Sometimes You Chase, Other Times You Are Found…

“Someday I’ll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops that’s where you’ll find me“

The fair winds of adventure blew me west across the Pacific Ocean to Maui this last week. This was a business trip and I left with mixed feelings. The thought of being in such a wonderful place trapped in meetings seemed more like punishment. To my surprise, lady luck once again showed me favor and took me on an adventure that filled  my soul.

This winter I have had the good fortune of chasing solid winter storms in my never-ending quest for fresh snow and adventure. With no storms brewing on my ski horizon, this trip was somewhat of a welcome break from the endless miles being racked up on open road solo adventuring. With no expectations or set agenda for free time, the days were wide open to be filled with whatever rolled my way.

My first day with my time off, I got out of the resort. After a jaunt down the road I found myself removed from the business end of this trip and wandering around the town of Paia,The first stop found fresh fish tacos wrapped in wax paper and PBR on tap. I sat to eat and watched the sun dance with a playful sparkle on the surf rolling in. Without even knowing it, I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Eyeing the surf, I knew I was in way over my head and opted to go explore the lush forest. Finding a not so well-marked dirt road just out-of-town, I strapped on the day pack and headed down the dirt path. Within steps I was surrounded by a lush environment completely engulfed in the most unique flora and banyan trees I had ever seen. Winding up the trail, I kept pushing to the final destination, a swimming hole with a nice rock outcropping to jump off.  Soon I was at the water’s edge and with a bit of nervousness I began the swim across the swimming hole to the cascading water of a small falls. The water was so clear and cool it reminded me of the rivers in Idaho, it was total bliss! With several solid hours of adventuring it was time to head back to work. On the way back, I kept a watchful eye of the white foam chasing me down the shoreline. The next day, I knew I was in for a treat and a lot of work.

The rest of my time off I spent in Paia being chased and munched by large waves pushing so effortlessly into the north shore. Having a healthy respect for the water and an undying need to go play and experience  these big beautiful waves,  I laid my long board out and paddled out to the surf break like a wild-eyed child. In short, it has been a long time since I have been so physically exhausted while at the same time just so overwhelmed with the joy of feeling so alive. For two days straight I spent several hours paddling through six to eight foot waves smiling like a carefree kid. The rush of feeling that swell push me back towards the shore is like trying to explain first tracks on a powder day, there is absolutely nothing like it. I was fortunate enough to experience this wonderful feeling a few times. The rest of my attempts to pop up resulted comical falls,  dodging coral resting just mere feet below the water and extended breath holds as these gentle giants roared and tossed me with reckless abandon in every direction they could underwater. While not the most pleasant experience every time, there is something to be said for the absolute beauty I saw swirling above me as I waited for the wave to pass and the chance to resurface back into the sun and much-needed fresh air. I came to the realization that I’m much more solid on two planks in snow then  I ever will be in the surf, but the chance to play amongst this new playground was  worth every tumble I took.

Each night, I’d return back to our nice little digs on the island  and listen to our guests recap their day of shopping and dining on the island. I could only  smile inside as I began to realize how much adventure I was able to sneak in on a business trip. Not until I was safely nestled on my red-eye flight back home did my thoughts begin to truly sink in.  All winter I have been chasing my frozen white love and for a brief moment, the liquid love found me and rejuvenated this spirit with another fine adventure.

Sometime we chase adventure, other times when we least expect it, the adventure finds us and for this I am truly thankful -

On the Trail

 

Happy Adventure Kid

 

Pure Heaven

 

The Playground

 

Headed Home

Say Hello, Wave Goodbye……

“Is It What You Dreamed It’d Be, Locked Up In This Fantasy”  - Amos Lee

 Jackson Hole is one of my most sacred adventures. I continue to roam this wonderful place in both summer and winter, continually awe-struck by her pure ruggedness and scenery.  This time the calling to Jackson came out of  sheer necessity to chase my good friend snow north in this lackluster winter.

Having just spent a few days storm chasing in Montana, the powder bug had entrenched itself into my soul and lit the fire to keep chasing the goods. Sitting in the kitchen staring at  NOAA , my thoughts to travel south to Telluride or Wolf quickly changed to a northbound charge. Instead of the storm splitting as it has done so frequently this year, it flowed north and hung over Jackson dropping nearly 30″ over three days.

With Dylan, Chet Atkins and the Allman Brothers  filling Melissa’s speakers, it was time to head north in search of adventure! Leaving in the evening, we were able to catch the great pink hue beaming on the under-bellies of strewn clouds whipping in the wind high above the plains on the Idaho border, we smiled in the anticipation of the promise of snow!

Pulling into Jackson’s premier property brought a feeling of warmth and smile. Snow was falling heavily and in the darkness we could see that the mountain in front of us was not visible, we had come to the right place! The following morning brought a scene that could only be described by  the smiles of folks in line for the tram. We waited patiently as ski patrol blasted away at  the newly fallen goods. After getting the all clear at noon, the line trudged forward and we caught the third tram. As we exited and began our traverse down to Rendevous bowl, I go a really bad feeling. The traverse was strewn with rocks and thin wind whipped ice fields making less than a joy to ski. To my amazement and delight, once off the top, the first turns down were knee-deep and that playful feeling of not a care in the world ran completely through me!

