2014 Ski For Light Regional (part 2)

Subtitle: Getting There (or Not).

Ken and Astrid had completed their mission. They found a suitable venue for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Ski For Light (NEPA SFL) program. Nevertheless, there was still much work to be done and only half the normal time to complete the effort of recruiting guides, notifying participants, and assigning accommodations.

The coordinators were in the midst of heavy duty coordinating. The board
members looked on with a mix of amazement and amusement. The potential
attendees were waiting for the communication that would allow them to commit to transportation plans. And finally the official word was passed: The 2014 Ski For Light regional event was *STILL* on schedule to happen 19 thru 26 January 2014.

Finding a replacement venue was a good break for our intrepid search team but then they suffered a couple of bad breaks. Very bad breaks. While on travel in Norway, Astrid slipped on an ice patch, fell, and broke her left ulna. Her arm is now immobilized in a cast.  After returning to the states and while walking to the mailbox, Ken slipped on ice, fell, and broke his hip. His repair involved hospitalization and surgery. Pain can be managed with drugs but the disappointment is staggering. Both have canceled their scheduled attendance for this year’s event and replaced it with unscheduled (but thorough) healing.

Nevertheless, in spite of their own limited freedom of movement (no driving !!!), arranging visits to the hospital, and other more routine chores, they provided me with all the necessary data to continue the final phases of event coordination. We will miss them severely but *their* reward will be our report of an event well executed. (Sorta like we owe it to them to have a good time even if they’re not with us.)

Astrid says that their prognosis is good and they are on the mend. The goal is to heal up in time for SFL international at Anchorage, Alaska. They are motivated and I fully expect to see them there.

As you might guess, since this, to use the terms of the twenty first century, is a
“reboot” of the NEPA SFL program, we are forging a new path in completely new territory. We thank Ken and Astrid for their stellar search efforts and the initial contact with our hosts at the new venue. We are sad that they will not share more of this journey with us but we’ll save them a slot for next year.

Next SFL Report.