6A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL December 30, 2015
Let it snow,
and let us ski
SAGINAW VINEYARD
LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY
NO COVER CHARGE 6-9pm
THURSDAY, Dec. 31 ................... Daniel and the Blonde - acoustic
BY JON STINNETT
The Cottage Grove Sentinel
Fri, January 8 .............the Joanne Broh Trio - blues, jazz, Motown
Fri, January 15 .......................... Lonesome Randle - 50s-60s covers
I
n the beginning, there’s a hustle to
round up all the necessary equipment,
then a look around to gauge the weather
and notice the fog of breath that confi rms
it — it’s colder than you thought up here.
The takeoff can be a bit awkward, but with
boots tied, gloves and hat secure and skis
pointed in the right direction, there’s really
only one thing left to do. With poles planted
fi rmly in packed snow, the fi rst push starts a
rhythm that clears the mind and engages the
entire body, a cadence that warms from the
inside and directs one’s energy outward and
onward, toward the unknown that can only
be found somewhere out there, among the
tall trees, under an impossibly blue winter
sky.
Whenever a friend from back
east asks me what’s so special
about Oregon, I invariably point
out the ease with which Willa-
mette Valley residents can jour-
ney in the wintertime toward two
distinct landscapes — either the
sand and surf on the coast, or up
into the mountains (and, whenev-
er the mood strikes, back to level
ground again) to enjoy piles and
piles of snow. Recently, thanks to
a visit from a relative able to keep
our four-year old busy for a few
hours and no small amount of wintry pre-
cipitation, the wife and I were able to gather
up the gear and head toward one of our fa-
vorite wintertime haunts.
Gold Lake Sno-Park, located at Milepost
61 on Highway 58 just past the Willamette
Pass ski resort, is the highest in terms of el-
evation of the area’s sno-parks. It offers ski
trails of various diffi culties and three shel-
ters for those who need a minute to take a
load off and warm up, in addition to the best
form of exercise that can be had this time
of year in snowy environs (at least in my
humble opinion).
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a de-
BY LIL THOMPSON
For the Sentinel
H
ere’s a special thank you to all
who donated to the Angel Trees
and food boxes. With your help, gifts
and necessities were given to 20 children
I found Dad’s remote
in the fridge again.
…I’m beginning to
get worried.
We can help.
Open daily 11 am for
complimentary tasting.
942-1364 • www.saginawvineyard.com
photo by Jon Stinnett
The view from Eagle Point is the reward for an uphill ski climb.
cade since my wife introduced me to the joys
of cross-country skiing. Back then, my fi rst
c.g.
the trails appear to be groomed by skiers
themselves and consist of little more than
two packed ski tracks through the
snow. There’s a communal feel to it,
really, as if those who have gone be-
fore you have paved your way, and
you’ll be helping to groom the trail
for those who come after. It also fos-
ters the notion that, as long as you
stick to the trail, everything will be
just fi ne.
Two Saturdays ago, we were
among a rather large crowd that
dusted off the skis to hit the slopes.
While many headed toward Willa-
mette Pass to whoosh downhill, we opted
instead for the relative calm (not to mention
the highly preferable cost, as all that’s re-
quired once you’ve purchased your equip-
ment is a $25 annual Sno-Park permit) of
a cross-country adventure. We brought our
chocolate Lab Jack along, and from the fi rst
moment we freed him from the back of the
car, he bounded about, turning circles in the
snow, apparently unable to believe his good
luck.
Over the years, we’ve encountered many
people we knew from Cottage Grove out
Everyone Can Ride to Local and Metro Destinations
Providing Public, Accessible
Transportation to the Region
Daytripper
experience involved a borrowed set of skis
and the impossibly immaculate groomed
trails around Ketchum, Idaho, where a
veritable superhighway of forgiving trails
within minutes of town can be tackled after
work or anytime daylight permits. Awkward
though that fi rst day was, the seed had been
planted, and much the way long-distance
running helps clear the mind and engage the
body with just a pair of sneakers, skiing has
continued to work its own wonders in the
snow — whenever busy schedules permit a
trip to the mountains, that is.
Here in Oregon, I’ve yet to encounter
such fastidious trail grooming; in contrast,
in the Lorane and Crow communities.
Food boxes were given to 16 families
in Lorane. Again, you made Christmas
for many children and families.
The break is almost over for CAL stu-
dents. School resumes on Monday, Jan.
4 with regular schedules.
Just a reminder that Lorane Grange
meets the third Thursday on Jan. 21.
The spaghetti dinner and bingo eve-
nings return on Saturday, Jan. 23.
Happy New Year to everyone! Be
sure to drive safely if you go out. I hope
2016 is good to you all.
LORANE
COUNTRY
NEWS
It’s not like him.
Fri, January 22 .................... Colleen & Co. - 70s/80s, Rock + Blues
541.942.0456
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
www.southlanewheels.org
Skilled Nursing at Coast Fork Nursing
Please see SKI, Page 9A
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