Alaska Trip

In July, we took our Alaskan Cruise with Celebrity Cruises (Eclipse ship).  We traveled from Vancouver, through the Inside Passage, stopping in Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan Alaska and returning to Vancouver.  2058 nautical miles.

It was our "replacement" trip for our canceled Italy trip when our Uniworld River Cruise ship was involved in an accident which caused our trip to be postponed (we are going next summer instead).  We have no regrets about going to Alaska.  It was an amazing experience.  The ship was lovely, but most of all the incredible scenery was stunning.

Skating and Skiing

We seem to be all in as far as winter sports go this year. Between hockey, figure skating and skiing, we have been busy!

Vic and I took Fynn up to Silver Star today.  Being March 3, we are never too sure how much more good ski days are left before the conditions turn to more spring-like.

Today was probably the best day we have had. It was crisp, clear and snow was beautifully groomed.  I think it was ski day #9.  Sophie had dance practice, but she has easily skied about 11 or 12 times as she is picking up extra skiing as a member of the high school ski club.  This video shows Fynn really tearing it up!  He's really come a long way this season. 

When we got home from the mountain today, I headed out to public skating, as I am trying to get as much skating in as possible.  My skates are getting more comfortable, but still not 100%. I had my 8th lesson last Thursday, and I think today was my 4th-time public skating in 2019.

Figure Skating

One of my 2019 intentions (or goals) was to become a better figure skater.  I took lessons for two years in 1976 and 1977.  I liked it but I think due to my shyness and general anxiety, I didn't really want to continue, plus my mom had 2 other kids that took skating too and I think it got to be too much.  Fast forward to this past December when my work did a fun family skate.  I really enjoyed it and realized how good it felt to be on the ice and not worried about anything or "in my head" as that is where I seem to spend a lot of my time.

We skated a couple of more times over Christmas and it really twigged something in me.  I started checking into adult skating lessons and found out that I could take them with our local skating club.  They are not true adult lessons, as there are kids (I'd say early teens and a few 10 year olds) but there are a couple of adults too.  It's kind of cool, but my co-worker Randi has also joined in the lessons after seeing a few Facebook posts I made about skating.

After a couple of lessons my coach suggested a new pair of skates would be in order.  That brought me to being fitted with new skates at Blade Runner (which was a two trip process).  My skates had to be ordered and then heat molded to my feet. They are beautiful skates, but the first time I put them on I hated them.  They really hurt and I could not imagine actually skating on them.  I wore them this past Thursday to lessons and it was a little scary getting a feel for the blade.  The right boot in particular hurt like crazy and I formed a painful blister about 30 minutes into the class.  Everyone at my lessons said it will take some time to get used to them.  I was really second guessing my decision to spend $300 on new skates after the pain I was feeling. I decided to public skating today and I must say they are about 75% better than Thursday.  The left foot feels good and the right foot is almost bearable.  My front cross overs and my edge work are coming back.  I did the lunge and several small two foot jumps and they all felt good.

So far (since I am a counter) I have had 7 lessons, and gone public skating 3 times this year.  I'm hoping to get in as many times on the ice before the season ends.