Eagle Falls

Even though it is a little sunny down at the lake when we drive up Donner Pass Road the car is already shaking in the strong wind.
At the ski slopes the snow is falling heavier, the wind is howling and blows the sharp icy snowflakes into our faces.

Just look at the grey picture of the snow storm taken at Rainbow Bridge and you may understand that we are not going to ski today either.



I saw such a pretty picture of the Eagle Falls and I'm eager to experience it myself.
I'm a little disappointed. There is really a lot of snow on the trail and therefore not much to see of the falls.
Maarten is tired and a bit cranky, not willing to walk in the snow at all.

There are some fun spots though, like climbing this steep hill next to the falls. But sliding down on our way back is even more fun.




I attempt to reach Eagle Lake but plunging through locally waist deep snow without snowshoes is really exhausting.
It looks like someone before us has tried to reach the lake as well.


We follow those footsteps and reach a mysterious hole dug in a huge snow drift.
This place is little bit spooky and I don't feel comfortable at all.

PS: more pictures from our snow trips

After the Rain Comes the Sunshine

Our little cabin is even more cozier with all those colorful balloons and streamers. Maarten screams in excitement. Finally his 'little party' is here!



Everybody is happy since this morning we wake up with the sun.
And I mean not only that early...yeah yeah...after the rain comes the sunshine!

There is another surprise at the ski rentals.
In the French Alps we are used to renting only the skis.
Not here! They don't want to be responsible for someone using his or her own ski boots in combination with the rental bindings of course!
Rob is pretty disappointed. This was the last straw...
He is definitely going to buy new skis.

About Maarten's skiing:
For the first time I can tell he is really able to manage his skis.
He understands how to manoeuvre them by using the 'snow plow' or the 'wedge' technique, if you prefer. He can control his skis and stop where he wants to.
I should have highlighted the pronoun 'he' though...

The biggest fun is determining his own route downhill to escape his mom and dad as fast as possible.



He seems to enjoy skiing. You can tell just by looking at him. Continuous laughing and singing.
Aloud!

Donner Lake (26-30 January)

My body hurts all over but I feel content.

Maarten finally understands the 'wedge' technique, he does some turning now and then and he agrees that learning to stop may be useful occasionally. One can call this a huge step forwards. Last year speed was all that mattered.


Even now he still gets upset if I try to control his speed but there is some awareness rising in our little man, even it is still a very slight one. Besides that he likes to impress girls with his ski style and he definitely hates to fall when they're watching!

PS: Please turn off the PC - speaker!!!