Pulling the Plug

That's it, I've had it! My skis have a thick coat of hibernation wax on them and are in the boiler room, my boots are in the closet, and my locker is empty. None of my ski jackets or pants have pencils, Dermatone, trail maps, class lists, supervisory paperwork, goggle cloths or ski straps in their pockets and all my various nametags have been put away. The problem with all of this, of course, is that Okemo is still open, there is lots of snow on the mountain (not to mention in my yard). And it's cold outside.

The result is that my flip flops are looking longingly out the window, wondering when they will see the light of day. Don't even mention to me how forlorn my road bike looks - there are few sadder creatures than an underutilized road bike and there's only so much joy to be gained by putting my bike on a trainer in the living room while watching bike racing on television. I'm so ready for a real spring that I'm prepared to engage in shameless anthropomorphism with respect to my bicycle and my flip flops. It's possible that I'm suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder so why shouldn't my flip-flops and bicycle suffer with me?

The truth is that it was an incredibly snowy winter (and has been a snowy spring) here in Vermont, and as a bonus it wasn't particularly cold. We had none of our normal week-long sub-zero spells, nor did we have any major thaws during the season. Add that the last several weeks have been more like a slightly warmer version of mid-season, with firm conditions and the occasional layer of corn snow on top of the snow pack and without the shin-deep slush we are accustomed to at this time of year, and it's really been fantastic. Regardless, I'm still done. I'm perfectly healthy, I've had a great season and I feel great, I skied with a wonderful group of new and returning guests, I provided a lot of great training for some terrific instructors, and I have had a ball. And it's over. The fat lady is singing and she's crooning about my lonely bicycle.

So, for the next month and a half I'll be enjoying my time, catching up with friends and family, doing odds and ends of wrap up from this season and prep for the next, and hopefully cycling a lot. As soon as it warms up. Anyone seen a forecast?