Bald Eagles God's Messengers! Skiing!

Anyone who knows me knows how I love bald eagles.  I would call Isaiah 40:31 my life verse.  Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.  The eagles don't use their own power to soar in the air.  They use the air currents.  Just as we should be using the power of the Holy Spirit to live our lives and not our own power.  I did a blog post about the eagle that flew right in front of me going to 49 when I was extremely nervous about skiing because of my ACL reconstruction.  I knew it was a sign from God that I was going to be OK.  I don't always see bald eagles on the way to 49 in fact it is rare. Today I was on the phone to Mike on the way to 49 and two bald eagles made an appearance right in front of my car again.  Some might say it was a coincidence but I don't believe that.  God knows that I think of that verse every time I see a bald eagle.  He knows what it means to me.  He cares about every little thing in my life.  I was talking to Mike on the phone and shouting for joy.  Mike it's a bald eagle, there's another one.  Eagles have become God's messengers for me to bring me great joy and to let me know He is always with me, even on the ski hill.  

 I don't have to tell you that it was a beautiful day.  You can tell by the pictures.  So, so beautiful!

 Great snow, sunny skies!

There were racers on the mountain.  If I could have done the course at my own pace I would  have.  They didn't invite me.

Perfection.  I love the sound that corduroy groomed snow makes when you are skiing.  There wasn't a lot of this but enough to make me laugh out loud.

I skied hard before lunch.  My legs were tired.  Still not back to skiing strength.  I took a few runs after lunch and headed home.

On the way home there they were again.  The eagles soaring above me. God's timing was perfect again!  I pulled over and just watched them soar for about 10 minutes.  I tried to get pictures but they weren't close enough for pictures.  I did get one but I didn't even know it was an eagle until I blew the picture up.  I circled it.  God can speak to you in many different ways.  Today, I got messages of joy, peace, safety and His love all through those eagles soaring high above. What a day!!!

Skiing in a Winter Wonderland Sort of! December 26,2016

Mike and I headed up to 49 Degrees North on the Monday after Christmas. It was so good to have Mike join me this time.  We got out the door on time and arrived about 30 minutes after opening.  This is the rope tow.  I have used these.  A long time ago!

 Learning to ski can be a challenge but well worth it.

 A little help goes a long way.

 I was enjoying being in the mountains pulling out my phone to take some pictures of the snow and mountains!

 Little did I know that this day wouldn't end well at all.

 Love!

 Corduroy snow.  I love the sound it makes as you go over it.  I search it out.

 We stopped for lunch.  Mike stayed in the lodge and I took a few more runs.  I wasn't at all tired and needed to be out on the hill some more.

 More pictures! So beautiful.  I would just stop and breathe it in for awhile.

 I was coming back to the lodge taking my favorite run.  Again I was not tired at all.  I would have come in the lodge with my new knee if I would have been tired.  I was just cruising down and almost to the bottom taking big swooping turns and CRASH!  I haven't crashed like that in years.   I caught the edge of my ski and remember the back of my head hitting the snow and my knee twisting in an un-natural way.  My skis did not pop off. A couple of people asked if I was OK and I said yes.  I realized I only had one pole with me.  The next person got my pole for me and helped me get my skis off.  I tried to stand up and my knee collapsed. He got help for me.

 I tried to negotiate not going on the sled but I was not successful.  I did get my phone out to take a pictures so not in much pain yet.

 My first visit to 49 Degrees North first aid room and Mike took some pictures.

 I was shaking I was so cold so I got my Santa hat and some hot chocolate.  Still not a lot of pain but some.  It hit later that night.  Very nice people helping me!

Ski season is probably over for me.  The doctor said my knee was very loose.  I know that because it wants to collapse.  It doesn't but it feels like it could.  MCL tissue for sure and possibly an issue with my ACL.  That does not make me happy because I popped my ACL on the right knee.  It doesn't seem as bad as the other knee so I am hopeful.  MRI coming soon!  That will tell the whole story.  This picture is a bit of a contradiction.   My new snowshoes and crutches.  Hmmmm!

Lots of ice in my future and it is not the kind of ice you find on a ski hill.  Stay tuned!

Mike's Big Adventure, Skiing

It had been a long time! I was so happy Mike came with me! It was so much fun! Love, love!

It was a gorgeous day in God's country!  The snow was great!

Wow!!!!

New yurts at the bottom of the quad!  We didn't stop and eat here but they have food and drink available!

The oyster feed! BBQ and boiled!

Mike decided that the oysters weren't cooked enough so he got a this giant corn beef sandwich! He ate every bite! We had a great day together and I hope Mike comes with me again soon.  Not in 4 years!  I miss skiing with him.  

The Day the Chairlift Stopped, December 28, 2015

It started as a pretty normal day to head up skiing.  It was snowing in Spokane so I was a little hesitant.  The powder and my recovering leg don't agree much.  I headed up anyway.  As I got farther north the snow stopped and it almost got sunny.  I even saw a bald eagle fly and land in a tree.  I thought seeing a bald eagle was good luck.  Not so! 

 Not snowing and I was excited to get on the mountain.  Hardly any skiers too.

 Beautiful day!

 The Christmas tree lights were sparkling on the tree.

 The powder was so light and fluffy it was perfect.  Fresh powder, not too deep.  I started out going up to the top of the mountain .  It was starting to snow.

 Chair 1 to the top.

 Wow!  Loving this!

 My legs started getting tired so I decided to go to chair 2 for a shorter run!

 I was almost 1/2 way up chair 2 and it stopped.  I figured someone fell so I got my phone out for some pictures.  After about 10 minutes I knew the chairlift did not stop because of a person having any trouble.  I thought there was a problem with the chairlift I was on.  Nope.  All lifts were stopped.

 I was by myself so I sang some songs, wiggled my fingers and toes, hugged myself to keep warm.  Chair 3 was going and people were getting off.  Chair 1 was next.  I have no idea what was happening with the lifts I couldn't see.  Pretty soon no one was coming down the mountain.  Someone told us it was a power outage caused by a fallen tree.  After 40 minutes we started to move.  Yes, I was praying for warmth and for the chairlift to start.  It crept up the mountain.  25 more minutes before I got off the lift.  Over an hour total.  BRRRRR!

To the lodge. No lights on the tree and I was cold.  So was the lodge.  Tons of people congregated in the lodge.  The first announcement was they would be running Chair 1 and 3 with back up power.  Some people went out.  No way I was going to.  I was too cold.

I saw Mary.  She had just arrived and missed all the fun.  We talked for a while and then she headed up to ski.  Brave Mary!  As Mary said there is no backup for the backup power!  I was not going to get stuck on the lift again.

No one did.  Just as I was leaving the lights came back on.  I still was not tempted to continue to ski. I checked to see if there was any hot chocolate yet.  Nope!

This was only part of the line to get back on to the chairlift.  Bye, bye 49 I will see you in a few days!

Then about a mile outside of Chewelah we had to take a detour on the back roads.  Small icy roads but it was very pretty!

Finally the home stretch!  What an adventure!  Has never happened to me in over 45 years of skiing. First and last time I hope!