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Secrets Revealed About CSC Members on Len Foote Hike!

“Walking/ hiking is such a simple way to travel. It’s probably the slowest possible way to go through a place, and that means that you see it in a much deeper way.”

“There is something profoundly rewarding about getting somewhere beautiful of your own accord and stumbling on an experience like this. When I hike, I have to physically earn the views and the experience. Knowing that I’ve accomplished something physical maybe I didn’t think I could do, or that I’ve overcome some kind of fear while on a hike, is a powerful feeling. It’s actually a bit addicting. I always do my best thinking while I’m hiking.”

These are just two quotes I found on hiking. The Len Foote Hike Inn trip is one that the CSC does every year. Young or old, stay in shape for this hike by taking short hikes over the months before the actual trip. This hike is five miles in and five miles out with an overnight rest before you begin the descent down the mountain. You will be rewarded with fabulous views, good food, sparse rooms, and the best fellowship you can find.

This year, due to COVID-19, the game room (usually stacked with over 200 games) was totally bare. So I brought some games in my already overstuffed backpack.  One of the games we played was for each member to tell something about themselves that no one else would know and the rest of us would try to guess who had written the secret.  It was so much fun with Paula Guffey becoming a perfect MC and stand up comedian to read the secrets.

What secrets were revealed?  We have members in our club that have done the following:

1. Ridden on the Olympic luge course.

2. Worked as a river guide on the Ocoee River.

3. Holds every record from 100 meters to the mile in their high school to this day.

4. Played hockey in high school.

5. Had a 1963 Corvair as their first car.

6. Was a majorette in high school.

7. Was bitten by a stray cat in the middle of a lake.

8. Can play the accordion.

9. Was attacked by pit bulls twice in the last two years.

10. Dove for black pearls in the Cook Islands.

11. Was an aviator in the Army.

12. Painted a dairy barn twice.

Of course, who did all these interesting things will remain a secret because, as always, you should have been there!

So, go with us next time,

Barb

P.S.  Thanks to Penny and Scott Kramer for bringing a card game called “Screw Your Neighbor!" So much fun!

A couple of weeks ago we had a “hybrid” board meeting, some of the board members attended by ZOOM, but most of us met in person at the Flat Duck Farm.  It went well, so we are going to try to do an outdoor full club meeting in October (on Tuesday the 6^th).  We will have social get together at 6:30 and the regular meeting will start at 7pm.  We will not be having a meal, but you may bring your own food and/or drinks.  Hilda and Willis Jones have graciously offered the club the use of their facility for this (7742 Three Notch Rd., Ringgold, GA 30736).  There is lots of room so we can spread out and have open air, even if the weather doesn’t cooperate and we have to move into the barn.  We will have chairs spaced out (and a few tables should anyone want to bring their own food).  Please wear your face cover and social distance.

At this meeting, we will be conducting the election for officers for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  As was reported in the April newsletter, Barb Wise, Nominating Committee Chair, announced the following candidates for elections for the next scheduled general meeting.

• ·       Bob Tramel, President
• ·       Lulu Copeland, Vice-President
• ·       Tom DuBose, Treasurer
• ·       Hilda Jones, Secretary

Jim Bates will be conducting the election.  He will take nominations from the floor, however any person nominated from the floor must be present at the meeting, or have notified Jim prior to the meeting that he/she is willing to serve in that position (706-537-6331 or jimbates18@gmail.com).

Concerning our ski trips: Crescent Ski Council’s Steamboat Colorado Race and Ski Camp is still taking reservations: (https://www.crescentskicouncil.org/TripFlyers/2020_Steamboat_Flyer.pdf).  Our Mt. Bachelor trip (https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3833375) has filled all slots, but we may be able to get some additional airline seats/hotel rooms if you act quickly, see Kevin Cleek (423-400-5500 or kevin.cleek@gmail.com).  Our Taos trip is full.  We are still looking into a ski trip to Chile in August of 2021 and will have limited information at the general meeting on October 6.

