she tells it so much better...

We didn't plan to head back to the Peak on our anniversary weekend, but it turns out we were just a few days ahead of the 3-year mark - best of all, we shared it with the best man! Thankfully, Sean's wife Melissa was willing to fly from Chicago to Cleveland and ride with us over to the Peak. Why wouldn't she be willing you ask? 1) Who does that other than Sean? 2) She has met me twice - my wedding and hers 3) She had a less-than-desirable first snowboarding experience

She opted to board so I was of no instructor use to her and I remained the only skier in the group, but I was still thrilled to have her make the trip and even more thrilled that this snowboarding experience was much better than her last. Todd and I picked them up from the airport and in a matter of minutes after arriving back at our house, the three of them were in a heated ping pong battle. With no one on the injured list, we headed to the Peak in the morning.

Melissa and I were sure of one thing - the two of us were NOT willing to brave the sub-zero temps on the slopes for the first evening. Worked out perfectly - we were upstairs chatting and ready to head to do something... about 4 hours later, we hadn't moved and were still chatting it up when the guys returned frozen and ready for the hot tub. I've never been more thankful that I asked someone how they met - I assure you that I asked Sean this question before... oh boy, she tells it SO much better. I'm so happy that Sean turned on the charm - she is fantastic.

We stayed true to our Peak rituals for both nights of our visit - First: hot tub / Second: The Tavern / Third: Regency Pub. Nothing particularly memorable about this photo from the pub - but really... how awesome is the Heisman squirrel shirt?


One of the perks to not giving up on her snowboarding efforts? Burton! We love the Clarkes and their mad t-pain app skills. They have plans to move out of the city soon - I just wish their plans included Cleveland instead of Indy.



This guy was at the Regency both nights wearing the same sweater - we were pretty entertained. He reminded us of Cousin Eddie.


While the Clarke iPhones came in handy a few times that weekend, we did not need them to know it was COLD! It got colder, trust me.


While the window seats at the pub are enticing, they are less than warm. Sean borrowed my hat and instantly became LL Cool S (that's short for Ladies Love Cool Sean instead of James for the rap genre challenged).


The Musacchios. Todd had a few too many "Caucasians"...


The Clarkes. Ah, the spiked coffee/cocoa drinks in the green mugs. I have a permanent addiction to the Ski Lift - I make them at home now - cocoa and buttershots. Yum.


I hope the Clarkes are up for repeat visits to the Peak! I'll probably start in October with remidnders of the wings, fried pickles and other health food at the Tavern. That should do the trick! I don't think she'll want to return to the slopeside diner "Sugar'n House" (affectionately known to Todd and I as the "Sugar'n Louse")... we had pretty much the worst service you could imagine. By the end of the trip, I knew I liked Melissa - but when she told the 'head up his arse' server of ours to "go get his manager and come back", I was in love. You're a bad ass, Mrs. Clarke.

dis shakes - who dis be?
jamie