Bennetts Ski School, here we come! - 3/15/2009
I can't wait for ski school next week. It's one of those vacations that I'm looking forward to so much that I almost can't stand it. Seriously. I've added "Zachary, LA" to my iPhone's weather applet, checking the weather daily, and I've been spending plenty of time on Google Maps looking at various options for the drive there. I'm also rooting through all of our equipment and getting everything sorted out into piles for what will be one of the greatest weeks of the year.
The Place:
This will be our 4th trip to Bennetts and certainly not our last. The Bennetts "compound" has a cozy, worn in character to it. The lakes are surrounded by levees, and flanked by Anne and Jay's expansive house, the pro shop, the starting docks, and our rental cabins. Once you get there, you feel little need or desire to go anywhere else for the entire week. It's like a big arena of waterskiing mirth in the middle of nowhere. They offer 3 rental cabins with FULL eat-in kitchens and bathrooms, which is absolutely key. We love cabins #2 and #3, which are right on the shore of Lake #1 and, like most of the buildings (and lakes) there, were actually built by Anne and Jay themselves. Nothing beats sitting on that front porch (featured above in the pic) with a cold one after a day of fun on the water and watching the superstar instructors practice. There's also nothing like waking up to the sound of an inboard ski boat pulling jump practice in the morning, right outside your door. I love it. Truly.
The Road Trip:
It's just about 1000 miles from here to there. A potentially dicey trip around Chicago based on traffic and construction, followed by a VERY boring jaunt down through Illinois, with the scenery starting to get more interesting through Mississippi. We'll be taking our trusty SUV, packed to the gills with ski gear and baby stuff. We're also sporting a big Thule cargo carrier full of our Jeff and Jenny's gear, who will be flying there instead. We've flown once and driven twice, and either way is great. The great American "Road Trip" is something of a lost art, and something that I'll always appreciate and remember from my youth. Who could forget staying at Ho-Jo's night after night and watching "Wall Drug" signs fly by for hundreds of miles on end? Mitchell Corn Palace, anyone? We did it all when I was a kid. Niagra Falls, Mt. Rushmore, the whole bit.
The People:
We're bringing friends this time. It's important to note that we've come away from our trips there with new friends year after year, but we've never actually convinced anybody to come down with us. One of my regular ski partners and good friends, Jeff, will be bringing his family down and we'll also be joined by my good friend and fellow Correct Craft nut Alan and his wife. It's a great group of people and it should make for an awesome trip.
The Blog:
I'm going to try to give you guys regular updates. Bennetts has wi-fi so I'll see what I can do about filling everyone in during the trip. I can't promise everything but I'll see what I can do. I'll also try to get some video as well.
The Gear:
As you all know, I got a real trick ski this year. Can't wait to try that baby out. My old trick will go to Beth. I threw a Wiley's wrap on there for her, making it her first "real" trick ski as well. So, we're both equipped with trick skis that were not previously a fiberglass/plastic combo pair, which is a first. We also mysteriously lost her entire slalom ski this year, so we had to order a replacement from H2OProshop.com with bindings and everything. I don't know if her ski was stolen, or lost, or I left it somewhere, or what, but I went out to the garage a couple weeks ago and it was gone. Everything else was still in the garage and boat. I don't get it at all, but what can you do? Amazingly Tadd found somebody in Acapulco during his stay at Ski Paradise who was interested in selling their ski, the identical ski to Beth's. So, Tadd brought the ski back with him and shipped it to me. How about that for above and beyond?
So, we're counting down the days. The lakes are open around here so we'll be skiing soon. More as it develops.
Comments:
81nautique, 3/16/2009: Well this is a timely post Joel, I started getting the boat ready for spring yesterday and the reality of ski school next week set in. I remember the jitters I had getting in the water the first time I barefooted at Seipels in the 80's, woke up this morning and "They're back!!" You know us and road trips,We can't wait to hit it saturday am.Luv2Ski, 3/19/2009: It's March 19th what's happening Joel. No updates.
Come on, I have to ski vicariously through someone as it'll likely be six more weeks before I hit the 45 degree water up here!!
Luv2Ski, 3/19/2009: Forget that last comment I see your not there yet.Sorry ,I'll go back to hibernating
jhughes, 3/19/2009: You need updates every 3 days?
jhughes, 3/19/2009: Oh, you mean from ski school. Tune in Next Week.
Luv2Ski, 3/19/2009: Yes. The date at the top threw me off. Missed the "next week" part. Have a great trip
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