For the 5th straight year, Lesli organized a 'grownups-only' ski trip. With 5 couples, we had a record turnout, 3 unforgettable nights, one trip down the mountain in a gurney, and fantastic skiing...Let's meet the couples! Here are some pics from the flight to Reno. We flew Horizon air. The plane was smaller than our minivan, but they served free wine (courtesy of Chris Baker - aka Bob Cooper). Here Stefanie & Ed Glassberg (charter members of the grownups only ski trip) toast our in-flight host, Chris Baker...
and here's Chris Baker himself alongside the lovely Lucy (aka Margarita Cooper)
We welcomed rookie participants Dan & Liz Mohler...
and our lovely organizer Helen Skis (Lesli) alongside The Condor (Dan K.)...
The flight attendant took this one. A black hole is sucking us all into the aisle of the plane...
our flight attendant (he didn't go skiing with us)...
I was thrilled to find that we were in Reno during the Pro Bowling Association tour stop. Here I am collecting my spare in baggage claim while Lesli rents the cars...
Our accommodations were first-class. Lesli found the perfect 4-bedroom home with a pool table, hot tub...everything you could want. Here's a view of the great room from the top of the stairs. As you can see, the home came with a giant leprechaun complete with hat & cape...
Here is the same room from the front door. you can see the dining area & part of the kitchen, too...
The home was snug...
And literally steps to the mountain - on the left is our home. In the distance is Heavenly Ski Resort!
So the first day of skiing begins with the ritual poking-of-the-eyes. No, this is just Lucy helping Chris Baker with his sunblock!
At mid-day some of us found each other for a mid-mountain meal...
When Lucy & Chris Baker wear their goggles, they look like the Swedish Downhill team, yes?
The snow was amazing. It dumped for days-on- end right before we got there. Here are some trees so covered in snow Stefanie said they look like coral...
Then disaster struck!! Lucy took a nasty tumble and traumatized her leg & hip. The paramedics thought the hip could be broken, so they took her down the mountain in a gurney/sled. Margarita (er, Lucy) was incredible, and was actually skiing again two days later! Being the crass jerk that I am, I took plenty of pictures of the triage...
After the excitement of the day, we soaked aching muscles in our outdoor hot tub...
Saturday we left Lucy at home to re"Cooper"ate and headed off to Kirkwood
...Only to discover a bear had, er, um 'relieved' himself in our driveway. So when somebody asks you "Does a bear sh*t in the woods?" you can say, actually no, they do it in the driveway! Again, being crass, I got a picture...
On arrival at Kirkwood we rendezvous'ed with Noam & Rachel who drove over from their home in Silicon Valley. Here's Lesli between Noam 'Nitro' Shendar and Rachel 'My Special Lady Friend' Leiterman with the beautiful peaks of the Sierras behind them.
Kirkwood's skiing was thrilling - something for everyone, fantastic conditions and sunny, sunny skies. Here is a mid-mountain break with Stefanie (aka Bodie) & Dan...
Occasionally the skilled & foolish skiers broke off from the pack for some more challenging slopes. From left Condor, Liz, Noam, Dan M., Chris Baker & Spiderman Glassberg...
At the end of our Kirkwood day, we toasted celebrated an injury-free day with beers
Parking at Kirkwood leaves something to be desired. On the bright side, while sitting in an interminable row of cars attempting to leave, I enjoyed watching the shadows overtake Thimble Peak.
After a huge pasta dinner at the house, we slept like babies and the following morning returned to Heavenly to finish our trip. Here is the classic group shot, from left to right:
Bodie, My Special lady Friend, Lucy, Helen Skis, Condor, Nitro, Liz, Mole-Man, Chris Baker & Spiderman.
AKA, Stefanie, Rachel, Magarita, Lesli, Dan K., Noam, still-Liz, Dan M., Bob & Ed
Late in the day, relaxed and having fun in a small lift line...
Late Sunday we once-more took in the breathtaking view of the Sierras encircling the azure lake before heading home...
At the Reno airport, Bob demonstrates to Margarita just exactly how he'll be spending his senior years (grin)...
...while Stefanie & Liz play innocent and act like they've never seen a slot machine before...
Here's Liz boarding our flight home with a full moon in the background. The aircraft was so small, I think it was manufactured by Huyndai...
...the plane was originally designed to transport Oompa-Loompahs to WonkaLand, so it was a little tight for us humans...
Tired but happy, we shoe-horned into our seats and headed for home, weary smiles on everyone's faces...
