The Completion of a 3 month Ski Season

 

 

 

Was up at 730am after sleeping rather well. I might’ve woken once or twice during the overnight to use the bathroom. I brushed my teeth then slipped into my running clothes. I gave Mindy a hug then headed to the Tamarack lobby where I enjoyed a cup of coffee before heading out for a run.

It was cloudy and 27 degrees with just a trace of fresh snow on the sidewalk. I felt really good as I proceeded down Holiday Valley Rd to 219N and into Ellicottville. Encountered a few slippery spots but all in all the walks were in great shape for running. The last ¼ mile back up the hill to the Tamarack was trying just as was the two previous mornings. Was gone for about 40 minutes total.

Back in the room, Mindy was still asleep in bed. No coffee brewed. I took a few minutes to get the coffee going then ducked into the shower. The plan was to check out of our room, load the Pilot, then ski for a while. We didn’t have a specific departure time in mind. Instead, whenever we felt like it.

Jacob moaned about skiing. Asked if we could simply go home. Nope! Took us about an hour to ready for a day on the slopes, pack, and load. Mindy went to the lobby to redeem our free ski coupons while Jacob and I loaded to the Pilot with everything minus our immediate ski gear. While everyone else headed to ski check, I checked out of our condo via the front desk. It was near 1015am when we headed up an almost empty Mardi Gras lift for the day’s first run.

It had been snowing very lightly all morning but almost on queue, it got much heavier. Felt like a fresh inch or more on the slopes. No grinding ice sound! We skied Independence first. It was fun but perhaps a little slow due to the fresh untracked snow. There were only six lifts in operation: Mardi Gras, Sunrise, Cindy’s, Morning Star, Yodeler, and Creekside. We skied Laurel just to see if they might’ve decided to open Tannenbaum. Nope! We skied Champagne and Yodeler several times. Awesome! The snow was once again amazing!

We did Morning Star then the new Moonshadow roller/terrain trail. It was an absolute hoot! We skied for about 1.75 hours before taking a lunch break at the HV Lodge. Before heading in for food, we popped in the gift shop where I bought an ‘EVL’ sticker for the Thule. We were some of the first to populate the HV Lodge cafeteria, but it filled up fast just after we sat down. There we enjoyed burgers, fries, and drink. After about 45 minutes we were back out for our last runs of the season.

We skied Champagne and Yodeler a few more times and then one last run down Mardi Gras, though the kids took Northwind. And just like that, we were done. No regrets! By all accounts, an excellent ski season. Carried our skis into the Tamarack and out to the underground parking garage where we degeared, loaded the Thule, changed into comfy commute clothes, then hit the road for home.

We hit the road at 117pm and stopped 10 miles up the road in Salamanca to fill the gas tank. It snowed but never coated the highway all way into Erie. Even still, we were able to maintain about 70mph on I-86/I-90. We didn’t stop again until the rest area just south of Alum Creek and rt 36. Once on 270, we encountered bumper to bumper traffic due to a rush hour collision near the Rt 23 exit. Mindy phoned Gloria from Delaware to let her know that we were about 30 minutes out. Our plan was to pick-up the pug before heading home.

We arrived at Gloria’s house near 630pm. Eiknarf was elated to see us. After a brief visit, we headed for home, but not before Mindy ordered a Minelli’s pizza for pick-up. The pizza was ready when we got there, though the forgot the extra cheese, Gave us a $3.50 discount. Before digging into dinner, Mindy insisted that everybody help carry in the gear. And just like our Xmas HV trip. We had to shovel the driveway first. Still about an inch of fresh slippery snow.
We made a human chain to make the unloading efficient. I unloaded the Pilot and handed off to Jacob who carried to Bella waiting just inside the door. She and Mindy toted ski gear to the basement. All that took no more than 15-20 minutes. While the kids dug into the pizza, Mindy headed upstairs for a shower. And while she showered, I carried the heavy suitcase and duffle up the stairs.

I enjoyed some pizza, too, but then continued our unpacking effort unloading the two coolers then unpacking my personal electronics from the back pack. When I finished, everything was put away. Just a few remnants for Mindy to deal with on Tuesday. I unloaded all of my clothes and put away anything unused and clean and even washed my running clothes for a fresh start the following morning.

Just like that we were back in our groove. Makayla called Bella soon after we arrived home asking her to spend the night. Mindy and I agreed that she needed to stay home and get a good night’s rest but agreed to a sleepover the following night. Bella was OK with that.

I poured a glass of ice water and sunk into the sofa for a little Science Channel. It was 9pm in a hurry. Mindy was playing on her laptop when I declared it my bedtime. Despite being on spring break, she soon followed. I am certain that we were both out cold before 930pm.