Four hours we played on the hill, giggling and in general beaming smiles from ear to ear, the playful “whoop’s whoop’s” could be heard in all directions! There truly is no greater feeling than that of  gliding over newly fallen snow.

Having an ice-cold PBR at the Moose brought an end to another great day on the mountain. While the night life, folks and food are all top-notch in Jackson, I must say, I’m just a simple skier. I adventure to fill my soul and brighten my days with the thankfulness of a great day and the promise of another one on the horizon!  30 hours after saying hello to one of my favorite mountains, I packed the “big girls” back into Melissa and waved goodbye…..for now.

I hear another adventure calling in the wind…..this one seems to be headed far west over the ocean!

Tram Love

Feeling the Love

Chasing the Storm

Pure JH

"Home Away From Home"

Gotta Love Small Towns

"And the Road Goes on Forever...."

Adventuring for a White Christmas

Things have gotten off to a slow start here in the great state of Utah this winter. Amongst all the bitching and griping of low snow , I have to remind myself and others that there are only two types of ski days, Good ones and Great ones!

For every grey cloud, or lack there of, a silver lining & opportunity await. With little snow at the mothership ,  the only logical thing to do was set off on a solo shot in search of the fresh that had fallen in Montana a few days prior.  I loaded up the faithful adventure companion “Melissa”, juiced the ipod, waxed the “big girls”  and set off with a sense of excitement like that of a small child on Christmas morning.

Approaching the small town of West Yellowstone on Christmas Eve day was magical. The aroma of pine from  wood burning stoves filled the air and a sense of quiet and calmness dripped deeper into my spirit as each mile passed. The snow began to appear heavier in the fir’s the deeper I drove into Yellowstone N.P. and  I knew I was in for a special Christmas Eve tour.

Pulling over on a shoulder , I gazed up at a lovely knoll that was primed for a beautiful tour and some epic meadow skipping. For three hours I skinned in a  blissful quietness and tried to soak up the almost incomprehensible beauty that surrounded me. The snow was more than I could have hoped for, after three weeks of groomed bombing, my sticks finally got buried in the big white love.

Christmas Eve brought together good friends and a lovely candle lit church service in beautiful Bozeman, MT. God and I have an agreement, I visit his “brick office” twice a year, the rest of the time I believe he peers over a cloud high above and laughs at the adventurous soul dancing in this playground. He must have been content with my year, as the gift I received on Christmas Day was more than I had could have asked for.

That gift was just an epic bluebird day at Big Sky with a joyful first tram trip up the infamous Lone Mountain. I have seen this peak many times, but the chance to  finally to ski off her  on Christmas was epic. The first turns into Lucky Bowl were butter! The sun hung high, smiled and embraced us in her warmth and let us play  until the legs gave out! The powder was boot deep, the rocks were covered and the PBR was cold….We’ll go ahead and label this 36 hour sling shot ski adventure  as a great ski day!

PS…..Did you just hear that whisper on the wind? I believe it’s Jackson going into a winter storm warning and gently calling my name;)

"Melissa"

Yellowstone National Park Christmas Eve Tour

Christmas Sunrise

Lone Peak at Big Sky

Christmas Day at Big Sky

Opening Day

So it has begun! The official opening of the Can today signified the return to patrolled ski area’s for the 2011/12 season. The mothership continues to grow and is looking pretty good this year. Something so heart warming about the familiar sound of lift towers spinning, it’s going to be another great year -

A special thanks definitely goes out to the snow making crew. Definitely one of the more solid opening days the Can has had for sure and was super stoked  to run Doc’s top to bottom on day 1.

A few laps were good for the legs, I then crawled back home for a dinner of elk and whiskey. We’ll see if this little storm coming tonight dumps a little sugar for some good first tracks in the morning.

First Ride Up Orange Bubble 2011/12

Skied All Summer…….Rollin’ into Winter

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”
— John Lennon

After experiencing / surviving an amazing 2010 summer river guiding up in Idaho, I couldn’t imagine having a better adventure, I love being surprised!

Such good snowpack last winter brought just an epic summer skiing experience up in Colorful Colorado. Perfect butter-cupped corn turns were found everywhere all summer in the high country! The spring / summer came to an end with a return to Utah for the winter, while super stoked to be back home, there is a twinge of sadness leaving CO.

This winter has no hard agenda, but the crew and clarity for what needs to be skied is slowly coming together nicely.  For now, the “mothership” is cranking back up its chairs on Friday for another great season!

Rabbit Ears Pass

Rocky Mountain National Park

July 4, 2011 A -Basin

Top of Trailridge

Boot Packing Loveland Pass

Hiking for Turns

Headed into winter with a quick stop for lines in Yellowstone NP