Back on January 13th of 2005 Kayleigh skipped school, and I skipped work, for a day of skiing. This was Ski Chalet demo day at Wisp. I don't care much for trying out demo equipment. However thanks to the sponsors lift tickets could be had for the bargain rate of $2.

January is normally the coldest month of the year in western Maryland, but as you can see from the photos this definitely wasn't normal January weather. It felt more like late March on the slopes. The few runs that were actually open were just barely so, and some big puddles were forming in the low spots.

[slideshow]

If I had a choice I would take powder snow, of course, measured by the foot. But spring skiing can be almost as much fun. Nice and warm, soft snow, no crowds. Even if it isn't spring.

The weekend of the 23rd we went skiing again at Wisp. Some friends of our had graciously invited us to stay with them in a house near the slopes. It was available for Friday and Saturday nights. Our previous ski days at Wisp have always been day trips. A full day of skiing and six hours of driving make for one long day. Too long. This weekend would be a real treat.

[slideshow from the ski trip]

The forecast was for an icy Friday morning, so I convinced everyone that we should leave Thursday evening instead. The plan was to leave home right after the birthday party for Lynne. Unfortunately we still had some packing to do. By the time we pulled out of the driveway it was nearly nine o'clock. I wasn't happy, but we still had time to complete the three-hour drive before the weather arrived.

Continue reading...