Happy Hour @ MRM ... bad ass skiing!

Already Friday. Man, the work week went fast! Out of bed near 540am. After sit-ups, I decided to skip push-ups in hopes of helping my aching shoulder. Figured a three day rest might help quell the dull pain.

After some coffee and PC time I headed upstairs to wake Mindy. She asked if there was any snow. Nope, not yet. Back downstairs I had already pretty decided that I was going to work from home. Accordingly, I didn’t even try to get out for my run near 630am. However, I still thought I might run before getting Bella on the bus. That didn’t happen.

Got logged onto my fairly early and took care of a few easy tasks. It started to snow around 7am. I told Mindy not to worry about making me eggs since I decided to work from home. She reminded me that Joe was cleaning the house and would be over near 11am. I don’t typically want to be there while he’s cleaning and I am sure he’d prefer no one be home too, but I didn’t let that alter my plans.

I had our trash can at the curb but noticed that most neighbors didn’t. Either I was one of the few tuned into the ever rotating schedule or else I missed the most recent shift. I would later learn that I was out of synch. Our trash day is now on Monday’s.

Started to snow about the time that Mindy left for school. I took care of some bills before seeing Bella on the school bus. By then It was snowing a harder. There might’ve been about an inch on the ground by the time the bus showed up.

I headed back to the house for a couple minutes before leaving for my run. It was a fun run in the snow. I worked for a couple hours before deciding to take a shower. I don’t think Joe showed up until almost noon. He said he was a little concerned about disarming the security system, happy he didn’t have to. Made me laugh.

We chatted for a while but did my best to stay out of Joe’s way while he cleaned the downstairs. Told him that I would take a break when he was ready to clean the livingroom (aka my office). Snow tapered off shortly after Joe arrived. By then we had about 3 inches on the ground.

As is always the case when I work from home, the day flew by. Couldn’t believe it when Jacob walked in the door. Immediately, I asked that he shovel the driveway and walk for Mindy, who we hoped would be home by 4pm so we could get ready and leave for snow skiing. After a quick snack, Jacob did the deed.
To be fair, I think that was the first time he’d ever shoveled the drive and walk all by himself. He didn’t do a very good job, but I opted not criticize. Mindy was home shortly after Bella, who arrived right at 4pm. She was very eager to go skiing. We hoped Mindy would feel the same way when she got home, too.

Mindy was home between 4-430pm. Said she was still game for skiing. I sent Darwin and Bob I. texts letting them know our plans. Darwin responded asking if we would be willing to take Lane along. After conferring with Mindy I responded that we would. Neighbor Kenny called to ask if we were going skiing. Sounded like they were going, as were the O’Connell’s.

Everybody was getting ready for an evening of skiing when Emily sent a text to Bella sharing that there was a wreck on 270 causing a huge traffic jam. Not wanting to risk bad communication, Mindy gave Mike O. a call and learned that there was a jack knifed semi on 270 south but causing a delay northbound too. Suggested we take an alternative route.

We didn’t leave the house until 545pm. We headed by Darwin’s house first to pick-up Lane. Finally on the road, we took Trabue to Hilliard Rome Rd which turns into Avery Rd and then to 33W. Everybody was hungry so we stopped at the Wendy’s drive-thru on the way. Didn’t get to MRM until 630pm.
The lot wasn’t full but a huge crowd nonetheless. It was 7pm by the time we were in line at the Four Star. In addition to it being college night, there must’ve been 15 ski club buses in the lot. In turn, the lift lines might’ve been the longest we’ve ever seen – no kidding! Not only that, but they were comprised of teenagers and college kids. Not exactly your best behaved bunch!

While the lines were long, the lift operators and line control was top notch. The snow conditions might’ve been the best I’ve ever witnessed. About 6-8” of chunked up powder virtually everywhere. The runs were fun-fun! Mantras got a work out!

Mindy and I took four or five runs before heading in for a break hoping that the lines might die down. Inside we found neighbors Chrissy & Teri. All the kids, meanwhile, were in and out multiple times. Teri was planning to ski for her first time but chickened out. Probably a good choice given the raucous crowd. Best she comes during the day and takes a lesson, I suggested.

After a couple beers we checked the lift lines. If anything, they were even longer. Holy Smoke! Spotted my work buddy, Chris and his girlfriend Tammy. Mindy and I walked to chat. Ended up hanging with the two of them for more than an hour. Mindy & Tammy hit it off. MRM was having Midnight Madness and that means they shut the lifts down at 930pm, regroom, then reopen at 10-1030pm. Our hope was that the lift lines would shrink exponentially. That wasn’t the case. If anything, they were even longer.

The mere suggestion of leaving set the kids off. They wanted to stay. What the heck. Mindy & I were having a ton of fun. We headed back out for more skiing. Again, while the lines were long, the snow was incredible. We ended up skiing until midnight. Holy cow! Mindy drove home. And by the time we dropped Lane and got to our house it was 1am.