Welcome back! My last post marked the end of sabbatical life and the official kickoff to the next big milestones in my journey. And what a journey it's been! Why 'Fresh Tracks'? I began drafting this post the day after the first proper snowfall in my temporary home in upstate NY. I headed to a local park with a gorgeous 6-mile riverside loop the minute the plows were through. Walked my gear to the trailhead, snow was untouched. Fresh powder is usually a treat for downhill skiing and snowboarding, but for cross-country? Not so much. Little detail I'd forgotten. My enthusiasm got the best of me. The beauty of cross-country skiing is when you find your glide; smooth, rhythmic motion. The faster you go, the easier it feels. Ten strides into my fresh powder ski and it's clear there will be no gliding today. Instead, I'm creating my own tracks, lumbering along the riverside at a snail's pace, enjoying the sun and views, telling myself it's still a