Penn State Chics Dig Nerds

 Instead of being glum about more snow and shoveling we chose to enjoy it.  After shoveling so many times this winter, it would have been easy to wish the snow away.  However, the past week, we have had a lot of snow fun (in addition to the hard work of shoveling). We have been on several snow hikes this winter.  Last Sunday, we hiked at Greenwood Furnace State Park on a trail that we had never explored before. We were dog sitting Solomon.  He enjoyed this outing a lot. When we got back to the lake, we decided to explore the ice.  It was completely frozen with at least 4 inches of ice.  Still, we only walked in the swimming area, not the deeper water area. Since we went on that trail at Greenwood, I discovered that they had groomed it for cross country skiing.  It did not have tracks, but at least it had a groomed path.  So, I found the need to get back out on my cross country skis again. It was beautiful and quiet on Brush Ridge.  Jesse...

We took a day off to go skiing at Blue Knob.  We got some fresh snow earlier in the week and we could see a temperature warm up coming in the forecast.  So, we decided to go.  Natalee and Brady used their 4th/5th grade ski passes, which meant they got a lesson, equipment rental, and lift ticket.  We signed Amie up for the New Generations Academy, which includes a 2.5 hour lesson.  We had taken the kids skiing for one evening two weeks prior.  That had been Amie's first time of skiing.  We never could get her to stop by herself.  But, this lesson at Blue Knob was amazing for her! This is the view from mid way up Pennsylvania's tallest ski-able mountain.  Jesse and Natalee are on the lift behind us. Amie was still in her lesson at this point.  But, we saw her zooming down the mountain while we were riding up. It snowed almost the entire day. This was a great day of skiing.  We all had fun.  Amie was absolutely thrilled...