Ramblings Only

"Easy, easy, just bend forward, and try to enjoy the speed, it will be over soon, and your speed will reduce soon." 

I said that to myself as I skied forward on the 'difficult' portion of the green slope. I tried to make the turns left and right to control the speed, but after a while, it felt like it was a better idea to just let it go and work on getting accustomed to the speed. 

Speed, is my problem with skiing. Especially when you feel like you don't have control. I got better in two days. Turns came so naturally on the relatively easy slopes I wondered just how did we not get this during our numerous sessions many years ago. 

Here is a bad picture, because I was too busy skiing!, of a portion of the slope we skied over and over this weekend.

The unknown is also my problem. I need to know before hand how to tackle each slope, so first time is the hardest. As long as I am learning in every trip, and getting better, I am fine. Falling down I am not so scared of, save for the tiny fear of rupturing the multiple cysts I carry in my kidneys. But the good news is I didn't fall at all. Although my calves and feet are screaming in agony. I need to strengthen the right 'skiing muscles' as someone calls them. I have to figure out which ones they are. 

DH also did great on the green slopes, when to the blue slopes by mistake and fell multiple times over and decided that I keep him alive, if not for me he would be dead due to his over confidence and least attention to sign boards ;--P

But the super skier this weekend was undoubtedly *drumroll* miss JSK! After a slow start on the first day at the end of which she apologized and said she will ski better the next day, which of course made us feel guilty because we don't want to be the parents that force our kids to do things that we couldn't do. I asked her in the morning before leaving " do you like skiing JSK?" " yeah a little bit" she answered in that big grown up tone she puts on occasionally.

Fear rules her, just like it does her mom. A few trips of clinging on to the pole I had in front of her for support which really bothered me, because I knew she could do it, she suddenly let go. And she skied down. And then there was no stopping her. Skiing is the 'funnest' she kept saying. 

As a child she doesn't learn tips and tricks like adults, she instinctively picks up tactics to do what she wants. First of the few things she did without knowing all the theory first. Their bodies are also so nimble, they can think it and do it. Being so close to the ground helps a lot. I am pretty sure she will soon get to the point where we parents cannot help her anymore, and she will need private lessons to learn more. She went on the Flying Jenny which is the beginner small slope with her Appa  and came down stopping and starting every so often. It took me many years to get there ;--P and she did that multiple times and wanted to keep doing it. Of course she wanted to go back to Reno and didn't want to come home. As I carried her partially asleep into her room late at night and asked her to climb on to her bed, doubtful if she will since we all cuddled in the same bed over the weekend she sleepily went up pulled her blanket to her chin and closed her eyes. I knew there is no going back from that bunk bed. Success!!

Psst if you are looking for a quiet ski spot away from crowded Tahoe region Mt. Rose near Reno is great. Lots of green slopes, stay in comfort in Reno. Mostly locals go there so not too crowded on most weekends, except holiday weekends. 

The thrill of doing something new, conquering skills much like running, upping the miles, gives an adrenaline rush that leaves you feeling accomplished and that you can do anything you want in life.

Have a great week!