It is time again for another installment of Live & Learn Thursday!
Thursdays are seriously beginning to be my favorite day of the week.
So in this episode of Live & Learn Thursday, I'm going to tell you about that time I learned how to ski. I was born in Salt Lake City (home to the 2002 Winter Olympics) and have lived most of my life in great Pacific Northwest (home to 13 different ski resorts; not to mention the fact that Whistler, home to the 2010 Winter Olympics, is only four hours north of my home). So you are probably thinking oh, another story from her childhood right? Nope. This story took place last Saturday on December 28.
Joel has been skiing since he was tiny little guy.
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| Seriously? He had a Season Pass before I was even born! |
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| Joel is the little guy who looks like a tiny red hulk. |
I have tried snowboarding a long time ago but it just didn't work well for me. So I thought I would give skiing a try. Joel was really excited to see this on my Thirty-by-Thirty list. He loves to ski and couldn't wait to help me learn to love it too. So last Saturday we packed up the car and drove up to Steven's Pass.
I was really, really excited for my first lesson. Joel decided he'd try teaching me how to ski. I will admit I was bit nervous. When things don't come naturally for me or if I am really struggling with something I tend to get really frustrated and grumpy. But with high hopes, we bought our lift tickets and headed up the mountain.
I warned Joel that I would with out a doubt fall coming off the ski lift as I have never ever been able to successfully navigate the exiting of the stupid lift chairs. Seriously, we can land on the moon and cure diseases but they can't make an easy to exit lift chair. Just like I predicted, I immediately fell down, had to unclip from my skis and crawl on all fours out of the way of the other, more coordinated people. But after picking myself up and a few I told you so, we found a nice little spot for my first lesson.
As you can see, my first lesson was a success! I missed the tree! Don't worry, I was okay.
Oh man, this photo still makes me crack up laughing. What a hot mess.
After a few more lessons I was ready to try to navigate my way down the Daisy Run. The Daisy Run is basically the bunny hill at Steven's Pass or the super easy beginner hill. Liars.
It was hard, but I made it down that hill. I felt better after seeing that I wasn't the only person past the legal drinking age trying to learn how to ski or snowboard. However, it wasn't long before I starting cussing at all the tiny, little children. In my head of course. Well, alright a few times out loud, but only to Joel. I promise. But seriously. These kids looked like they learned how to walk yesterday and today they are speeding down the mountain like professionals. There I am, inching along at my grandma pace, and I am constantly being passed by tiny little humans who haven't even learned how to spell their own name. It was driving me crazy! I wanted to yell at them, "You might be faster than me, but I can make my own mac'n cheese! Take that you tiny punk!"
Joel was so patient and kind as he encouraged me to keep trying. We went down the mountain twice before stopping to eat some lunch. Even though I was tried and a bit frustrated with myself, I was loving every minute! I couldn't wait to get back on the lift and go down the mountain again and again. We skied and skied until after well after dark. I kept telling Joel that he could go off and ski a couple runs by himself, at normal adult speeds, but he stayed right my side.
It looks like I am really going fast here, but I am sure you could have walked faster than I was skiing.
By the end of the night, I was exhausted and thrilled. I loved my first day on the mountain and was pretty excited at the progress I made. Joel said I was doing great and he is really happy to hear I want to try again. So we have plans to head back up this weekend but this time Jackie and Chris are joining us, so this should be really fun. I can't wait!
Be sure to stop by the link-up and see what other Live & Learn lessons people are sharing!
OH.MY.GOSH! I literally laughed out loud, woke up my sleeping doggie, and scared him into a cry-bark! Those pictures have my name all over them! I'm so glad you shared this (not only because for a second I felt like it REALLY was winter-- I've never seen snow and it's still 68 degrees and humid in FL), Thank goodness you have no broken bones!
ReplyDeleteSo jealous you went up to Stevens!! I wanna go at some point this season. And I was the same way when people tried to teach me to snowboard... I'll stick to skiing. Oh and I totally hang on Daisy all damn day. Once in a while when I'm feeling brave and not scared of the heights on the chair lift; I'll hit up hogs back or skyline
ReplyDeleteFUN! You are learning how to ski! I have so many comments. First off, that photo of Joel in his first ski pass? I die. LOL. Second, the ski lift is absolutely the most terrifying part of skiing or snowboarding. I have anxiety each and every time I go up. And obviously for good reason, because that thing kicked the crap out of me last year and I haven't been back since. And finally, I shall share from experience that it's never a good idea to have your significant other teach you how to ski or snowboard. My boyfriend in college tried to teach me and we almost killed each other... there were tears. A private lesson is the way to go in my opinion. :-) Glad you had a fun day!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh Jess, you crack me up!!!! I would want to yell and cuss at the little kids too. I have not skied since I was in middle school and I was just asked by a friend if I wanted to go and I said that I totally did want to but I am afraid to fall getting off the ski lift because it always gets me, every time! hahaha. I am so glad that you look forward to thursdays and love the link up. Would you like to co-host with us one week?
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