Well, I made it. Picked up Gris and son late on Thursday and spent the night in Oxford, ME cabin. Skied Sunday River with Gris and son on Friday, then hung around the campfire after setting the tent up. Watched BoB decide that since he could not sit in the sled without flipping it over, he'd stand in it and head downhill (surprisingly well). Watched a lot of football on Saturday, played some cribbage, and caught up with friends. Oh yeah, drank a bit. Slept in the water tent on Saturday night as the pond froze
Around 2:00 AM the winds started howling, and the temps dropped to single digits. Got some XC skiing in on Sunday with GO's wife VO, and then later with Spencer. Got to actually hear Pete Hickey say "it sucked out there"
then settled in to a nice power outtage where we played Mad and Boggle, listened to Pete Hickey and others get a sing along going, and drank a bit. Got to bed on the skating rink at 2F with lots of wind. Slept soundly, but was not happy that I had forgotten my P bottle. Twice. Woke up this morning, to beautiful blue skies, took the tent down, watched Doug Paul (a real nice guy) teach Gris the basics of XC skiing (he is now a convert, but can't seem to find dune skis
). And best of all, I now have more cowbell.
So, to all who didn't make it - your loss. To those who did - our gain.
You missed out on the opportunity to spend a great weekend with the best hosts, and most wonderful of friends.
Bubba: really wish you had made it. I convinced Gris that part of the Leather apron was that the wearer had to do 10 laps of the campfire wearing only the apron.
