Been away cross country Skiing. (Many Photos)

[Ralph Thornton]

Came back home today to find a ton of missed posts. I've been away the past two weeks on a cross country ski trip in Montana and Wisconsin that culminated in my skiing my 34th American Birkebeiner ski race. Here's some photos from the adventure.

Skiing up to the pass at Homestake Lodge near Butte, Montana.

Skiing the Rendezvous Trails in West Yellowstone, Montana.

Amtrak's Empire Builder pulling into Shelby, Montana. We rode the train to Minneapolis.

The Panther in the Pickup along the American Birkebeiner ski trails near Hayward, Wisconsin.

Main Street in Hayward, Wisconsin the morning before the big race. The finish line of the race is
Just behind me.

Telemark Lodge near Cable, Wisconsin just before the start. Skiers stay warm inside the lodge and the outside looks like a giant ski swap.

Myself (left), Kyle and Steve just before the start.

Yours truly before the start. The American Birkebeiner is a 54 km ski marathon with over 10,000 participants. Skiers ski from near Cable to Hayward, Wisconsin.

In the start pen for some of the many waves of skiers who'll be turned loose on the trail to Hayward.

Post race celebratory bratwurst and beer. I skied the 54 km in 5 hours and 49 minutes.
The winning time was 2 hours 9 minutes.

 

[Pete Askew]

Nice set Ralph. I especially like the second shot. That last one reminds me very much of the last series your posted. Do I detect a common element?!

 

[Ralph Thornton]

Common element? Brats and beer? Yep it's an annual pilgrimage!

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Ralph - I am in awe - 54km!!

Looks like some great scenery - did you ski the whole thing with your 5DII???

 

[Beth Carter]

nice series

 

[Ralph Thornton]

Ralph - I am in awe - 54km!!

Looks like some great scenery - did you ski the whole thing with your 5DII???

Ha! ha! Very funny. Left the big camera at home. Did carry the iPhone though. Still couldn't find the time to get it out when actually skiing. Hence only phones from before and after.