Leavenworth-y: Ski Hill and a Win for Wes

For as many times we've visited our favorite Bavarian town, we've never "done" Ski Hill (though we walk the multi-mile loop whenever we can).  At the top of Ski Hill is...a hill to ski on.  Kinda.  

There are two rope tows, one for the Bunny, and one that can either be green or blue, depending upon when you let go of the rope (assuming it is a conscious decision and not an "AAAUUUGGGG!" moment). 

We had rented Piper a snowboard for a week, so Dwayne and Piper set out for the Bunny Hill while Wes, Kyla, and I tackled the tubing hill, which must have been constructed by drunken teens supervised by high college kids.  Who's to say why my pants were wet after I did 3 runs.  

I'll admit the pictures don't look overly terrifying, but you'll just have to trust me...and my soiled clothes.  Pay no attention to the fact we ran to do it again each time we found that we survived. 

After we did a few runs, we stopped for cocoa at the lovely lodge, and cheered up Piper who had a horrible experience on the one run.  Usually her determination works well in her favor, but this time she was determined not to do another run.  Wes volunteered to do take the snowboard.  Unhappily, Piper gave him her coat (with the lift ticket), and I have my coat to Piper, so she could have my last 3 sled runs.  Then I took the girls back to the condo, and returned with my own snowboard.  

Meanwhile, Wes had done the bunny hill a few times, and he cheerfully reported, "I'm horrible at this!"  But he pulled a Piper and kept trying and trying, and was finally coming down the hill faster than he could go up.  So the 3 of us tackled the other run.  (It's funny--because Wesley is wearing Piper's coat and helmet, I have to keep reminding which kid is in the picture.)

 

We boarded for a few hours, and then quit before we were too tired.  Then my magical Traveling Coat of Mom went on Dwayne so he could do the last sled run with Wes. (Remember this is the coat that Piper had worn before, so it fit a 10 year old girl, me, and a 200 pound man. I'm not saying it's a flattering jacket, but Mama definitely has to prioritize practicality over other considerations, especially on the mountains.)

on the mountains.

Compliments to Wesley:

1) He didn't complain once about wearing his sister's coat.

2) The snowboard was measured for Piper, who is significantly taller than Wes.  He learned anyway.

3) He bound his own boots on the board.  His boots are decent snow boots, but in no way have the structure proper boarding boots have, which you need to have good control.  He learned anyway.

4) Only one of the bindings was designed to be tight enough to keep his boot in place.  The other boot was on, but not firmly.  This is NOT good snowboarding equipment.  He learned anyway.

5) He didn't complain about anything that afternoon--which is not a typical Wesley day.  He kept falling and getting right back up, ready to try again.  

It was a WIN for WESLEY!