Winter GO AWAY

Seriously .. it's mid March and we still have snow everywhere.  They are still ice fishing on the lake near my house.

I have not been motivated to get out there and drive in cold temperatures to have a frustrating day on the ice.

Today I showed up late for Coffee Club but skated about 30 minutes (pant pant) and tried some ice dance practice with a few simple jumps and spins at the end.

It wasn't pretty, but I am glad I went.

I Made it to Coffee Club

We are having the snowiest February on record except for back in 1893.  The wind has been howling and my tan from all my traveling is fading fast!   I forced myself to show up for Coffee Club last Friday, but I couldn't squeak much out.  Just sayin' ... if you don't use it.. you really lose it.

Next month we begin our new adventure of snowbirding between Spokane and Arizona (greater Phoenix area).  We'll spend a month moving in and getting to know the area a bit before returning for the spring and summer here in Spokane.  My plan is to get on the ice down in AZ - figure out what rink works best for me and maybe find a coach.

It's time.

Hello Ice

It’s been a while and it took no less than 20 minutes for me to go backwards!

Auld Lang Syne

I skated.

By definition that means I put on my skates and took to the ice.

I have not been around much lately but alas I am still here.  I really hope to get more ice time in 2019.

Borrowed Ice ... in Fairfax VA

I’m here in Virginia visiting my son and grandson  for Thanksgiving.  Had some free time today so I signed up online for a 45 minute freestyle session at 10:15 am at the Fairfax Ice Arena.

I was fortunate there were only 2 other skaters on the ice.  Nice rink.  Soft ice and with a little overhead heat too.  Wish I had skated better.  I’m working on ice dance a lot but I don’t usually record that ... it’s so far away and the corners get missed. (Plus I am not looking too good!)

Coffee Club and Ice Dance Lesson

Today I started with coffe club with coach Kim. then stayed for public session with Hank (previous post) and skated part of a club session for an ice dance lesson.  We worked on the Willow Waltz today.

He’s Back ... for a Surprise Practice!

After coffee club Hank showed up to skate public session.  He probably wasn’t counting on me being there .. but he was sweet to oblige me and skate together!  He told me he has only skated 2 times since April.  Not bad.  I felt terrible while I was skating, but I think we did ok for not skating together for months.

Something Old, Something New

Started the day with Coffee Club.  Sadly only two of us showed up.  I hope attendance improves or we will lose this great program.  I felt pretty wobbly after being away for another 3 weeks from home ice.  I did get to skate a couple of times in Tahoe . But there’s no place like “home ice”.  So I brought my scribe and decided to stay quiet and practice some figures during coffee club.

Later that day I returned to the rink for my ice dance lesson with Kendall Tupper LeClaire.  We are working on lots of basics.  Warm up patterns, edges (dance style) and a little pattern work for the Hickory Hoedown.

I Have Aclimated!

Back for our second week in Tahoe.  My 59th birthday was Wednesday Oct 3.  Today was the first day we saw clouds and rain .. and hail!  But I managed to squeeze in another hour at the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena for a short skate doing the thing I love most - on my birthday!  Happy Birthday to me!

Wish I had skated better.  I was more out of breath than I was the first time I was here.  I spent most of the hour doing edges, swing rolls, practicing the dance exercises my dance coach gave me and trying to do the Hickory Hoedown alone (ps I am not a solo ice dancer) .... as always I break out into freestyle cause I get bored doing the ice dancing .. (I hope that changes someday).

I Must Have Alititude Sickness

So I am here in Lake Tahoe enjoying a beautiful fall vacation.  Kayaking, hiking, golfing and today I even got to skate for an hour at a public session at South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena.

I always wanted to skate here.  They have a great adult skating camp every May and I just haven’t made it here yet.

I had the ice entirely to myself.  They asked me what music I wanted to play or if I just wanted to plug in my own during the empty pubic session.  So nice.

Stupidly I set the camera on the boards facing the wrong way and I can only see a few glimpses of my skating in the reflection of the glass panal when I happen to pass by it .. doing something.  Oh well.  I will be back in 2 weeks and hopefully remember to turn the camera in the right direction.