Except there wasn't any early snow this year. Then the Tubbs demo fleet was booked up at Romp to Stomp events around the country. When the snowshoes were available it started raining. Blah. Well, if we were going to go, we'd just have to risk bad weather or we'd run out of snow.

Unfortunately, Clara's troop never got the invitation. Of Lilly's troop, we had five families that wanted to go, but two dropped out the morning-of. I had picked up 30 pairs of snowshoes to ensure I was fully prepared for every member to show up, but obviously it was a little overkill.

At the trailhead we strapped snowshoes on kids and parents alike. I had planned to talk about how to walk in snowshoes and such, but nobody bothered to stick around for the lesson. They just started walking. You know, because snowshoeing is not really any different than walking.

We wandered and strolled and generally had an easy snowshoe to Gold Creek Pond. Along the way, the clouds gathered and I was sure the rain was going to dampen our coats and our spirits. Except it wasn't rain. It was snow. Lots and lots of snow. It was glorious.

At the pond I spoke my piece. We talked about why snowshoes worked (and made the kids posthole a bit as a demonstration), the danger of tree wells, and the value of shelters like a snow cave.

The kids really latched on to the snow cave concept and went to town digging holes. We were near a buried picnic table so they had a pre made cave ready to expose. We had only one shovel, but they used the tails of their snowshoes (the FLEX Jrs. worked especially well) to move snow. Soon, it was big enough for one of them to get completely into. Not comfy, but perhaps it would save their lives someday.

The kid were having a blast, but it was time to head back. On the way the snow stopped and the sun came out and the kids squinted until we got into the trees. (Another lesson: Always bring your sunglasses!)

At the trailhead, I overheard at least one scout ask her parents when they were getting snowshoes so I figure my job as a Tubbs Ambassador was done. It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.

Thanks to Stephanie and Kelsey at Tubbs for loaning us the snowshoes. Even with my... um... sizable collection we couldn't have done it without them.