Reflections

I recently returned from my family's annual ski trip.  It was number 15 to be exact.  I think there were a few before then.  Here's proof.

Ever since returning, I've been pretty useless.  Well, I have worked, and I did cook come strawberry pancakes tonight.  But, that's the extent of my productivity this week.  I still need to to unpack!

I'm still dreaming of being there.

Anyhow, here are a few thoughts from the recent trip.  It was a girls trip mostly, but we held our own on the tough stuff.  My younger brother was on a school trip.

I don't have all the visuals that I would like, so you will just have to imagine these...

1.  Ski schools are basically just an obstacle course.  I avoid them at all cost.  It's generally a mass of skiers that are usually extremely slow, and you must weave through them since they are all over the whole mountain, at least the portion where you need to ski.  There is usually one stray student that is out of control and is going way too fast.  Then, there also sometimes is the board instructor that is trying to fancy tricks on his skis.

2.  I'm always thankful that I can tell my right from my left, or at least when I guess, I get it right, when passing someone while skiing.  If you have ever driven with me in a car, and I'm navigating, I can never can tell my right from my left.  It's supposed to be a sign of a balanced brain??

3.  Moguls are those bumps that are on black slopes.  Like I said earlier, the girls held our own and skied down some blacks.  But, these bumps moguls aren't my best friend.  We all did our best to ski around them, some did better than others.  But, let's just say someone has to smooth those out for the other skiers that come after me.

4.  Truly, the best way to do a ski jump is to avoid it completely.  It's safest that way.

5.  There will always be those skiers that are probably skiing out of control doing the pizza down the middle of the cat track.  I don't know that there will ever be a good way to pass them.

6.  Tree hugging has a new meaning.  Sometimes you hug trees when you are slowly going down a black where the snow has all but turned into a skating rink.  You can hug the tree to steady yourself and slow down.

7.  Whether it's just getting older or having a job or knowing the consequences of a bad fall, I've become a more cautious and defensive skier.  Defensive skiing can feel lame, but my sister said it wisely, it's wisdom.  I couldn't agree more.

8.  If they are ever giving away samples of this stuff, don't drink it.  Companies will often give out samples on the ski slopes, but I think peanut butter filled pretzels make a much better post-skiing snack.

Muscle Milk, who wants that?

Go for the peanut butter.

The weekend was wrapped up by celebrating this cutie's birthday.

Totally a successful trip!