First snowshoe of the year December 2015- kid free adventure

 We headed to Maxwell Butte last December 2015 with NO KIDS!

Gil had always hated snow adventures, particularly heading uphill but was in much better shape for this endeavor. We were with our friends, Monica and Sarah, and Monica and I are bent toward snowy challenges.

Maxwell Butte is one of my favorite places to snowshoe. It is somewhat close to Salem, somewhat groomed, but still feels natural in the trees and not a snowmobile destination.

I always try to remember to look up! So much of life is spent not remembering what might be above the trees!

The snow was lovely, fluffy, and good for walking in.

It was partly sunny and we got warm quickly climbing up the hill.

Since we did not have kids we were able to go up further than we have before, some to my husbands chagrin but he endured it without cursing so that is an improvement at least!

Monica was in her element and leading the way.

Sarah and Monica taking a break.

Gil held up the rear but mostly stayed with us. This was not a destination trip and we just enjoyed the trail.

We saw some folks with large backpacks heading up to the shelter for the night. I am not a fan of carrying weight on my back while snowshoeing, particularly uphill.

We were surrounded by snow covered trees and greatly enjoyed this rare day together without kids.

Bright Sunny Snowy Day with a new Friend

The sun was shining and we were eager to get out on our first snowshoe adventure of the season.  Since we love to share the joy of the snowshoe experience, we invited a new friend who had never been snowshoeing.







We went to one of our favorite snowshoe destinations, Maxwell Butte.  We appreciate the narrow groomed trails, the big trees, and the open areas to enjoy the sun.  This is Amy's third year on her little skis and she is doing great.







As usual, the snow covered trees were beautiful.







Unfortunately, our new friend, Ahmed, had not been able to rent snowshoes at REI and he decided to purchase a pair of very large snowshoes recommended because of his height. 








We continued to enjoy the snow covered trees and trail.







After a short time, Ahmed decided hiking without the very large and cumbersome snowshoes would work best.  He buried the snowshoes and started the long, slow hike through the deep snow.  Gil always says they do not make snowshoes for men of his size.  After seeing Ahmed's snowshoes, I know that statement is not quite accurate, and that the snowshoes they do make for big tall men are too huge to move in.







We stopped for lunch and tried to take shelter under some trees.  Unfortunately, there was a cool breeze and the trees were dropping some snow.  This made both my girls grumpy and lunch more challenging.  As much as I love hot lunch on the trail, it is much harder with a baby!







We cut our lunch a little short and continued.  Along the way, Sarah and I had a disagreement about which way to go, and I ended up taking us the long way, making poor Ahmed and grumpy girls a little more miserable.







I used as many songs and games as possible, and Amy did a great job sticking with it.  Unfortunately, I do not think Ahmed is a lover of snowshoeing. 







We recovered the buried snowshoes and headed back to the car for the drive home.  It was really a great time to get to know Ahmed, and I felt refreshed and invigorated, but rather sad that he had struggled with his snowshoes and my girls had not loved their time out.







We promised Amy that the next trip would involve sledding.  I guess I have a reputation for taking people on adventures that are just a little difficult for their ability level, but it is good for their character and we were just working out the kinks for a great snowshoeing season.

Maxwell Butte Sun Salutation

 Maxwelle Butte is one of our very favorite snowshoe destinations along the Santiam Pass. We love the woodsy trails that are mostly groomed and easy to enjoy with a three year old. We made the long drive to Maxwelle Butte on the first sunny day in awhile.






Amy enjoyed doing a little skiing and despite not being able get a glimpse of the mountains here, the woods, snow, and amazing sunshine made for a wonderful adventure.





There were moments to enjoy small meadows covered with snow and logs.  We made it to our lunch spot where we all just laid on our backs and soaked up the sun.  We had a wonderful meal as usual thanks to the inspiration of Freezer Bag Cooking.  We felt a little like spies as we found a lunch spot in a meadow surrounded by trees within earshot of a major trail junction.





Soaking up the sun after so many days of cloudy Oregon winter was incredible.




          The green trees and white clean snow filled our senses and overwhelmed us with peace and tranquility.  We had a little longer lunch than usual!  This was not a destination hike.





It is possible to make it to a shelter where you can spend the night at Maxwell Butte, but we have never quite made it that far.  We are content to meander in the woods on these trails..





Back on the trail we had to stop to explore snow covered rocks and logs.





Amy did lots of diving into the snow or finding holes to take breaks in.





Amy finds any reason for a break out on these adventures and helps us all to slow down.  This is especially helpful since I am pregnant and need to pace myself!  She has learned that we won't take a snack or water break every 10 minutes as she would like but that she can get us to stop to take "deep breath breaks!" 





Of course, we had our good friend Sarah, who makes the hike more enjoyable by spending time with Amy playing games, doing nature math, and talking about God.  (Her only downfall is the lipstick :-)!




For some of the time Amy wanted to hold hands and ski but often she'll want to be the leader and ski on her own.





I love looking up at the tall trees and thinking about how small I am in relation to God and his creation but how every detail also has value and beauty.  It is a great paradox- perspective of the enormity of nature and beauty of the detail.

I am sure there will be many trips back to Maxwell Butte- such a great place for beginning snowshoers and skiers with the right combination of being on an actual trail rather than a road, being in trees, but also being groomed and pretty flat.  Maybe next year we will make it to the shelter and spend a night, but until then we will enjoy the journey!