Annual New Years Trip! Upper Peninsula Michigan (Fri December 30 - Mon January 2, 2006)
We started our memorable trip with 7 skiers, including Shirley Brantingham and Helen Schutz, who were first-time participants of our fabulous New Years trip, and Jackie, who hadn’t skied in a few years, but, as we found out, was back in the swing of things quickly. We left Friday morning dark and early. With Randy Helms driving, we made good time and missed most of the precipitation until we hit some heavy snowfall 60 miles from Hurley. We arrived at the Days Inn in Hurley around 4, and then it really started snowing. Which was a good thing at that point, since a little more snow is nice for skiers. Soon thereafter, Gary Sanders met up with us at the hotel. After relaxing in the very nice hot tub, we regrouped and walked over to the Hurley Inn for one of the best dinners we have had on a New Years trip.
On Saturday we wanted to take advantage of the fresh powder, so where did we go? Big Powderhorn, of course! We arrived early and Gary & Randy were among the 1st skiers on the lift, before the official opening time. The rest of us were not far behind. It’s nice to make first tracks! Despite this being the first time out for many of us, we all did well, with no major spills. Bill Vahary graciously skied with all of us that day, which was nice. Everyone but Curt Johnson stopped in the bar for a refreshment or 2 (or more?) at the end of the day, while waiting for Curt to get in his 40th run. He wanted to get his money’s worth apparently.
After relaxing in the very nice hot tub at our hotel, we returned later that night to Powderhorn for the New Years Eve dinner at the Caribou Lodge. At 8PM the lighted torch parade started and then we saw some of the best fireworks we could have asked for. After getting our noise-makers we left to annoy & celebrate New Years at the hotel. Curt, Lee Templeton & Jackie thought we saw a visage of New Year’s veteran Brad DeBolt waling our hallway that night, though he was not on this trip physically. He must have been there in spirit.
On Sunday we skied at Blackjack. Lee and Randy have always skied fast together so this year Randy brought along a radar gun to check how fast. On a medium blue run, Lee was timed at 46mph. We were going to find a steeper blue or black to try for the 50 or 60mph barrier, but that will have to wait until next year. Randy also participated in the NASTAR race and received a bronze metal. Shirley mentioned that the massage facility at Blackjack (just opened this season) was very good and the masseuse was excellent. We all had a few drinks after skiing, including Curt this time. Then, after Randy’s watch beeped about 3 different times (unbeknownst to him each time!) we determined it was a time to go back to the hotel. Later that night, after relaxing in the very nice hot tub at our hotel, we made a second annual dinner trip to the Kimball Inn. Randy suggested we try to make this an annual event.
On Monday we went to Indianhead to ski. We had only ½ a day, but we took advantage of it, and with no lines, just like Sunday, we did a lot of skiing. After a quick lunch we left for home. With two quick stops and good roads, we made it back to Fairview Park before 9PM. Shirley later described the trip as an excellent adventure with LOTS of extreme “visual- motor ecstasy,” good food, outstanding company, and incredible organization, it was a good time for everyone!