This morning, I went to 0800 Mass - very cold! Once we were done (0900), I decided I'd go up to check out the activities at the Lake Morey Resort. Over the last winter, I'd seen other folks using Nordic Skates and I became intrigued about this sport. Seemed like a good day to try them out for myself! Used I-89 and I-91 to reach Fairlee (VT) and arrived by 0930. The place was packed with amateur hockey players because they were participating in a huge tournament. Meanwhile, I had to wait until 1000 to rent the skates. The people working at the resort were very friendly and gave me lots of pointers about the equipment and techniques for skating on them. I had to try several pairs of boots in order to feel completely ready to get on the ice. My motivation for trying this new sport was that I recently heard (at the Eastman Cross Country Center) that Nordic skating techniques are directly transferable to learning how cross country (skate) ski. After getting a final pep talk, I headed outside to try out one of the ice tracks (one is four miles long!). I then spent about three hours getting used to the gear, learning balance skills (only time I fell all day was before I even reached the lake) and gaining confidence on some rather fearsome looking blades (not your average skates). It was cold (high single digits to mid teens) and a little windy but the sun was shining brightly. Skated about 2.5 miles, almost six full circuits of the smaller (half mile) trail, and only quit after one of the skate bindings broke. When I was finished (1230), I enjoyed watching the championship game of the big amateur hockey tournament that was taking place at the Resort. Also ate a late lunch in the warm café (done at 1310). Headed home (I-91 to Norwich) after that. Today was a good learning experience - will definitely return to try this again!
