Photos by:

Barb Carpenter

Co-chairs:

Barb C (ULLR) & Carol L (Traverski)

All 55 of us

ULLRs are in front,

Traverski is in the back

This Giant’s Ridge trip was a little different from the rest as we shared a 57 passenger bus with another ski club.  The bus rolled in from Rochester on time Friday, February 25th.  27 ULLRS climbed aboard to meet 26 new friends from Traverski - 4 more ULLRS drove up to Giants Ridge.  We feasted on Jimmy’s submarines, chips and apples with plenty of beverages to go around.  Traverski introduced us to various flavored Jello Shots and described the technique to make these unsuspectingly strong (as in spiked) sliders – they were yummy!  We arrived in our comfortable condos in the Lodge around 9:00.

Skiing was cold both days, but the snow was great and well groomed.  We had sunshine on Saturday and fresh snow on Sunday.  All had fun talking to our old and new friends in the bar/restaurant in the chalet while warming up in-between runs.  A delicious Lasagna dinner on Saturday night was enjoyed by all in a private room at the Lodge.  Many Traverski members and a few ULLRs were shuttled to the R Bar in Biwabik for dancing and socializing.  The only downer on the trip was frozen lines in our bus which delayed our return to Mpls and Rochester, but all took it in stride.  We had plenty of room in the Lodge lobby, bar, and restaurant for more socializing, playing cards, reading, dozing and getting the group together for a photo.  We arrived at Honeywell’s parking lot very late Sunday evening to find our cars frozen and covered with snow (which is par for the course).  I’m hoping the Rochester people caught up on their sleep for the remainder of their trip.

Carole (chair from Traverski) and I believe this was a successful joint trip and recommend that we try it again in order to fill our buses for weekend ski trips.

Barb Carpenter