Free Day is a Ski Day

I woke around 5a but quickly went back to sleep, and almost certainly with a smile on my face, after remembering that Thursday was my day off. I woke a couple more times leading up to 730a worrying that Mindy might forget to get up and get Bella ready for school. Remember, Mindy was staying home with Jacob again. I woke again at 730a to find Mindy already gone from bed. I didn’t even hear her get up. Stealthy! I brushed my teeth then made my way downstairs. Mindy was busy getting Bella ready for school. I started my exercise regimen from the living room. I asked Mindy if Frankie needed to go out. Nope. She had already taken her out. It was 755a in a hurry. Bella was getting ready for the bus stop and requested that Mindy take her out. Mindy, in turn, requested that I do the deed. She was still in her robe. I agreed to do it, but not before whipping out my push-ups. Bella and I headed out at 758a. At first, it looked like another day when only Bella would be boarding the bus. But last second Lillian and Makayla came running out with Kenny not far behind. According to Kenny, had a shoe mishap.  After the kids were safely on the bus, I shared in more detail my plans to head up to MRM later that morning. Kenny was anxious to try his new snow board and asked if 11a would be too late to go along. I told him that I would wait so he would have time to complete some paperwork. Besides, I still needed to run, shower, and prepare. Back at home, I spent about 45 minutes doing some writing ahead of preparing to run. At 9a I dressed and left for my run. By then, Jacob was up and apparently feeling much better. Mindy said his fever was gone and that he’d most likely be returning to school on Friday. I left for my run around 920a. I decided to run just three miles given that I’d be skiing the rest of the day. The run was easy and fast. I was back at home ahead of 10a. I shoveled the drive clear of any remaining snow before heading inside. There wasn’t a whole lot, but enough to cause footing problems if not removed. Mindy & Jacob were sitting at the kitchen table preparing to play some board game – Battleship, I think. After another cup of coffee and a quick check of email, I headed off to the shower to ready for my day of skiing. I was showered and preparing my gear by 1055a. I called Kenny to see how his morning was coming along and if he was still planning to join me. Said that he had more to do but would most likely meet me there later. Fine with me. I made and packed a sandwich, beer, pop, water, and snacks in the cooler. I started the Trooper then loaded all of my ski gear. I was ready to go by 1110a. Mindy asked that I call her mid afternoon when I had a better idea how long I might be staying. If Kenny or the Imber’s didn’t show, I figured to be leaving around 4p. I filled the Trooper at Thornton’s before jumping on I-270N. Took 14 gallons at $2.98 per gallon. I left the Imber’s a VM letting them know I was heading up before leaving the gas station.. I listened to ESPN radio the entire way up. Roads were clear for the duration of the drive. It was a fast drive up. I arrived near noon. Probably the least amount of cars I’ve ever seen in the parking lot. Cool! It didn’t take long to gear up and get my pass. I was heading up the 4 Star lift by 1210p. I was eager to ski alone and work on my technique and think through some issues. The slopes were sparsely populated. It was literally ride up, ski down, and then right back on the lift again. I’ll bet I skied 8 runs in 45 minutes. I was skiing well too. The snow was ideal – packed, groomed, and with snow flurries all day. Visibility wasn’t the greatest but certainly acceptable. I took a break around 115p. I’d been on the slopes for only an hour but had completed ten or more runs. Almost all were balls to the wall. During my break I fetched my cooler from the Trooper, which was as close as it’s ever been to the lodge. I sipped a Diet Coke and ate half my sandwich. No beer or Goldschlager. Kenny called at some point during my break to let me know that he wasn’t coming up after all. I wasn’t disappointed. I half expected it. In fact, I was a little surprised that he entertained coming at all given that he just got back from a week in Florida. Mindy would never have gone for that. I headed back out after a 30 minute break. I rode up the lift with two different boarders who I learned were in their mid 40’s. And since I was considering giving it a try, I asked them both some questions. Both encouraged me to at least give it a try or two. No question about it, this would’ve been the ideal day. Oh well. I skied my butt off again for another hour. They only had the 4 Star lift operating on the west side of the park. Momentum and Sundowner were open to the east, but I rarely ski that blue/green terrain. I took another break around 3p. Once again, I skipped drinking any beer or Goldschalger. My thinking being that if the Imber’s didn’t show by 4p, I would go ahead and leave MRM but stop at Barleys on my way home and have some wings and Centennial. Yum-yum. Long time no see! I talked with Mindy. Said her and Jacob were having fun. Once again, told her that I’d be leaving around 4p if the Imber’s didn’t show. I finished my break and then headed back out to the slopes for more runs, and maybe my last for the day. On my way up I thought I might’ve seen Bob skiing down Mary Ann’s Backside. I flew down the middle run and boarded the 4 Star lift again. No line whatsoever. As I exited the lift I spotted the Imber’s standing at the top of the hill. After a brief greeting we skied a bunch of runs together, probably for about an hour. We headed in for a break near 5p. I toted my cooler up to the bar area. Prior, I had only one nip of Goldschlager at Bob’s prompting. I phoned Mindy to give an update of my status. She shared that Jacob was once again sporting a fever over 100. Called Dr Craig. Said it’s not unusual to creep back like that a time or two. Mindy was bummed. Not only would he have to stay home from school again on Friday, but he wouldn’t be able to ski with us on Saturday either. Said her mom would likely keep him on Friday so we could go to work. She also called Jimaken to ask about keeping him Saturday. He could do it, but only till 5p. As much as I hated to, I offered to stay home with him on Saturday so she and Bella could ski. We’ll see. At some point I handed the phone to Mary Ann. She talked with Mindy for a few minutes. Once I got the phone back I told Mindy that I’d call when I was on my way home. Wasn’t quite sure how long we’d ski. After 1.5 beers each, we headed back out for several more runs. By then the ski clubbers were out in full force. Must’ve been 10 Lake Shore Tour buses in the lot. The lift lines were at times as long as they are on a busy Saturday afternoon. Slopes were suddenly dangerous and kids were cutting in front of us from all angles. Just ask Bob about ski clubbers. Ouch! We skied until just before 8p. I called it quits after almost biting it on the middle run. The Imber’s and I parted ways hoping to hook up again over the weekend. However, once again, not sure what our plans will be with Jacob sick. I had my ski gear loaded and was out of my ski attire by 800p. I phoned Mindy as I was exiting the lot. Figured it a 40 minute ride home. Said Bella was down playing with Makayla. Jacob, of course, still ill. Despite a lonely drive home, it went pretty fast once I passed the Honda plant. I did about 68mph the entire way. I arrived home at 840p on the nose. I called Mindy as I neared our street to have her open the garage so I could easily carry in my gear. I made quick work of unlading the Trooper, stowing all of my gear, and finally changing into my PJs. Bella seemed excited that I was home. Jacob was already in bed. I ate some leftover stuffed peppers and sucked down a Diet Coke. I was craving the anti-sugar. The rest of the evening was a blur. I know that I was in bed near 10p.