Ski season is upon us and sad to say Barry Vines will not be skiing with us this year. Barry passed away 31 Dec. We will think of him often and remember the good times and his fondness for skiing. Among his many friends was the ski group from church and I had the honor of joining this great group of folks a few years back. Today's blog will be in memory of Barry and the past few years ski trips.
Lots of photos taken at lunch stop. We may be the older generation but still remember enough that we seldom miss a chance to eat. Barry Vines, red ski suit, white hair, big smile--you will be missed.
Barry and Phillip at the last decision point on the downhill run to home. Phillip always had to ask, which way do you guys want to go--knowing that Barry and I would bow to pressure and follow him down one more black diamond. The good news was that it was a single black diamond and Phillip assured us it was short---RIGHT!
One of my favorite photos, Vail slopes in the background, lightly snowing, skiing with friends and enjoying Gods Creation. The beauty allows you to almost forget you can't feel your toes. Barry, Phillip and Bill, all better skiers than myself, never failed to take the black trails that allowed you to improve your skiing ability--if it didn't kill you.
Good shot of Barry about to fall over his own skis. Friends never allow you to forget your last fall, and for old folks that have trouble remembering what day it is, the spectacular fall from last years ski trip is as fresh as this mornings coffee--and WILL be talked about until you have another fall that out shines it. For non skiers--Falls come in three variations, (1) Fall (everyone starts laughing immediately) (2) Face Plant (everyone waits until they can see no broken bones-then laughs), (3) Yard Sale (skis, ski poles, goggles and sometimes the safety helmet is spread across the trail for 50 yards and the skier looks as if they were run over by the snow cat) as everyone helps to gather your gear and determines you will live, the comparison starts with last years yard sale-then the laughter begins. Friends that profess to love you will, without being ask, point you out and tell total strangers about your yard sale adventure.
Thanks to this great lady, the annual ski trip goes smoothly. Eugenia plans, selects, directs, collects the money and tells us where to be on a given date,- she has dealt with kids before. Frank, the other half of this dynamic duo--not sure what Frank does to help out but we can't have Eugenia without Frank.
Barry always had a great smile for everyone and displayed a Christian attitude, lunch times were a great time of fellowship.
Alpine skiing is great, but sometimes you have to poll to get across flat ground. Barry loved down hill and speed, standing still was for breaks, and polling will check out the condition of your arms, which were not in great shape usually.
Barry, Bill and Phillip, waiting on me again. Note the lift lines in the background. We were blessed with great snow and short lift lines
Barry and Bill enjoy lunch outside in the sunshine. I have been blessed knowing and skiing with this group, especially Barry Vines, who I am proud to have called friend. He will be missed.
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