Stay safe everyone,

Bob

Friday, September 11, 2020 was a blue bird day for 20 CSC members heading for Bardstown, KY.  Some caravanned and the rest of the group made their way to the “Old Talbott Inn”.

The Inn was built in 1779, it has been called the oldest western stagecoach stop in America. Travelers use to arrive on horseback or in buggies, but this day in time, we arrived in automobiles.  There is an air about the place that speaks of people who have come and gone, you can feel the past come alive as you walk through the door to the very old hotel desk to register for your room.  Could it be the ghost that haunts this place that causes the internet to not work properly, or the registering process to take a very long time because the desk computer was down?  Yet it was all OK because no one seemed to mind.  Everyone seemed very happy with the really nice rooms and the mattresses were wonderful.

Friday night, 10 of our group (all that was allowed due to COVID) toured the Oscar Getz Whiskey Museum -- a must see for those that have not toured it three times on past trips.  While these fortunate 10 were touring the museum, the rest of us suffered in the bar of the RickHouse Resturant, I highly recommend the BlackBerry Bourbon Smash…. Oh my goodness!!  I had more than one.  Thank you Mitchell Moore for the recommendation. 

Saturday morning bright and early after breakfast in the Tavern Dining Room, our two vans arrived to divide the group into two groups of 10 for COVID compliance.  We began our trek to the distilleries.  This year the larger distilleries that we usually go to were closed due to COVID.  Makers Mark and Jim Beam are both owned by Suntory Holdings, Ltd. The only ones open were the smaller local ones.  They were wonderful and so very friendly and glad to have us.  It was good that the larger ones were closed. 

After a day of tasting bourbon at three distilleries, six shots at each, which equals 18 shots each, we made it back to the Tavern with time to spare before dinner.  Thank you to Jimmie Coley for bringing his guitar and singing Johnny Cash songs while we were sitting on park benches on the downtown square of Bardstown, KY.   Is Jimmie good?  Well, new member Romy Mueller asked Jimmie to serenade us under our windows at the Tavern before we went to sleep.  OK, you had to have been there.  

Go with us next time,

Barb

The latest activity to fall victim to the Covid-19 pandemic is the Crescent Ski Council’s Fall Convention and Trade Show that was scheduled for late October.  However, we still are doing what we can.  Several of us floated down the Hiwassee River on Sunday August 16^th.  It was a beautiful day, plenty of water, and everyone had a great time.  We have some other special activities coming up including a trip to Bardstown KY (September 11-13) and hiking to Georgia’s Len Foote Hike Inn (October 16-17).  It seems like it is a long way off, but you need to make your lodging reservations now for the Virginia Creeper Bike Ride, May 21-23, 2021, as accommodations in Abington fill up fast.

Speaking of trips, time is running out to sign up for this winter’s ski trips:  the Crescent Ski Council’s Steamboat Colorado Race and Ski Camp (https://www.crescentskicouncil.org/TripFlyers/2020_Steamboat_Flyer.pdf),

our Taos New Mexico (https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3833281),

 and Mt. Bachelor Oregon (https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3833375) trips.

I realize that these are uncertain times, and different people have different comfort levels about engaging in various activities, and I won’t criticize anyone for participating, or not participating in our club’s activities.  Your Board of Directors has been meeting via ZOOM at least monthly trying to strike the right balance.   In September, the board is planning on meeting in person for the first time in months, and one item we are considering is a full club meeting in October, in-person, at an outdoor venue.  One reason for this is so we can hold elections for the 2020-2021 officers.  We will keep you posted about this possibility.  One potential activity the board discussed last month was running a primarily SKI (with minimal touring) trip to South America in our summer (their winter) of 2021 (when hopefully things will be returning to normal).  Let me know what you think about such a trip (i.e. if we have it I’m on it, or you’ll seriously consider it, or maybe-maybe not, or no, or I’d rather eviscerate myself with a toothpick).

