March 15-19, 2009

We had such a good time snow skiing with Willie Farrell last year in Lake Tahoe, we decided to do it all again in 2009.  The trip coincided with our daughters Spring Break and when we asked her what she wanted to do, without hesitation, she said, "Go snow skiing with Willie".  So we booked a week in Tahoe where we met Willie at NorthStar Ski Resort.  This year Willie invited his good friend Dr. John Brownrigg.  Dr. John is 68 years young and skis with the best of them.  He and Willie had us chasing them all over the mountain.  At least Michele and I were chasing them.  Willie and Dr. John were busy chasing Kathryn as she zoomed down one black diamond run after another.  We discovered the kid likes speed and lots of it. 

Our visit to Tahoe was over St. Patrick's Day, and the weather was beautiful.  Blue skis, 45 degree temps, and near perfect snow conditions.  We skied until I could barely stand up.  I don't think my quads have hurt that much ever.  After three straight days of skiing, we were exhausted.  But is was some of the most fun we've had all year.  Willie had us going off jumps in the terrain park and dawned his Team USA barefoot suit so show Andre & Zane some of his Freestyle moves.

I was my first time to hand out with Dr. John and I enjoyed getting to know him.  He had some great stories to share.  Kathryn really liked skiing with both he and Willie.

After a long day on the slopes, we ended with a relaxing dinner at one of the many fine restaurants you'll find in the ski village at Northstar.  We enjoyed a relaxing evening of fine food, wine, and sharing barefoot stories.

On day 4, we decided to give the skis a break and instead go snow mobiling up the mountain.  What amazing scenery.  The day weather couldn't have been more perfect.  We woke up in the morning looking out over Lake Tahoe.  It was a mirror.  We could have barefooted clear across it.  We had breakfast and made it up to the snow mobile tour company by 11am.  The for the next 2-1/2 hours, we road up through the mountains.  The guides took us through the back woods trails where we had to drive through the trees, on snow cat paths where we could run 40-50mph, and to an open lake were they let us run wild.  That is after they scared us to death by telling us how much we would owe the company if we broke one of their sleds.

During the snow mobile trip, the guides would have us stop at different points along the route to enjoy the snow and scenery.  The views of Tahoe were amazing.  Michele and I took in the scenery while Kathryn played in the snow.  We don't get much snow in Texas, so she was enjoying it as much as possible.  We had plenty of snowball fights.

Thanks again for a great time Willie and Dr. John.  Hopefully we'll see you again next year.  If you're interested in joining us next year, send us an email and we'll be sure to make room.  The more, the merrier.