Keith’s sentiments exactly, except I do think it’s compulsory to add to the hot tub mention. 2 hours. 2 HOURS. in 12 degree weather. Beer, wine, and multi-person massages galore. It was a time capsule back to 1972 with the way we all hippied out in there.
This past weekend was something else to say the least. I’ve developed a certain fondness for snowboarding over the past 365 odd days or so but this weekend really sealed the deal for me. Friday afternoon we began on our seemingly endless adventure to Stratton, VT to ride with the fine folks of NYSG. It started off with a lost bag(containing my Mamiya mind you), Burger King outings, visits to private residences potentially being owned by Zach Morris, and a malfunctioning GPS system. Just after midnight we arrived to the Long Trail House and were greeted by smiling faces and plethora of beer choices. Saturday morning brought cloudy skies and eager riders. With a steady chill in the air we made our way to the peak; some old friends and even more new faces…just the way it should be.
We rode as hard as possible taking few breaks in between for a refreshing Long Trail ale and the ever-so-popular Jameson. Saturday night was by far my most favorite part. Despite being “mildly intoxicated” by roughly 4 O’clock we managed to muster up some energy and headed out for food. After several pitchers of water and a bbq chicken pizza later, we were ready to keep the ball rolling; dance parties, hot tub diving, childish bickering, arm wrestling competitions, failed back bend attempts, and lots of dollars later we called it a night…some of it was documented, some of it was remembered, much of it has probably already been forgotten.
Sunday morning we woke up, packed up the cars, and headed for the hill. Due to an ongoing headache I was slightly disabled during my first few runs but with the help of some fresh air I was able to carry on. As we met for lunch Mother Nature decided to answer my ongoing pleas and began coating the ground with that fluffy white stuff so much so that the gondola closed near noon. By the time we had finished our meals there was a fresh 7” inches and it just kept coming down. The days total neared a foot and with only a handful of people remaining on the mountain it was pretty much all ours. With hidden tree runs being discovered and good friends on my tail the day was one for the memory bank. There’s something to be said about the freedom that snowboarding allows…and when shared with a handful, in this case about 40 or so, good friends…well…there isn’t that much better.
With that having been said, I’d like to announce the fact that as of Dec 31 I will no longer be an employee of AOL. I have decided to make a choice in my life that would lead me on a much different path…one that I hope will bring a lot of happiness into my life. This winter I will be serving as the Asst Project Coordinator for The Chill Foundation which is Burton Snowboards non-profit program aimed at giving underprivileged children, ages 10-18, a better shot at life by instilling them with positive life lessons through the vehicle of snowboarding…what could be better?
