What a wonderful trip to my parents', with memories we will cherish forever. PopPop and Dad took the kids to the Lodge pool (it was one family at a time, so they were only able to go once before they closed it for a week for some cleaning). Jack and Abigail got to try cross country skiing for the first time. They loved it, and we have been searching for some used skis for them since we've been home (unsuccessfully, since everyone had the idea that cross country skiing would be a good sport to start during the pandemic!). PopPop took the big three on a five mile hike up to the top of the mountain on the other side of the lake, while I ran a similar route for a virtual New Year's Eve 5K. Mimi and Abigail baked to beat the band- dozens and dozens of cinnamon rolls, flourless chocolate torte, pizza... and then Abigail came home and replicated them here (Yum!). We bid good riddance to 2020 (even Opal stayed up for some early 2021 sparkling grapejuice cheers!).
Most surprising event of our trip was the Polar Plunge, in which PopPop and Jack participated! First, a small area of ice on the lakefront had to be broken up so they could even get into the water. When the horn blew, they all ran in, and I was kind of shocked that Jack even followed through with it, but he showed no hesitancy. I was frozen just standing there on the ice-cvered beach, my fingers and face (the only parts of me exposed) hurt, and here they were making a mad dash for the lake. on purpose. As Grandma would say, "Just say no." But they emerged victorious, Abigial and Iris and I returned their cothes and shoes that we'd been holding, and they hurried back to the house to thaw by the fire.
We had planned to leave on New Year's Day and get to an Immaculate Conception Mass on our way back, but due to snow, we postponed our return trip to the following day and watched a live-streaming of Mass. We did get new snow tires during our visit, after our treacherous trip to West Virginia! And we made it home safely the evening of January 2, blessed memories of our time at Alpine Lake, still sweet in our brains. I'm so grateful we made the trip, pandemic and masks and all.
