Ski Beech, North Carolina

Justin's dad, Ronnie, had been talking about going skiing off and on during our stay and, since I knew that I could not ski because 1) I've never done it before and 2) I have a broken ankle, I was sure that he would turn down the offer like he had every year before and that we would go do something else-- something we could do together. But it didn't happen that way  and I was doomed to stay behind. In the cabin. Alone. All day.
Luckily, it turns out that Fate likes me and Ronnie suggested that I come with and watch from the View Haus, a place where people can rest from out in the cold and where the mothers with young children and the infirm can watch and wait while their relatives and friends ski on the mountain.
It wasn't all that bad to not be the one out there skiing. I brought plenty of things to keep me occupied as well as my ever-faithful dog. She ended up exhausted after the day was half over so I bundled her up and put her in the car. I checked in on her a few times before we left and she was just curled up on a blanket in the back seat asleep.

Before we left, we had to go down to the barn and let the horses out.

Justin borrowed Ronnie's ski equipment including these overalls

The horse has been let out

There is a lot of land for the horses to graze on 

The road in the background is part of the extremely long driveway that leads up to the house

And now we are ready to go! 

This is how I felt about not being able to go skiing because of my broken ankle 

We have arrived at Ski Beech and Justin and Ronnie have hit the slopes! Justin found me after he lost his hat on his first run down the slopes and gave it to me for safe keeping. I'm pretty sure I need a hat like this now.

I wandered around for half of our stay at Ski Beech. This is their ice skating rink.

These are the store fronts for the shops where one can rent or buy ski equipment.

I wandered into one shop that had a sign outside boasting: "Come shred on our ramp!". I had to investigate. This is the view from above of the indoor skateboard ramp.

This is the seedy back room of the ski shop that had the ramp inside. I especially love the corrugated wood wall in the background. 

After exiting that shop, I decided to explore some more. This road is heading towards the ski slopes.

A courtyard with more shops.

There was very little actual snow on the ground. I think that most of what was being used on the slopes was man made.

I am standing at the bottom of one of the slopes. The metal box-like frame in the picture is a place to put your skis or snowboard while you run to the bathroom or check on your wife/girlfriend/kid who you left behind in the View Haus. 

There was a side path on the slope for walking to the View Haus. I ventured off of it a bit to get some pictures of people I don't know lol

This path leads directly from the slopes to the View Haus. The netted area to the right is the Bunny Hill. 

The view from the stairs leading up to the View Haus. It was pretty fun watching people eat it on the Bunny Hill. Justin and Ronnie were on the slopes in the far background. I never actually got to see them ski. 

I sat on top of the table and noticed the view.

This is the reason why the mountain range out here is called Blue Ridge. 

I bought snow-worthy gloves as souvenirs. It turned out that I really did need them when the sun started to go down. 

Ronnie (brown) and Justin (blue) are finally coming in after a long day of skiing. 

Justin fell several times but, according to Ronnie, he got a lot better at it throughout the day.

Taking off skis has got to be a real pain.

Justin

Ronnie

Father and son :-)

Justin explains why he has to drive home: All Ronnie drank throughout the day was beer and so he was decently drunk; he kept asking for more beers out of the cooler that we brought.
We met Kim at a restaurant afterwards. Everyone had a lot of fun that day :-)