Spur-of-the-moment skiing vacation
Woo hoo! What a blast. We went on a spur-of-the-moment skiing trip to Arizona Snowbowl, in northern Arizona. Turns out Johnny was right: the ski area's last day of operation for the season was today. We got up there just in time!
Ash has been skiing before - sort of. When he was one, Johnny finagled him into ski boots and helped him slide down the hill behind our house. 
Last season, when Ash was two, we went to Snowbowl, and once again Johnny helped him ski a little. But this was the first real time Ash has been skiing. He spent most of the time crying and whimpering, yet laughing at the same time. 
On our last run together as a family, Ash started sliding about 10 feet at a time, from Johnny to me, then back to Johnny - and he loved it. It was stressful for me, though, because Ash spent most of the time seemingly upset, and I had to spend most of my time stopped on the slope in a wedge - and that really hurt my knees. So it was tough, but ultimately fun.
Then Johnny took Ash back down to our hotel in Flagstaff, where Johnny's mom was waiting (she came along on the trip). Ash and Nana hung out for the afternoon, while Johnny and I skiied our hearts out. While waiting for Johnny, I got in a few runs. It was so warm and sunny, great spring conditions. The snow was perfect. 
I found that it was actually harder to ski weighing 65 pounds less than the last time I went - the shaped skis did not bounce around as easily. I am really really sore! I was a little worried about my healing hip (from last week's fall), but I didn't fall on the slopes, and my hip is healing well. So that's good.
We all headed down to the outdoor hot tub after, which felt so good on my aching body. Then we had a great dinner at Chili's - and I sure enjoyed the Presidente Margarita!!! Once we got back to the hotel, I totally crashed - I fell asleep on the bed with the lights and TV on, and everyone awake and talking!
This morning, we headed to Late for the Train, our favorite coffee shop and then to Thorpe Park before heading home. It sure does feel good to back in Tucson. "Super Ash" decides to help feed Beautiful, our hungry cat.
So it's been an entire week without running - too long! I need to get back out there. I bailed on Kiera this weekend to go skiing (Johnny missed freshly baked scones!), so I owe her one. The sun is setting later, which gives me more time in the evening. I want to get back into a fitness state of mind; I feel lazy and un-fit. I don't like feeling that way. But right now I am too exhausted to think about it :)
Comments
DATE: 8:36 PM, March 26, 2006
Looks like you had a great weekend! Those spur of the moment trips are fun.
Posted by: backofpack | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 9:04 PM, March 26, 2006
What a blast for the whole family! We used to take our boys skiing since they were 2 yo as well. We moved here and haven't gone in 2 years:(Great pictures!
Posted by: olga | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 10:12 PM, March 26, 2006
With all that skiing, it really doesn't sound like you're "unfit"! Sometimes we runners forget that cross-training is exercise, just because we're not logging the miles! Glad your hip was okay.Love the pictures of Ash, honestly he's the cutest kid.
Posted by: Liv | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 10:30 PM, March 26, 2006
Nice pics!And a much deserved getaway, I'm sure!
Posted by: Sarah Elaine | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 11:55 PM, March 26, 2006
sounds like a great trip for the whole family. I haven't skied in years. I was never very good, but it was always a lot of fun.Have a great week.
Posted by: Darrell | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 9:52 AM, March 27, 2006
Those pictures sure proves that you had a blast!
Posted by: psbowe | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 1:43 PM, March 27, 2006
Looks like everyone had a lot of fun. Glad you made it by the deadline!
Posted by: Anne | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 8:42 PM, March 27, 2006
Great pics!! It looks like a fun time! I spend most of our ski vacations crying, whining and whimpering so A and I would get along great on the slopes!!!
Posted by: Rae | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 8:50 PM, March 27, 2006
Great pics!! It looks like a fun time! I spend most of our ski vacations crying, whining and whimpering so A and I would get along great on the slopes!!!
Posted by: Rae | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 10:06 AM, March 28, 2006
Great photos, Angie!
Posted by: Ben, aka BadBen | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 10:51 AM, March 28, 2006
I'm so jealous! I haven't been skiing in quite a while. Ash is so adorable!!!
Posted by: Jessica DeLine | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 4:23 PM, March 28, 2006
Sounds like you had a great time. Ash is a natural. Glad you had a great time.
Posted by: Kim | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 5:40 PM, March 28, 2006
Ash is so cute. Just adorable! Sounds like a wonderful get-a-way that you all needed.
Posted by: susie | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 7:00 PM, March 28, 2006
Skiing in Arizona? Who ever heard of such a thing? Glad you guys had a great time.
Posted by: Rob | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 3:13 PM, March 29, 2006
sounds like you and Johnny are doing a good job of introducing Ash to skiing over a few years. i bet by next year he will be really enjoying it out there with you both and tearing it up on the smaller slopes. :)
Posted by: matt | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 7:24 PM, March 29, 2006
looks like you had a great time! I think Ash is already a better skier than me!
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 4:48 PM, March 31, 2006
Awesome trip, we're quite jealous! Don't feel bad about bailing on Kiera, she was in no condition for a run anyway. We'll definitely take a raincheck though, and hopefully Johnny and Ash can come by while you two take to the roads.
Posted by: Mike | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM