Park City - TSC Traditional Week 2007

by Tom Keever

Actually, the trip lasted until Sunday or longer for some of our members but that, as they say, is the rest of the story.

Other than a short delay at DFW to confirm that there was nothing wrong with one of our plane’s engines, we had a smooth, uneventful trip to Salt Lake City and a short bus ride to Park City to the Silvercliff Condominiums, our home away from home. For the first four days, we had great weather and skiing conditions were excellent. Because of a weather forecast of a possibly severe winter storm beginning on Thursday, many of our members crammed their skiing into the first four days rather than take a chance on the weather later in the week. As it turned out, the weather on Thursday was not nearly as bad as had been anticipated although it did snow most of the day but skiing conditions were still good. The snow was much heavier on Thursday night. Friday was much colder but a number of our never-say-die skiers sallied forth to challenge the slopes (and a few of them darn near froze to death——ask Jeannie Bigley).

From the welcoming party on Sunday night through the awards party on Friday night, we managed to keep an active social schedule. Helga Sims prepared another of her feasts on Wednesday night for all with the able assistance of several of the other members, both male and female. The meal was outstanding! To top it off, one of our relatively new members, Dean Thurmond, prepared a dessert of banana pudding that was at least as good as Momma used to make. We need to find more new members with similar culinary skills.

Other than the usual aches and pains for those of us who somehow are not in the best physical condition, we sustained no significant injuries. Rotha Crump had a bad fall that caused her some problems for awhile and Irmgard Arthur twisted her ankle which prevented her for skiing the last two days but, all in all, we were fortunate in the injury department.

Most of our skiers seemed to favor Deer Valley over Park City and the Canyons although Park City was not far behind Deer Valley. The area in general was a great skiing venue, particularly for those of us that had not skied in the area or in Utah before this trip.

A great time was had by all whether it was skiing, socializing at scheduled events, going out for dinner, or visiting together in our condos. Laughter was an constant part of our trip. Of course, there were those occasions such as when C. Easterwood announced to all of the bus that Jeannie was about to have a birthday and also threw in the year she was born. Don’t worry, Jeannie, the years have been very kind to you.

The rest of the story is that on Friday night after the awards party we learned from Dick Gromel that our return flight, as well as many others, had been canceled. Saturday morning we boarded our bus and departed for the Salt Lake City airport not knowing what arrangements we were going to be able to make to return home. Although the lines at the airport were long, we fortunately arrived before many other groups and individuals whose flights had also been canceled and who had to face even longer lines. After waiting for a significant period of time, some of our members elected to fly Southwest to Albuquerque and then on to Dallas; some were booked on a Delta flight, and some were able to get on a later American flight at 4:00 Saturday. One of the Delta flights was subsequently canceled so a few of our members had to overnight in Salt Lake City or Albuquerque before being able to get to Dallas on Sunday. Some of our baggage, including ski equipment, did not arrive until either Monday or Tuesday. Nevertheless, I think any one on the trip would say it was a great trip and would willingly repeat the experience.

All of those on the trip would like to thank Pam O’Dell for her earlier work as trip leader and would particularly like to express our thanks to and commend Guy Huntley who assumed the responsibility of trip leader the week before the trip and did an outstanding job of coordinating activities and keeping the group happy. With Guy’s able leadership, our expedition was a great experience and one that we will all remember as one of DSC’s best.