Hate Winter, Love Snowshoeing

As kid I loved the Winter weather, the fresh fallen snow, and sleigh riding, but as I have gotten older, ( heavy on the old,) I truly detest Winter. Especially when I have to get in a cold car, or get all bundled up the an Eskimo, and at my age sleigh riding is dangerous and a lot of physical work. However, this year in an effort to stay in shape and continue to exercise before going to Africa, I ask for snow shoes for Christmas. Now I have never been snowshoeing in my life, but then again in the past few months I have tried a lot of things I have never done before. For someone who hates to be cold, I LOVE snowshoeing! It takes no talent, just pick em up and step, that is until you fall then it is a little tricky getting back up. One thing about it though it doesn't' hurt when you fall if the snow is deep enough. I have been several times around Goshen, but the other day I went with Karen Boothe & Joy Hunter, we hiked up to Loafer. It was absolutely beautiful! The sun was shining, the snow was sparkling, and the view was gorgeous.
WOW, what a work out on the legs, I think my right thigh was screaming loudly, what the hell are you doing. It is a little different than hiking as my boots and snowshoes adds about five pounds per leg. That is better than forty-five pounds on my in my cute green backpack, but still a little rough for someone who has never been to active in the outdoors. Only ten days left and its off to hike Kilimanjaro, I so hope I have done enough training, either by hiking, swimming, walking and my new found outdoor pleasure snowshoeing, to get reach my goal on the highest free standing mountain in the world. Look out Kili here I come!