Bluebird Ski Day

I slept really well and didn’t get up until just before 8am. We planned on skiing again so I was very deliberate with my time.  I started some coffee then played around online. It was really cold, 8 degrees according to Yahoo, under crystal clear skies. Looked like a bluebird ski day in the offing. The forecast was calling for a high approaching 30 degrees later in the day. I decided to check the snowfall on Hood since they were expecting a dumping over the weekend. Through Saturday night, they’d received about 9 inches in the last 24 hours. But looking ahead through Wednesday I was almost shocked to see how much more snow they were forecasting. They’re calling for anywhere from 55” to 95”. Holy smoke! That’ll change things in a hurry. Of course, I’ve been out there during and immediately after a dumping a time or two. It’s almost impossible to ski in it while it’s coming down, but the following days can be heavenly. I haven’t seen a 3-day snow forecast like that in a long, long time. I excitedly sent it off to a small distro of peeps that would appreciate it.

I checked Holiday Valley’s website too. Seems everybody was getting snow over the  weekend. They were bragging about 12+ inches in the last 24 hours with more on the way. Promising to have the Eagle lift open by mid-week. I felt a sense of calm & joy reading about all the snow.

The house was still quiet when I headed out for a run. I’m thinking it was near 845am. Even though it was much colder than the morning before, I didn’t add an additional layer figuring the bright sunshine would provide additional warmth. I did, however, opt for sun glasses.

I was quite comfortable through the three mile run’s entirety. Don’t recall happening on any other Sunday runners. I suppose a handful decided to bag it for the cold. What they may not realize is just how fun extremely cold run’s can be.

As I neared home I was surprised to see Jacob just ahead out walking the pug. It looked like without the benefit of a hat or gloves. Thinking back, though, he very well may have been wearing a toboggan.  Before meeting up with Jacob, I happened upon Mike O. out with his two Jack Russell’s. He was wearing just a t-shirt & jeans. We chatted about our Saturday at MRM. Shared that Emily & Evan did really well. Mike was on-duty Saturday so he missed the fun. They rode up with Kenny.  Jacob and I headed back home together. He said everybody was up. Hmm? They must’ve gotten up right after I headed out the door.

Mindy was busy making bacon and pancakes. Confirmed that we were all going skiing again. Yep! Mindy reminded me that Lindsey was coming over at 11am to do laundry while we skied. I asked if the washer was free so I could get my running clothes washed. I headed up for a shower first, however.

After my shower I pranced around in my base layer so not to over heat. I threw my running clothes in the washer soon after my shower and then enjoyed a couple of those pancakes and a single slice of bacon.  Very good! Mindy already had all of our soft ski gear organized and ready for loading in the living room. While she readied herself, I prepped and organized more provisions for a day at MRM. It was a little easier/quicker this time since all I had to do was add to what was already prepared and leftover from Saturday’s trip.

We were all pretty much ready to go by 1040am. Mindy called Kenny to check their plans. Chrissy wasn’t going again, still battling cold symptoms. Kenny figured to get there near noon. Mindy called back and asked Chrissy if she’d mind keeping Eiknarf for the day. She willingly agreed. Jacob walked her down along with Jake’s Columbia fleece and our extra wrist guard.

We backed out the drive just ahead of 11am. I decided to stop in at Thornton’s for a fill-up. We had about a half tank of gas, which was plenty enough for a trip to MRM and back, but I figured Mindy would appreciate having a plenty of gas in the tank heading into the new work week. We were on the road a few minutes later. The day prior, I noted the time it took to get from the 38 miles to Bellefontaine sign to MRM, about 30 minutes. As we passed it Sunday I shared that we would be there in 31 minutes. The kids noted the Pilot’s time – 1117am (set 5 minutes fast). It was a fast and sunny drive, and we turned in the lot right at 1147am. Not bad!