We have four new members, Sheryl Campbell, Vernon Elliot, Cheryl Hall, and A.B. Maynard.  Hopefully in the near future we’ll get to meet them in-person and welcome them to our club.

Several people have been asking about the Taos and Mt. Bachelor trips.  There are a lot of unknowns but here is some information:  When we go to Taos, the Snakedance Condos will be providing the transportation from the airport to the ski-in/ski-out accommodations.  We are being told that as of now, the resort has no plans to limit the number of skiers on the mountain.  The Taos website says:

“We are currently working on our plan for the upcoming winter. Due to COVID-19 there are many unknowns when it comes to the next ski season. Our goal is to put together a comprehensive plan that will allow us to operate at a capacity that focuses on the health and safety of our staff, community, and guests” https://www.skitaos.com/2020-21-season/2020-21-season-update. 

As for Mt. Bachelor, their website just has information about summer operations, nothing yet about what will be the rules for the winter.  Our hotel in Bend OR, the Doubletree, makes two trips each morning and evening to Mt. Bachelor in a 54-passenger bus that is only for ski clubs staying at the hotel (“regular” guests at the hotel cannot use it).  Currently we are the only ski club at the hotel that week.  We will also have private transportation between the hotel and airport.

Vail Resorts (consisting of all their properties including Breckenridge, Heavenly, Park City, Sun Valley, Telluride, et al; none of which the Chattanooga Ski club is visiting this year) has released their official policies for how they will operate in the 2020-2021 season.  I’m including it here as other resorts may do something similar.  Below are some excerpts from that letter (here is a link to the entire announcement https://www.epicpass.com/info/letter-to-our-pass-holders.aspx )

“This season we will be implementing a reservation system across each of our mountains

• Pass holders (i.e. EPIC Pass) will be required to make a reservation before arriving at the mountain.
• Throughout the season, pass holders will be able to make as many week-of reservations as their pass type and availability allow. 
• Lift tickets (including Buddy and SWAF tickets) will go on sale on Dec. 8, with sales limited based on the number of spaces available for any given day after our exclusive pass holder reservation period. This season, lift tickets will be sold with a reservation for a specific resort on a specific date.
• Given the need to manage lift tickets sales, they will only be sold on our websites and through our call centers. No lift tickets will be sold at the ticket window in resort – you may only pickup your pre-purchased lift ticket at our ticket windows.
• We will be encouraging guests to purchase in advance – though guests can purchase a same day lift ticket online or through our call centers, subject to availability, and then pick up the lift ticket at the ticket window.

We will be requiring guests to wear face coverings in every part of our operations, which includes loading and riding in chairlifts and gondolas; when inside all buildings; and during all ski and snowboard lessons. No one will be permitted on the mountain without a face covering. 

To maintain physical distancing on our chairlifts and gondolas, we will only be seating related parties (guests skiing or riding together) or: two singles on opposite sides of a four-person lift; two singles or two doubles on opposite sides of a six-person lift; or two singles on opposite sides of our larger gondola cabins.

To allow for physical distancing, we will be managing the number of people in our restaurants in accordance with public health requirements and will monitor guests coming in and out of restaurants at the entrances. Our approach to each restaurant will be a little different, depending on the layout and flow of each facility. Our full-service, sit down restaurants will operate with reduced seating, spaced to enable physical distancing. At most of our large, quick-service restaurants, such as Two Elk in Vail, Miner’s Camp in Park City and Pioneer Crossing in Breckenridge, we intend to reconfigure our “scramble areas” to have a cafeteria-style approach, where guests come in, go through a single line, and pass all the food options until they get to the cashier.

