Go 4 2 @ MRM

I was up and downstairs just after 730am. As expected, David was already up, downstairs, and brewed coffee. Sweet! I enjoyed coffee, banter, and eventually some internet before heading out for a run. Mindy was up ahead of 9am and before my run. We let the kids sleep in. MRM wouldn’t open until noon. We planned to get there somewhere close to that. While Mindy packed some food and organized some of our gear, I left for a run. Thinking that was near 10am.

As forecasted, it was a little warmer than the previous few days, already about 30 degrees at run time. It was sunny, too. I ran the usual weekend three miles. Back at the house I enjoyed the scrambled eggs that Mindy whipped up. Can’t remember if that was before or after my shower. I’m thinking before.

After a shower, I remained in my base layer for a while so not to overheat. I took my time loading the Pilot with all of our ski gear. We opted to slip mounting the Thule. With 5 passengers I needed to be reconfigure the seating to accommodate our skis equipment while utilizing both back seats for passengers. While loading the skis, Theresa, a longtime neighbor, stopped by during her morning run to share some sad news about her daughter, Caroline. Caroline was apparently shot in the eye with a BB or pellet pistol by a male friend while playing around in a car. He apparently convinced her that it wasn’t loaded by aiming and shooting at his own face multiple times, but when he ultimately pointed it at Caroline it discharged and pierced one of her eyes. According to Theresa, the prognosis isn’t good. She believes that she’ll never see out of the eye again. My heart sunk. And as one might expect, Caroline isn’t handling it so well.

We talked about being on the road by 11am, but we didn’t actually backed out the driveway until closer to 1120am. Clear skies, clear roads, we made excellent time barreling up route 33. We pulled into the MRM parking lot near noon, and just before the Buckeye/Michigan kickoff. I dropped David at the ticket window before we parked since he needed to get a lift ticket and rentals. This being opening day and the fact that they’d just opened, the lines were longer than I’ve ever seen them. After parking, I decided to head into the ski shop to redeem my pass for a lift ticket. However, like last year’s opening day, they were having technical difficulties with the register and it wouldn’t process passes. Told me I’d need to go to the ticket window with all the others. Ugh! While inside the shop, I talked to co-worker Chris and then Bob C.

I walked over to the ticket windows looking for David. He was nowhere to be found. While over there, an employee advised that season ticket holders could proceed directly to window #5 to get their lift tickets. Sweet! There was only one person there in front of me. Once I had my lift ticket I headed back to the Pilot to get fully into my gear. By then, Mindy and the kids were ready to head up to get their lift tickets. I shared the process – window #5. They headed on up while I geared up.

The Cubra’s where parked just in front of us. I walked over to say hello to the family. Finally in my gear, I headed towards the Four Star lift. They had the OSU/Michigan game blaring over the park’s sound system. The Buckeyes trailed 7-0 and Michigan had the ball again. Oh boy! I looked around for David then called his cell. No answer. A few minutes later I hooked up with Mindy and the kids, and just before we were ready to head up the lift, along came David already geared up and ready to go. Sweet! We headed up the lift together. There were five of us. Can’t remember who rode with who.

Word had it that the park actually decided to open at 1145am to allow those wanting to watch the OSU/Michigan game to get a run in before going into the lodge. That was nice. And because the park had opened within the last half hour, most runs were still sporting corduroy. Add to that the brilliant sunshine, and the snow was just about perfect. My maiden run was down the face. I brought both pair of skis but wisely opted to ski my AC-30s, which are a carvers dream. Great first run! Saw some of David’s first run. Decent form and under control. Impressive, especially having not skied for 30+ years.

Introduced David to the Cubra’s. I rode up with Bob & Tina next ride up. Felt like it was just the other day that we last talked and skied. In reality it was last February. While catching up, we also talked winter ski trips. They’re going to HV mid-December and thinking about a family trip to Utah come spring break in March. Cool!

