Working for fun
We spent the tail-end of last week skiing in Colorado. It's a once-a-year indulgence for the Younger One and me. We're the only ones in the family who like to spend time hurtling downhill on two thin sticks of wood.
My dad and friend Susan went along for the weekend. After watching us get dressed for a day on the slopes, get into our boots, and strap on our skis his only comment was, "Seems like a lot of work to have fun."
Skiing is one of those sports you either love or hate. Lucky for me, the Younger One shares my love of the sport. She's a good skier. I worried some about whether I'd be able to keep up with her. I'm happy to say I not only kept up, sometimes I was ahead.
By being ahead I got to see her demonstrate a "face plant." That was a flat-out face-first sprawl in the snow. I also saw her land flat on her back at the same jump. Needless to say, I just had to try that. And needless to say, my fall wasn't nearly as graceful as hers. It wasn't flat on my back, it wasn't a face plant — it was your garden-variety breakdown — arms, legs, skis, and poles going every which way.
In spite of our acrobatics, I'm glad to say we both came back without any broken bones, bruises, or bumps.
The weather was typical Colorado. The first day we skied in snow. The second day was sunny and by afternoon we were shedding layers of clothes. The third day, we expected sun again but got cold and wind. With the unpredictable weather, it seemed the Younger One spent the first ride in the ski lift each morning getting dressed.
I'm afraid of heights so a ride in the lift is usually a white-knuckle experience for me. For the Younger One it's a time to zip/unzip her coat, adjust her gloves, hat, and glasses, put on lip gloss, fix her hair, check the trail map, and talk on the phone.
The Spouse isn't a skier. He's the driver. He provided our own personal shuttle bus to the mountain. He also carried ski boots, helped with buckles, and brought lunch.
My dad is an excellent cook so he and Susan took care of the evening meals. They spent the rest of their time sightseeing in and around Winter Park.
Our evenings were spent playing dominoes. We played the game "like Grandpa usta play" at Ecker's Pool Hall. It was fun to watch my dad teach the Younger One the same game his father taught me.
I took three or four books but didn't do much reading. I also took my laptop, thinking I'd do some work. I didn't. We had a great time just being on vacation.
I came back rested and ready to get back to a normal working routine. That feeling, the "vacation glow," lasted until about 2 a.m. Tuesday — that's when my Monday ended. So much for rest and relaxation
— DONNA BERNHARDT
