We were graced with our first snow of the season December 1st.  It was like mother nature was getting into the Christmas spirit with us.  Fluffy snow fell all through December and we woke up to a completely white Christmas. It was magical.  Our house in the valley had over 3 feet of snow by the 2nd week in January.  While the temperature stayed low, the snow kept falling and falling.  February rolled around and what is usually a dreary, blandish month marked by the melting snow exposing the dead grass beneath it, the month was still quiet white with no sign of change.  Now I’m thankful for the snow.  Good snow pack in the mountains means fewer fires in the summer.  However, the novelty of bundling up in multiple layers to go hike or run or even get to the car was wearing off.  It is now the 2nd week of March and in the last 4 days we’ve gotten at least 10 inches of snow followed by rain, followed by snow.  I’m soggy to say the least.

I rock climbed when I was in high school but since having kids had not had time.  I wanted to get back into that and get my kids climbing too.  Its a great whole body exercise and they love climbing trees so I figured they would take to this quickly, which they did!  My kids were restless too so I found an indoor bouldering gym in the valley!! I signed the kids up for lessons and found my old climbing shoes.  The first time we went, the kids had fun and left with blistered hands, I left being brutally reminded how old and out of shape I am.  The last few weeks have been awesome.  We go Mondays for the kids lessons and as I’ve climbed more and began training my upper body have greatly improved as well.  The kids love it so much we go at least one other time during the week that isn’t a lesson night.  I’ve been so impressed with my kids perseverance, determination and hard work when climbing.So let it continue to snow, we will be hiding in the bouldering gym until spring decides to arrive!