Reunion @ MRM

Was up a couple times during the night but quickly back asleep. Got up for keeps near 730am. I plan was to ski, but we hadn’t agreed on a departure time and I didn’t feel like being in a hurry. Instead, I started coffee and enjoyed a quiet house for the 90 minutes or more. First time that I’ve been able to do that in more than a couple weeks.

Mindy got up somewhere between 9-930am. I walked the pug then did my run. Ran 3 miles. It was gorgeous – sunny and cold, about 22 degrees.

Mindy was already organizing her ski things by the time I got back from my run. By the time we finished organizing ourselves, got showered and dressed, it was 1130am. We weren’t in any big hurry. We left the house at 1145am. The plan was for Lindsey and the boys to come over and do their laundry around noon.

Tina Cubra called while we were in route wondering if we were coming up. My dad called from Florida too. Said he was sitting in the sunshine and heading to the beach. It was almost 80 degrees already. Forgot to put ice in the cooler earlier at home. We stopped in Marysville to get a bag.

Arrived at MRM at 1230pm. Lot was pretty full. We circled a few times before settling on a spot far removed from the lodge and ticket windows, but still not as far away as most newcomers were parking. I figured I would move the Pilot closer later, depending on how late we stayed.

Mindy geared up quick and walked on ahead. I stayed back a few more minutes. They still haven’t fixed the ski check issue. Had to hand write it on our lift tickets. For once, neither of us had to pee. Headed right for the lift. Mindy spotted Mary Ann and Tina as we headed up the lift. Met up with the entire gang a few minutes later at the top of the hill.

Snow was OK, though packed and even a tad icy. Lines weren’t too long at the outset but continued to grow as the afternoon progressed. For some reason, I just wasn’t feeling it. After 4 or 5 runs I suggested we take a break. By then the lines were borderline ridiculous. My nose was starting to run like a faucet, but I didn’t feel bad.

Mindy agreed to head in and find a table while I went for the cooler and snack bag. I talked about moving the Pilot, but more cars were still steaming in with few exiting. I decided to wait and do that later. I simply fetched the cooler and snacks and made the long trek back to the lodge.

Mindy secured us a small round table – actually two. Once she returned from the restroom I went after a pitcher of beer even though we brought a cooler full from home. Didn’t want to freeload. The others said they were gonna do another run or two and join us, but we’ve heard that before. I didn’t mind. Said earlier, I just wasn’t feeling it. Didn’t have my mojo. I was content to chill out for a while, at least until the lines died down some. The pitcher of Sam Adams Winter lager we bought must’ve been from the bottom of the keg. It foamed excessively and then was a tad flat. Mindy went after a bowl of chili despite us bringing a sack/cooler full of snacks. We hung in the lodge just she & I for at least an hour before the others came in. It was demo day and Tina was trying out different skis. Demo’s ended at 3pm.

Shared our Honey Baked ham and snacks with the others. Eventually popped open the bottled beers we coolered in too. Figured to save the canned IPA for the lift. Stayed inside until 430pm. Long break for Mindy & I.

We headed out for more runs. After a couple quick runs, I headed to the Pilot for our clear goggles. By t hen the crowd had thinned some, at least enough to move the Pilot. Took a spot three rows back and right in line with the sidewalk to the gift shop. Much closer. Bob, Tina and kids peeled off around 6-630pm. They got there at 9am. Always do. Mindy & I skied with Bob & Mary Ann for a while. Mindy polished off her flask of Goldschlager and was feeling no pain. She got a little goofy and loud with the line/lift operators. I was more concerned with her skiing, however, worried that she might take a hard fall. She was skiing fast and hill packed and icy. To my knowledge, she luckily never did fall.

Both Bob & Mary Ann were sporting new skis. In fact, Mary Ann had new boots, too. She’s been battling plantar fasciitis for some time now. Said her right foot was almost completely numb! Noticed Bob sporting a whiter smile, assumed them veneers. I gave him a quiet thumbs up. Looks really good.
We skied until 730pm. I agreed to carry Mindy’s skis to the Pilot if she went for the cooler and snacks in the lodge.

I had my skis stowed and was out of my ski pants by the time Mindy met me in the lot. I tuned the XM radio to ESPN and quickly heard them announce that Christian Ponder was a scratch for the Vikings – not playing due to an elbow injury he sustained one week earlier. The game was set to kick-off near 8pm. I decided right then that I wasn’t even going to listen. Didn’t want to get worked up. Also learned that the Bengals were about to lose to the Texans.

Mindy was half asleep for most of our drive home, though she did talk with the kids shortly after pulling out of MRM. Bella professed being extremely bored. With Jacob grounded and her daddy sick, there wasn’t much for her to do.

We got home around 830pm. We carried in all of our gear. Left our skis in the garage against the work bend to dry. I was real eager to get out of my ski attire and into loose flannel pajamas. Warmed my leftover CBC pizza I the oven and poured a Jack on the rocks. Yum! Both were outstanding. Mindy was busy texting with neighbor Chrissy. Kenny got home from hunting minutes later with his first deer of the season. Already had pictures posted to Facebook.

After a 2nd Jack on the rocks we headed for bed. Wasn’t even 10pm, but both of us were really tired. Man we’re getting old!