*** A Christmas Story ***
Many years ago when my kids were young, I planned a Christmas Ski trip to Sipapu Ski Resort in New Mexico. I searched the internet and found a cabin in the woods not far down the road from the ski area. I talked with the owner and made several arrangements to surprise the family.
The day for the trip came and we loaded up and headed out. Since the kids were younger and did not particularly enjoy long trips, I would head out around midnight and drive through the night. The everyone would wake up to a New Mexico sunrise and only a few hours of awake time before we arrived.
The weather was great and the drive uneventful. As daybreak came, the crew started waking up. Everyone needed to stretch and a bathroom break. The sun was coming up and we were in the mountains. Snow on the ground and more to come. Everything is going great. We finally round the curve into Tres Ritos and found the store where we would check in.
As with any trip, a few kinks must happen. Kink number 1 – the store did not open until 10 AM and it was 8 AM. Two hours of snow ball fights, running in the snow and me catching a few minutes of sleep. Finally the store opens and I sign us in. I get directions and drive to our cabin in the woods.
Kink #2 – the picture and description was deceiving. Although there were woods in the area, the cabin fronted the highway (the only way into the ski area from the east side). And the cabin did not sit alone in the woods. There was a nest of about 10 cabins that were actually pretty close to each other. Not what the ad had implied!!!!
Kink #3 – wrong key. This was an old cabin with old locks. The store was directly across the 2 lane highway. So I walked across the street and said I could not open the door. The owner came across and tried the key which was marked with our cabin number on it. Lock did not open. Travis then appeared inside the cabin and unlocked the door from the inside. Everyone looked surprised that he was inside and asked how he got there. He simply said he walked around and came in through the back door.
The owner went back and found the right key. Someone had changed tags. So now we were all set to settle in. We all selected rooms and beds and unpacked for the week long stay. Ski clothes were set out for the next day, kitchen stuff was set out or placed in the fridge, firewood was brought in and stacked. It was now mid day and we were done. So it’s time to go explore. We would load up and drive to the ski area to check things out and maybe get the next day lift tickets early.
Kink #4 – Front wheel drive and mini vans do not fare well on icy roads and drive ways. When we drove in, I did not pay attention to the fact that we went off the lower side of the road and dropped off the edge about two feet. And on top of that drop was a layer of ice. After 6 tries to drive up the ramp and onto the highway, I finally had the kids get out and walk up to the road. The plan was for me to get a running start in the parking area and use momentum to get over the ice.
Now the problem with this is that if it goes well, everything is OK. If not, I could slide off to one side or have too much speed and go across the road into the ditch on the other side. And another option would be to slide off the driveway into a snow bank. It was time. The kids gave me a thumbs up that the road was clear of traffic. I started the van and gave it gas. I had momentum. I made it up the hill and onto the highway. Then the airhorn sounded as the 18 wheeler came around the curve and saw the van stopped in the middle of the road.
I floored it and spun the tires. Got off the road just in time. Loaded everyone up and acted like nothing happened. Off we go to the ski area. The rest of the day went well (comparatively)………
The next day was ski time. We got our ski gear together and walked acrid the street to the van. ***I got smart and parked in the store parking lot when I got back the day before!!!*** Started the van and let it warm up. Got everyone and everything loaded and off we go. Arrive at the ski area and look dubiously at eh driveway ramp that looks just like the one at the cabin. Knowing that at the end of the day I would have to try and get up the ramp.
We unload and head inside to get the boots skis and poles. All goes well all day. Fun is had by all and now it’s time to head back to the cabin in the not woods. If you have every been skiing and stayed until closing – the parking lot can be traumatizing. Not may people from out of state actually know how to drive in snow and ice conditions. The best you can do is leave early or park strategically where you are less likely to be struck by a sliding vehicle or have some rake you car with skis or poles.
I had picked the best spot for our van, but it meant we were pretty far back in the lot and had to wait. I was already expecting the ramp problem but had strategized on how best to make it work. I made my way to an area that I could get a running start and be at an angle to get on the highway and be going the right direction. IT WORKED and I got cheers from the kids for my Dad driving skills and the thrill ride. Back to the cabin.
Everyone was tired and hungry. I opted to be the last to shower. And I would cook supper while everyone else cleaned up. I like to cook and started in making the food. everyone else showered and cleaned up and then we set down to eat. I had a rule that the cook does not clean dishes. So after we ate, it was my turn to shower. It was now 9ish PM. The sun went down around 5:30 PM and the temps drop rapidly in the mountain after the sun goes down. The kids are washing dishes and I start my shower.
Kink #5 – I started the shower to hot and got ready to get in. I start to bath and was my hair. Soaped up with shampoo and the water stops. Now I am a practical joker and have taught my kids to be the same. First though is that they turned off the water. Then I hear them in the kitchen complain that the water stopped. I’m full of suds and cannot see. I grab a towel and start wiping the soap off and am told that all the water faucets are not working.
Let’s just shorten this and mention that at 10 PM I called the owner and said we lost water. He mentioned that we could come to the store if we needed to shower or use the toilet throughout the night. Seems during the fall, right before the ground got too hard, he installed a new water line to our cabin. Unfortunately, he only was able to dig down a few inches below the pavement on the highway because he did not get a permit.
The line had frozen. We moved to another cabin the next day. Off to ski, but late. Park at the very back of the parking area when late. Yea!!!!!!
Two days later it’s Christmas Eve. The next surprise is that I had made arrangements with the owner to get a permit to cut our own Christmas tree down. So after skiing, we went back to the cabin and dropped off gear, then drove to an area the owner told us we could go. Trudged through the snow and found a tree. Chopped it down and drug it back to the van. Tied it down and back to the cabin.
My plan was that we would make all of the ornaments for the tree ourselves. This would require arts and crafts and ingenuity. Popcorn was the first on the list. I had brought Jiffy Pop and planned on making it on the stove. Someone else (NOT ME) decided to make it in the fireplace. So the kids and I started making different ornaments out of natural things I had been picking up everyday since we arrived.
Kink #6 – Bulletin!!! NEVER set the Jiffy Pop Popcorn into a fire and walk away. After the container burst into flames , (Hot grease will burn!!!!) the person in charge of this operation grabbed the scalding hot wire handle and the flung a flaming Jiffy Pop container towards the sink across the room. Kids and I ducked as now flaming grease and kernels of flaming popcorn flew in all directions. We extinguished the many small fires and the remnants of the blob.
We made the second round of popcorn on the stove while we waited for the smoke to clear. From this point everything went well. The tree was adorned with home made ornaments and popcorn strings. Late that night I opened my suitcase and got out the gifts and placed them under the tree. I also got one real sock from each person and tacked them up on the fireplace mantle. Small gifts placed in each – I took some pictures and called it a night.
The next morning was great. I got up and started coffee and the fire. Then the rest of the crew came in and we celebrated Christmas. Lot of pictures and package opening. Then load up and go skiing with Santa.
Kink #7 – Bulletin!!! Never let the person that tried to burn down the cabin with pop corn , hold the camera on the chair lift. If they ever found it, the next spring, we never got it back. Other than that the rest of the trip was uneventful!!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS