How hard is it now? Chainsaws to cut wood for heat. Natural gas, or oil, or propane, or electric heat by the flick of a switch. Generators for power outages. Freezers full of food. TV, internet, videos and video games to entertain. Four wheel drives and snowplows. Take away all of these and then add in a blizzzard. One that goes on for days. Rumor has it that this was the case when the owner decided to check out in the Gale of Na, in Idaho. In the middle of a blizzard, in the middle of a whiteout, far away from anyone but his wife. Hmmm…. what would you do?
Galena Cross Country, north of Ketchum, Idaho.
The drive north from the Valley of Sun, Idaho, is a world away in modern times from luxury. What would have been like 100 years ago? 10 below was the morning temperature in MauiSkiBus.com The morning air froze on the way in and the fresh baked goods from the hot lodge of Galena were the thaw. A fire was already lit, the coffee and tea were ready, and a day of cross country skiing was to happen. This day was to be dedicated to Franklin and Gykaiya, Maui dogs that are surving the winter well.
Off the ski trails dedicated this day to dogs we went. The air was still and lingering smells of widlife could not hide from the Maui dog’s sensitive noses. They are professional whale hunters when on Maui, sniffing the wind for whale breaths and scanning the horizon for breaches. Their paws made soft icy crunch sounds, ones that sent chills down your spine. No worries, there are wild animals smaller than whales and both wanted to hunt. Into the ocean tehy dive, swimming with Phelps speed after the humpbacks of Maui. Gykaiya and Franklin prefer to break trail in the snow, as that is where the action is.
Galena Lodge is surrounded by 11,000 foots peaks and boasts miles of groomed cross country trails. Yurts can be yours, a lunch is always ready, and that fireplace is always warm. Galena Lodge was the fourth cross country resort on MauiSkiBus.com’s attempt to ski 100 different western USA/Canada ski resorts.
Contact MauiSkiBus.com at mauistyl@maui.net
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