A few weeks ago I took a trip up to Stratton, Vermont. My dear friend Christine, someone else you will be hearing plenty of and I rented a very large SUV on the upper west side near my apartment, gathered our snacks, cd's, bottled beverages and anything else we could think of to make our road trippin' more pleasant and fled the city.
A storm was brewing so we left a night early and couldn't have been more thankful that we did. I'm not one for making any stops while driving long distances so we made good time but when we arrived to the over-sized and under-utilized house it was midnight and we were exhausted.
The next day we rose early, geared up and hit the slopes. We had four days of skiing in front of us. Something I promise to plan the next time around because it made for a very relaxing and leisurely trip. I can't tell you how many times I've taken over night ski trips where you practically break your legs trying to get as many runs in as possible before the 4pm shut down of the lifts.
That night at the house, we found Chris and Tom a co-worker and his partner at the house with full glasses of wine poured, the fire place lit and dinner ideas floating around. After an exchange about possibilities for dining out we did what any group of smart people that were snowed in should do and opted to stay in and cook. The night was memorable for Christine and I getting to know people we barely knew and sharing stories about how Chris and Tom met, we gossiped about colleagues, and other humorous tales that shall left to be untold. The next night the rest of our crew would be arriving but we didn't care... we stayed up late and made the most of our time in a spacious place away from the city.
Day number two and we didn't let all of the wine consumed the night before slow us down. After some eggs and bacon for breakfast we made it to the slopes by noon for a few hours of powder -- it had snowed through the night making for some really good ski conditions. Four hours later we were packing it in and heading to the grocery store 45 minutes away to stock the house for the new guests arriving that night and to get us the through the weekend.
Three hundred dollars later we had a cart full of what hopefully would be enough ingredients to construct a few delicious meals. This is Christine's area of expertise as you've already read in a prior post, I'm just learning my way around the kitchen. And after de-loading everything into the kitchen cabinets and fridge we plotted out out the warm meal that would be perfectly timed for the arrival of our other co-workers and clients. To every one's pleasant surprised we managed to master stuffed Italian shells accompanied by a mozzarella and tomato salad. Candles were lit, the fire place was in full affect and wine was overflowing our glasses.
There's really something special about a home-cooked meal and a house full of strangers. I'll let Martha Stewart say it best..."I reflected on why I love to entertain and at our last dinner party, I gazed around the room and saw guests talking and listening intently to one another and savoring the meal. The room was beautiful in the candlelight, tulips drooping elegantly on the mantel, wine glasses and silverware sparkling on the table - it delighted me. Entertaining is my sport. I love the preparation, the anticipation, the dressing up, the nervousness when guests arrive, and the enjoyment of introducing people who do not know each other, imagining unexpected connections and new friendships." All the more reason and motivation to spend more of life living like this if you ask me. Away from the hectic sidewalks, honking horns and loud alarms.
The next few days, we skied more, celebrated our lives in general and spent a day snowmobiling, now one of my all-time favorite outdoor activities. If you haven't done it and you enjoy the adventurous side of life then I highly recommend giving it a whirl during your next winter get-a-way. It will be an activity that you will not forget. Promise.
Cheers to the fresh air, the trees, getting stuck in new places, outdoor activities, our strong legs, helping hands, strangers, new friendships, pre-chopped firewood, and the ability to break away from our routine lives.
Singing Off Snowed In,
Renee Brennan
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