2014 Ski For Light Regional (part 1)

Subtitle: Plan B?

It was shortly after sending out the call for applications for the 2014 SFL regional event that the coordinators learned about a turn of events that would have severe impact on how they would conduct the next several weeks of preparation. Land Of the Vikings (a.k.a. LOV) was closing for the winter! All groups who had reservations were summarily cancelled. Period. Have a nice day.

Aaall righty then. Shift to “Plan B.” Only one problem:  There was no Plan B. Yet.

An emergency meeting of the NEPA SFL/SFH board was called, alternatives discussed, and a plan of action was formulated. At no time was the word “cancel” used in connection with the event. We were going to attempt something somewhere somehow. This could turn out to be a “one of a kind” event for sure.

Ken and Astrid fired up the Buick and conducted the first part of a hopeful Plan B. The weekend before Thanksgiving they traveled to three potential venues. Their inspections of the various country settings yielded a lodge in the “somewhere” category.

Now begins the task of developing the “something” as the coordinators continue to notify the participants and inform them of the accommodations that, while plush in many ways, isn’t exactly what everybody would be willing to accept. The question comes down to: “If you didn’t bring your sleeping buddy with you, who will you choose to share the bed?”

One of the coordinators with many years in the Navy joked about “hot racking.” As it turns out, he may yet have the opportunity to introduce this quaint practice to the group. You see, there aren’t as many beds as there are people but the beds will easily accommodate two bodies. Whether or not those two bodies are accustomed to being in the same sleeping area at the same time is another matter.

These are the challenges that remain for the coordinators AND participants. Stay tuned.

Next SFL Report.