The Sun Valley Nordic Center is a perfect place for beginning skate skiers. Despite my snowboarding fiasco, I’m going try my hand at skate skiing. I figure I’ll be a natural, after all, I’ve cross country skied without too much trouble ,and I think I’ve done some sort of skate ski maneuver on the flats on my downhill skies. Piece of cake . .

Ketchum, Idaho in the heart of the scenic Sawtooth Mountain Range is quickly becoming my second favorite town although its a close second to beer can (Burien.) Where else can you find an outdoor symphony or Huckabilly banjo concert every Monday, and kerchief-necked mongrels wandering the streets?