Food options in quick-service restaurants will be more limited this season, with just a handful of ready-to-go hot and cold options and no ability for any custom or special orders. We will be spacing tables in seating areas as well to allow for physical distancing while eating. We will also be maintaining as much outdoor seating as we can. Given these limitations, we will recommend that guests adjust their schedules and try to dine earlier or later to avoid the peak lunch rush. Since stopping by one of our restaurants will not be as easy as in years’ past, we will also encourage guests to bring water, snacks and other food with them on the mountain to ensure they stay hydrated and have the energy needed for their ski day.”

Hopefully the above information from Vail will help you make decisions for this coming ski season.

Stay safe everyone,

Bob

The best laid plans of mice, men, and ski clubs oft go astray.  I thought I would be commenting on the Lake Party, but … as was stated in an email blast Wednesday 7/29, the Board of Directors cancelled this year’s Lake Party.  We did not believe we could safely hold the event at this time and the venue isn’t available after the August 22^nd date.  Thanks to Jinksie Harris and Bobbi Witt for all the work they put into planning and preparing for the event.  Let’s hope the situation improves before it’s time for the Christmas Party. 

Another activity we usually enjoy each summer is handling the Arctic Zone at the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon.  Like our Lake Party, first the 2020 version was postponed, but now it has been cancelled.

What will the 2020-2021 ski season look like? I have tried astragalomancy and gyromancy but I’m sure my prediction Is no better than yours. What I do know is that I’m ready to get back on the snow.

One good thing that has happened due to the pandemic is that the Real ID requirements have been postponed to October 1, 2021.  Then every air traveler must present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license (marked by a star on the top of the card), state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or other acceptable forms of identification, such as a valid passport or U.S. military ID, to fly within the U.S.  If you are renewing your driver’s license, be sure to get one that is REAL ID-compliant, as states are allowed to issue both compliant and non-compliant driver’s licenses.    https://www.tsa.gov/real-id

We have two new members, Russell Jackson and Carolyn Turner.  Be sure to make them feel welcome to our club.

Speaking of membership, don’t forget to renew your membership when it is due, and for many of us, that was July 1^st.  It’s inexpensive ($30 individual or $45 family) and easy (you can pay on-line or snail mail a check to Jim Bates, 238 Running Oak Drive, Ringgold GA 30736). 

Bob Tramel, President

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Team Chattanooga braved the horrific travel conditions to present at the Crescent race finals at Snowshoe.  And they (well most of us) didn't disappoint.  Kev, Bev, and Ben Cleek comprised the team and loaded down the car with awards for the trip home.  Ben was the star of the trip. In the slalom race, he recorded a 3rd and a 4th which was good enough for 3rd overall.   Beverly took 4th in the same flight.  In the Giant Slalom race, Ben took 1st and 2nd, which was good enough for 1st overall.  Beverly took 3rd overall.  In the overall combined results for the whole weekend, Ben took 1st and Beverly took 3rd.  When it came time for the awards to be given, Ben once again nabbed a radical pair of sunglasses and a toboggan for placing, to go along with a very nice travel bag he won for a door prize.  But the real prize of the weekend happened when Ben had accumulated enough points over the season to win the overall "Most Improved Racer" award which comes with a brand new pair of skis - compliments of Ski Country Sports, in Banner Elk, NC.  Alas, my own accomplishments ended at safely navigating the blizzard to get to the race.  If futility could be measured, I'd have a medal, as I managed to fall six times in four races and DQ once.  But wait 'til next season.

Kevin Cleek
Race Director

You may be wondering why Mike Hood isn’t the author of this month’s President’s column.  Contrary to some rumors, there wasn’t a coup and he wasn’t impeached.  Mike wasn’t going to run for re-election in April, but because we couldn’t have a meeting/election, he was continuing to serve.  However, at the May Board meeting he stepped down, leaving me to fill in until we do have elections.  More on that later.  For the past two years, Mike has done a great job as our club president, so be sure to thank him the next time you see him.

