Thursday, November 10, 2011

Too many choices




When our kids were younger and we were all enjoying Alpine Skiing, we made many trips to Joe's Sporting Goods and got excellent service.  It's been about 20 years since I've been on downshill skis, but decided that instead I'd give Cross Country skis a whirl again, esp since my original skis are way outmoded.  A visit to Joe's in its new location (established 8 years ago...wow! it's been a long time since I've skied anywhere!!) was a revelation in new designs and equipment.  With so many dizzying choices, I relied on Gene, a knowledgeable salesman and an active retiree who decided that retirement was not for him.  Despite numerous hobbies and interests (biking, gardening, skiing), he has been working at Joe's for 8 years, right after the store's new location opened. I think he'll guide me to the right package for my Christmas present....Now the camera store...

17 comments:

Olivier said...

ca sent bon bientot la saison de ski ;)

Mimmu said...

Are you going to start again ?
Is there any snow on the hills?
Our skiing centers have disappointed
for lack of snow this autumn. Snow is really late here now.
Nice Thursday to you Kate!

Steffe said...

It's been 27 years for me!

Kathy said...

I always admire your shots of people at work.

Jim Klenke said...

I kinda thought skis were all the same. What a great selection.

Sharon said...

Good for you! You will be getting some exercise this winter!

Arnab Majumdar said...

You should always keep people with such passion for life close at hand :)

Cheers,
Arnab Majumdar
ScribbleFest.com

Lynette said...

I can't imagine skiing. in any shape or form, much less deciding what to buy--without the special help which Gene gave to you.

The round white object on the girl's back was a shallow drum which she surely balances on her crossed legs as she sits somewhere.

Don't unplug your hub said...

Take care on those ski's Kate.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Excellent decision to resume cross country skiing. Equipment does change. When I tried downhill skiing after many years away from the sport, no one would service my bindings because they were outmoded and their liability insurance would not let them do so.

Be careful, or you could end up with an arm or wrist in a similar condition to the potter that you showed yesterday

By the way, my years away from skiing were caused in part by the fact that a wicked fall while skiing was responsible for 29 stitches in my face. But that was when I was young and at times foolish. Now I am old and at times foolish.

P.S. Fortunately, the scar is largely hidden by my eyebrow and glasses, and the eye socket, where my face was split open to the skull, is the strongest part of the skull, so everything was healed except my ego.

Lowell said...

For some reason I don't think you'd find this kind of merchandise available in such quantities in Ocala.

I haven't skied since a child which, as you know, was the Dark Ages. Don't want to try again, either. One torn-up knee is enough for a lifetime!

What are you going to buy at the camera store. If a camera, check out kenrockwell.com first ... fantastic site!

Halcyon said...

My husband and I are also thinking of taking up CC skiing this winter. Did you go for the freestyle or traditional style bindings? I think I will rent a couple of times before buying though.
Hope you enjoy it!

Leif Hagen said...

Your photo reminds me that I should get some new cross country skis!

Jack said...

I am definitely not a skier, although I have occasionally gone cross country skiing. Hope you like your new skis.

Kim said...

Cross-country skis and cameras. A woman after my own heart.

Randy said...

I need to learn how to ski. Nice shots!

JM said...

Have never done skiing in my life, I would be completely lost there... :-)