I was having a rough week, so the guys decided to cheer me up with a good old fashioned guys weekend. But this was no typical guys weekend…
We left Saturday morning and headed for my friend’s parent’s place. When we arrived, we were greeted by nearly a dozen Baby Boomers. Apparently they were having a reunion of sorts…a 25 yr or 30 yr reunion (I can’t remember what the time frame was) for a mission’s group that they served in down in Louisiana.
Our original plan was to go skiing that afternoon when we arrived, but we were soon engrossed in the faith based conversation and couldn’t tear ourselves away. It was like a roundtable of wise spiritual counselmen – so we postponed our ski trip for the next morning. So that we wouldn’t miss church that weekend, we went to LCBC’s (Lives Changed By Christ) Saturday evening service and heard a message on ‘the Men that God designed us to be’. How appropriate for a guys weekend…
But let’s take a step back to before our guy’s weekend began. Humble Franco thought it appropriate to share his skills with me and C-dog. Here’s an email he sent to us:
I don’t want to intimidate you guys but I attached a couple pics of me skiing.
Best Regards,
Franco Saladino
So I decided to unveil my secret:
Franco,
Don’t worry. Those photos don’t really intimidate me. It’s just a little weird that you’re going to wear those tights though. Oh, and the other photo is just a picture of someone else anyway. There’s no proof its you. Here are some REAL photos of me thrashing the mountain that will intimidate you though.
Nathan Fitzgerald
It was only appropriate at that juncture for C-dog to show us his skills. He emailed us the following photo. He was a little more humble.
We struggled to get up by 8am and out the door on Sunday morning, but when we finally made it to the slopes, it was the perfect end to the perfect guys weekend.
Journey down the mountain with us through our videos:
Guy’s weekend in Mennonite country included our Olympic debut at Round Top ski resort in Pennsylvania. Here’s a goofy video of me videoing myself as we go down the mountain.
Check out the major air that Franco caught as he hit his very first ramp at the snowboard park. He’s a natural athlete.
After a long day of skiing, Franco decides to take a nap on a soft bed of ice.
The Calm Before the Storm 
Wow Nathan. YOu must be good. I can only concentrate fully on my own skiing, let alone videoing anyone else while I ski and then videoing yourself while skiing! Great skill.
I surprised myself (and no, I’m not that good). I think I just lucked out and didn’t hit any major mogules or anything.
awesome stuff.
What’s up Darren? Good to see you (virtually). Hope you’re well. Been thinking lately about the “Band of Brothers” meetings we were having. Would like to get back to something along those lines…even if it’s just hanging. Interested?
btw Darren, I was just thinking about you the other day. Hope you are well!
how cool beans! I loved the video
Thanks for sharing some great stuff from your guys weekend! Loved the videos and your pictures were great too. Leave it to Franco to start a competition among friends with his e-mail and obviously photo-shopped pictures! I think Curt sure showed him though!!!
Sounds like a great weekend all around though, particularly on your arrival and how God truly intervened with the conversation and evening service. Rough week? Looks like your weekend made up for it!
Awesome weekend it sounds like. some friends and I are going to Liberty mtn. on the 13th.
That’s great! Have fun. I haven’t been to Liberty this year, which is a shame since its so close. You going snowboarding? Or skiing?
Greetings Nathan Thanks so much for sending me this update of things you are doing. Sounds like a great weekend to me. Yes, I believe you are a super skiier…I don’t ski but you seemed pretty comfortable. The spiritual part of your weekend was nice also. I never check my email..seriously it happens every month. But tonite…I thought of you and just decided to check for you here…luck was with me…there you were. Sounds like you are doing well. We miss you and pray for you and your endeavors. Wish I weren”t old…I’d ask you to teach me to ski…haha