Wee Ski!

So Kate had her first snow skiing weekend!  We had a great time but I had forgotten how exhausting the whole ski thing can be.  The lugging of equipment - 2 pairs of skis, 2 helmets, 2 poles and all the stuff to keep us warm!  Just the shopping before the trip was enough to make me hope Kate hated the cold!  Ski bibs, ski socks, goggles, mittens, and more.  Its a good thing I had most of my gear from my ski days - I may have been out of style but I was warm!

The whole weekend was an adventure!  After getting lots of snow in Greenville and throughout the Carolinas we weren't even sure were were going to make it to the mountains.  But thanks to some sheer determination on the mommies parts (and NONE on the all-too-worried-daddies parts!) and a little Ford Escape with a BIG ability to drive down snowy mountain roads we made it!  After all who cancels a ski trip because there's too much snow?!?

So after a day of sunshine we got to Boone to find they actually know how to handle snow in those NC mountains!  Of course they do - its their business!  The roads were clear - even the steep, windy road up to our condo community!  Though when we got into Echota we quickly realized that the snow plows clear the snow but not the parking lot.  Or the walkways to the condos!  After some walking around in the snow for a while we ventured into the condo.  I was thankful to find a snow shovel after trudging through the 8 or so inches of snow to get into the condo!  I am not afraid to admit that it was this southern girl's first experience with a snow shovel.  But the walkway magically became clear!

And after going to bed Friday night to clear roads here is what we woke to Saturday morning!  And this is after the snow plows had been by a time or two.  Unfortunately the city is responsible for the steep and windy road coming up to Echota so it was quite snowy on our way down early that morning.  We would have been up a creek (or a mountain) without a paddle had it not been for the mighty little Escape!  (Did i mention the entire weekend was an adventure?)

Finally after several hours of driving, lugging gear and dressing we were ready to ski!  The kids had a great time in Ski School - at least in the morning.  Shortly after returning to school after lunch Pam and I began hearing parents of Ski Wee students being called to pick up their kids.  They were dropping like flies!  Soon enough we too picked up our exhausted little skiers and returned to Echota to soak in the hot tub.  That and lots of wine made for a good end to ski weekend day 1!

While Kate enjoyed skiing, she said it was boring.  I think she needed a bigger challenger!  Next time, my dear, we tackle a lift and your first real slope!  Tubing was much more exciting for Kate!  We went fast and she didn't have to lug anything!  Mommy, however, got to lug a tube with a 35 pound kid in it - who needs a gym?!?

All in all it was a super fun weekend!  And the weather couldn't have been better.  Skiing in the North Carolina mountains is notorious for slopes icy slopes covered in man-made snow.  Not this weekend though!  Thanks to Mother Nature we had lots of soft snow, no ice and we never heard the roar of snow machines!  Cheers to a fun weekend, new adventures and time spent with great friends!