On Friday, April 1st, April Fools Day, one of our nicest ski areas had lift tickets for $1.00! Since I am married to the cheapest man on earth, I knew we would be going to ski on this day. What I did not know was that we would be in the middle of a fierce snow storm, which closed all the schools in the state. So, it seemed like every kid that could find someone to drive him/her, was at Waterville Valley. What an event.
Hubby and I left here about 7:30 in the morning. Usually it takes 40 minutes to get there, but it took us over an hour due to the terrible road conditions. Hubby is a great driver, but I was scared to death! I was nearly hyperventilating as we drove.
Once we arrived, the snow was still falling heavily, and we parked (great spot) and began to get our gear together. A young man, probably 15 or 16years old, carrying a snowboard, came up to me and asked if I planned to ski? Why yes, I said. So he handed me a ticket.
Here, I said. Let me give you the dollar. He smiled and shook his head no and walked away. I now take back every rotten thing I have ever said about snowboarders!
Once we had donned our ski gear we headed out. Hopped the lift and went up. Hubby suggested that we go over to a wide open area where I could get used to the clumpy powdery snow.
Well, I did a lot of complaining. I was so afraid I would fall and hurt my knee again. I simply couldn’t relax. Poor Hubby. He managed to get me down and then we headed over to the kiddy ski hill. I could handle that with the clumpy powdery conditions! But I felt bad for Hubby. Skiing with boring old me! So I sent him off to a diamond trail and told him we would meet at the top of the kiddy lift. I skied down, and then got in line, got on the lift, alone (no one wanted to sit with me), and headed back up. The the lift jerked and STOPPED!
I waited and waited and waited and nothing! Hubby was suddenly below, skiing by. I yelled to him and he said to wait at the top of the lift.
So, what did I think, as I dangled there waiting for the lift to start?
- I was close to a tower so they could rope me in to get me down.
- I was starting to get cold.
- I had to go to the bathroom. Actually I didn’t, but I don’t know why, when you don’t have the option of going to a bathroom, you feel like you have to go!
- Who would feed and walk the dackels and Fritz if I was stuck forever?
I’m sure I thought about more things, but then suddenly the lift did start and I reached the top of the kiddy hill. I did dangle there a good 15 minutes, and with no one to talk to!
By the time Hubby and I hooked up again we were both cold, wet and unwilling to stand in a long lift line, so by 11:00 we left to come home.
The dackels and Fritz were happy to see us, and the house was warm and inviting! I made us lunch and then Hubby went to get rid of the slush in our driveway while I figured out dinner.
Neither Hubby or I played a practical joke on each other. We just felt that Mother Nature had played one on the entire state of New Hampshire!
And the kids of New Hampshire, really loved it!