Goggle Tans

Throughout my childhood in good ol' Park City, UT, all those I love and respect have told me the importance of a goggle tan (excluding my mother... she would always prefer an evenly tanned face). They told me even truly dedicated skiers will forever be on the bunny hill if they do not receive the so called "coon eyes." Therefore, with each passing ski season I have yearned and hoped for such a defining mark on my face in order that I too may be considered a proven skier. (me, yearning for the tan last season)

But alas, my goggle tan has never come.

At the start of this season I had given up on ever acheiving the staus of "goggle tan-ee." I have skied on many sunny days, with goggles pressed to my face and nothing has ever happened.
However, last Saturday something was different.
It was a hot day. Everyone was cursing the warmth of their coats and hats. Toby's rabbit-furred hat was sticking to his forehead and I wanted to throw my coat off the chair lift. We were grateful for lunch time when we could take off the many layers that were making our tempatures rise.

(The team -- cooler and happier without their jackets)

Despite the heat, we had a wonderful, wonderful day on the hill. We got home sore-legged and tired and snuggled in to watch some "Man vs. Wild" with the fam.
After watching Bear Grylls make an oar from skin off a goat carcass, I looked over at Randi and noticed the lower half of her face was significantly darker than the upper half of her face -- the makings of a goggle tan.
"That figures," I thought to myself.

Later that night as Toby and I were driving back to Provo, he started staring at me. I looked over at him wondering what was going on and he said,
"Annie, you have a goggle tan."
I pulled down the passenger seat mirror and discovered,"yes, yes I do have a goggle tan."
WOO HOO.
A distinct curvy line separated my face -- above the line was white, however below the line was not tan but
red.

Red?? What?? Goggle.. ehm ehm.. "sunburn"?????
Oh well.
I'm still a proven skier.