of day, so things got off to a late start, (Okay, Rich was late, he got stuck sitting in traffic on the way to the pick up location.) but we got on the road pretty close to on time. Unfortunately, the weather didn't want to work with us. We made pretty good time until we hit the NY state boarder when the rain changed to snow and slowed us up quite a bit. This wouldn't have been a problem, because we were all having a great time, but we ran out of beer. (BEER!) Larry, our wonderful bus driver, (really he was a great guy) made a stop in Kingston so we could pick up more beer. (BEER!) We found a Grand Union that was open in spite of the weather and unloaded the bus. You should have seen the face on the poor cashier when he saw this bunch of maniacs pouring in and headed for the beer isle. (NY where they sell beer in grocery stores, isn't this a great country.)

After we reloaded the bus we still had quite a way to go, so Rich broke out the guitar and gave us a show on the bus, which kept everyone in a good spirits for the rest of the trip.

We finally arrived at the hotel around midnight, but we still had to check in and get our wrist bands for the all important 19 hours of open bar. (I think some people actually made it to all 19 hours.)

Saturday morning saw some wicked looking hangovers at breakfast, but a lot of people actually made it to the slopes. Those who didn't go skiing found other ways to keep themselves entertained. There was shopping and bowling, and of course the open bar, but Rich opted for the horseback riding. (You have to see these pictures.) When we got back we hit the bar for a few drinks and then hit the hot tub.

After relaxing at the pool, it was time for dinner and Rich passed out the official Y2Ski T-shirts. Then we all headed to the bar for Rich's show, which was only an hour long, because there were 2 other bands also staying in the hotel with their groups.

Before Rich went on we were treated to a magic show by the Amazing Victor and after Rich's show Big City played a couple of sets of funk, followed by Swoon and some solid rock tunes. The party went until 3 in the morning and I think we could have gone longer, but they threw us out of the bar.

Which was when Rich managed to get hit by the elevator doors and had me and Anne Marie laughing so hard we could barely stand when it was time to get off at our floor. Actually, I don't think Rich did stand, I think he just sort of rolled out of the elevator.

After breakfast on Sunday (not a whole lot of people actually made it to breakfast on Sunday), a group of us went tubing. If you have never gone tubing I highly recommend it. I had never been and I had a blast.

Sunday afternoon we all ended up back at the hotel to pack up and head to dinner. Then we loaded the bus and headed home. We made great time getting home, but we got to see Rich's video from this year and one of the videos from previous years.

I had a great time; Rich had a great time; and judging by the emails I've gotten so far, so did a lot of other people.  As a matter of fact, the band Big City said that they would like to do this trip with us again.  How's that for an endorsement.

Four years is a long time between trips.  Hopefully, we wont have to wait as long for the next one.

The Mailing List Babe

Thought for the Week:

Friends are the ones who know the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.