Winter Fun

SO... this year I have decided to learn how to snow board! I really enjoy it, but it kicks my butt every time. I'm always sore the next couple of days. Cali learned at the end of last year and she is awesome. We went up a couple of weekends ago with a friend so I could learn and so Cali could refresh. My friend gave me a few pointers and told me to practice on this little hill. The hill was covered in knee deep snow...when I finally got both my feet strapped to the board and my butt out of the deep snow, I had to hop down the hill. My friend looks at me and says you got it, lets go up. WHAT? OK, I guess. Cali and I get on the lift. Mind you, I have no idea how to get off the lift (I was given a little instruction) and Cali has no confidence in herself to get off the lift. Needless to say, we fell off the lift. But we are off and at the top of the slope. Now to get back down.
My friend has her two kids, 5 and 7, and I have Cali, 10. After we all get strapped in...the kids take off down the hill, so does my friend to stay with the kids. While I struggle to get up, a friendly guy gives me some words of encouragement. Now to start my way down. I was kind of glad that everyone didn't have to wait for me cause I knew it was going to take me awhile. I started telling myself all the things my friend had told me and gave it my best shot. I was on my butt again. And again, and again. During the short moments of being on my feet, I was getting the idea of how this worked, but I was sure getting worn out by having to get up so many times! That's the hardest part! I could see Cali sitting at the bottom waiting for me. I tried to wave to her and signal to keep doing her own thing, but that was just wearing me out too.
Eventually, I made it down the mountain. It only took me about a....HOUR. Poor Cali! She wasn't going back up because she didn't want to have to get off the lift because she can't do it without falling. So we headed to get something to eat and tried again after lunch. My second time was much more successfull! Although, I wasn't feeling too bad about my first time, it just took a long time. It took some convincing to get Cali back on the lift but we did it! Again Cali and friends zip down the mountain, but this time it only took me 15 minutes and four falls to get down! Yippy! Sadly, Cali and I had to leave after our second run. I left feeling great about the whole thing!
I went again last Monday! This time I went alone so I didn't feel any pressure or have to worry about Cali freezing her butt off waiting at the bottom of the hill for me. I got five runs in and I figured out what works best for me right now. I still have a lot to learn (still can't get off the lift without falling). It's fun to challenge yourself and beat the "it's just too hard" thoughts that try to defeat you. I can't wait until the next time! Cali and I will get up there a bunch more this year and next year I'm going to try to get Cole up there at the end of the season. It will be great to have something we can all do together!
Enjoy the weather!