Crystal Clear

SNOW ZONE: Friday we took a far afield trip to Crystal Mountain, about 2.5 hours southeast of Seattle, in the shadow of Mt. Rainier.

As we walked up to the ski area from the parking lot, harsh winds pelted our faces and sucked the air from our lungs. We feared we wouldn't be able to manage a day on the mountain. Fortunately, within a half hour things had settled substantially.

 Between nine a.m. and noon, the hill in the background of the photo below became CJ and Annabelle's 'home.' (It's looking east, toward the still rising sun.)

 Below is a view to the south. So many pretty peaks!

 The kids spent about 2.5 hours in a lesson. Some of the time was better than others.  Below CJ was doing OK on the barely-downhill-decline.

And below, Annabelle wound up in a mound on the conveyor belt 'lift' for the hill. Oops. 

 And then her hair got caught in the instructor's zipper. :/

But they caught on before long, and were ready for the chairlift by noon. Bee is with Glenn below, while Christian and CJ are bringing up the rear. 

Up, up and away!

And down they come!

https://youtu.be/b-8YuB3uo7M

https://youtu.be/_yZwQ26uiLQ

On our way home, there was a diagonal yellow sign warning of elk. I looked to my left and toward a river and sure enough, they weren't kidding!

 We doubled back to take some photos.

O THANK HEAVEN:  Saturday was a busy day, but we made time to take advantage of BYOC (bring your own container) day at 7-11 for a Slurpee fill up. 

Just $1.50 to fill up the vessel of your choice. Whoooo could pass that up?
The kids have made their scores stretch 3+ days.