I told Mindy on the way up that it would be more crowded than it was on Saturday. I was right. But it was even more crowded than I guessed it would be. Even still, we gave the front row by the lodge a once over. No joy. We turned down aisle two next where we spotted Scott & Zach gearing up. They got a good spot. Not quite ready to give up on a up close spot, we headed to the adjacent section between the lodge and gift shop. Much to our liking, an SUV was just backing out of a front row spot. Cool beans! We were in the front row, and perhaps the best parking spot of all. Close to the window and close to the lodge.

Sunday marked the first time that both kids were able to gear up properly on their own. We only had to quiz them about it. They’ve learned the hard way about tucking and overlapping to avoid snow in the boots and down the pants. We got our lift tickets in the gift shop again. Must not be very well known. The lines at the ticket windows were quite long. No wait at all at the gift shop, which sits within easy access to the Four Star lift, too.

The lift lines were long, but moving efficiently. I noted the time as we made out first run up Four Star. It was 12:04pm.  The sun was super bright and the sky indigo blue. It was still cold though – only about 21 degrees. We took Mary Ann’s backside first, but I cut through the trees for the first time this season. Gorgeous! The snow was noticeably better than it was on Saturday - way more carveable. 

It was a few more runs before we spotted some of our peeps. Once Jacob confirmed that Jake was there he headed over to the bunny hill looking for him. Must’ve been around 1pm when we all hooked up atop the mountain. As crowded as the resort was, the face of the hill was all but wide open. Seems all the ‘features’ they left in place were deterring many from taking it. I figured an hour or two more of this sunshine and the snow would be really nice (softer).

As expected, the snow only got better as the afternoon progressed. However, the lift lines at times were ridiculous. At one point we skied over to Sundowner and Momentum so the kids could do the mini terrain park. But those lines were perhaps even longer than Four Star. People wise they might’ve been shorter but they were stopping it way more frequently presumably due to the number of struggling, amateur skiers. I bailed from that area in a hurry, happy to tolerate the longer lines on Four Star.

I’m guessing it was near 330pm when the Four Star line got so long that it forced us to consider taking a break. Mindy said Kenny was already inside with the kids and probably had a table. She, Bob & Tina – Bob and I headed in. The others said they were gonna do a few more runs. Sure enough, Kenny had managed to corral a table up by the stage. Sweet. The lodge was as packed as we’ve seen it thus far this season. Bob said he’d get us a pitcher of beer, but he was off to his car to get his cooler first. Took too long. I went ahead and got a pitcher of Sam Adams Boston lager. We’d already had a few swigs of lemon nip and Goldschlager too.  As usual, Mindy made a new friend at the table. I think her name is Amy. She’s a volunteer for the MRM racing team. She was cute and friendly. She had a couple beers with us, though she insisted on turning her jacket inside out presumably worried about giving patrons the wrong impression about their ski hosts. J

Bob’s two boys, Trevor & Cameron, brought in their video camera. They were eager to share a couple video clips of their jumps at Lake Tahoe’s Heavenly. The two clips I saw featured Cameron  nailing the lofty jump but flying out of his skis both times on his landing and launching face first. Said he wasn’t hurt at all. Oh to be 12!

We had a table full of snacks, both those brought from home and some that the kids purchased. Bob, Mindy & I sat there for probably 90 minutes watching the end of the Ravens/Texas game, drinking beer, & having some snacks. Mindy texted the others a few times. They never came inside. I knew Bob I wasn’t./couldn’t stay long. I know him well. Figured he wanted to get in as many runs as possible before heading home. Heading into the lodge always turns into a much longer visit than one initially anticipates, especially when there’s plenty of beer and snacks made available. Bob & Tina Bob went up and got us a 2^nd pitcher. Oh boy!

We had a good time yucking it up. By the time we were done, the kids were all long gone and back out skiing on their own. I’m thinking it was just after 5pm when we headed back out. By then, Bob I was already gone. His goal all along was to be home before Mary Ann got home from work. He’s no dummie! Knows where his bread gets buttered … or toasted. J

We skied with the others for a few more runs until they needed to bag it. As darkness took hold, Mindy and I skied a few more runs, just she and I. We had a great time in the Glades and then on the face. On one run we slipped over to the deck that overlooks the Glades so I could get the perfect photo op of the ice & snow encrusted trees against the dark indigo blue sky. It was gorgeous to the eye. I was certain the photo would be too given the right white balance and ISO setting. Got it! I wished I could’ve gotten the shot without the lighted ski runs in the back ground but that proved impossible. Still, it looked like a fantastic shot.

