| Happy Spring, John! I noticed a long time ago that when a trip or vacation starts out “badly,” it’s a sign that a truly amazing adventure has begun. I can’t even tell you how often this has played out in my travels.
Well… I just returned from a calamitous annual family ski trip that began amidst such chaos and disappointment that I completely forgot this lesson.
The first day began at 4 AM, only to catch a plane that would soon be delayed 5 hours, during which a suitcase of gear and warm clothing was lost. Finally in Colorado, we then missed our 2-hour ride into the mountains. 😩
Once in Breckenridge, we dashed to the rental shop for our boots and skis. But just steps away from entering, we watched as they closed their doors for the day. And throughout, our 11-year-old continually reminded us she’d rather be with her friends back home, “Do we have to go next year?”
The next morning, awoken at 5 AM, there was a mad, uncertain dash as we simultaneously received our lost bag, adorned ourselves in 5 layers of clothing for the “Feels like 7°F” temperature, hurried to breakfast, and then retrieved our fitted rentals in time for herding ourselves into our respective Ski School classes.
BTW – have you ever put on ski boots? And then tried walking, wearing 5-layers of clothes, a helmet and goggles, poles and skis under your arms, in below freezing weather, over scattered ice patches?! It’s absolutely ridiculous. All for just a few days on the slopes! Tired, stressed, and in pain, I frequently thought, “NO! We DO NOT have to go next year.”
Yet, within just a few hours, everything silently shifted.
Day after day, post ski school, riding the lifts beside my daughter and skiing back down together. With very few falls, lots of high 5’s, arriving family and friends, fireplaces, saunas, steam rooms, outdoor jacuzzies in the falling snow, everywhere looking like a winter-land postcard, hot chocolates, walking along quaint streets filled with cute shops and restaurants, sleigh rides, warm hearts, big smiles, and lots of memories made. Combined with the genuine excitement of all to return next year. ❄️🛷☕💓 | 
