So, I’m not a skier, and I’ve learned that this isn’t a great way to start a conversation with anyone who lives in Washington. Skiing is a very normal part of the culture out here and I’d say 90% of the people who grew up here have been skiing since the day they could walk. (Proof: Here’s a cute photo of baby Adam hitting the slopes.) So when people learn I’m not a skier, they give me this strange, sad look, almost like they feel sorry for me. And I understand that; I mean every single skier I know says it’s the greatest thing in the whole world. To be missing out on that experience must seem very strange to them.
I’ve only skied once, and I did it the wrong way. I should have taken a lesson, but I didn’t. So I made my way (very slowly) to the chair lift, fell off the chair lift, cried at the top of the bunny hill, inched my way down the bunny hill, and then proceeded to crawl my way back to the lodge where I promptly stripped off my boots and skis and spent the rest of the day pouting and sipping hot cocoa indoors. I don’t blame anyone but myself for that, but I must admit it left a bad taste in my mouth about skiing. I told myself I’d never do it again, but I know I probably will. I don’t think it’s possible to live here and not do it, really. So, I’ll eventually take a lesson. I’ll take three or four or eight lessons until I feel comfortable enough to not cry my way down the bunny hill. I’m sure it’ll happen, and maybe when it finally does, I’ll understand the joy I see in the faces of all those skiers zipping around on the snow.
Until then, though, I will stay safe and secure on the ground in my snowshoes. Adam’s mom is a snowshoe fan, so while Adam was out skiing with his dad, his mom and I stayed behind and snowshoed a little trail at the top of the mountain.
I guess I wasn’t too safe in my snowshoes on that outing, though… It was a perfect day until Pattie and I started coming back down the hill and my toe decided to spazz out and lock up, causing a shooting pain to travel through my entire foot and leg. It was paralyzing and awful. I collapsed in the snow, whining like a baby. Pattie is a nurse, so she jumped into action, massaging my foot and pressing on the pain, doing everything in her power to help. She was telling me to get into my meditative mindset so my body could stop tensing up and I could breathe deeply and relax. A group of guys approached us and asked if they should send help, but we all decided that would be way too pricey, and since it wasn’t exactly a life threatening injury, we decided to just wait it out. Luckily, the cramp passed and I was able to walk again. It was so embarrassing and I felt terrible for Pattie! If you happen to get toe cramps or charlie horses in your legs, I think you know the exact pain I’m talking about. Gah, it’s just horrific! Pattie took this photo of me after the incident, haha.
I didn’t let that slow me down, though. I was still excited to snap tons of photos and we took our time walking around afterward, admiring the views. It was a gorgeous day and the sun was shining down on the snow making it look extra soft and sparkly. How dreamy!
Aside from the silly toe spasm, it was an awesome day and I’m glad we decided to spend Christmas Eve in the mountains! I realize I probably sound like such a loser in this post, but I swear I’m not usually this lame and uncoordinated. I grew up in snow so I’m not sure why I haven’t had the best luck with it the past few years. My inner Wisconsinite is failing me. I’ll just have to become better acclimated before our next outing!
What did you do over the holiday break? I hope no toe cramps were involved! π
Craig Aude says
Ha. I think it’s hereditary, honey. The extent of my “snow” experience today was getting mom’s car out of the driveway. Great pictures, great post. Hang in there and your Washingtononian will overtake your Wisconsonian!
Amanda says
Haha I know, I’m sure it will!
Patricia Aude says
Looked beautiful. Proud of you for giving it a try. Looks very intimadateing to a nonskier. You will get it, and when you do you will love it. Your legs and knees will be very sore if you are not in shape for it though. I’ve only been a few times but every time I went down the hill I got a little more confident. Keep up the good work. Love you.
amandaaude@gmail.com says
π That’s what everyone says!
Kaelene @Unlocking Kiki says
Could this place be any more gorgeous! Hello winter wonderland! I grew up in a place where everyone either snowboards or skies, I do neither and have failed terrible both times I have tried. Now in Iceland I have yet to give it another chance, maybe this winter.
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Haha, I feel ya!
Josie Donaldson says
This is breathtaking. It doesn’t even look real!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
I know, it was sooo pretty there!
Anna says
Wow, the scenery is just gorgeous!! I didn’t ski or do any snow sports until my mid-twenties! But I’m proud to say that the first time on skis wasn’t a total failure. Only when I actually went up a chairlift to a really steep slope, and I cried and ended up going down it on my butt. Ahhh this post is making me want to get to get my ski gear out of storage, go somewhere snowy, and try skiing again!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Hahah that sounds familiar! I should definitely give it another go. π