Rocks and Blueberries: The Griswold Family Vacation: The Sun Shines Again

Having earned my stripes for withstanding conditions that even a Navy Seal would balk at, I was more than excited about finally getting to our lodge in Mammoth. After two days of roughing it, walking into our condo felt like I'd just arrived at the Ritz. While JD argued that our experience only made us appreciate the condo even more, I contend that I don't have to almost die in order to enjoy a well-appointed mountain cabin. That night the snow really began to come down. 30+ inches are predicted for the weekend! JD is beside himself with excitement over the fresh powder playground that he'll have to snowboard on once the storm breaks.

The next day, Saturday, we awake to a winter wonderland! I don't think I've ever seen so much snow. Anxious to get out and frolic in the snowfall, we head out to a nearby lodge and do some snowshoeing. A lot of fun, but harder than I expected. And I'm sure my zero level of physical fitness didn't help. After huffing and puffing around the beautiful mountainscape for a while, we figured we had earned a round of hot cocoas. I don't think I've ever seem Emerson smile so big. Every sip was punctuated with a very enthusiastic, "Mmmm!"

Sunday, was Mama's day. JD stayed behind with Emerson while I went to the spa for some treatment. Ahhhhhh! The best part (almost) was the aesthetician. What a character. An older woman, married three times, now single (again), entertained me the whole time with her stories of sex, drugs and rock-n-roll. Romances and flings with musicians, on the road with the band (she's a bass player herself)... I want to go back just to hear more stories! That night, the snow storm raged on. So hard in fact that the power went out. We get a knock on the door from the building manager to see if we had any candles and to ask JD to move the car since the plows would be coming through tomorrow. JD leaves to move the car and I hunt around in the dark for some candles. Finally I find a couple sitting on the fireplace mantle. I grab my trusty Aim n' Flame and light away. Except the candle is not lighting. I burn the heck out of the little wick that is sitting there mocking me, but the darn thing won't light. Finally when JD comes back, I hand the stupid candle over to him to try. He tries a couple of times then says, "Oh, I know why it won't light.... it's an electric candle." And he flips it over and flicks the switch. Doh! In my defense, the thing was pretty realistic-looking and in the dark.... oh, whatever.

On Monday, a couple of friends had driven up and the boys took off snowboarding while Emerson and I hung out. We find out that the weather for the rest of the week at our next planned destinations was going to be rainy the whole time, so we decide to continue our vacation right where we are. The boys go out again the next day. We find out that there's a daycare at the base of the mountain, so on Wednesday we drop Emerson off first thing in the morning and it's finally time for me to get on the mountain. My skills.... well, let's just say I'm still learning. I had fun though and that's all that matters, right?

Thursday was family day again and we'd heard that the snow tubing place was finally opening for the season that day. So fun! I did some pretty good sledding when I was a kid, but this was awwwwesome! The run itself wasn't very long, but you whizzed down that hill so fast you couldn't help but laugh hysterically. Emerson rode with JD and when they'd get to the bottom Emerson would do his sign for "again." Too cute.

Finally, it was the end of the week and time to head back home. Thank you Mammoth, we had a great time! Despite the few setbacks, it was a fabulous vacation. We got to spend some good, quality family time together and add a fun destination to Emerson's rapidly growing list of adventures!