Hey, buddy.
You’ve been on my mind the last few weeks as I tried snow skiing for the first time. Your dad and I have talked about going a handful of times but just hadn't done it yet. Well, one Sunday morning your dad woke up and asked if I wanted to go. Off we went to Mt. Crescent Ski Area, just a few hours from home.
Remember the first time you went there with Dad and Nate? It's where all three of you learned together for the first time. Dad says you were hesitant at first. Before he knew it, while he and Nate were still falling, you were flying by and hitting some little jumps. Sounds like you were a natural once you got going. I found a photo of you and Nate from that day.
We had a fun afternoon and glad we finally went! I may have spent plenty of time standing back up after falling down, but was happy with my first attempt on a skiing hill.
We had planned to go back to Crescent one more time before the end of season, but as temperatures rose their season ended a week earlier than anticipated. A friend had mentioned the ski area in Sioux Falls, SD, so we decided to head there last Sunday for their final day of the season.
We saw that it was going to be 80s day, honoring their chair lift they would be retiring that had been in service since the early 80s. So we grabbed some outfits and headed North. You'll never guess what your dad decided to wear? A classic, he said.
A few grinning girls were sneaky and put some snow down Santa's shirt. He laughed, and it sounds like something you three would have done, too. Always the pranksters full of fun!
Amid our day of skiing at Great Bear Ski Valley, Dad started spotting coins left and right. Signs of you, as you had a knack for spotting coins on the sand dunes. Dad collected a pocketful of change. You may notice these coins are a bit beat up. Dad guessed it's from these being buried in the snow with skis crossing over.
I also spent much more time actually skiing than getting back up after falling. We had a blast! Since it wasn't a very busy day so late in the season, we rode up the chair lift and skied back down who knows how many times from 9 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.
Perhaps next year we'll make our way to ski up in the mountains of Colorado. Everyone loves to talk about the great family trip you all took to Steamboat Springs one year. What a beautiful place. I found a handful of photos from that trip that include you. Dad likes to tell the story where you were such a natural once again. You led him and Nate down a black diamond trail one morning, and they said "never again" while you did just fine. There are even some photos of you jumping on your little skis. Man, kid... We treasure each photo and memory. Ride On, Nick. We love and miss you, buddy.
Love,
Jess
