We hit the road this weekend with my mother-in-law and the 2 kiddos to see what 5 hours northeast looks like. Maybe you've heard of it. It's a little land called Lake Tahoe. The land of wonder. The land of beauty. The land of winter perfection, no... year-round perfection. But there really is something about that snow. That perfect white blanket covering the surrounding mountains and powdering the tips of the trees so perfectly... I don't know what's more beautiful, that, or its reflection in the water. That's something that can take your breath away. Yeah, I can see why people near and far come to gather in this town. It's a dream really.
This weekend was a chance for Wade to do something that he loves, and for me to do something that I've always wanted to do... ski. Wade had 3 ski resorts in mind. During his research he found that he got military discounts at 3 different places over the weekend. So we decided to try a new one out each day. Our first stop was Squaw Valley.
And can I just add, why isn't there such a thing as a ski caddy? Walking in those ski boots is difficult already. Adding poles and skis over your shoulder. Ugh. It's a work-out.
I had my first group lesson scheduled and Wade tailed behind. I joined the group not too far from the ticket booth, and the instructor told us we'd head up the mountain, because there's a place up there for beginners. What?!?! I told Wade there's no way I'd go up the cable car the first day. And it looks like now I had to. After a brief meltdown, yes, I have a huge fear of heights. I decided I wasn't going to look out the 360 degree windows. But I have to say once I did, the beauty below was glorious, and I didn't care anymore that we were only going 11 mph and climbing to 10,000 feet.
What kind of skills did I learn the first day? It wasn't a great lesson, so I literally left with as much knowledge as I came with. There were just too many in the group and we took turns going one at a time and didn't get to practice very much. So that's just what happens. And
nobody was getting it, so I didn't feel so bad.
That brings us to Day 2, and my one on one with Peter at Homewood. And I learned how to
ski. I was wedging, and crossing the mountain left to right and back again. But I'll tell ya, I wasn't doing this out of the gates. My lesson was 3 hours, and I started out on a short gentle slope. It took me a long time to get the turns. I struggled with my right leg. My left knew just what to do, which is funny because I'm right-handed. After improving we took a short lift to the top of a slope and practiced using the entire mountain to ski back and forth on. And my objective soon became my nemesis, that first left turn. I would ski to the right side of the mountain, and then after freezing up and refusing to make that turn to the left, I would just come to a stop. And then after I'd gather myself, I'd start over moving left, right, left and right. The rest was smooth sailing. Go figure.
So after my lesson, Wade decided it was time to go up the chair lift and hit the Homeward Bound trail which was a beginner's course. After freaking out, yet again, on the chair lift, and realizing that if you looked around, it wasn't so bad, we hopped off and stood at the top of the gorgeous mountain with lake views. To the right was about a 90 degree drop, clearly for experts. And that scared the you-know-what out of me. So, we took in the view, and I nervously stood there watching the crowd of skiers and snow boarders carving their way down like professionals. And after getting a few tips from Wade and having him ski right in front of me, I shyly followed. I fell about 6 times, got frustrated as I saw little ones fly past me, and was constantly uneasy about the next turn. But I did it, I glided through the finish line and was proud to be done. Wade was a trooper the whole day. Thank you for your patience love. I truly have the best hubby ever.
Our third and final day was spent at North Star. We met our good friends Isaac and Dynelle and their 2 littles. We walked around the resort, had a nice lunch, and did a little shoppy shoppy. And it was Evey's birthday eve! Happy 3rd birthday sweet girl!!!
I made an $80 dollar mistake as Brenner flew into a pot hole back first, and I didn't have a change of clothes on me. He was sopping wet with freezing cold water. I scooped him up out of the 6 inch hole and ran him into a store, rummaged through their clothes, stripped him down and changed him into a fleece top and bottom. 80 dollars later... And my mother-in-law bought the kids some nice warm gloves, and the most adorable bear hat for little Brenner. We found a wagon to tote the kids in and it even served as a nice ride for a nap.
Emmy and her friend, Evey, did a little ice skating, we were entertained by a man and his guitar, and Wade and Isaac went up the mountain to ski while we took the kids to the toy store. It was a good day. It was a good trip. Wade's already making note that this will be our annual winter vacay. And I can't say that I'd complain.
Emmy's one word to describe her first ice-skating experience:
tricky
Little Amelia 4 months old
Isaac, Dynelle & Evey
Thank you, Letha, for coming out with us. We can't thank you enough for your help with the kids and your company on this special little trip.
Letha at Squaw Valley. It's been a long time since she's last skied. Go Letha! Go Letha!
