Christmas Eve at Crystal Mountain
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! ;)