We ski and see - cross-country skiing and wildlife sighting

Ranger Rick, Dec, 1995 by Elise Lowe, Lyle Prescott

I think what I like best is the quiet. Snow--soft and thick--covers everything. The whole world is white. And silent. Incredibly, awesomely silent.

I'm talking about cross-country skiing. It's different from downhill skiing. I like that too. But when you go cross-country, you can get way out in the wilderness and see tons of wild animals.

Last Friday the first snow of the year fell. On Saturday, we grabbed our gear and drove up into the mountains near our home in Wyoming. Then we set out on our skis.

That's me out in front (see photo above). I may be the youngest, but I'm not the slowest! Behind me are my dad, our friend Colby, my brother Alex, Colby's mom, and my mom.

Yay! Alex and Colby and I have been waiting all year to get back here. Who knows what great wildlife is out there for us to see?

Wild Sights

Last year we saw a coyote. It was standing in a patch of sunlight at the edge of the forest. Its yellow eyes looked right at us for the longest minute. Then it pranced off as gracefully as a dancer.

Twice we've seen a big moose nibbling on branches. We've also seen elk, deer, foxes, otters, and rabbits. What else? Oh yeah--a couple of little mice scurrying over a snow-covered log.

Sometimes we see animal tracks and follow them--hoping to see the animal itself. Lynxes, bison, and wolves all roam this area. Maybe we'll luck out this year and see some of these animals.

Alex and I are keeping track of the birds we see too. Ravens, jays, great gray owls--they're all around.

Winter Whooshing

Wyoming winters can be really cold, especially when the wind blows. But as soon as I strap my skis on and start whooshing along, I warm up. Then I pause to unzip my jacket. Or unwrap my scarf. Or take something off and tie it around my waist. Sometimes it feels like a warm summer day--except for my tingly fingertips and my cold nose!

One of my favorite times to go skiing is at night. Once a month--on the night when the moon is full--my family goes for a moonlight ski. We can see pretty well, but we also have to feel our way along. It's so much fun!

A Perfect Resting Spot

Late in the day, one by one we skied into a clearing in the woods. Sunlight sparkled on the icicles hanging in the trees. The world was quieter than quiet. Then a gust of wind rustled through the branches and made the icicles tinkle. Thud, a clump of snow slipped off a branch and plopped on the ground. Nearby a bird called kwesh, kwesh, kwesh. "That's a scrub jay's call," Colby said.

Alex began making a snowball. But I was quicker and threw one at him first.

My dad saw us and laughed. "I thought you were tired," he said, "so where do you find enough energy to play?" I just laughed--and threw a snowball at him!

Rangers:

Want to try out this great sport? A big opportunity is coming up. Check out page 10! --Ranger Rick