While this has been a strange year, we are slowly starting to return to some of the things we have been missing for the last few months.  One summer activity we all look forward to is the Lake Party.  Does anyone remember when the CSC started having an annual Lake Party?  This will occur Saturday July 11^th, but since we all need to take precautions, it will be a little different this year.  First, if you aren’t comfortable attending, we certainly understand.  Also, if you have any symptoms or a positive test for COVID-19, or have been in contact with anyone with symptoms or who had a positive test, please do not attend.  Second, we will be emailing a waiver form to everyone.  Please print off one for each person, including children, who will be attending; read it and sign it before you arrive.  We will have a box for you to put the form in when you arrive.  We strongly encourage everyone to maintain six feet separation between family groups and to wear a mask when possible.  We will have servers on the buffet line to minimize the number of people handling the serving utensils. We will have hand sanitizer available at multiple locations, but we encourage you to bring your own as well.

At the Lake Party, before we eat, we will have the election of officers for the 2020-2021 year.  The tentative slate of candidates for the upcoming year is as follows:

Bob Tramel - President

Lulu Copeland - Vice President

Tom DuBose - Treasurer

Hilda Jones - Secretary

Jim Bates has agreed to be the Nominating Committee Chair for the election.  If you are interested in running for one of these offices, please contact Jim at (706)-537-6331 or jimbates18@gmail.com  

If you are like me, you are looking forward getting back on the snow.  Sign-ups for ski trips are ongoing with Taos, NM (January 16-23, 2021), Mt. Bachelor, OR (February 20-27), and the Crescent Ski Council’s Race and Ski Camp at Steamboat CO (December 5-12  https://www.crescentskicouncil.org)

Last, we have some new members - Mark Davis, Romy Mueller, Alina Mueller, Victoria Florea, Erica Lamb, Lana Swartzlander, Todd Lyons, Gail Lyons.  Let’s all be sure to welcome them to our club.

Bob

Welcome to our visitors and members who enjoy all the lifestyle activities that our club has to offer.  Again, our club will determine, by guidelines set forth by our board members, when they deem it safe for us to have our next meeting, and an email will be sent out at that time.  

We have a lot to catch up on when we do finally get back together.  The election of new officers and trips for up coming winter being the most urgent. I hope everyone has seen the email and/or checked our website detailing those trips, but it's always nice to have someone stand up there and get excited about them.     

As more states have relaxed restrictions, some western ski resorts are going to be opening back up for a short time period, and that is good news! New equipment that I have seen advertised by the online stores seems to have better pricing; it's a good time to check those out if you need anything. Looking forward for some updates we can share with everyone.  Be safe to all. 

Thank you,

Mike

Welcome to our visitors and members who enjoy all the lifestyle activities that our club has to offer. To me, it seems like time has stood still on the activities we all so look forward to enjoy in the spring of the year.  Granted, we can still get outside and enjoy more simple things, grass cutting, motorcycle riding (for those who own them), and the many other hobbies we can enjoy in a "safe distance" way.  

Our board will determine, by guidelines set forth by our leaders, when they deem it safe for us to have our next meeting, and an email will be sent out at that time. 

There is a good article that I found in The Colorado Sun, dated April 15, "The day skiing died: Inside the historic day coronavirus forced Colorado's ski industry to shutter."  Great read, my heart goes out to all those people who work so hard so we can play.   

Thanks,

Mike 

Chattanooga Ski Club Banff Adventures 2020

I am so glad we got to go to Banff.  After seeing it in the wintertime, I am committed to coming back again to see it in the summer/fall time period.  There were so many things to do in addition to skiing.  Our flight was smooth and the bus transfer was very comfortable both arriving and departing.  We arrived at the Banff Ptarmigan Inn on Saturday afternoon in time to get our skis, gear, and supplies and to have dinner at the Inn.   It was so nice to have a good restaurant in our hotel.   By the way, Ptarmigan (pronounced “Tarmigan” - the “P” is silent) is a snow pigeon that turns white in the wintertime.  The Canadians added the “P” to remind us that it’s a pigeon. 

