Where are you going?

Uh... To work?

Really? It's Sunday. You're not going to work.

Right. I forgot. I'm going to the store.

You're going hiking. Aren't you?

No. Not at all.

Why are you putting stuff in your backpack?

No reason.

Oh, come on! You're taking your crampons? Why can't I go?

There's not that much snow.

I have crampons! I could prevent you slipping! I really want to go outside. It's been so long. Please! Can I go with you? PLEASE?

Fine.

And that's why we carried snowshoes into the mountains even though there was only an inch or two of snow at the trailhead. It was a long three miles of hiking through before we had enough snow to don the snowshoes. And that was just for a short stretch near the summit before we had to take them off to climb the last 20 feet of ice-crusted rock.

But you know what? It was worth it. It made my snowshoes so happy. They just about glowed. I just hope next time I get to put them on my feet for more than a short climb.