Viola, Aspen Ski & Board, Schmidt's

Downstairs near 8am, David and Anita were already up and carrying on with their morning routine, and I’m pretty sure that David had already started the morning’s coffee. It wasn’t too long before Anita headed out for her morning walk. It was another half hour or more before I was ready for a run. About the time that Mindy got up from bed, we spotted dad sitting on the deck napping. We invited him for breakfast. David ran an errand, believe he went after some tea and sweetener for Anita.

I left for a run shortly thereafter. It was gorgeous – sunny and somewhere in the 60s. Ran the usual 3 miles. Once back at home I enjoyed a breakfast burrito. We had a somewhat aggressive agenda, at least for the first half of the day. To begin, we all piled into the Pilot, kids included, and headed first into Hilliard where we made a stop at the Music store to pick-up Bella’s viola for music class this upcoming school year. While there, I picked some new guitar strings, drum sticks, and maracas.

On the way there, Mindy had us prepared for a crowd of school kids picking up t heir instruments but happily that wasn’t the case. From there we headed up 270 exiting on route 23N to Aspen Ski & Boards for their opening day summer sale. We planned on trading in Bella’s ski gear for a snow board, bindings, and boots. We also planned on buying our 2014/15 MRM passes since they were offering a $50 discount along with some additional perks, like extra guest passes. Oh, we also brought Jacob’s new board and bindings that we bought the last day of last season so they could install and tune it.

As expected, ASBCO was packed. Mindy went to take care of the membership outside while me and the kids headed inside with the gear. There must’ve been 25 employees milling about but even that wasn’t enough to serve everyone right away. We were patient and waited our turn. David & Anita browsed outside, I think. Mindy finished up with the membership purchase and met the kids and I inside. There she happened upon a FB friend she met last year only once at MRM. They hugged and talked for a few.

Finally we were waited on. While they took care of filling out the paperwork for Jacob’s board & bindings, Bella and I headed over to the kids area to pick out a board and bindings. We decided to bite the bullet and buy her a nice board instead of a starter. In fact, we upgraded everything: board, bindings, and boots. Mindy stayed with Bella through the arduous fitting process while I mingled and browsed a little. I happened upon David and Anita a time or two outdoors. Jacob tried on a couple different jackets that were on sale. The one he liked I hated. 

When it was all said and done, we got one heck of a deal on Bella’s new snowboard gear. In addition to Bella’s new snow board, Mindy agreed to buy Jacob that Jacket he liked along with a colorful mask. Once through the checkout line, we headed out for one last step, which was having our pictures taken for our 2014/15 MRM memberships. While we did that, David went through the checkout line buying a ski jacket at an incredible discount. We all left ASBCO happy. Next stop, German Village, Schmidt’s.

15-20 mile drive from Powell to German Village. Found parking relatively close to Schmidt’s, which is a big tourist attraction in GV. There was a 20-30 minute wait for a table, so while we waited, we perused the local gift shops which I am guessing are either owned or controlled by the Schmidt’s family. Soon enough our table was ready. I can’t remember the last time I ate at the GV Schmidt’s, but it’s been a long, long time.

I wasn’t in the mood for beer. Went instead with lemonade. Pretty sure that David was the only one having a beer. As an appetizer we enjoyed sauerkraut balls. Pretty sure we had a second option too though can’t recall what it was. Their sauerkraut balls, as it turned out, don’t hold a candle to Barley’s – mild and small.

I went their reuben, and I am pretty sure that Mindy and Jacob did as well. David ordered their sausage variety plate, and I think Anita had a salad. Bella went with a cheeseburger. It wasn’t too long into lunch when I noticed Bella, who was sitting right next to me, was glancing all around her lap like something was wrong. I quietly asked what was the matter. What she shared, I wasn’t quite prepared for. Fairly certain that she told me there were little black beetles crawling all over her. I looked at her lap and there was nothing – nada! Uh-on! I didn’t make a big deal of it and figured I’d tell Mindy about it later.
We finished our lunch in all of about an hour’s time.
As for the food, I doubt I’ll be heading back anytime soon. Wasn’t bad but wasn’t remarkable either. Nothing there to draw me in. My Reuben was simply just fair.

Once at home, I think most of us took a brief nap. After waking David and I watched the PGA championship until 630-7pm or so. Rory McElroy was leading after three rounds. Our evening was more low key than Friday, that’s for sure. We still hung out on deck while enjoying adult beverages but at a slower, more moderate pace. And when darkness finally set it I went for the music kit again, this time breaking in my new maracas, which are very loud compared to the mini set Mindy has in her kit.

The girls headed in for bed a little after 1030pm. Near 11pm I sprung for pizza for Bella and her peeps, ordering from Poppa John’s. At the time, Jacob was still with friends at the St Brendan’s Festival, but was home shortly after the pizzas arrived. Before heading to bed, Bella complained that David doused what pizza remained in the accompanying garlic butter. 