LIST OF CRAP TO BRING ON THIS TRIP
Picture this. You've just left the house for the bus trip. You drive all the way to the bus stop and are waiting for the bus to arrive. Just as the bus enters the parking lot, it hits you. YOU FORGOT YOU GASOLINE POWERED TURTLE NECK SWEATER! Ok, this wasn't too bad, but we all know how annoying it is to forget stuff, and I am not going to let that happen to my friends.
Here is a handy dandy checklist of things you'll be needing for this trip. READ IT - PRINT IT - AND USE IT WHILE PACKING. In addition to the obvious things, there are some items in here you might not actually think of. So check it out and get packing.
| A WATCH - Hey, when you're on any of my trips, the most important thing you need is A WATCH. The trip is a lot of fun, but it still runs on a tight schedule so bring a WORKING watch that is set to the CORRECT TIME and MAKE SURE YOU MEET THE BUS AT ALL THE DESIGNATED TIMES. Please don't keep your friends or me waiting. |
| SKI AND SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT - This seems a little obvious I'm sure. OK, it's very obvious, but sometimes it's the obvious things that people forget. So make sure you pack ALL your gear. That includes skis or snowboards, boots, poles (often forgotten), goggles or sunglasses, snowboard leash, helmet, and perhaps a ski lock. |
| SKI AND SNOWBOARD CLOTHING - OK, maybe this is getting ridiculously obvious, but hey, I'm on a roll. And as I mentioned above, nothing is impossible to forget so make sure you pack all that sporty clothing you spent hundreds of dollars on like ski jacket, ski pants, gloves, hat, long johns, ski socks (wool or polypropylene), and a few extra layers because you never know what the weather will be. Try to wear clothes that are water resistant since, after all, snow is just frozen water. |
| REGUALR CLOTHING - Let's face it. For people who look like me, nudity isn't all it's cracked up to be. So make sure you bring your regular clothes to wear all those times we're not skiing. You'll need clothes to go to dinner and dancing Saturday night (casual is fine) and clothes for the bus ride home (black tie only). Be prepared for all weather conditions. |
| A HAWAIIAN SHIRT - If you do something long enough, it will eventually catch on. The Pasta Pot has designated the Saturday of the MOK Leisure Unlimited Bus Trip to be an official HAWAIIAN SHIRT NIGHT. Most or all of the Pasta Pot staff will be wearing Hawaiian shirts, and of course, so will I. Everyone from our trip is encouraged to wear their most outrageous Hawaiian shirt. Don't be shy, it can't be uglier than mine! |
| GREEN CLOTHES FOR THE BUS - I guess this doesn't really count as something you pack, but what the heck. Since we're traveling on St. Patrick's day this year, seems like we should all wear something green. It's also worth mentioning that it is very difficult to control the temperature on the bus evenly. The front is usually one temperature, the back a different. Window seats are cooler, aisle seats are warmer. We do the best we can to moderate the climate, but you should dress accordingly. Wear layers. Light clothes with a sweatshirt, fleece, or jacket in case it gets cool. Thanks. |
| BATHING SUIT - (See above comment on nudity) - The condos have a fitness area with a hot tub and heated pool. If you're not going to be on the mountain all day both days, then make sure you bring a bathing suit so you can take advantage of these great facilities. |
| HEALTH AND BEAUTY AIDS - Now here is something I know a little about... beauty aids. Although it doesn't help me all that much, make sure you bring all that crap that makes you look and smell good and helps us compensate for all of mother nature's defects. You know what I'm talking about; toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shaving cream, razor, deodorant, shampoo, contact lens supplies, tampons and other products to care for 'that region', nose hair clippers, Q-tips, and whatever else science can provide you. Oh, and MAKE SURE YOU BRING SUNSCREEN. There may be snow on the ground, but the March sun is VERY strong. You will burn. |
| MONEY - CASH - MULA - Although I provide NEARLY everything, there are still a few things you will need to pay for on this trip. Bring cash for; breakfast both days, lunch both days (and those awesome Waffle Hause waffles), dinner on the way home, hard liquor at the Pasta Pot, admission and drinking at the Wobbly Barn or Pickle Barrel (about $12.00 to get it), and of course, the two dollars to take the shuttle home from the bar. |
| SMALL CLOTHING BAG - Since all our luggage needs to be on the bus Sunday morning, you'll want to pack a small bag of clothes to change into at the end of the ski day and keep it with you in a locker at the lodge. This way you won't need to go back to the bus before you change and you won't have to try and squeeze a whole suitcase into a teeny tiny locker. |
| CONDO SUPPLIES - Although you're only in your condo for a few hours all together, you still might want to bring some supplies like midnight snacks, drinks, coffee, milk, etc. Each condo has a full kitchen including a coffee maker. |
| WALKIE TALKIE - This is certainly not a requirement, but many of us now have FRS Family Radios to communicate with each other on the mountain. They work great and are not very expensive. If you own one of these radios, you might want to consider bringing it. We'll announce the channel and privacy group codes on the bus so we're all on the same frequency. |
| CELL PHONE AND CHARGER - Well, it is the 21st century, and although this isn't mandatory, a cell phone never hurts, especially if you want to keep in contact with family at home. Cell phones usually work on the front of the mountain (snowshed, killington, skye peak, rams head) and the bulk of the access road and condos. Cell phones do not work on the back of the mountain (bear, needles eye, sunrise, south ridge) |
| SLEEPING BAG - For those of you who have chosen the sofa bed / living room option, you might want to bring a sleeping bag. Although there is bedding and blankets for the sofa bed, that lame mattress is not always the best, and many people prefer to just sleep on a sleeping bag on the couch, Just something to consider. |
| ARM BANDS - Lots of you now own your own MOK 20th Anniversary Arm bands, and lots of others took home arm bands they were not supposed to in previous years. I bring arm bands with me, but not enough for everyone. PLEASE remember to bring your MOK armbands on this trip if you have any. Thanks. |
| DIGITAL CAMERA VIDEO CABLES - If you're bringing a digital camera, make sure you bring the cable that outputs video signals so we can all look at the pictures on the bus coming home. The return trip slide show is always a fun time. |
| OTHER STUFF - On the off chance that I forgot to mention something, make sure you bring that too. |