2021 - Alone together during Corona

Trips have been (rarely) canceled for a variety of reasons - surgery, bad weather, disorganization (!!) but this year's trip was called on us by a microscopic virus.  Christ!  So we put our ikon passes on the shelf and all did our own thing...here are some of those tales:

Frankel - Thinking resorts would not open (didn't happen), I bought new AT backcountry gear for the season.  While no piece of equipment was as expensive as Fink's googles or helmet, gearing up for AT ain't cheap.   But you don't have to buy a lift ticket!!  Expeditions for the year included Wachusett (had to poach a run down the resort trail), Tenney (closed due to pandemic).  Surprisingly enjoyed the uphill climb more than the untracked runs on the way down - but it'd be nice if I was in better shape so that I could get more than 2 runs in a day. 
Also got resort days at Sunapee, Loon and Cannon (fun to go back, although they ruined mittersill by cutting down glades/snowmaking) - all needed to be reserved in advance, with changing in the car & pocket lunches.   Good winter in Boston so lots of local XC too.  
Missed the ski trip banter, dinners and vistas in the rockies.  Will make up for it next year. 

Lowenstein- Adventured up to NH several times to XC, downhill and snowshoe alone and with Jenn.  During Feb vacation week (which ironically happened while Utah was getting pounded AND people were interlodged for 60 straight hours) here are conclusions on skiing without the boys:

1. Jen is better looking and nicer than either Fink & Frankel (there's a photo of her in the hot tub but we'll keep this blog PG)

2. Mark's $120 helmet got used twice in 2021, while Fink's $399 helmet probably hasn't moved since January 2020 

3. Albeit it was consumed on a bedside table cleared of a lamp, cost of my steak dinner last night: $26.95 (vs the one in Whistler at $150 and that was before sides)