With the possibility of above-freezing temperatures and even some rain this weekend, I took advantage of the girls' early bedtimes to do a long skate-ski session in the Upper Arb tonight - it's exactly a month until the City of Lakes Loppet in Minneapolis.
I'll feel the workout tomorrow in my legs and shoulders, but man, what a gorgeous night: the snow is still gleamingly white, the sky is a velvety black and studded with stars, the trails are in good shape, and the temperature is just high enough that both overheating and freezing are unlikely. Perfect. I knew things would be great when, after clipping into my skis, I looked up at the sky and immediately saw a long shooting star cross the Big Dipper.