Sun Setting on our Season

 

Up just before 8am after a more than restful night of sleep. Nothing but blue skies outside. Looked like a banner ski day in the offing. After starting coffee I took to the internet. It was cold outside – only 17 degrees. Not expecting it to get above 25 all day up at MRM. Said they made more snow overnight, their last of the season. Hopes to make what’s there last through St Patty’s if at all possible.

Played around online for about an hour before heading out for a run. Mindy was still asleep when I left wearing freshly laundered running clothes. Wherever possible, I stuck close to the curb running in a fresh ½” of powdery snow. I ran three miles.

Mindy was up when I got back from my run. She’d started a load of laundry. I walked the pug then asked if she wanted an egg sandwich. She did. This time I added Honey Baked ham leftover from Xmas that I wisely froze. It was still tasty.

We organized our gear once again for a day of skiing, though most of our stuff was out from the day before. We had to organize the kids’ stuff. Jimaken dropped the kids off near 11am – right on time. I was just getting out of the shower when they pulled up. Once again, Mindy opted to skip a morning shower.

Mindy hurried the kids along with their ready citing 1130am as our departure time. She added a few drinks to our existing cooler as well as a few more snacks. We did pretty good, actually left the house at 1135am. Mindy talked with brother Tommy as we entered the freeway. He was passing through downtown and planned to meet us at MRM.

Took 45 minutes driveway to parking spot. Once again, we got a super spot close to the lodge. Met up with Tommy near the bathrooms. Our plan was to pick-up his fare – lift ticket and rentals, but he disappeared after a brief stop in the loo. I walked over to the ticket window and even tried reaching him via cell, but without success. I waited near the Four Star lift for several minutes before finally giving up and joining up with Mindy and Bella who were already skiing.

A run or two later we gathered with all of our peeps atop the hill. Somebody said they saw Tommy heading up the lift. We hooked up a couple minutes later and introduced Tommy to the rather large contingent. We skied for about 2 hours before taking a break. It was largely a blue bird day with the temperature hovering around 21. It felt a lot warmer than Saturday due to the lack of a strong wintry wind.

I was craving a Bloody Mary. Ordered two initially, one for Mary Ann and one for me. Mindy said she didn’t want one. However, as soon as I got back to the table she changed her mind. I gave her mine and went back for another. Bob came in about that same time. Ordered him one too, but just before the pour he opted for beer instead. Scott T. bought a pitcher and shared with all the beer drinkers.

We got our table from my work friend Chris and his girlfriend Tammy. They were just heading back out as we were coming in. I ended up having a 2nd spicy Bloody Mary. Yum-yum! Probably inside for close to an hour. Back out for more fun. Probably some of the best runs and most fun we’ve had all season long. Lots of talk about that possibly being the time all of us would get to ski together for the seasons with Mindy & I off to Utah and then the Imber’s off to Tahoe the following week. Kind of sad.

Tommy bailed around 5-530pm for needing to be at his Marysville shop to cover a shift. We took another break out at Bob I’s minivan. That was only long enough to drink a beer. We took another break on the slopeside deck just before sunset. That was a heck of a lot of fun.

As darkness set in, the snow got firmer and faster. We were flying! Decided to call it very near 8pm. Monday was a work day for me, but a holiday for Mindy & the kids. Even the kids said it was their best day of skiing all season. If it was our last, not a better way to go out. The drive home went quick. The more we go the faster the drive becomes.

Mindy suggested we order a pizza on our way home. Sounded good. She called Minelli’s just before we reached 270. We picked it up around 845pm. Assignments were already in place. Jacob was walking the pug while Mindy, Bella and I carried in all the gear. Woofed down pizza once the gear was put away. Everybody was beat. I don’t think any of us made it to 930pm. I prepped coffee then it was off to bed!