It had to be about 700pm when Kenny texted that he and the girls were in the lodge taking a break. Where then was Bella? Hmmm? Jake and Jacob weren’t accounted for either. We split up looking for the kids. I figured Bella might be skiing somewhere by herself. Later, that was confirmed when she finally showed up in the lodge and Kenny texted that he had her. She said she was skiing in the singles line. That’s our Bella!

Jacob came plodding along a few minutes later from the direction of Momentum, which is where we figured he was all along. He said he’d meet us at the Pilot. At the time we had no idea that he’d taken a hard spill on his head. With neighbor Jake now accounted for, we had all the kids. I went and unlocked the Pilot and loaded my gear along with Jacob. Jacob, I noticed, was being very lazy and lethargic. I asked that he go help his mom carry the cooler and bag from the lodge. He was killing time as if to stall. I gave up and went up to help her myself. I carried the cooler to the Pilot while Mindy went with Bella to retrieve her skis. Made arrangements to meet at Kenny & Chrissy’s for steak dinner once home. Chrissy called earlier from Sam’s Club and asked Mindy if we wanted her to pick us up some steaks for grilling later. Sure, why not? I haven’t had a steak in quite a while.

We were on the road for home by 730pm. I drove. During our drive home, Jacob shared that he’d hit the back of his head pretty hard on the mini terrain park. Said he saw a flash of green light and now had a headache.  As it was, Jacob & Bella were tentatively heading back to MRM on Monday with Kenny, Chrissy, Mike O. and the kids while Mindy saw that our carpets were cleaned as well as finishing up some work on her report cards. Jacob, however, sounded like he might be having a change of heart after falling and hitting his head.

We listened to NFL playoff game updates on XM radio on the way home. Giants were beating the Packers just as I had predicted they would. The lead only got wider as we neared the house. We made good time, arriving just before 815pm. Everybody knows the drill, we carry in everything and stow it before we rest.  Jacob was out front of the Pilot saying he was going to throw up while we were busy carrying everything inside. He ended up helping but then made a beeline for the sofa.

At Mindy’ request, I gave him two Ibuprofen. Heck, I took three myself. I was tired too, and if we hadn’t committed to grilling out with the neighbors earlier, I gladly would’ve stayed home. After all, I was the only one that had to get up for work in the morning. But once I changed out of my ski gear into comfy lounging pants and a t-shirt I got a bit of a second wind.

I’m thinking it was near 845pm when we headed to the neighbors. Kenny had a whole tray of good looking steaks sitting out, a few ribeyes and a few filets. In the last 6 months, all of our girls have become steak lovers. Used to be, the adults would have steaks and all the kids would have chicken and/or hot dogs. Not anymore. Bella, Makayla, and Lillian all have a taste for steaks.

Having my fill of beer, lemon nip, and Goldschlager earlier, I stuck with only Diet Coke. I didn’t have any sides with my steak either – just a steak. And boy was it good. It really hit the spot. I wasn’t even that hungry but ate an entire steak myself. Often times I’ll only eat half. I felt like a new man after dinner. Jacob was feeling a bit better, but was still complaining about his head hurting from his earlier spill. We weren’t sure what to make of it. Said he was tired and just wanted to go home and to bed. It was 950pm when we thanked the neighbors for grilling the steaks and headed for home.

We all pretty much went right to bed, but Jacob, as you might expect, was in his first. Mindy shared that we should check on him a couple times during  the night by waking him up. She asked me to do it at 530am or when I normally get up for work. I agreed, but also figured I’d do it before that too. 

After a whirlwind weekend of skiing it was lights out by 1015pm.