This will be fun, I said. It can take the place of the Wild Moose Chase we used to do in October. Great idea my friends said. They moved the Wild Moose Chase from the Mt. Spokane cross country ski area to Riverside State Park. Boo! We loved doing the Wild Moose Chase on the cross country trails. This should be a good substitute.We were all smiles when we got there. It took me back to when I used to ski on Mt. Spokane and my kids learning to ski there. Good times.
Bigfoot was even there! Well, this is the Pacific Northwest you know.
Still smiling!
Mt Spokane ski area is a beautiful location. We were doing the 5K. 3.1 miles no problem no matter what the course. I was sure it would weave back and forth as we climbed the mountain.
No White Flags, Never Give up!
Oh my, we have to go up that long hill? Yes, we did and it kept going and going. I was thinking it would be similar to the Wild Moose Chase. Nope, it went straight up for 1.5 miles. As I climbed this hill I knew this was going to be more than tough but I still had hope for some flat spots. No weaving up the mountain and no flat spots. Just up and up!
Climbing and climbing.
Great view. Not sure what lake that is.
And we are still climbing. Doesn't look like much of an incline but it was. This was about the time we said never again.
The lodge is way down there.
Fall colors!
People are starting to come down. There is hope. Thank you Jesus! We heard, "you are almost there!" several times. Almost there when you have reached the turn around and are heading back down feels different than when you are still climbing.
Peggy passed us as she was coming down and we were still going up. I remember some words she spoke to me. Something like, you said this would be fun and never again! Sheila and I were on board with that. We almost didn't make it to the turn around but I needed water. I didn't bring any because it was only three miles. HA!
The turn around spot. I drank a whole bottle of gatorade (which I never drink). We had a couple of snacks too. We took our time at this spot. It will be easier going down for sure.
It was easier going down if you don't count your toes jamming into the front of your shoes and your legs being shot from going uphill. Loose rocks weren't fun at all on the downhill.
See the lodge way down there!
Taking pictures kept my mind off of what a bad idea this was.
I kept thinking at least we could say we did it even though it was really hard! It will feel like we really accomplished something as we crossed the finish line. I was talking myself into that.
We made it! Now the fun part. Food and fellowship! A free lunch came with our entry. I decided I could eat whatever I wanted to after finishing this event. A big cookie, chips, bratwurst etc.
There was a small festival going on at the ski lodge at the same time we finished our grueling course.
We are now smiling again and we were all talking about how hard this event was. We were glad to be finished and we were enjoying our post event time together. Good friends are the best.
We even had music!
We topped the day off with ice cream. The event was hard and we all said never again but we finished. Bonnie, Sheila and Peggy might research my next event suggestion before they commit to it. The time spent together was the best as it always is! Oh, and the ice cream was delicious!
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