How to beat cabin fever — hitting the slopes at Cockaigne
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3/10/2007 - For many people a cold winter day can become a precursor for depression. Usually, by February, cabin fever sets in and the effects of being snowbound begin to take their toll. The best medicine is getting out into the sunshine — even if the daily high temperature is only 10 degrees.
Last Saturday was a typical, dreary winter day. The sky was gray and overcast as snowflakes flew and a bitter wind chill made me think twice about leaving the house.
The night before, I had made plans with my friend, Linda Johnson. We would meet at Cockaigne Ski Center for a quick lunch and an elusive drink — something we have joked about for many years, but never accomplished.
The Ski Center in Cherry Creek offers the perfect location for getting outdoors and being with people in a family atmosphere. Little did I know my trip to Cockaigne would become a full-fledged learning experience.
During my conversation with Linda, she mentioned the events scheduled at the Ski Center that day: an afternoon ski race and an evening party hosted by the Southern Tier Brewing Company were slated. Count me in.
''Don't tell me you're finally coming to ski,'' Linda teased. ''I'll have to notify the ski patrol so you don't hurt yourself or some innocent skier.''
Linda knows me well. We go way back — to the time when President Gerald Ford visited the Ski Center and even before. She knows that I don't ski. I fall, I slide, I tumble and more often I crash into things. Whatever I try to do on skis can never be confused with skiing.
When I arrived there was an excellent base of beautiful fresh snow and the trails were hopping with skiers. Following a very slow start to the season, the recent freezing temperatures and several feet of natural snow were a welcomed sight at the Ski Center.
Still teasing, Linda introduced me to several members of the ski patrol. One member, Mike Eaker, is a good friend and is always quick with a smile and a joke. Like the other ski patrol members he is serious about protecting people — he's been doing it since 1976.
Mike's daughter, Kory, is a snowboard instructor at the Ski Center. His son, Casey, was taking part in the ski races. They are a family that skies together.
With his usual, outgoing nature Mike offered to give me a short tour as a ski patrolman and I accepted. We hit the trails, keeping to the edges and watching skiers and Mike talked about what the ski patrol does. In a nutshell, these remarkable people keep the slopes safe; attend to injuries and save lives.
Fritz Worosz, another ski patrolman, was also on duty and on the slopes — as he has been since 1964. When Fritz started working at Cockaigne its beautiful European ski lodge wasn't built yet. Skiers and patrol members huddled in heated tents at the bottom of the slopes. Forty-three years later, Fritz is still tending to the needs of Cockaigne's patrons, only the tents are gone.
There were no injuries to attend during my patrol, just lots of people having lots of fun. No cabin fever here.
I quickly realized that Cockaigne's ski patrol members blend into their surroundings. They do their job well and are largely unnoticed. Their emergency medical training is extensive and they make it look effortless. In 2003, the local ski patrol members received national recognition as a first-rate team of professionals — a hard earned and well deserved honor.
The small communities of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Warren Counties are full of interesting places like Cockaigne Ski Center and remarkable people like Linda Johnson, Mike Eaker and Fritz Worosz.
When was the last time you canoed on Lake Chautauqua, checked out the view from Jake's Rocks above Kinzua Dam, or visited with friends at Midway Park or the Salamanca Rail Museum?
Stick with me during the weeks ahead and I'll re-introduce you to the people and places that entertain locals and tourists alike while bringing character and charm to our hometowns
Last Saturday was a typical, dreary winter day. The sky was gray and overcast as snowflakes flew and a bitter wind chill made me think twice about leaving the house.
The night before, I had made plans with my friend, Linda Johnson. We would meet at Cockaigne Ski Center for a quick lunch and an elusive drink — something we have joked about for many years, but never accomplished.
The Ski Center in Cherry Creek offers the perfect location for getting outdoors and being with people in a family atmosphere. Little did I know my trip to Cockaigne would become a full-fledged learning experience.
During my conversation with Linda, she mentioned the events scheduled at the Ski Center that day: an afternoon ski race and an evening party hosted by the Southern Tier Brewing Company were slated. Count me in.
''Don't tell me you're finally coming to ski,'' Linda teased. ''I'll have to notify the ski patrol so you don't hurt yourself or some innocent skier.''
Linda knows me well. We go way back — to the time when President Gerald Ford visited the Ski Center and even before. She knows that I don't ski. I fall, I slide, I tumble and more often I crash into things. Whatever I try to do on skis can never be confused with skiing.
When I arrived there was an excellent base of beautiful fresh snow and the trails were hopping with skiers. Following a very slow start to the season, the recent freezing temperatures and several feet of natural snow were a welcomed sight at the Ski Center.
Still teasing, Linda introduced me to several members of the ski patrol. One member, Mike Eaker, is a good friend and is always quick with a smile and a joke. Like the other ski patrol members he is serious about protecting people — he's been doing it since 1976.
Mike's daughter, Kory, is a snowboard instructor at the Ski Center. His son, Casey, was taking part in the ski races. They are a family that skies together.
With his usual, outgoing nature Mike offered to give me a short tour as a ski patrolman and I accepted. We hit the trails, keeping to the edges and watching skiers and Mike talked about what the ski patrol does. In a nutshell, these remarkable people keep the slopes safe; attend to injuries and save lives.
Fritz Worosz, another ski patrolman, was also on duty and on the slopes — as he has been since 1964. When Fritz started working at Cockaigne its beautiful European ski lodge wasn't built yet. Skiers and patrol members huddled in heated tents at the bottom of the slopes. Forty-three years later, Fritz is still tending to the needs of Cockaigne's patrons, only the tents are gone.
There were no injuries to attend during my patrol, just lots of people having lots of fun. No cabin fever here.
I quickly realized that Cockaigne's ski patrol members blend into their surroundings. They do their job well and are largely unnoticed. Their emergency medical training is extensive and they make it look effortless. In 2003, the local ski patrol members received national recognition as a first-rate team of professionals — a hard earned and well deserved honor.
The small communities of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Warren Counties are full of interesting places like Cockaigne Ski Center and remarkable people like Linda Johnson, Mike Eaker and Fritz Worosz.
When was the last time you canoed on Lake Chautauqua, checked out the view from Jake's Rocks above Kinzua Dam, or visited with friends at Midway Park or the Salamanca Rail Museum?
Stick with me during the weeks ahead and I'll re-introduce you to the people and places that entertain locals and tourists alike while bringing character and charm to our hometowns
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com
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