Growing up I was a three hour drive away from Tahoe and my friends and I, once we could drive, frequented places like Squaw Valley. I have never been to Colorado, or Switzerland or any of those other magnificent winter havens, but I would imagine Tahoe comes close when it comes to amazing snow. Since I moved to the East coast over eighteen years ago I haven’t really skied but once or twice. Not really sure why as I did enjoy it as a teenager. Something about the combination of being really cold and the possibility of breaking bones I guess. Not to mention the price tag on lift tickets for a family of four.
Today I took the kids up to Liberty Mountain and made good on my promise to Jonathan to spend the gift card he got for Christmas. It was a spectacularly sunny, wonderful day up there. I am sure Jonathan and Danielle, and the several hundred other locals who joined us would agree that it was a great day to ski. I decided to find a bench in the sun and enjoy some chill out time, no pun intended. Here was what came from a few quiet moments on the bench, watching the beaming bright snow and listening to all the happy squeals, and swooshes around me:
Winter Mountain Play
Hot, on top a mountain of snow,
Squinting to stand the glare,
Peeling off layers to cool the sweat,
Letting the sun take care of the breeze.
Playing with my edge to see what I can do,
My body learns the move.
Slamming down hard and laughing just as hard,
It will take another try or two…or fifty.
Groaning to stand, sliding off for another go,
Smiling and breathing in deep to fuel my next run.
