Warm, Soft and Slow

Drinking just two beers the evening before and then hitting the sack by 1030pm, you might have expected me to get up a lot earlier than 745am, but I guess I needed the sleep. I disabled the security system then started coffee.

I played on the internet and then prepared my GoPro for a day at MRM. It was already fairly warm, 40 degrees and sunny at 830am. I headed out on a run near 930am. So much for an early start. The sun was really warm, but still a stiff chilly breeze from the west. Felt like spring facing the south and into the sun.
Mindy was up and walking the pug as I returned from my run. I walked back to the house with them. With few words, Mindy quietly began getting ready for our day at MRM. Bella called at some point to ask what time we’d be on our way.

Having showered just before leaving for dinner the night before. Mindy didn’t bother with another though I did. Took us a while I finish our ready for skiing. Packed snacks and a cooler. I made breakfast too, an egg and cheese sandwich. Mindy had peanut butter toast.

Mindy loaded most of our gear into the Pilot while I made final preparations. Left the house at 1130am, headed to Jimaken’s place to pick-up Bella. Mindy had all of her soft ski gear in a bag. Once at Jim’s, Mindy got Bella ready while I hung out with Jacob and Jim who were playing Xbox soccer. Thinking we left there near noon.

Took Bethel to Sawmill to 161 to 33. Easy drive. Passed the new brew pub, the Pint Room. We’ll have to make a stop there soon. Bella was extremely quiet for the entire drive to MRM. Decent parking spot about 3 rows out and right in line with the gift shop. Geared up and on the Four Star by 1pm.
It was sunny and 46 degrees upon arrival. The north facing slopes were soft but still in decent shape, though a little thin in a few areas. Near the bottom of hill the snow was a bit stickier where it takes more direct sunlight. Fun surface. The Mantras were ideal for this type of snow. The three of us skied several runs together.

At some point we happened upon Scott & Zach. We skied with the two of them for a little while. I’m thinking it was near 230pm when Bob & Mary Ann showed up. With such lovely weather, they opted to take their time getting ready and coming up. Arriving about the same time were neighbors Kenny & Mike who showed up with all the kids. Chrissy was still at home hosting a baby shower. Bella happily skied off with her peeps, Emily & Makayla. Lillian wanted to try snow boarding. Kenny put her in a lesson.
We skied until 4pm or after before taking a break. More than anything, I was thirsty for some water, perhaps a little hungry too. Instead of breaking in the lodge, we set up camp out in the parking lot at the rear of the Imber’s minivan. Bob had his camp chairs out – a little picnic. I experimented around with my GoPro taking a few short videos and then some photos. Drank a beer or two and then enjoyed some snacks. Thinking we were out there for only about 45 minutes.

Slowly but surely, the mushy snow began to firm as the sun sank in the southwestern sky. That made for some very fun skiing. Took my first two spills of the year, once trying to dust Bella and friends and another more treacherous spill flying down the face. I lost both skis and tumbled head over heels two or three times. I was fine. Laughed if off. Not sure what happened. I guess I simply lost an edge.
Scott & Zach headed home. The rest of us took another break around 630-7pm. This time we headed up to the lodge. Bob bought a pitcher of beer. We grabbed half of a long table. Met up with Mike & Kenny. Lillian was done with her snowboard lesson. Wanted to warm up but then head out to ski with the other girls who were already out again.

Our break was relatively short – no more than 45 minutes long. Bob, Mary Ann, Mindy and I headed back out for three, four, five more runs. We all planned to be back up Sunday. Near 830pm we bagged it. Couldn’t have been more timely. We spotted Bella with her peeps just getting off the lift. Called last run. We met at the bottom and headed for home. It was just before 9pm by the time we pulled out of the lot.
By the way, it was still in the 40s and quite breezy. Got home around 945pm. Bella asked if she could stay up and head over to Makayla’s once they got home. Mindy thought not. I thought I might have a beer or a Jack & Coke but had neither. Instead, I had a bowl of cereal then headed for bed. Mindy was already in bed and asleep.