Timing!

  The vagaries of life are certainly connected to timing.   Being at the right place at the right time can change the course of ones life.   In the stock market making a wise move at the right time can have good consequences.  Even if they say you can't time the market.   I can think of dozens of times in my life that the timing of the event had immense impact on my life.    And if you don't think timing effects you, just think about the recent change from standard to daylight saving time.  Our sleep cycles are disrupted and even our digestion may be affected by the change in time of our meals.  As the Bible passage in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 points out there is a time for everything.   For example, a time to weep and a time to laugh.
   You may wonder how the statements above relate to skiing.   On the lighter side, today's ski adventure was a splendid example of the importance of timing.   Since we are into the spring ski conditions, we have cycles of freezing and thawing that introduce a whole range of ski surfaces.  Overnight  the soft snow of Sunday was frozen into icy bumps.   Our first run at Greek Peak rattled our teeth.  The second one did the same.   For many of the geezers this morning one or two runs were enough.  I managed to stay out for a third run before I retreated to the coffee gathering in the lodge.
   The extended coffee break was a great relief.   We enjoyed many stories for over 45 minutes and reluctantly broke up to go our separate ways.   As an inveterate optimist, I chose to hit the slopes once again.   I had little expectation for improved conditions.   However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the snow softer.  And as the morning progressed the conditions continued to improve.   Timing is everything.   How fortuitous to have taken a long coffee break.
   The rest of the morning and into the afternoon proved to be a delightful day on the slopes.   Maybe it was the case of waiting long enough for things to get better!   I am glad I was wise enough to leave before my body gave out.   Also on the last run, I could feel the snow beginning to get a bit sticky.   Timing, timing, timing!   I'll try to be wiser about my day tomorrow.
   And to my geezer friends, I am sorry you didn't stay around after coffee.   Too many lonely rides up the lifts and you all missed some later day good skiing.   Even Hercules was tolerable,

Third Annual Geezer Skiers Luncheon

  Our tradition of a geezer skiers luncheon is now well established.   Today was our third one with over 40 in attendance.     Our gathering started at  12:30 PM at the  Bobcat Lounge of  Hope Lodge at Greek Peak.  I didn't make the early session!   I was on the slope looking for skiing companion Roger P. who I thought had a crash on the slope since I didn't see him come down on our last run.   The good news is that he didn't crash but slipped by me into the lodge when I wasn't looking.  Oh well, I got in a couple more runs for the day as result of my search.
   Our luncheon starting at 1:30 PM was a great time for fellowship, food and folly.   Master of Ceremonies Larry Monheim entertained us with observations on senior moments we all had experienced one time or another this year.   Our senior moments included forgotten boots, gaiters, poles, passes and distractions getting on and off the lift.   Thankfully we can all laugh about these lapses and continue to enjoy our skiing adventures.   Many thanks to Larry for organizing our event!
   Our very senior group got an update on the future of Greek Peak from Wes Kryger.   As the ski area goes through bankruptcy and restructuring our senior group remains optimistic that our longtime play at Greek Peak will continue uninterrupted.   Let's hope the new buyers will give high priority to the ski community!
  Here are a few pictures of the assembly.   Apologies to those I was unable to name in the photos.  If any of you reading this can help me with the names I'll edit this post. A complete album appears on my Facebook site for those who participate on that social network.   Here is hoping that all pictured will join us for the Fourth Annual Geezer Skiers Luncheon next year!

Nita, Pret, Jack and Carol

?, Gene, and Joe

Baldies - Pat and Andy

Bill, Roger and Bob

Evaline and Larry Monheim

Al and Gerry in the Center.

A Tasty Dish.

 

Dick, Pat, Andy and Bill.

Everybody Needs a Hug!

 

Silent Song

 On my way home from a doctor's appointment in Syracuse I skied at Song Mountain.   I arrived there about 1:00 PM expecting to see a reasonable number of skiers on the slopes.   I think I was the only geezer there.  However there were only a handful of other skiers as well.  What a surprise to see the slopes so empty.  
  I skied Song only one day this year when just the beginner chair and slope were open.   Today, however, the whole mountain was covered with excellent snow and conditions were wonderful.   It was fun to explore a whole host of trails new to me.   From right to left facing the mountain the slopes range from greens and blues to some interesting black diamonds.   Many of the slopes were partially groomed and some of the intermediate slopes had some soft moguls.   There was about two to three inches of fresh snow to play with and some of the non-groomed areas had four to eight inches of  eastern powder.   The fat skies were the best choice for the day.  In two hours of skiing I only repeated one slope once.   Lots of fun to ski a different trail on each run.

An Empty Slope - Mid-afternoon!

   It was a silent day since I never found another skier coming to the lift at the same time I was loading.  The only social encounter was a brief conversation with a Fort Drum soldier as we both examined a trail map billboard.   I don't enjoy skiing on crowded slopes.   It is also weird to ski deserted slopes.   It was a silent Song!

Should You Stay Out of the Kitchen?

