Looking to ski? Chapin's for me

This space could be used to debate rim vs. gym or the red zone's relationship to the end zone, but that would be too hard.
Instead, let's go outside the building and away from the stadium.
Exploring new places sounds good, so let's start -- and end -- with cross-country skiing.
Equipment is a big part of the issue.
Not owning a pair of cross-country skis severely limits one's decision to undertake this endeavor.
Good luck finding a place that rents them. Unless you're within driving distance of "Une Alpine-of-a-Kind" or "Tres Chair Lifts," you're up a creek.
To assure equipment, you've got to rent early. If you do, add an extra day's expense. If you go same-day, your size won't be available.
You don't run into this problem with downhill skiing.
Sure, you're at the mercy of ski venues, like Boston Mills/Brandywine, Peak-n-Peek, Holiday Valley, Seven Springs or Blue Knob, but it's availability and convenience that matter.
Unless you've got a private mountain, all the downhill skis in the world won't buy you a good place to use them.
I'm willing to pay when reasonable rental is available -- on site.
I know CCers use Mill Creek's golf course and I'm sure that the MetroParks bike path isn't off limits.
I'm not trying to divert business from our area, but I think I found a great place within an hour's drive.
Actually, it was discovered by accident when my wife and I went to Punderson State Park to celebrate her birthday.
To make a long story short, Punderson had sledding, indoor swimming and a beautiful lodge, but no rental.
Off we went, farther north where a ski rental shop owner directed us to Chapin Forest in Lake County.
Nice guy, opting to give us directions instead of putting cash in his pocket. Now that I think about it, he probably has a stake in the place.
Anyway, Chapin was ideal, except that my wife fell when some idiot showing off his Olympic skills got in her way coming down a curved slope.
Chapin Pine Lodge Ski Center is located on Hobart Road in Kirtland. The phone is (440) 256-3810.
Finally, a place that will let me leave home without them.
Oh, my wife. She's 54 and sore and now "She Hate Me."
God's country
This one was too good to pass up. It comes from someone in New Hampshire:
John Madden was in Chicago to announce a football game one weekend when he noticed a special telephone near the Bears' bench.
He asked a nearby player what it was used for and was told it was a hotline to God. John asked if he could use it. The player told him, "Sure, but it will cost you $100." Madden scratched his head, then thought, what the heck, I could use some help picking games. He pulled out his wallet and paid the $100. John's picks were perfect that week.
The next week, Madden was in Texas when he noticed that same kind of phone on the Cowboys' bench. He asked what the telephone was for and was told, "It's a hotline to God, if you want to use it, it will cost you $500."
Recalling the previous week, John pulled out his wallet and made the call.
Again, Madden's picks were perfect!
The next weekend John was in New England at Gillette Stadium when he noticed the same kind of phone by the Patriots' bench. He asked Tom Brady, "Is that the hotline to God?" Tom said, "Yes, but it will cost you 50 cents."
Madden looked incredulously at Tom and said, "Wait a second, I just paid $100 in Chicago and $500 in Texas to use the same phone to God! Why does New England only charge 50 cents?"
Tom looked at John and replied, "In New England, it's a local call."
XJohn Bassetti is a sportswriter with The Vindicator. Write to him at bassetti@vindy.com.