We got free Roam bus passes to get around town, in addition to the regular ski buses going to the three main ski resorts - Banff Sunshine, Norquay and Lake Louise.  Many folks started skiing on Sunday at Sunshine.  We started off with a bang as Gene Shokes fell promptly after coming off the first lift of the day with his new snowboard.  He cracked a couple of ribs, but after a few days rest and a couple of relaxing visits to the spa, he was back at it later that week.  Tom DuBose “tipped over” as he STOOD talking to Bob Tramel (no injury and no alcohol was involved). Betsy Darken gets “Most Spectacular Fall of the Week” after her yard sale and then sliding half way down the mountain, and Judy Norton strained an Achilles tendon, but that gave me someone to hang out with after my injury as I hobbled around on crutches throughout the week.  Penny Kramer fell and then found out after she arrived home that she had a hairline fracture in her arm after completing a week of skiing.   We are “tough old birds” but we need to be sure to keep up that calcium with all these broken bones.  

Let me say, the snow was great!  Dry powder, not too deep, many times we got fresh snow overnight, and it was really not too cold.  It was cloudy on many days but occasionally the sun peaked through the clouds and the scenery was brilliant!  Kevin Cleek spent part of the week looking for a rock that he skied off of several years ago.   On the last day, Robert Haile, Bob Tramel, John Hilbrandt, and Kevin came across a sign for Rock Garden and we think Kevin might have found his infamous rock.  We have the video to prove it.  The night before we left, they got seven inches of the white stuff and it was sunny! 
 
Barb Wise was great as she headed up some side trips for those who were not skiing.  We had high tea at the Fairmont Lake Louise, "The Castle of the Rockies. Lake Louise featured a beautiful ice castle and ice sculptures around the frozen lake, 3-4 mini hockey rinks, and ice skating, an Ice bar with hot and cold adult beverages and hot chocolate for the kids.  We experienced a new dessert at the maple syrup bar.  Hot maple syrup is poured on fresh snow and rolled onto a Popsicle stick as a maple syrup sucker….YUM!  There were several delicious restaurants with beautiful views inside the hotel and every kind of gift shop imaginable.  The ladies at the high tea came home with leftovers as the wait staff encouraged take home boxes.

One group gathered on a cold morning to do the Johnston Canyon ice walk.

Since Judy and I were limping around, we caught the Roam bus up to the Banff Hot springs and used our free passes to soak in the 105 degree water.  Soooo relaxing!  In fact the next day I introduced MeShon to the hot springs.
Later that week a large group took the gondola (above the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel) to the top of the mountain for dinner at the Sky Bistro and a breathtaking view.  They had a museum and gift shops inside and fire pits and a geodesic dome on the outside to stay warm because as the sun sets and the winds kicked up, it got really cold up there!

Some people jumped on (or off?) the dog sled rides and snow mobiles.

Barbie and I went to the Buffalo Nations Museum for a fascinating movie and displays about the native peoples in this region.  As we strolled through town, we stopped at Nester’s Market (where the locals shop) and I picked up some great souvenirs.  They had great prices on Canadian smoked salmon.

Cindy and I actually walked across the Bow River which was frozen solid in some places, on our first morning hike on Sunday.

I would have loved to have gone cross country skiing or snowshoeing but the old knee just did not cooperate.  Just means I need to come back again sometime. 

Evenings were fun as we enjoyed a variety of cuisines from cheese fondue, wild meats, vegetarian, and Greek food at the Balken Restaurant where Tom DuBose was whisked off his feet by a cute belly dancer.  He did his best to show her how it’s done in Tennessee.  Earl's was a hit after a day of skiing with great drinks and appetizers and happy hour pricing!

I really hope we can do this trip again.  Great lodging, food, attractions, skiing and great friends.   You can’t beat that!

Suzanne Grueser