posted February 05, 2008 08:10 PM
A Skiers' TaleD'Arcy, Lynda and I were riding the chairlift and discussing matters important to all sailors of the world. We spied something in the snow beneath us. At first, we assumed it to be a hat or a mitt or a pair of goggles - all the typical paraphernalia that collects under chairlifts. Then we realized that it was a very small ski boot. And, it had a very small ski still attached.
Now for those of you who don't know, a ski boot fits very snug when it is the proper size and it is properly buckled. It was strange to see this discarded kit in the snow. We expected to see a bare-footed little skier sobbing at the top of the hill.
When we arrived, there was a very junior skier and her ski instructor. The little tyke was wearing a mitt on her foot to keep her sock dry. The instructor was telling her that she had monkey feet. D'Arcy and I volunteered to retrieve the ski for the pair of skiers. And away we set.
The ski was in an area not open to skiers. D'Arcy immediately kicked off his bindings and waded knee deep through virgin Muskoka powder to the site of the lost equipment.
The skiers on the chairlift were either directing D'Arcy to the lost ski, or were warning him of the 8 metre rock drop just ahead. The heroic champion collected the ski and boot and climbed back up the steep slope to his own waiting gear.
We then had to ski down a difficult double-diamond luge run (D'Arcy with one hand for himself and one for the recovered ski stuff). We arrived at the chairlift and prepared to load for delivery back up the hill. But, our little bare-foot skier and her instructor were already there waiting for us. The instructor had somehow carried or supported the little girl down the hill. Thank-yous and hero cookies all around.
All in a day's work for a couple of sailors. We were obligated by code to offer assistance.
The End (Until Next Time)
posted February 04, 2008 05:50 PM
posted February 05, 2008 08:10 PM
