Ryan’s Day Storm

There was something very poetic about the weather this weekend. It was almost as if Mother Nature was crying right along with us, having tragically lost one of her most loyal followers, Ryan Hawks, last week. What had invoked tears on Saturday, turned into cause for smiles by the end of Sunday. Our hearts and souls, as well as our ski area rode a wild emotional roller coaster this weekend, but I think all parties involved would agree they now feel refreshed, renewed and completely ready for the road ahead!

Saturday, the service held at the First Congregational Church in Burlington brought Ryan’s vast group of friends and family together and with the tears can the first bit of rain. By early Sunday, the tears were now steady and it was as if the mountain itself was in mourning, but several hundred of Ryan’s friends and family came out nonetheless to celebrate a soul we will never forget with a mountain top service and ski a run in his honor. We hugged and cried and got soaking wet. We dedicated chair #78 on the Single as Ryan’s Chair and we put a Flyin’ Ryan bumper sticker above all other stickers in the bar. And then we went back out into the rain and sleet and skied because that’s what Ryan would have done. By the close of the lift on Sunday, we had found peace with Ryan’s passing and Mother Nature was crying tears of joy and snow for us.

Lots and lots of tears; 12-16 inches as of this posting and it’s still coming down. I heretofore dub this the Ryan’s Day Storm! What could be a better way to end one chapter and start a new one? I shouldn’t have to tell you what Ryan would want us to do with all this awesome new snow!

The forecast is calling for more snow today, then a couple of bluebird days to channel your inner Hawks and get after it. Then more snow on Thursday should get the freshening-up process going for NATO’s Telefest this weekend!

So. Go. Skiing. Right. Now.

Peace.