomed and have their own charm and character. My favorites are the Big Hosmer Lake trail, Sam's and Ruthie's run--all offer rolling pristine wooded trails and vast Vermont views that will literally take your breath away! One traditional group activity for families is to ski to the bucolic town of Craftsbury and have a snack in the General Store. The kind folks at Craftsbury will kindly pick you up and bring your group back just in time for lunch!
We utilized this shuttle service to bring us to Highland Lodge where a group of us skied back to the Craftsbury Center for 20KM of cross country ski bliss. This zig-zagging ski ranked high on my list of all time favorite skis. There had been 10 inches of powder and the tree branches were covered in layers. The route winds its way through forests of young maple trees, narrow woodland trails and big open fields that offer expansive views of farms and distant mountains.
In addition to amazing skiing, there's a small skating rink and a huge sledding hill where kids can be found at all times a day. Off season the Craftsbury Outdoor Center is known as a premier skulling and running center which was recently purchased by Dick Dreissigacker and Judy Geer who have restructured the organization as a non-profit entity.
“During our discussions about the vision for the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, it became apparent that there was quite a bit of common ground between the Spring family’s mission for Craftsbury and what the Foundation envisions,” Craftsbury Manager, Russ Spring Jr. explains. “The foundation’s goal is to build upon the work started by our founders, Russell and Janet Spring, so many years ago, keeping current staff and programming in place while improving and expanding the reach of the Center’s programs.”
In addition to a premier outdoor center, Craftsbury sponsor a Cross Country team and hosts many key events throughout the year including the Craftsbury Marathon. My nine-year old daughter Valentina and I will participate in the 25 KM Gourmet Ski tour version of the race for the first time.
From the marathon home page:
"Like cycling, cross-country skiing musters up an enormous appetite and thanks to an alliance of some of the Northeast Kingdom's best chefs and the TD Banknorth Craftsbury Marathon and Tour in Vermont this race/ tour offers some culinary delights for all! Seven years ago John Brodhead, the Craftsbury Outdoor Center's Director of Skiing, proposed a partnership among several Craftsbury and Greensboro businesses and nonprofits to produce a marathon with special food stations along the course. To his surprise they eagerly agreed and participation has since increased almost 700% to 1000 participants including racers and tourers.
For nineteen years the Craftsbury Marathon attracted no more than one hundred and fifty hard-core racers. "When the Center incorporated food stations where participants could sample items from local restaurants and delis, it made sense to invite the non-racing public to enjoy the same amenities too", said Brodhead. As many as five hundred tourers have showed up for a glorious day of skiing and enjoyment of house specialties served on-course.
At 9:00 AM five hundred lycra-clad racers explode from the start line followed by a more leisurely paced touring class departure shortly after the racing crowd goes off. Dave Stember and Monica Perrier, co-owners of the Historic Craftsbury General Store have provided a choice of hearty vegetarian or sausage black bean soup and a caramelized onion and Chevre cheese puff pastry. Chef-owner Bill Maier of the Craftsbury Inn dished out a hearty split pea soup with ham, fresh home made bread and spicy hot cider. Joining these fine businesses this year, for the first, time will be Claire's Restaurant from Hardwick and the Village Store of Craftsbury. All the stations, additionally, will have the basic re-hydration drinks and energy bars favored by the marathon racers . For those inclined, there will be seating around a cheery bonfire at the on-course food stations. "
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