what does hood river look like after it receives a foot of snow?

This. The roads are covered in snow, the trees are covered in snow,

the orchards are covered in snow.

If you look closely at this photo (or click to enlarge), you'll see the image in the center is a bicyclist. Yes, he is riding in the snow...

only in Hood River.

what was my big accomplishment of the day?

Skiing by myself!

I realize some of you may think skiing alone is no big deal, but for me it is. Ben taught me to cross country ski a few years ago. It took some time and a few tears to get going.

When it snowed for the first time this season on Sunday, we attempted to ski on the Old Historic Highway. Unfortunately Sunday's snow was too icy and there wasn't enough cover.

This morning it started snowing and hasn't stopped- nice, fluffy, powdery snow. After a late lunch with Ben at his work, I decided to take Foster skiing and try the Old Historic Highway again.

While driving home to get my skis and change, I realized the skis and poles were still in Ben's car from our Sunday attempt.

Fortunately I bought new cross country skis this season so I was able to use my old skis and my downhill poles.

This time the Old Historic Highway had a lot of snow enabling me to ski and Foster to play and run.

Although the thick, powdery snow stuck to my skis occasionally, I was able to scrape the snow off using the fence rails. Luckily I've been taking yoga, enabling me to balance and remain flexible during the scraping.

What a wonderful afternoon!

what finally arrived in hood river?

SNOW!

We have been waiting for snow. The mountain was supposed to open Thanksgiving Weekend, but there was no snow.

The snow finally arrived late Saturday night / early Sunday morning... and then it got cold... and it's been freezing ever since. It's even been snowing in Portland.

Now we are looking forward to another storm Wednesday morning and again on Saturday.

Needless to say, Foster is happy.

what does mount hood look like from the air?

This...

For my birthday, last year, Ben arranged for us to take an aerial tour of Mount Hood.

We left from the Hood River Airport, flew through Hood River Valley and up to Mount Hood.

We circumnavigated the mountain allowing us to see it from all sides.

Right now we are waiting for it to snow so we can start the ski season!