Gersld Ford skied Tux?

[surf88]

Last night I heard a short blurb on the news about; when Gerald Ford vistited NH in 1975 he skied Tuckerman Ravine. Does anyone remember any details from this, or seen any film?

[elwood]

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=4842


Mayor Stanton, Governor Thomson, former Senator Norris Cotton, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

I do want to thank you from the very bottom of my heart for the wonderful reception. I am deeply grateful, and I thank you very, very much.

New Hampshire, as we know, is not the largest State. It doesn't have the most people of all of our 50 States. But New Hampshire does have a first-class record at the very top in history and tradition in America, and I compliment you and congratulate you for that wonderful record.

New Hampshire is also a State that has many firsts, and one that is probably the most important--as I was looking over the history--is that New Hampshire took action on a declaration of independence even before the Continental Congress did. And for that, I congratulate your forefathers.

May I add that over the- years, the State of New Hampshire has had a wonderful record of outstanding statesmen. Of course, Daniel Webster had no peer. But I have known many of the United States Senators and Representatives from your great State, and I can say that you can be proud of men like Norris Cotton and others.

May I just conclude by saying this, that I came to New Hampshire first back in the late 1930's. I came up here for the purpose of skiing, but in the process of going to Tuckerman's Ravine and going down the headwall, I became very familiar with the terrain.

But it is a great, great State with all its beauty, and it is an even greater State with all of the wonderful people. I thank you again for the warm welcome. It is a wonderful day, and I am most grateful.

[pulverschwein]

Also from this site:
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=4842A good many years ago, back in the late 1930's, I came up to New England-to New Hampshire and to Vermont and to Maine--and tried to learn to ski. And I recall with some pain, my first experience going up to Tuckerman's Ravine and trying to successfully negotiate the headwall. I suspect the sitzmarks that I made 40 years ago are still there.

I remember skiing at Vail with my family when I was six or seven and seeing a cadre of fed looking guys skiing down one of the groomers going into the village. I thought my bro was Effing with me (as was and is his custom) when he said "hey, that's President Ford! I heard he skis here." I never actually saw the guy (and I'm not sure if he was in office or just out at the time), but heard that Vail was his spot and he was quite the skier. I guess he must've been if he was making headwall descents on late 30's gear.

I always thought the dood was pretty innocuous (except fer pardoning that guy :rolleyes: ) but my fondest memory is this little exchange:
Prez. Ford: Say, Homer, do you like football?
Homer: Do I ever!
Prez: Do you like nachos?
Homer: Yes, Mr. Ford!
Prez: Well why don't you come over to watch the game and we'll have some nachos and later some beer?
Homer: Gerry, I think you and I are going to get along just--
[they trip in Ford's driveway]
Homer and Prez: D'oh!

His license plates said MRDUH and LIKE2SKI

How can you dislike this man?

R.I.P. Gerry

[Seeker]

Thanks for the great link and info. It's ironic that Ford was thought of a such a clutz--he was probably one of the most athletic presidents that we had. My Dad--who is a big sports fan and decidedly not a Republican--always though it was a bit irritating.

His integrity was so needed at a really bad time in our history. Who knew we could surpass the dishonesty of the Nixon years?

[PWDR8S]

Vail has been in mourning this week. It appears that this town has lost a favorite patriarch or celebrity. Tomorrow night there will be a 'candlelight vigil' on skis dedicated to him. The local paper, The Vail Daily, has had him on the cover everyday since his passing.

We could use another man with his integrity now in the White House AND CONgress.

[2plankerider]

Every politician should be REQUIRED to hike and ski the headwall....maybe we'd all be better off.:D

[yuckster]

Every politician should be REQUIRED to hike and ski the headwall....maybe we'd all be better off.:D

Why stop there... every politician should be required to huck the waterfall. I personally pledge to vote for any who survive :)

Thin the herd, thin the herd...

[davidhowland14]

Why stop there... every politician should be required to huck the waterfall. I personally pledge to vote for any who survive :)

Thin the herd, thin the herd...

agreed, let's get an amendment made to the constitution.

[BladeGirl]

http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/columnists/1167519319318850.xml&coll=1