Skiing in July?

Where shall I begin ...

Back in January, I was flipping around the TV channels for something to what on a Friday night. For some reason I decide to pause long enough to see the WCNY auctions was going on. Well, WCNY is a Syracuse Channel, but since I live in Wayne County (between Rochester & Syracuse) the cable carries the signal from both cities. WCNY wasn't auctioning off clay pots, mini-golf passes or dance lessons, but vacation packages. The first one to catch my eye was the Steamboat Spring 5 day package valued well above $ 1000, but with the highest bid only @ $ 300 dollars. I watched longer and other great spots appeared again at less than half the actual value. So I called the auction phone number to investigate. Well, the Steamboat Spring package had an expiration date of October 2010, and well before ski season, but there were several Stowe, VT packages available. So I became of member of WCNY auctions in order to have the ability to bid on these Stowe, VT deals. The two night stay in a single bedroom suite was @ $ 200 dollars. I place a bid and become to long the auction board came up with a bid higher than mine. I call back to bid again slightly higher and again the bid was less than the one posted for the vacation package. Then I waited until the last possible moment before the auction board was scheduled to close and placed my final bid. To no avail, the posted bid again was higher than mine. I had lost the bidding war and had nothing to show for my effort except my WCNY Auction membership. Before I went to bed, I went to the WCNY website to see what was schedule to be on the various boards for tomorrow.

I got up on Saturday morning and went through the standard routine when the cell phone rang. It was a person from the WCNY Auctions. They said that my bid won the vacation package. Apparently, the high bidder either decided not to take the package or something. So, my bid was the next highest and the vacation package was mine.

Situation two: I had poorly planned a late (March) spring ski trip with my son to the ADK without considering that New York had not gotten any snow in March. Well, the first stop to Mt. McCauley was a bust as the resort was closed and it was raining. So we venture on to Gore Mt., again closed with barely enough snow to cover parts of some trails. It was disappointing, but there was one Mountain in NY that had to have snow ... White Face. I called and not only were they open, but they were hosting ski racing competitions. The rains got heavier and our excitement about ski was washed away, but White Face was good enough to switch our tickets to the 2010-2011 season.

Now, we have 2 lift ticket to White Face and lodging @ Stowe and limited time before the lodging expires and the time my son's would be home for winter break. So the only decision is that we will go to two great ski resorts in three days. Let it snow ... in December 2010 early and often.

When you ski do it for pure enjoyment!!!