Snow is just really white sand at a different temperature

     Well, that may not be correct, but I enjoy white sands and I enjoy white snow. I hope I never get tired of the beauty.

     On our drive out to Lighthouse church in Standoff, Alberta yesterday I snapped the following photos on the Galaxy tablet - it was just an beautifully stunning day.

It wasn't on our Bucket List

  College room-mates in Michigan couldn't get us to do it 36 years ago, friends at work and church in Wisconsin couldn't convince us 27 years ago, and more friends in Rockford, Illinois 25 years ago were unable to make us switch from water-skis to snow skis.

  But...when in Canada....

  We were invited this past Sunday to join a family from Amazing Grace Community Church who were taking their kids skiing.  A couple of their kids had never been before - so they would be learning for the first time.
   
   And so would we!  

   There was a bit of apprehension as we actually tried on the ski boots and were fitted for skis, helmets and poles.  We paid for our rentals and loaded them into the truck - we were committed.

   Below are a few of the photos from this epic adventure for Howard and I - we call it our 35th year anniversary challenge - as we went white-water rafting in our 25 anniversary year.
(Howard says that sky-diving is on the agenda for the 45th year...not for me)

You can just see the mountains through the snow as we get close to our destination.

Proof! (plus something for the scrapbook album)

It was snowing most of the day - but it wasn't cold or windy, thank goodness.
The sun tried to peek out around noon, but is was just a glow in the sky.

Two pairs of socks...at the end of the day our knees and ankles
felt just like they did when we took our kids
ice skating in Lakeland, Florida many years ago.  

Lodge view with the snow coming down.

And we are off!

Howard and the two boys heading off into the
white wilderness - Kynan and Dustin were pros.

Looking like I know what I'm doing...not.

On to the beginners hill - which was all Howard and I could manage.
We took a peek at the next size hill and decided we valued
our bones more than the adventure -
 we couldn't get the hang of stopping very well.

On our way to check out the next level of skiing after we hadn't fallen down
for about a half-an hour.

Snow selfie!

This was more work than falling and getting up again.

Instead of warming up in the lodge - we cooled down after working up a sweat.

I can do this...

 And just in case you thought we didn't actually move on the skis...

Ellis and Shanika after a full day!

Nadine and Faith the snow-board queens.

Lunch and skiing challenges happened at this table. 

On the way home we stopped at Lundbreck Falls to see them in the winter:

December view above - August view below.

An iconic peaceful photo to leave you wanting to come visit us
here in Lethbridge in the winter!