Work/Ski/CBC

I woke first around 5a and then for good sometime after 6a. Stuffy and stiff, I laid there on the sofa for another hour hoping to get some more shut eye. That never happened. Near 7a I upped and started a pot of coffee and exercises. I checked in with work too. Things weren’t going well with at least one of the major issues I had been dealing with late the night before. It must’ve been near 8a when I finally took Frankie out. It was cold and sunny, about 14 degrees. Looked like we got another inch of snow overnight. I was looking forward to an afternoon at Mad River without the worry of the kids, if I could just get work under control. The MRM website was reporting 4” inches of fresh snow. Not at all uncommon for them to get more than us. I got an email from Bob I. sharing that he and Mary Ann were heading up to Snow Trails with friends for the day. I wasn’t surprised. They typically do that about this same time every year. Mindy was up around 9a. While she got coffee, I got ready and left for my run. It was near 930a when I headed out. I ran three miles – the typical Saturday run. Felt good. Knocked a lot of snot loose too. Works like a charm. Left most of it on the pavement. I finished my run sometime after 10a. After getting out of my sweaty outer running attire I poured a 3rd cup of coffee. I asked Mindy if she was up for skiing. She was noncommittal initially, but after a shower asked if I still wanted to go. Yes. Work was coming around so it was looking very doable. Without hesitation I organized our gear for an afternoon at Mad River. I loaded our ski gear in the Honda while Mindy packed food. I put together a cooler with beer, water and pop, and then topped off our Gold Schlager flask. I meant to pack my laptop, too, just in case I needed to engage beyond the blackberry. However, during the hustle and bustle, I forgot. I didn't remember until we were on the freeway. Crap! Bob phoned while we were driving up. Said they were just arriving at Snow Trails. I figured he called out of the blue, but turns out, Mindy left him a VM earlier. I failed to share that they wouldn’t be at MRM. Said they’d be up tomorrow though. Unfortunately, we most likely wouldn’t with me being on call and still sick and Mindy having some weekend chores to complete. The weather was ideal, cold and about 18 degrees under clear skies. The parking lot at MRM was packed to the hilt. Lots of create-a-space going on. We lucked out and got a real spot close to our usual digs. Judging by the snow in the parking lot, they had about 4-5” inches of fresh, fluffy snow. Very light and airy. Nice! We got ourselves ready in record time. Didn’t have to assist the kids. That makes a big difference. We headed into the gift shop to get our lift passes and then to the restroom before heading up the lift. Aspen Ski & Board was there sponsoring free demos of their latest equipment. The lift lines weren’t nearly as long as we’ve experienced other days when the lot wasn’t nearly as crowded. Not sure why? About this time every year the hill flattens to the eye. Doesn’t look nearly as steep and/or challenging as it appears first time or two each season. Despite the look, we took a blue run just to get our ski legs. I thought about breaking out the Gold Schlager immediately but didn’t. We waited for a few runs. The snow was absolutely terrific. And never did we have to wait more than a minute or two in a lift line. They were managing the crowd well. I guessed a lot more of the crowd was over on Sundowner and Momentum (families). After about 6-8 runs we decided to take a beer break. Just as we made our way to ski check we happened upon my buddy Jeff Garren and his family. We chatted for a minute or two before heading our separate ways. Mindy got a table while I went to the Honda and retrieved our cooler. I got a pitcher of Sam Adams for us to share, too. We took a nice long break. Having a membership lessens that uneasy hurried feeling. No hurry. Be Happy! We ate our brought from home sandwiches and drank their beer. Not sure the time when we headed back out. Had a good buzz though. The lines grew longer through the afternoon. Skied until 5p. We both agreed that we wanted to be home early enough to get a little rest and then go to dinner at CBC. The lights were just coming on as we made our way to the Honda. I took both pair of skis while Mindy went back in the lodge after our cooler. We were on the road by 510p. I offered that this might be the first time we’ve ever left in daylight. We made excellent time home - just over 40 minutes lot to drive. I was sleepy from the drive and eager for a nap. Thinking there an outside chance that we’d ski again Sunday, we left our skis in the Honda but carried in our boots, mesh bags, and jackets. One of us took Frankie out. I tuned the TV to the NFL playoff game we listened to during most of the drive home – Seattle versus New Orleans. The Seahawks were ahead. Mindy went to sort laundry while I took a nap on the sofa. Not sure how long I slept, maybe 20 minutes. Felt great! Chrissy called asking if we were going to neighbor Trena’s party. Honestly, we forgot, and also had our heart set on dinner out. I headed upstairs to freshen up. We left for CBC near 7p. Mindy remembered to grab the Winter Warmers for Jamie. Good thing I checked them. She grabbed Great Lakes Xmas Ales by mistake. As is the case so often anymore, CBCs bar was jam packed. Not a stool to be had. Patiently, we waited for two stools to free. Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait long, maybe five minutes. Jamie and Vince were working the bar. No Kevin and no Kate. Mindy gifted Jamie the two CBC Winter Warmer’s we brought for her. She shared that tomorrow (Sunday) would be her 29th birthday as well as the CBC Xmas party. I know others that wait until after the holidays to have their company party. Trend? I was anxious to try their January 2011 Hop Odyssey edition, a black IPA. Mindy was just as eager for their special Oatmeal Stout. Couldn’t believe it. Once again, my beer came served in an unlogo’d pint glass. Happens to me all the time. And as I look around the bar, I never see anyone else with a plain pint glass. Are they on to me? I asked Jamie about it. Other nearby patrons found it funny too. Meanwhile, the black IPA was delicious, a roasted malty body with a hoppy finish. Nice! I sampled Mindy’s oatmeal stout too. Pleasant. Mindy ordered some calamari. I didn’t order anything at the time, but planned to order their spinach artichoke dip with my second beer. And speaking of my second beer, I ordered a regular IPA and then the artichoke dip. Mindy ordered their salmon dinner entrée. While we ate and drank, a large group of female 20 somethings came in for a bachelorette party. The theme was female rock legends: I.E. Cindy Lauper, Madonna, Cher, TLC, etc. Three had pink hair. The young woman impersonating Cher was also the bachelorette and kept singing the same Cher song over, the same Cher song that our friend Julie sings every time she’s over. Too funny. I got a couple of pics. Mindy ended up having a second oatmeal stout and I had another black IPA. I ate the entire batch of artichoke dip. It was really good, but I think I’m finally burning out on it having had it four times in the past month. While at CBC, we caught the end of the Seahawks game and the beginning of the day’s second game. The Seahawks beat the Saints. The Jets and Colts game was slow and close. Mindy picked up the check. I drove home. After taking Frankie out, I had another beer, an Avery IPA. I drank it fast. Mindy promised that we could watch the end of the Jets/Colts from bed, and then Saturday Night live starring Jim Carrey. I fell asleep just a few minutes into SNL. Always do.