The start of this trip was the worst. I couldn't make my flights,had issues with the bank, and forgot my coat…on a ski trip. 

 

 Ok, I had wanted to see the snow and was going to attempt to try skiing again for the second time in all 35 yrs of my life. To be honest, I wasn't  overly excited about trying again..however I was excited about the cabin and the snow.

 

 We had driven from D.C. (well in Tony's case South Carolina) and stopped at some quaint little historical town that made me take a few pictures and then google it on our way through New York, learning more about our country's history.

 It's  the little things that make me happy. Learning about the great northern wilderness being colonized in the 1700’s because I saw a sign. Those types of things.

 

We stopped at a motel and headed for the only shops that were open to purchase a ski coat and gloves that I hoped I wouldn't regret buying.Even though Tony had booked himself 3 days on the slopes. I had gone with one because my first experience didn't go so well. 

The next morning we stopped at a wonderful diner with "retired frying pans” that adorned the  higher inside walls as an homage to the love of a home cooked breakfast. It was wonderful food and beautifully decorated.  I even  snagged my favorite photo of the entire trip.

 

  I faced my fear  of skiing by starting on the bunny slopes. Tony took it upon  himself  to become my makeshift ski instructor and he did a much better job at it than the first one I had in Nevada many, many years before.  Granted that first time had happened whenever I was having the worst cramps of my life..and that probably skewed it slightly.  

 I was given a feeling of accomplishment from skiing without any collisions that brought an exhilarating sense of achievement. Interestingly, my fear wasn’t about falling since I once survived walking off a rather tall ravine; I’m a little sure a bunny slope fall would have been less painful.Rather, it was the worry of unintentionally tumbling into someone that concerned me. The joy I felt when such a thing didn’t happen was rather remarkable.  Turns out skiing is an activity I do enjoy and the next time we go maybe I’ll even do two days.

 

 

After that day,while Tony spent his time going down the more advanced slopes he gave up for me the day before. I did my most favorite things.  I put something either in the oven or on the stove,grabbed a book, hot coffee, and sat by the fire to read.

 

We had a fireplace, hot chocolate, and I baked cookies or homemade soup every day/night of the trip so it always smelled good.Warming up with cocoa, fire, and reading or singing online karaoke  seemed to be how the afternoons went until Tony got back from the slopes. The change of surroundings and the lack of responsibilities i.e. no dog or kids to attend to made it very tranquil.

 I explored outside on my own, found my rock ,and wandered through the deep snow while looking at the evergreens. The icicles surrounding us were gigantic. Cold weather walks are much better with snow.

 

As usual we met up with a friend who spent a few hours with us before going on his way, after taking half the peanut butter cookies. It was nice.

 

 The trip brought both relaxation and a sense of achievement. Confronting my fears lifted a weight off my shoulders, and I relished the uninterrupted enjoyment of my favorite pastimes. Exploring the beautiful mountain in early March, surrounded by all that snow, provided such a contrast to the warmth of Texas.

 

Despite the majority of the trip, not having been skiing. I pushed myself on day one to at least confront my fear directly. I gave myself an experience I will never forget. The kind of experience that you often read about and yearn to have. Thankfully, with a supportive best friend by my side every step of the way, I was able to turn that desire into reality.

 

 

I hope you have people that push you in your life…and if you don't I hope you find a way to push yourself. Write the book you always wanted to, start a youtube channel, change careers. The only way to get out of your comfort zone is to take that step.Maybe it works out or maybe it doesn't.  You'll never know until you try.