    Today was a beautiful sunny day on the slopes at Greek Peak.   The geezers were out in big numbers enjoying the groomers, good lighting and the comfortable temperature with no wind.   Everyone had a smile from ear to ear.   Sunny days in Central New York are a winter rarity so we really appreciate them.
   Our most senior geezer skier Pret Goslee was on the slope today enjoying time with companions other than his wife Nita.  Regrettably Nita had a fall that has incapacitated her for several weeks.   We are all looking forward to her return as I am sure Pret is.  In conversation with Pret the other day I learned  that her doctor was aghast that she was planning to get back on the slopes as soon as possible.   As related to me by Pret, she put him in his place by saying, "If you fall on spilled water in the kitchen, do you stop going into the kitchen?"   What a wonderful comment!  What a wonderful attitude!

Gene, Leah, Pat, Pret and ?.  A Sunny Day Pause.

   We all have setbacks from time to time.  Not just on the slopes but also in life's various foibles.  I would hope that we would rise up to those challenges and to the best our abilities we would try to "return to the kitchen".   I suppose I should add a caveat to this advice with the observation that there are some things that happen that force us to move in another direction.   For all of us in the throes of geezerhood there will circumstances that will demand we change direction.   May we have the grace to accept those circumstances and adapt to a new way of life and be thankful for each day God gives us.
    Anyway, I was never very good in the kitchen, except to wash dishes!

Is It In the Genes?

  This past weekend I had a chance to ski with family in Vermont at Mad River Glen.   Son, two daughters, two son-in-laws,  four grandchildren and I made up the group.   All the youngsters are excellent skiers with skiing skills far exceeding my own.  My children started skiing relatively early and became excellent skiers from the nurture of various instructors.   No genetic traits from me are particularly indicated on my part.   The next generation have had the advantage of exceptionally skilled ski parents.   Terry for one served on the PSIA demo team for many years and Colin and Tange are PSIA certified at astronomical levels.
   So the question is, how much of the skill of the grandchildren is genetic and how much is the result of nurture.    Genetics do play a part in providing a healthy body with bone and muscle structure amenable to skiing.    And also we would hope a mental structure oriented to learning the actions of the body for skilled skiing.   However, the nurture element is very important.  The grandchildren started skiing almost as soon as they could walk.   Both the parents and professional instructors honed their skills through many hours of guided instruction and free skiing.   The upshot of all this activity is a set of exceptional skiers.   (Of course I'll admit that this opinion is a biased one from a proud grandparent).

Carson, Cole, Kiara and Turner

   Beyond the proud grandparent opinion there is the proof of performance.    Sunday past there was a Mogul Challenge Race at Mad River Glen.   Four of the grand children were competitors.   All did very well in their age groups.   Three of them did exceptionally well with Kiara coming in second in the 8 and under girls group,  while Carson was first in the 12 to 15 year old boys and Turner was first in the 8 to 12 year old boys group.   All four were medal winners.   See photo.
   Can't beat the combination of genes and nurture!  Maybe some of the genes from this old geezer were valuable.  I hope so!

Geezers Do Toggenburg - Again!

   Toggenburg Ski Resort provides a welcome change of pace from our home ski area of Greek Peak.  Today was no exception.   Seven of us were in attendance of a morning of skiing a different slope.    Six were officially geezers, since Larry's friend Ruth in no way was allowed to qualify for that esteemed title.  Perhaps she could lay claim to GIT - Geezer In Training.
   The grooming was sufficient to provide a relatively smooth surface that allowed some bite for the skis.   A trip through the terrain park was an adventure of avoiding the massive jumps and whoop-de-doos!  The visibility for these tired old eyes could have been better, but we all were able to avoid the terrain surprises.
   Conversation was jolly and the coffee break was extended.   By noon were in the mood for the great food at  the Foggy Goggle restaurant.  As  more than a side note, our group was warmly welcomed by all the staff of Toggenburg including the two old time ski patrollers Tom and Walt.   They even remembered our visit of last year.   Toggenburg is truly a welcoming place for the geezer crowd.   During our morning there, I doubt whether there was more than a handful of other than geezer skiers paying the price of admission.
   Our lunch was pleasantly served and delicious for any item chosen.  Portions are generous as well.   This couldn't have been a better second day of return to the slope for me.  Good friends, good food, and good skiing!!  What more could one ask for.   Of course the bonus for me is to return home to the warm welcome of my most loving and supportive wife Nancy.

Lunch at the Foggy Goggle
Left to Right - Dick, Gerry,Pat, Larry, Bob, Jerry and Ruth

Cautious Return

    After five weeks of healing I decided to try a return to the slopes.   I'll have to admit to some butterflies for the first run and even the next one or two.   The conditions weren't that good.   Although there had been some grooming the surface was pretty firm along with ice spots.   One would prefer sunshine and soft groomed surfaces for the return but that was not to be.   All in all it was just good to be back on the hill and to engage in repartee with the geezer group.   After several morning runs coffee time was a rather raucous bit of conversation over a range of subjects.
    The objective for the future days on the slope this season will to be suitably cautious but relax enough to ski with grace.   Perhaps that is the best way to live every day wherever we are.   Live with respectful caution but embrace the risks of living with grace.  Onward and upward all you geezer skier skiers.   Be sure to enjoy every ski day as a gift from heaven!