Most Popular Post

Monday 1 February 2021

Enjoying winter

While the title could be an oxymoron on occasion, it wasn’t this past weekend. Yesterday, my husband and I finally used the snowshoes we received for Christmas. We accompanied our daughter and the kids to a Prince Edward Island resort where cross country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing and skating are offered, with equipment rental possible. 


There were few people there and brief visits inside used Covid precautions but outside was safe and without masks.


Our daughter and the children rented snowshoes but my husband and I tried ours. Snowshoes have come a long way since the old wooden ones we used years ago. Our new ones are light weight aluminum and came with poles as well, a great bonus for two seniors. However poles go with snowshoes these days unlike years ago. 





These new snowshoes have metal spikes on the bottom, making it easy to walk over icy surfaces. It was common to find oneself sliding down an incline with the old wooden ones.






The children enjoyed snowshoeing. The girls had tried them at school, where class sets are used by the various classes in turn. The youngest, a boy of three, tried them for the first time and enjoyed the experience. He took great pleasure in arriving back at the starting point before Nanny and Poppy, who were taking up the rear.


Next came skating. Neither my husband nor I are skaters but our daughter and the girls are. Their brother had a pair of pink skates handed down from his sisters. Remember the days when the colour of clothes and such for boys never would have been pink? Thankfully those days are gone, at least until he starts school.


Learning to skate now is facilitated by a skate aid made of PVC which the child holds and pushes forward, supporting himself as he takes the first tentative strides. Our grandson loved the experience, helped by his mother and me at different times. He laughed with every fall and giggled his way over the ice.





The girls were tentative initially with this first skate of the season. By the time we left, they were reacquainted the the thin blades and glided over the ice with confidence. There are a number of outdoor rinks around Summerside which are maintained by the city this winter. The children will take advantage of them.


We brought a snack of granola bars, hot chocolate and marshmallows for the kids and a thermos of tea for the adults. Everyone enjoyed the warm beverage during an afternoon outdoors.


On our way to the resort, we passed an area where people were scraping the snow off a pond, preparing for a family skate. We recently saw a man and two children at Rollings Pond near North Rustico. A number of others were preparing to join them.





We had a great time with our family. While it was -8 C, it wasn’t windy and we dressed warmly. It was good to be out in nature, enjoying some physical activity. There is more snowshoeing in our future. 





36 comments:

David M. Gascoigne, said...

We have winter every year so the more we can get outside and enjoy it the better.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

I've never been snowshoeing or even skating - there's not much opportunity in England, at least there wasn't when I grew up - there are a few ice rinks around these days. I have several pink t-shirts, nothing wrong with pink!

Anvilcloud said...

I used to really enjoy snowshoeing in the woods at the cottage. No poles though.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Sounds like a fun family day.

Margaret said...

Brrr. It looks and sounds wonderful, but I'm not sure I have appropriate clothing.

Susan Zarzycki said...

Oh my goodness, what a lovely post describing your family time together! You are such a close knit family and it's heartwarming to read your stories about your life with the grandchildren.💖

Elephant's Child said...

It looks and sounds WONDERFUL. Thank you. The absence of wind makes a huge difference to comfort levels doesn't it?

Anita said...

Nice snowshoes!I think i have to buy me some too :)))

Glenda Beall said...

When I was a teen, I learned to roller skate in a rink, but I can't imagine trying to ice skate. We had little to no snow where I grew up in South Georgia, USA, so the only experience I had with snow skiing was in Colorado on and vacation when I was in my thirties. I was a complete failure at it, embarrassing myself constantly. I love your family photos of the kids learning to skate and everyone snowshoeing, even the seniors. Thanks for sharing this with me.

Rhodesia said...

I will never learn to enjoy winter!! Stay safe and keep well, Diane

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Looks like a real day of fun! Those new high-tech snowshoes are great!

Helen said...

