Nomad Life - Day 171

With a huge winter storm inbound and important Winter Olympics coverage on the docket, I had planned to get up early to maximize my outdoor time.  However, I again slept later and wasn't awake until 0715.  Fortunately, I had just enough time to get ready for Mass at a nearby Parish and left Kelly & Steve's house at 0745.  Outside, it was 31 F and overcast, with a light snow falling.  I only had to drive about 1.5 miles (it would have been quicker to walk across Buckingham Park (behind Kelly's neighborhood) to St. Dunstan's Catholic Church.  Mass began at 0800 and, after so many interesting and unusual services that I've seen as part of my Nomad Life, it was kind of bland.  When it was over (0845), I returned to Kelly & Steve's to find them already watching the Olympic Gold Medal Game between the USA and Canada.  The first period had just ended and the USA was leading 1-0.  While the second period was going on, we ate breakfast (Taylor Ham, bagels and cheese sandwich, with a side of hash brown casserole).  All the food was very good and we topped it off with Mimosas.  Megan came by at one point and watched the game with us and was on hand to see Canada tie up the game.  Everyone was feeling a bit apprehensive by that point but the tension was broken when Megan left to get her sister (Maura) at the airport.  The third period ended with the game still tied and I went into the other room to get some work done on my computer.  About five minutes later, Kelly and Steve started cheering loudly - the USA had won the Olympic Gold medal in Overtime!  From that point, the "hockey household" celebrated wildly and there was additional excitement when Megan and Maura returned.  Apart from hockey, I had time (just before noon) to get some Duolingo exercises completed and read a bit.  In the early afternoon, I also worked more on the 2026 Nashville Thanksgiving Plan (got help from Mollie along the way).  With all this, I got distracted and almost missed my chance to do anything outside!  At about 1500, I started to realize this might be my only chance to get in some skiing while in Connecticut because of the huge storm.  Wrapping up my personal business, I got changed and departed Kelly & Steve's to the north (using CT-83) at 1600.  I stopped for a gas fillup at Gulf in Manchester (1620) and then headed back south (towards Glastonbury) to park at the Manchester Country Club.  Starting at 1625, I took Steve's advice and skied around on the fairways.  It was not very easy due to a combination of deep (unpacked) snow, ice in places and a lack of broken trails.  The cold was a bit of an issue in the beginning but my blood warmed up with the workout and I was feeling fine by the time I got done (1725).  All told, I logged about two miles in one hour.  Not my best ski (even this season) but I'm glad I didn't miss my chance.  Back at Kelly & Steve's (arrived at 1735), I cleaned up and checked caught up on eBird and my blog.  Meanwhile, Steve started making dinner.  At 1830, I joined my friends and we ate a delicious dinner of chicken ranch tacos and rice.  The conversation and food were good and we stayed at the table until 1930.  After that, I went downstairs to use the treadmill so I could reach my step goals for the day.  This effort required less than two miles of walking and I was done by 2045.  Afterwards, I spent time visiting with Kelly and Steve in their living room - we watched lots of Olympic news (Closing Ceremonies) and ominous weather reporting.  I retired at around 2145 and spent some time reading before bedtime (2230).  Very glad to have gotten out on my skis today - bring on the Big Storm!