While waiting for the lift I noticed the sign saying, “Advanced Intermediates Only!”  My Buddy and I discussed this a bit but my irrational, egotistical fifty-year-old brain once again failed me.  My Buddy assured me that we would do okay – just because I never exercise and I ski once a year – no big deal!  And sure enough, when we began our descent down the Wilmington Trail it was absolutely beautifully and extremely peacefully.  The view was spectacular.  The snow was great and there was a gentle rolling terrain.  How wonderful!

But, then something went dreadfully wrong.  First, the trail narrowed making it more difficult for me to turn back and worth.  Then there was suddenly a sharp drop off on the left side and a steep cliff jutting up on the right.  I noticed there were snowboarders perched along the top of the cliff waiting like vultures – waiting to drop in and devour the weak among the migrating skiing herd below.  I was quickly becoming the weakest of the skiing pack.  I know with certainty that I was being watched very closely by those evil snowboarding carnivores.  I am pretty sure that I was saved only by my uncontrollable, blubbering sobs and the distinct smell of urine.

Now that I have had a week or so to reflect on this episode, I realize that I am a better person for the many things I learned from this little adventure on the Wilmington Trail.  I now know that I am not in the “Advanced Intermediates” category.   I now realize how Gumby’s legs felt.  I now know you can indeed get a full body cramp.   I now see clearly that my “Buddy” had taken out a life insurance policy on me (no wonder he was encouraging me to do the Devil’s Drop Trail next).  And, I now realize that Depend®’s are a vital addition to my skiing gear.