Weekend of Skiing and Friendship: What Made it Great

A topic that I have an almost endless fascination for is analyzing and dissecting weekends that come and go in my life. I like to think about what makes one better than the other and the people who make it so.  I put effort into coming up with things I want to experience every weekend, and the best ones are when I have a weekend guest.

This weekend, on December 8-10 2023, I enjoyed hosting one of my oldest friends, Harry Garton, for two nights. Part of the fun for me was that we just renovated and completely updated my guest room. I have to give a hats off to Kim for her ideas and help with making this so nice.  Harry was our first houseguest.

Harry arrived around 6:30 and I prepared a groaning charcuterie board to welcome him and soon we were chatting like old times. We met up with another man from my NMH days, musical friend Joe O’Rourke, and we drove up to my favorite restaurant, Hope and Olive.

Conversation between three men with lots to say but a lot of interest in eachother is the best. It flows, and it’s refreshing.  Hope and Olive when you’re ensconced in a booth, or at the busy bar, always feels like the right choice for good friends and conversation.

The next day we were up at 6 to depart at 7 for Stratton. What a nice drive all the way up, on Vermont Rte 30.  Soon we were pumping music through our earbuds and swooping down the mountain on packed powder with limited ice patches.

The day of skiing was really pleasant, and when Harry said that his foot was in pain and we had to turn in, at 1:45 pm I was fine, so we headed down to the lodge to go home.

That night we were both tired from the skiing, so a little Chinese take out and a few homemade tacos filled the bill. An early night, and the next day a quick rise to the airport.

Another great weekend in South Deerfield.