With the temperatures dipping into the low 20’s this week, I’ve been reminded of a trip I took skiing in Reno, Nevada back in 2009.

When I was younger, I would always travel with my dad to his fireplace conventions. Due to their locations, they often became family trips. With my dad working alongside his brother and father, my cousins would tag along too. That year, my cousin and I flew unaccompanied minors out to our parents in Reno. My mom and sister unfortunately had the flu, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see and experience Nevada and more importantly the snow.

We arrived in Reno late, but I remember even the airport had slot machines. I felt like I was in that episode of Full House, when the Tanners held a special segment of “Wake Up San Francisco” in Las Vegas and D.J. pulled the lever.

But, no money was being won on this trip.

The first day of skiing was a blur. I don’t remember much. I know my dad didn’t let us stop for lunch. He instructed us to pack a protein bar in our pocket and eat it. He said if he was paying for tickets on the ski lift, we needed to use them as much as possible.

However, the next morning is one I’ll never forget.

My dad had some time scheduled before his mid-day meeting and purchased passes for all of us to go snow tubing.

Everyone got their tube and went up the conveyor belt. I was the last to get my tube.

Now, don’t ask me why, but the tubes were named. They all had some sharpie scrawled across them, depicting some historic character. The guy handed me my tube, telling me I got the General Lee.

He gave me specific instructions to tell my dad I had the General Lee, when I got up to the top and sent me off with a wink.

When I got up to the top of the conveyor belt, I told my dad, “I have the General Lee.”

My dad was clueless as to what it meant, as was I and just responded “ok,” and off he went.

The tubes were designed to slide down a pathway that veered right then left, creating a maze before eventually sliding into tires at the bottom to stop the tube.

Being the first tubers of the day, the snow was perfect and slick, making the slide fast and fun.

My dad zoomed off and was giving a thumbs at the bottom, when they pushed my cousin to go next.

As I stepped up, the guy at the top said “Oh you got the General Lee!” It was as if everyone knew this General Lee tube was going to do something wild or epic, but I’m not sure anyone counted on it going off track.

As my cousin was entering the last turn, they pushed me off.

I guess General Lee decided he didn’t want to turn and he didn’t want to stay the course. Instead of veering right then left, my tube veered right and then straight off the track. It sounds dramatic, but I just shot into the air and I heard the people at the bottom where the tires were, screaming at my cousin to get out of the way.

All I could think was “wow! So this is the General Lee!!!”

It appears that was not what the General Lee was supposed to do and that was a major no-no. When I landed safely, the operators apologized profusely, but I was smiling ear to ear. It was awesome! They did not see it that way and quickly took our tubes, refunded us, and closed the track for the day.

I don’t expect us to see snow this week, and I certainly don’t expect to snow tube. But, I do hope someone out there in the midwest is having great fun on General Lee this week in fresh powdered snow.