1st XC ski of 2012

If the snow won't come to US, we will go to the SNOW! We dropped of the kids and car, loaded up the van and picked up another couple to make the trip to where snow was promised. We finally got to Gatineau and realized just how large this place was. Information booths, kiosks, staff were not the most helpful in pointing us in the right direction, however we did finally find P2 at a school and clipped into our skiis for what was to be a 12 k glide. Well, we forgot the map.....put our faith in the signage of the trail. It started off great...a nice gradual climb with signage pointing us in the right direction to "Pink Lake". We arrived sooner than anticipated to this lake....confused that we had just climbed 5 km so quickly?!?!?! Lesson learned....keep the map in MY pocket ;) After a couple more turnpike style super wide trailed ups and downs, we got to the hour in point. If we didn't have to get back to Kingston, drop off our crew, and get to the folks for dinner....I was game with some exploring..after all...we had food and lots of water. My crew, felt the 1 hour in was juuuuust enough, so instead of exploring, we decided to do a turnabout and make our way back. I brought both sets of skiis this trip. The wax and waxless versions...HUGE fan of waxable skiis and really can't understand why anyone would purchase the waxless versions if they ever had a chance to glide and kick on a set of properly prepped waxable skiis. Good to have and keep in the van for a "break out in emergency" situation for dire need of cardio though. Also great choice for "poor condition skiis" Will research online to look for "tips" on making these a tad better for grip...may have a binding that is too stiff on it at 105 vs 85 like my waxed...hmmm...food for thought. Solid work from home day to prep for a very busy week of "all over the place" at "all times of day". Will get a decent workout at the gym today once I hammer out some much needed agenda items. Workout plan: Today-Gym; tomorrow-euchered due to work travel etc; Wednesday-Gym; Thursday-Gym; Friday-Gym...sensing the pattern? Loving it!