Cartwheels

I can't do a cartwheel to save my life unless that is, I'm strapped to two sticks going down a snow covered hill. My gymnastics skills were on full display today.

Val and Sophie were kind enough to teach me the basics. This was the first time I've been on skis since a 7th grade school trip. For those of you that know me, that was many moons ago.

I mastered the bunny slope within the first 1/2 hour. Feeling pretty good about my new skills, I agreed to join my comrades on the green circle trail. These are the easiest trails for newbies, characterized by gentle slopes.

The "gentle slopes" had me in the snow plow position, cussing under my breath, the entire way down. The very tail end of this trail was fairly steep but I managed to keep upright.

My skiing partners were patiently waiting for me as I made my way to the bottom. They decided we should make our way back up and do it all over again.

This time around, I wasn't able to maintain the snow plow and I started barreling down the slope. I lost all control, my skis flew off and I took a nice face plant. I was slow to get up as I landed hard on my shoulder and face. Two concerned skiers stopped to see if I was OK. My pride was hurt more then anything.

As I sit here typing this, I have a slight pain in my shoulder and a throbbing left leg. I've a bruise the size of a grapefruit on my calf...very pretty colors.

I've two weeks to rest up. We're heading to Okemo in Vermont for a fun filled weekend of food, drink & skiing down some "gentle slopes".