On Valentine's Day, we went out for a movie. While I was in line for the toilet, Matt made new friends in the theater. Fast forward a few weeks later and they invited us to the mountains. Matt loves skiing and was thrilled to share this passion with new friends. I am just getting comfortable skiing on Minnesota's hills (except for the black diamonds, woah!) and decided I did not want to risk my life in the Austrian Alps... yet. So while Matt and the new friends tackled the hills, I prepared myself to hunker down in a lodge and read all day... or something like that. Unfortunately for me, the trek to the lodge involved some downhill hiking where everyone else was, you know, skiing. It was awkward, but I miraculously made the descent from the cable car to the lodge without causing an accident. Once at the lodge, I discovered that the lounging area was located outside. Even lounging is hard core here! Not exactly what I had in mind for a cozy day of reading, but it actually proved to be just warm enough and the views were incredible. After realizing there was a hike nearby, I decided to give it a go. Thankfully, there was a rope for 75% of the hike, otherwise I never would have attempted this climb in the snow. Once at the top there was - surprise! - a cross! Bavaria is all about planting crosses on mountain tops. I had the summit to myself and an amazing 360 degree view. It was pure bliss. Upon descending, it was time to hike back up to the cable car, against the wave of skiers coming down the hill. Not too far into my plod uphill, the emergency snow mobile came racing and blaring down the hill at me. "This is when they tell me walking is not allowed," I thought to myself. However, the driver had something entirely different in mind as he pointed at the empty seat behind him. "Why, yes, I would love a ride back up top." And so, with sirens blaring, I was escorted back to the top of the mountain where I alighted - sans injury or skis - to the confusion of the crowd of skiers at the top.
At the end of the day, Matt reported that he'd previously thought he was an OK skier. However, he said he was noticeably the worst person on the slopes, including kids as young as eight. I think I made a safe life choice not joining. * Random side note: Matt's skies (which he bought at the flea market before the trip) needed some TLC before hitting the slopes. The worker who sharpened his skis was a gem. Not only is he a ski instructor, he also trains scuba divers. In fact, he had trained three of the Thailand cave rescue workers. You don't meet folks with those kinds of stories every day. I probably should have just stayed at the bottom of the slopes and listened to him all day...
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