...the Wisp Weekend...

...this will (of course) be a very picture heavy post...

...we gathered at the Church at 4:00 to load the vans with hopes of being on the road at 4:30...

...we were pretty close to that time as we headed out into the rain and fog...it has been very very mild here for January...and the highs are predicted to be in the 50's at Wisp...not really very good skiing weather...but we're going to roll with it...

...we're greeted at Wisp by some lingering Christmas decorations...but I love lighted trees...and maybe they leave them this way year-round...

...our first view of the slopes behind the lodge...

...Welcome to Wisp...

...the rental department employees were kind enough to stay late and get all of our gear for us...

...Scout chose to try snowboarding this year...

...after we got our gear all stowed in our lockers...it was time for devotions...our Youth Director did an awesome job with the devotions on 'Choices'...starting with Eve's choice in the garden...then Peter's choice to deny Christ on Saturday...and finally ending up with Christ's choice to die on the cross on Sunday...it was pretty awesome...and it gave these teenagers a lot to think about...(adults too!)...

...we went to bed to the sounds of the slopes being groomed...

...I think these machines ran most of the night up and down the mountain...amazing...

...Saturday morning found us on the slopes bright and early as we already had all our gear...there was a competition...and they were setting up a slalom course...

...There were a couple of events going on too...Subaru's Master the Mountain...and the NASTAR - ski race...so it was pretty busy even though the weather and ski contitions were not that great...

...on the lift...

...the tips of my skis...

...looking back toward the lodge...

...I tried several times to get a photo of the 'targeted' trash bins that you could aim for from the lift...but I never managed to get the camera out of my pocket in time...I'm sure you can imagine it though...it was cute...

...lots of nice slow green trails...that's where I mostly stayed...

...there was a very melty pond at the top...probably used for ice skating in colder weather...

...Wisps...HA!...of fog not blowing snow like we used to always see in ND...

...the view from the trail...

...and of the trail...

...Scout having a lesson on his snowboard...

...getting his snow-legs...

...learning the all important skill of stopping...

...the melting snow seen through the trees...I'm sure the resort owners are not happy with this weather...

...during the afternoon...we got a text that one of our Youth was going to attempt the black diamond run...so everyone hurried out of the lodge in whatever state of dress they were in...because this was an event NOT to be missed...and remember that it's probably about 60 degrees...there's snow yes...but it's quite warm out...

...shortly we saw him coming down the hill...giving us a thumbs up...

...and I love this sweet picture of his sister running to give him a congratulatory hug!...

...and then he was overjoyed to see the video his Mom took on her iPhone...quite an accomplishment!...

...it wasn't long before things started to cool off and it got dark...but don't worry...the skiing doesn't stop when it gets dark...

...all of the runs are well lit...

...here I am skiing down Possum...camera in hand...

...and a goofy photo of me...the kind you get when you hand your camera to a stranger and ask them to take a crooked out of focus picture for you...☺

...everyone was pretty tired at devotions and went to bed quietly afterwards...

...only to wake up sore and pack for the trip home on Sunday...

...so we all said goodbye...

...to Wisp for this year...it was a lot of fun!...

...how was your weekend?...

~Have a lovely week!