What a wonderful day with your family. Our Ben is three, and although there hasn't been photos of him snowshoeing etc he has been having a marvellous time playing in the snow and helping Dad shovel the driveway! I wonder how long the latter will last. I hope Tuesday's weather isn't too fierce.

Bill said...

I never tried snowshoeing before, it looks like fun. Family fun is the best!

DJan said...

Gosh, that looks like fun. I have some snowshoes but haven't used recently. I learned that they are easy to use, but you cannot back up when wearing them! :-)

Red said...

Great fun and activities. If you keep moving you will stay warm.

The Furry Gnome said...

Glad you're actually enjoying winter!

William Kendall said...

Occasionally I have used snowshoes, and like it. I don't know how to skate though.

Martha said...

That sounds like it was a perfect family day, and sounds like a near normal family winter day as well! I'm so glad everyone had a good time!

Joanne Noragon said...

It's astounding all the changes technology has facilitated.

John's Island said...

Hi Marie, Why am I giving you a Hi-5 for this post? Well, it’s because my social media, which consists of blogging, and a little bit of Facebook and Twitter, has lately been of a rather discouraging nature. Lots of folks are focusing on the effects of the pandemic. So, you can understand how delightful it was to click through to Island Musings and find this happy post. What a fine day you and the family had and thank you for sharing that joy with us. Hi-5 to you, Marie!

Rose said...

I bet it was wonderful to get out and go do something. I was never any where where ice skating was done...I think I would have absolutely loved it.

At Home In New Zealand said...

What a great afternoon, laughing and having fun in the snow and ice with people you love. What could be better?

Tanza Erlambang said...

yes, kids look so happy...
nice place and great shots.

Have a wonderful day

Retired Knitter said...

I used to be good at roller skating, but I could never seem to manage ice skating. The snow shows look GREAT with spikes no less. You are right. A big difference from the old kind I saw in pictures.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Sounds like the perfect outing Marie, the snow looks wonderful. It's been so long since I've seen snow, I'm really hoping travel will resume this year and we can meet our grandchildren somewhere in one of the winter resorts over east. fingers crossed ✨

Liz Hinds said...

Wow! That looks like such fun. But so cold! I stay in if the temperature goes below 2 degrees!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Marie,

Your day spent with the family sounds like fun, great winter activities for the kiddies. I have not skated in years and I have never tried snowshoeing. Just being outside is a treat.
Take care, have a great day!

photowannabe said...

Oh Marie...how wonderful. A Family Day with so many laughs and giggles.
That's just what the heart needs.
Great pictures too.
Sue

Tomoko said...

Happy post, Marie.
Beautiful family and the snow. It has been so long since I enjoyed skiing...that was my teenager.
Have a good day.

peppylady (Dora) said...

Never used snowshoes, although my youngest does quite bit of hiking in mountains. He been on few trips in winter time and had to use snow shoes.
Coffee is on and stay safe

Lorrie said...

We have a set of the old wooden and rawhide snowshoes downstairs that haven't been used for years. I sometimes pull them out at Christmas and put them on the porch with some greenery. I can't bear to get rid of them. We don't get much snow here, but a couple of years ago we went up to a ski hill and rented the modern snowshoes and had lots of fun with them. They are certainly easier to use! What fun to be outdoors with your family!

Sandi said...

I love, love, love ice skating. Thanks for sharing the photos!

Debbie said...

it sounds like everyone had a blast. i would like to be outdoors a little more, i must encourage myself!!

i have seen kids using the skate aid, for roller skating too. it is a great invention!!

Mage said...

Thank you so much for sharing this special time with us.

Catarina said...

What a great outing!
The other day I saw a couple snowshoeing in the park. I wish I had a pair of snowshoes!

baili said...

these snow shoes are unfamiliar to me ,hope they are not heavy for foot as you said they are unlike older ones which is great

you guys seems to have wonderful time while skating and having warm drinks and hot chocolate :), i so enjoyed being there with you so thank you for sharing !