Ski NY in the Morning & Watch the Vikings from home at Night

Similar to the morning before, I was up by 7a. I quietly slipped out of bed and into the bathroom where I dressed for a run then headed down to the lobby. After pouring a cup of coffee I checked on Tuesday night room availability at the front desk. Still no rooms available. Booked full. After hearing that I decided to simply let it be. We'd be heading home sometime around 2p. It was still early in the day, however, and time to do my run. After finishing my half cup of coffee I headed out into the cool morning air for my run. I ran the same trail I ran the day before up Holiday Valley Rd towards the Tannenbaum Lodge. I could feel the effects of the uphill run in my arches the most. Since it stopped snowing around 4p the day before, the road was only wet this time, thus traction a lot surer. That helped significantly. Like the day before, I headed back to the room directly after my run but only long enough to slip out of my outer layer, grab my book and then return to the lobby for coffee and reading. The lobby is very cozy and inviting. While reading I heard the front desk talking about the crowd expected in that day, and then a number of guests inquiring where they might get a more traditional breakfast. For the time being anyway, there isn't that option within the resort area itself. Sounds like an opportunity knocking for someone. ... Me? While pouring my coffee a gentlemen about my age stopped to talk about running. More specifically, he asked what I do to keep my knees in good shape. He said he used to run but recently had meniscus surgery and hasn't been able to do much since. Said he can ski but not aggressively. Was impressed that I run four miles then ski all day. It's such a perfect day, the animals are in the zoo! The hotel had XM radio Xmas music blaring through the lobby and hallways all week long. Still Xmas at HV. I hung out in the lobby until 845a when I headed back to our room. Mindy was lying in bed but awake. I shared that there were no room options. Heading home. She agreed with me, probably for the best. It wasn't long before everyone was up and we were preparing to check out of our room. Can't recall who did and didn't shower. I know I didn't. We ate leftover breakfast casserole then packed for home. We were ready to vacate the room just after 10a. Glenn & I took two loads down to the Honda via a hotel cart. We packed our gear such that our wet ski gear could go in last after another day on the mountain. Mindy went to do the lobby to do the formal check out. We hit the slopes just after 1030a. once again, Jacob reported feeling under the weather and didn't want to ski. Problem was, everyone else did, including Mindy. He didn't want to sit in the lodge or hotel lobby either. Mindy, I could see, was getting pretty aggravated with him. The Mardi Gras lift line was ridiculously long. We opted for Cindy's instead. Both Glenn and I worked up quite a sweat loading the Honda and as a result were a little stiff and cold. We skied down Cindy's and Maple Leaf first, then Glenn and I skied over to the Wall. It was open and looked about as groomed as I've ever seen it, although the usual amount of icy patches (normal). Mindy and the kids skied by taking one of the long winding runs down to the bottom of the Wall lift. Glenn, surprisingly went first, although he purposefully skidded down sideways for about half the run before turning himself loose. I've never seen him more intimidated on skis. I, too, was admittedly nervous but decided what the hell. After skidding a few feet I turned facing the bottom of the mountain and skied down like I know how. I skied it with authority and control. I was quite pleased with myself. I met up with everyone else at the bottom. Mindy suggested we do Tannenbaum next, so we made our way back to the western edge of the park. After Tannenbaum, we did Spruce Lake twice. It was very cold and windy at the top, always is. After a brief pee break we rode up Yodeler and did Champagne, even Bella. She did a good job keeping her composure and skiing within herself. I was proud of her. At the runs base, we agreed to take a food break at the Yodeler Lodge. Learned that Jacob bit it good on an easy run. Not sure what happened, but Mindy said he went head over heels three times. He looked flushed. Good time for a break. I had a bowl of chili and Mt Dew. no alcohol for me. I would be driving us home a couple hours later. After our 45 minute break it was 1p. We did a couple more blacks and blues before agreeing on one last run. Mindy, the kids and I chose Northwind. Glenn wanted to do Independence again. Agreed to meet us at the base of Mardi Gras. The lines on all the lifts were longer than I've ever seen them before. Yuck! Glad we weren't staying another night. Plus, my legs were getting tired. After waiting at the base of Mardi Gras for 5 minutes, Mindy and the kids decided to head to the gift shop while I waited on Glenn. Must've waited a good 20 minutes but still no Glenn. This happens a lot when making a meet point with him. Rarely, if ever, on time. Mindy wasn't pleased. She phoned my cell about 5-10 minutes later sharing that Glenn was with them just outside the gift shop. Guessing it was about 215p when we walked off the slopes through the Tamarack and into the parking garage to load up our skis. I had everyone lay their skis out systematically and had Glenn hand them up to me one pair at a time until they were all stowed neatly in the Thule. Our mesh ski bags then went in the Honda last. By 240p everyone had peed and we were ready to leave HV for home. We stopped in Salamanca for gas. $3.09 per gallon full serve. Mindy picked up some snacks there too. We didn't stop again until we were just across the Ohio border where everybody peed. The roads were dry and clear. Weather wasn't a factor like it was on the drive up. From my perspective, the drive home went faster than the drive up. We were making good time. Mindy urged me to stop for food once on I-71. The kids were fussing about being hungry. I begrudgingly obliged her request. We stopped at Wendy's. Despite the brief stops, we still made good time and were home by 815p. Everyone helped carry the gear into the home making rather quick work of the giant chore. Mindy started laundry almost immediately and Jacob and I walked down to the neighbors to fetch Frankie. As soon as we got back with Frankie I tuned into the TNF game featuring my beloved Vikings against the Eagles. The Vikings already trailed 7-0 seven minutes into the game. That would soon change for the good. The Vikings rookie quarterback, Joe Webb, looked pretty good. I was impressed. Just before halftime, the Vikings Antoine Winfield sacked Mike Vick, recovered his fumble, and scampered into the end zone to tie the game at 7-7. During halftime I took a much needed shower. The Vikings took a 10 point lead in the 3rd quarter. This was the best game I've seen the Vikings play since last year. Everything looked good, the offense, the defense, and special teams. We sacked Vick six times and harassed seven other times. The Vikings held on to win 24-14. After the game everyone headed to bed. I stayed up watching the after game coverage. Mindy woke me on the sofa a hour or so later. I headed up to our comfortable bed.