I love downhill skiing. Or any type of skiing. But I forget this each summer, and each winter I am afraid again. Afraid of the mountain. Or maybe I just don't think I'll have fun. Or maybe I know I'll get cold.
In my quest to Have Fun in Midland, Texas (aka The City That Is Five Hours From Everything), I joined the local rather active group the Flatlanders Ski Club. Almost immediately, they had a long weekend trip to Pagosa Springs, CO, about a nine hour drive from Midland. I signed up.
A couple of passengers decided to ride along with me. A mother and daughter pair from Odessa. It was nice to have company! Made the trip go by much faster. We stopped in Santa Fe each way and wandered around the main square. First time we ate at The Shed, New Mexico style Mexican. Yummy. I recommend the red sauce over the green.
The group was fun. We were all assigned to various condos. By sharing the condos, the per-person price is very low. Wolf Creek ski area was nice, mainly because we got a bunch of powder (as we were driving up there). On the first day I skied solo. I took a lesson and it was one-on-one.. not very busy the weekend before Christmas. In my lesson I learned "pole plants", which transformed my skiing. I still have trouble on blacks or really steep blues... just need more practice.
The second day up I skied with a couple from the Odessa area. We had a lot of fun, and got off-trail at one point, in the trees, in very deep powder. We got separated at one point and I got stuck in neck-deep snow. It took everything I had to gradually crawl my way out. Luckily I had cell contact the entire time so I knew I could get help if needed, and I could keep Debi updated on my plight.
Trips are more fun with other people. I look forward to going on another Flatlander trip soon.
Yep, like most ski trips I didn't take any pictures worth posting.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Debi and Mary visit Midland
Continental regularly has a $119 roundtrip special from Houston to Midland. Debi and Mary came out last weekend. It worked out well because we all went back to Houston together on the same flight on Monday evening. Then I was in Houston for training at COP for two days.
On Saturday we went over to a neighbor/coworker's house and met a bunch of other COP people for eating tamales. Some people showed up earlier to for the making of the tamales; we just came for the eating. It was nice to hang out with COP folks and even nicer to be able to walk to and from the gathering! Earlier on Saturday we visited the George Bush childhood home here in Midland. Mary really like the Bush doghouse:
George HW, George W, Jed, etc. lived here in the early 1950s.
Mary wanted to do some motocross but we didn't have time. And I wasn't sure she could handle a 250cc bike at age 7...
One nice feature of Midland, TX, is the "duck pond" in a part along A Street. Mary gave up her cheese creackers to feed the ducks and swans. I was amazed at the variety of ducks (not shown).
On Sunday we tried to go to some shops, but they were closed. We eventually went mini-golfing near my house.
Mary was fond of raising her hand in the air like a champion, which she was: she got the highest score! We let her think that was good.
On Monday I want to work and Debi and Mary tried to go to the Museum of the Southwest, but it was closed. So they visited the Haley Library next door and then the (very cool) Midland Public Library.
I didn't take any pictures in Houston! Too bad. I like Houston. I picked up parts for my Subaru Forester, test drove a Golf TDI, ate at Rita's cafe (yum...), had a good 1D basin modeling class, visited friend Ben and his family (several of his kids have chickenpox), and went to GAP in the mall. But didn't buy anything. Because I am cheap.
On Saturday we went over to a neighbor/coworker's house and met a bunch of other COP people for eating tamales. Some people showed up earlier to for the making of the tamales; we just came for the eating. It was nice to hang out with COP folks and even nicer to be able to walk to and from the gathering! Earlier on Saturday we visited the George Bush childhood home here in Midland. Mary really like the Bush doghouse:
George HW, George W, Jed, etc. lived here in the early 1950s.
Mary wanted to do some motocross but we didn't have time. And I wasn't sure she could handle a 250cc bike at age 7...
One nice feature of Midland, TX, is the "duck pond" in a part along A Street. Mary gave up her cheese creackers to feed the ducks and swans. I was amazed at the variety of ducks (not shown).
On Sunday we tried to go to some shops, but they were closed. We eventually went mini-golfing near my house.
Mary was fond of raising her hand in the air like a champion, which she was: she got the highest score! We let her think that was good.
On Monday I want to work and Debi and Mary tried to go to the Museum of the Southwest, but it was closed. So they visited the Haley Library next door and then the (very cool) Midland Public Library.
I didn't take any pictures in Houston! Too bad. I like Houston. I picked up parts for my Subaru Forester, test drove a Golf TDI, ate at Rita's cafe (yum...), had a good 1D basin modeling class, visited friend Ben and his family (several of his kids have chickenpox), and went to GAP in the mall. But didn't buy anything. Because I am cheap.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)