I have never been so excited about meeting someone close to being a celebrity. That is a semi-silly statement being that I am daily surrounded by celebrity status in the business I work. I don't know why, but I am still giggly over meeting and speaking with this woman. Her name is Bobby. Ok, I lied. There was one other time I felt 'star struck." I was; perhaps, 24 years old and living in LA [another story another time]. I walked past Tony Danza on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, CA. Don't ask me why, but I think my necked twisted to get a second look once we passed each other while walking on the sidewalk.
Anyway, we were standing in the line for the quad. There were two of us and she would make it 3 on the lift. The people in front of us said, "no," to her when she asked if she can ride the lift with her. WHO DOES THAT!!!!!! She asked me if she can ride up. Of course! I even thought and may have mentioned how ridiculous it was that she needed to have asked. That's when she told me what the two people had said to her. I am still dumbfounded by their rudeness. She immediately joked that it was due to her senior status.
On the lift we were speaking of the obvious: the gorgeous day, the cold, and skiing. Blah Blah Blah. We reached the top and said our farewell, "have a good day." Upon my coming out of the pine tree lined run and entering the area where 3 runs meet, she was waiting and watching my approach.
My friend was already speaking with her. The two were discussing pole usage with the latest ski design versus from decades past. Following another short conversation she was waving good bye and heading down the mountain. My friend and I just stood there in awe and disbelief over her skiing capabilities. She floated down the mountain. She just zipped down so gracefully. Absolutely amazing and beautiful. This little Grandma on skies was the best skier on the mountain, Saturday. Incredible.
An hour later, while walking through the lodge we met again. Of course, I stopped to tell her how impressed I was with her skiing. I told her she was so graceful and amazing. It was during this moment she casually told us she has had a lot of experience. No more details other than she was in the 1969 World Cup Ski Championship. That was enough for me. WOW! I thought that alone was amazing. She even offered to meet me later and take me up to teach me a few things. I couldn't wait. In the meantime, she was meeting her grandchildren to give them lessons. They were adorable. Little tiny bodies following their Grandma to ski. They had to be 3 and 4 years old.
This morning [Monday] I found myself searching the internet for the 1969 World Cup Ski Championship. [Gotta love Google]. The stats were listed. Miraculously, I found her name. That link guided me to Wikipedia. I read her history. She basically grew up with ski's on since her family had a mini ski resort at their back door. I also googled images. That's when I saw her with her Olympic Gold Medal around her neck. I was/am more impressed and excited now. This woman still ski's like an Olympian. No wonder.
She was truly a pleasure to meet. I can't wait for our next 'run in.' I am so happy the two people ahead of us said, "No."
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