Big Bear Ski Trip

Last weekend, Rolland and I were happy to be invited to Big Bear, about an hour and a half away, for our good friend Nick's big 3-0 ski trip and birthday weekend.  There were three couples in total, and they found a cozy little cabin to stay at called Gypsies In The Palace:

  The first day, all the beginner skiers (including Rolland) hit the slopes and did a great job staying mostly upright.  I, however, took a couple nasty tumbles after I tried my hand at the beginner rail, similar to this one:

After I jumped sideways onto the rail, my feet swept out from under me and the side of my hamstring landed right on the metal edge.  It hurt pretty bad, which I quickly contributed to wimpiness due in part to my recent 30th birthday.  I told myself that I am not that old, and should be able to handle a little fall.  So I did it again.  Same result, but with a pretty good reaction from the nearby chair lift riders.  Think the reaction made after a bad fall while watching America's Funniest Home Videos.  Third time was a charm, but the first two falls were enough to leave an 5" in diameter black-and-blue reminder that I'm not as young as I used to be.  Ouch!

  Day two, Rolland and I went up with Nick and Brett.  Rolland skied a half day, did great and then promptly hit the lodge to hang out while we finished out the day.  Day three was just the die-hards - Me, Brett and Nick. 

We skied a powder-filled half day, ending with a really fun unmarked run down the mountain through the trees.  The whole group finished out the trip at a downtown Big Bear Mexican restaurant and talked about how it was such a GREAT weekend before heading back from the snow to our 70 degree weather and palm trees.  What an enjoyable time! Be sure to check out all the pictures from the trip. Thank you Nick and Jessica!!