Friday, March 28, 2008

Chet's Blog

The March 21-22, 2008 weekend was a pleasant mix of members, guests and provisionals. Friday night Dave Litsky and his guests, Paul and Barbara Schwendener, cooked up a large meal including a cake. Noam Shoshan played Simon and Garfunkel on his 5 string back packer guitar both nights.

Saturday was sunny, about 18 degrees at the bottom and 10 at the top, but quite windy. I was happy to ski for the first time in two years because of lower back problems. Afterwards Ginny and I snowshoed and then sat on the benches at the base lodge and soaked up the sun. Three generations of the Duffy clan skied together and Mark Duffy ended the day coming down the back door trail.

MRG must be doing well because both lifts were crowded and, in the afternoon, General Starks Pub was crowded and deafening with a rock group. The double chair had a problem so most skiers went to the single or opted for a beer instead.

Easter Sunday services were held at the top of the single but the Easter Parade at the base was diappointing. No girls in bikinis like previous years. They just don't make 'em like the used to. Tex's barbecued chicken was a hit. The line was back to the door. One man swigged a beer while waiting in line and I think he finished it by the time he got his chicken.

Jim cooked a couple of turkeys for Saturday dinner along with an excellent pasta soup plus two pies, chocolate and key lime. There were 16 adults, 2 teenagers and 11 children at the lodge. Linda and Dave Park joined us for dinner which made for a total of 31 people. Unfortunately the last people in line had no chairs to sit on. So Bob Kehr, the trip leader, and a few others had to sit on the couch to have dinner. We later found that the extra chairs that are normally stacked over the trap door were stowed in the attic.

Saturday and Sunday night Paul Schwendener and his brother, Ben, made crackling fires in our underutilized fireplace. Nothing like a good fire to draw people to that area. Monday morning Paul, up early, quietly cleaned out the ashes. He, his wife Barbara, and their two children, Lily and Leon, fit in so well that it seemed like they had been long time members.

The 11 children, depending on your level of tolerance, could be noisy at times despite the efforts of their parents. But this is a family club and it is one of our strengths.

Chet Risio

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Marge's Bottom Bunker Week

Bottom Bunkers

You all missed good skiing, 3/3-6, this week. Mad River got 4" of snow overnight for Tues skiing in the mid-30's. And there was noone on the mountain, did 8 runs. Wed was windy so the double chair wasn't running, but getting off at the mid-station on the single worked out fine. It was another warm day in the mid-30's with freezing rain in the a.m, and snow at the top of the mountain in the afternoon (but rain at the base). But skiing was good even though you got a little wet when you got to the bottom of the mountain. (7 runs)

Thursday was a sunny day in the 20's. The snow was crusty so we skied in the sunny areas and on runs that had been groomed, like the upper antelope...it was very enjoyable. Then in the afternoon the snow got heavier and was a bit of a workout, so I figured I'd had 3 days of good skiing and quit while I was ahead. Left the mountain at 1pm...5 runs...and really tuckered out.

Maybe next time you'll think twice, take a chance and come up...the skiing was really good.

Marge Stramowski

Friday, March 7, 2008

To 'Blog' or Not to 'Blog' . . .

You, too, can be a 'blogger' . . . Just create your account, sign in with your email address and password, click on 'New Post', and compose. Simple. We'd love to hear your stories!

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Feb 29/Mar 1 weekend

Ok, let's see if I can manage this! Blogging, a whole new world for me.

This past weekend, conditions were so great, they were what every MRG skier dreams about. Not too cold (a bit windy on Sunday but nothing we can't handle), great snow, great coverage, some sun, more snow, and even a live porcupine! spotted by many, resting and foraging in a tree in Birdland. Lots of young ones this weekend, to their mutual delight. I am happy to say that my son Victor skied without his ski harness for the first time - he wanted to follow John and Chris Hecht. where they went, he was going, no matter what. After one yard sale of a tumble, he decided to take everyone's advice and actually make turns, which improved his ability to stay in control (surprise, surprise! Mommy had only been saying that for days but will he listen to me...negative) It's what being part of a club is all about - friends to ski with, peers to look up to and emulate, and a spirit of encouragement and camaraderie that make our club so special. It was especially nice to meet a new provisional family, Jeff Frey and his two children, and to welcome Barbara Hecht back from California; she says she hasn't been to the lodge in 15 years and that's probably the last time I'd seen her, so it was great to reconnect.

Somebody, tell me that these past few years of snowplowing behind/ahead of/alongside my children will pay off...sooner rather than later. I haven't even made it onto the new single chair yet! :)

see y'all, Pam Ferraro