We skied nonstop for 2.5 hours before taking a break. By then the OSU/Michigan game was in the 3rd quarter. Headed into the lodge at 245pm. David and I finagled a small table near the window after standing around for a while. We were actually very lucky to get it. Someone just happened to be heading out while we stood nearby. The Buckeyes scored two quick touchdowns to take what appeared to be a commanding lead of 35-21 into the 4th quarter. The crowd only thickened. Soon Mindy, the kids, and the Cubra’s joined us. I fetched a pitcher of Sam Adams Winter Lager. Bob C. got a 2nd. I opted to stand as the game wound down.

With a 35-28 lead, the Buckeyes had the ball again and were driving. Carlos Hyde was seemingly running ram shod over the Wolverines. But struggling for extra yards he fumbled which resulted in a tying touchdown. Oh no! If the crowd was into the game earlier, they were really into to it now with the score tied 35-35 with 6 minutes to go. After receiving the kickoff, the Buckeyes looked stronger than ever, gashing the Wolverines for huge chunks of yardage via Carlos Hyde. We scored the go ahed touchdown with 3 minutes remaining. It was 42-35.

The ski lodge was packed for the finish, standing room only. There were several O-H-I-O chants. Michigan started at their own 16 yard line and drove the length of the field ultimately scoring the would be tying touchdown. However, instead of going for the almost certain tying extra point, they opted to go for a 2 pt conversion. Interception! The crowd erupted in jubilation. Buckeyes win 42-41.

Relieved, we geared up and headed back out to ski some more. I can only guess that it was near 4pm. With the game now over and most skiers on the hill, the lift lines were really long. The snow was still really nice as the sun began to sink in the west. And with each subsequent run, the crowd continued to thin as many folks left for home. Once the sun dipped below the horizon the sunbaked snow formed a hard, slick crust. Not ideal, but really fast. I was careful, not wanting to risk having a nasty wreck, especially day one.

We talked it through and planned to ski Sunday, too. With that in mind, Mindy suggested we leave no later than 7pm. That way we’d also have some time at home that evening to relax or whatever else. Sounded good to me. We skied until almost 6pm then took another quick break. The kids joined us a few minutes later. When I asked Jacob if he put his new board in ski-check he said no. Went on to share that he never puts his gear in ski check. What? Heck no! I just forked out $500 for the damn thing. New rule – always check your board. He headed out to check his board.

Unbeknownst to us, the kids said they were done and wanted a pizza. Mindy agreed, but Bella chipped in $10 of her own money. I wanted only some Gatorade, which we brought ourselves. Once I was hydrated, we headed back out. Since Jacob & Bella were staying in, the plan was for us to text Jacob when we wanted them to meet us at the Pilot. We were at the foot of the lift when the kids apparently had a change of heart and opted to join us for a few more runs.

The lines now small and the snow hard and fast, David was loving it. I cautioned that it’s wise to be extra careful on that type of snow. We did just a few more runs before bagging it. I felt very good about my ski day. Couldn’t ask for better conditions. We exited the lot for home around 720pm. Jacob, who ran into the lodge to pee, shared that Auburn beat Alabama on a fluke play. We tuned the XM radio to ESPN to get the details. In theory, since the Buckeyes won and Alabama lost, we would all but certainly move to #2 in the rankings. Sure enough, that’s what happened. Auburn beat Alabama by returning a missed field goal try 108 yards for a touchdown as time expired. We listened to the S.C. / Clemson game on the drive home. Mindy slept on and off. Said she was incredibly tired.

Arrived home near 8pm. Since we planned to ski again Sunday, we left our skis in the Pilot but carried in our ski bags. Mindy headed for a shower shortly after arriving home. David & I drank a couple beers. I polished off the growler of Centennial (one pint) then enjoyed a St Joan’s for my 2nd. Mindy rejoined us downstairs until about 9pm but then headed for an early bedtime. David and I stayed up to watch the end of the S.C. game. They won, but to be clear, he was routing against them.