The Hazard Chronicles

I was riding up the lift when I looked down and saw four ski patrollers standing around a sled. There was a pair of white, child-sized skis laying in the snow next to the sled, and a smallish bundle wrapped up inside. I thought I recognized the skis, and my heart sank.

The lift kept moving me up the mountain and I was helpless to investigate further. I knew that Jack, Maren, and Lindsey had been skiing together. I knew that at some point they got separated. And I knew that Lindsey was prone to going off on her own to explore. Just then, my phone buzzed with an alert. It was Maren.

"Hey dad- this should be in the Hazard Chronicles. I will send you way more."

I looked at the picture. Lindsey is so fiery and weird and funny and charismatics all at the same time, and this picture seemed to bring that all out in her. I love it. And then I thought again about that little bundle in the sled. Those skis. My Lindsey. The ski patrollers weren't moving- they were consulting. Was that a good thing or a bad thing? There were four of them. That's unusual. 

I started to fret. The lift couldn't go fast enough. I kept the conversation light and didn't really feel panicked (I honestly don't know if my body is capable of panic), but I was thinking ahead- planning on straight-lining the entire mountain down to the scene once we were dropped at the top. The thought went through my mind- at least we're still in Idaho so we won't have to worry about insurance issues (I've wondered about what would happen if we were in Canada, for example). 

We got off. I tightened my boots, checked my goggles, and just as I was about to do the fastest run of my life, the phone rang. The screen said it was from Lindsey's number, and I braced myself.

Hello?

Hello?...

...Hey Dad! (It was Lindsey!) We're all ready for lunch. Have you seen Jack?

I was flooded with such a sense of relief that I don't even remember the rest of the conversation. I have no idea who was in that sled, but my heart goes out to them and their family. It didn't look great. But this brief little scare also made me profoundly grateful for our family. For Lindsey, and each of our kids. For our little adventures, and our health and ability to live life in the way we do. It's something I don't take for granted.

*****

As for our weekend, we were down in Boise this time, skiing at Bogus Basin. This is a great little resort with quite a bit of good terrain if you know where to look. We stayed two days, and did a little exploring around town when we could. We're at a time in life where kids are starting to look into options for undergrad studies (crazy, right?!) and the trip was also a little exploratory for this purpose as well. We all had a great time and got home safely.

Here are some more photos.

Before we get on to weekend pictures, we should recognize Evelyn and Addy. They both participated in a music festival thing a couple of weeks ago. It took most of a Saturday for them, so that was a sacrifice, but both of them came out with excellent marks and said they had fun. This picture is of Addy at a recent concert we went to (different than the festival mentioned above) when she was specifically recognized for her talent. 

This was a neat little outing. It turns out that there is a place in the middle of nowhere in Idaho, where you can walk through some fields and end up at a hole.

This is the hole. It isn't real big, and there is a ladder going down into it.

Once you climb down into the hole (about fifty feet), you are in a lava tube cave, which runs for about a quarter of a mile. It's pretty neat.

I don't really know what they are doing in this photo. I think they're trying to look tough? I just thought this picture should be saved in the historical record.

And now for some ski photos. I spent quite a bit of time with Lindsey on this trip.

Maren

This is Evelyn just casually climbing a tree with her skis on. I wasn't there and I have just as many questions as you do.

Have a good week!