Visiting the ski resort, etc.

Saturday Tammy and I were out and about.  For us it was an early start to a full day as I wanted to attend the annual meeting for my credit union. I wanted to know how the credit union was holding up as the Flathead Valley is suffering.  January's unemployment rate for the County went up 2% to now be 14.1%.  That's not counting all people who are now working in North Dakota.  Even the credit union president mentioned North Dakota.

The meeting had lots of boring financial numbers but they had an excellent food buffet with delicious quiche, muffins and varieties of fruit.  By the end of the two hour meeting we were full.  Our temptation was not helped as we arrived late and had to sit in the back near the food.

We visited the Whitefish branch of the County library and I found a couple movies to borrow.

The day was sunny, the wind calm, and the temperature warm (low 40s F).  I had never visited the Whitefish Ski resort in the Winter so we drove up Big Mountain to the resort.  On a beautiful Saturday I expected the place to be packed and it wasn't.  I also noticed a number of condos were empty.

We spent a little time around the chalet watching the skiers and snowboarders.  Lots of snowboarders.  The people on the slopes tended to be on the younger side.  Inside the bar/restaurant it was crowded as it was late lunch time and people were having their burgers and beer.

 The previous photo doesn't capture the elevation change so I included the pre-stitched photos below.  When you click on the photos you can see them in a large size and get a little better understanding of the elevation change.

We stopped at the Whitefish Mountain Mall to check out the craft/gift show being held there.  Tammy wanted to check out the scene for her Homemade Gourmet business.   The craft/gift show - and the mall itself - was dead.  I think we were the only customers there. Not many people were selling craft items and it seemed most of the mall was vacant of stores, and the few that were open had no customers.  It was bad.

Just before the sun set we went for a several mile walk around the neighborhood.  In the evening we stopped at the monthly Contra dance held at the Salvation Army gym.  Tammy had never heard of or seen contra dancing.

There were lots of beginners at the dance and half the time was spent teaching the dances.  Some people got the steps faster than the others which made the dancing, once the music started, both confusing and funny.

No, we're not laughing at you.

With Tammy's fractured shoulder she couldn't participate in the dance so after an hour we left as Tammy had got the concept of contra dancing by then.

Then we watched one of the movies I had borrowed earlier, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, before crashing around midnight.