It was a cold and damp day as I made my way to Waterville Valley ski resort. In the past, I have always thought of Waterville as my home mountain. I know the area, I know the people who work there and I know the lodge. It’s always been a home away from home.
Today marked the return of the Dackel to the slopes, after a two year absence. I must tell you that my stomach hurt like it did when I was in 8th grade and was anticipating a math test!
We woke up at 6:30 and quickly dressed and headed out. I’d made a weight watcher breakfast sandwich and some coffee to go and off we went.
We arrived just in time to hear the start bell ring, announcing the beginning of another ski day. Hubby and I put on our gear, and then went out, got in line and off we went.
Up, up, up to the very top of the mountain. It was beautiful up there and Hubby had me stop and pose for a picture.
He took two and then something happened. Yes, folks. I broke the camera! I knew it was going to happen sometime, as I am always making this joke about it, and today….the old camera just died. Later, I was able to get the pictures off of it, but since it is so old and a real pain anyway, I do not think I will even worry about getting it fixed.
We skied down the first time and I was tight, and tentative and really afraid. On the way up Hubby and I had been talking and I realized that Hubby is the “kiss of death” for his skiing companions. First me with my knee, then George with his shoulder, and Carole with her fractured pelvis and now Dino with his broken arm! Yes, I thought twice about the man who I was sitting next to me on the ski lift!
I did make it down, but comfort was not to be found. I felt frustrated and as gawky as I did the first day I wore braces as a kid.
The second run I saw a woman who was an adaptive skier. She was in a ski chair. She lifted herself onto the ski lift, and then just let go and had fun all the way down. I really admired her.
My second run I loosened up a bit, but Hubby recognized the fear and he asked if I wanted to stop for a little sugar free hot cocoa. Oh yeah, he is the man of my dreams!
We came back after our break and skied two more runs. At this point I swear that there were several hundred elementary school kids skiing the slopes going 100 miles an hour and scaring the daylights out of this old woman! So I told Hubby I was done for the day. I told him to go ahead and keep skiing, but I think he recognized exhaustion and knew I would need direction to our table at the inn and then eventually the car.
We came home in time for lunch and then a nice, long, hot, soak in the bathtub. I’d still be there, but we threatened to run out of hot water.
I skied. I stayed upright. I survived!
Congrats on your first trip back to the slopes! That is quite the triumph for you!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!
Oh, I am so jealous… and I hope you still had some fun, even though it was hard to let go of the bad memories!
The pictures look wonderful!
You look svelte and self-confident in your photos. Way to go. The scenery is lovely, too. Carol
Good for you!! it seems you had a lovely day to start skiing again, what fun!!
Your first time back on the mountain! Yeah! Nice job! Sounds like you both had a good Turkey Day!
Love you lots,
Mandy
You look great! Sorry about your camera though. Time for a nice new one, I think. Love YOU, Mel
woohoo, you go girl!
Yay You!!! That is wonderful that you are back on the slopes. Now that you are back and on the slopes and all you need some red scarf of something so they can find you in the snow if something did happen…it won’t…just saying.
I got a bunch of my Christmas shopping done today. My grandson’s gifts are the main ones I worry about. Found a few small things for my daughters and daughter in law. It is good to nearly be done and now have time to decorate like crazy…after we get the leaves raked. We should have a big bunch of them by this weekend, espcially if the wind keeps blowing like it has this week!
Congrats again on a clean run 🙂
I think it would get easier as you get into it.
But I must say, you should absolutely ban yourself from calling yourself old. I don’t even call people in their 80s old. It’s bad thinking!!
I do NOT know how you DO this with a bad knee! There is NO WAY I could get on skis right now… I can barely get up and down the steps… *sigh*… You GO girl! I’m sO proud of you!
Good for you for getting back out there. I know I had a terrible time doing it after I wrecked my knee. The pictures are great, and now you’ve even got an excuse to get a fun new camera :).
PS My folks volunteer with the adaptive skiing group at one of the other nearby mountains. They really love it.
Wonderful nature and fascinating snow sculputeres (the trees)
We prefere cross country;))
You look good there. Sorry that the camera broke down. Or? Now you can get a new one, much more fun 🙂
What fantastic pictures! You look like a James Bond character out there!