Camping tonight, anyone?

The very first New Year's Eve I spent with Mike was in a snow cave at the top of Mission Ridge.  I thought it a little loony, but then I was in love, engaged and generally pretty willing to go to the loony side of things.  We worked hard at making the cave, skied down, changed clothes, and hopped back on the lift just in the nick of time to make it to the top of Chair 2 before closing.  Good thing, because I was NOT hiking back up there.  We got everything settled in our cozy little spot.  We bundled up and trekked back up to the ridge line.  We sat up top watching the sun go down on the last day of 1997 in a grand streaking of pink and orange.  Being warmed by my honey and some goodness from a flask, I realized this was the perfect way to spend this New Year's Eve. (Side note:  some poor soul got up REALLY early on January 1st and drove up to Mission Ridge with a smirk on their face thinking they were going to get the first tracks of 1998 - sorry to whomever it was in that blue Honda Civic and black & red coat - but you're right - the 6 inches of freshies WAS really fun to ski as the sun was rising)

I didn't recognize that I was signing up for an annual event at the time, but, it is now an official tradition for the Rolfs family to camp out in some shape or form on New Years Eve.  We've done snow caves, igloos, VW Camper, and tent camping. We even invited some folks along some years & almost all have accepted:  both of our dad's, senior partner at Mike's firm, the Reverend Becky Cate & our kids - well, they aren't legally able to not accept at this point, but so far they participate with joy and gleaming eyes.

While camping out in the snow may not be for everyone, the thing I hold the most dear about this tradition is that it is ours.  Something that Mike & I created together - it didn't come from his family or from mine - it is our own.  Our very own tradtion that we have made for our family & those dear and crazy enough to join us.

Happy New Year to you all!  May we all find a little more peace in our hearts, minds and world this year.

Sara Rolfs

Comments

[Becky]

Way to stay LOONY!! - Becky