A Season in Review
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 08:53PM With the open road and ten hours of solo driving behind the wheel ahead of me, I’m left with a ton of time to reflect on the winter, the adventures, the good and bad, the ups and downs. The friends made and the ones lost. All those things that make life what it is.
Nevada, Need I Say More?
It’s funny; it’s like finishing a chapter. My mind filled with excitement for the coming winter, I drove in the opposite direction on this same road just five months ago. Now with winter almost over, part of me is sad. However, all good things must come to an end… at least for a little while. Five months later, this chapter comes to an end as I head for my Northern California home. Awaiting me are the high Cascades of Northern California and my summer job filled with patrolling the alpine of Mt Shasta as a climbing Ranger. Again my mind runs, thinking of what the summer will be like, the excitement of seeing old friends, having beers in the warm summer sun, catching up, and sharing stories of winter’s past adventures. It’s a good thing: as one door closes the next door opens.
Home Sweet Home
When you’re skiing, life is a party. If you don’t ski, start. The biggest ragers require proper directions, so find a good navigator and embark on the journey. As the sun grows stronger and the landscape begins to change from white to green, it’s time to hit the road in search of the next chapter. But what’s one more beer in the last day’s alpine glow? As I pack up my room in Utah and plan the drive back west to my summer home in the beautiful fir trees of Northern California, I recap the winter that was twenty ten.
Alta Highboy Party
Highboy
When the first snow of the winter was dusting the upper elevations of Shasta, I pulled out of town to head east for Utah and the best snow on earth. I was healthy from months in the gym, had $4 grand in the bank, a cool girlfriend, a well-running truck, a hard stomach, a healthy liver, and a sane mind.
As I roll back into Shasta six months later, I’m weak and tired, my back and knees ache all the time, I live on a steady base of Vitamin “I” (ibuprofen), I have couple hundred in the bank (I hope), a cool ex-girlfriend, a tired truck with worn down studded tires after the Nevada/Utah drive, a soft stomach after getting sick and losing 15 pounds from a month in Kashmir, and weak liver after too many whiskeys (RIP BP). I’ve drunk too much truck stop coffee, red bulls, Swedish suns, and I’ve seen the sun set and rise from the seat of my car.
Life on the Road
I wouldn’t change it for anything... I’ve seen sunrises on top of Himalayan Peaks along the Pakistan border. In the company of friends, I’ve watched the sunset on top of the gem of the Cascades while overlooking one of the most beautiful wonders of the natural world. I’ve skied 6,000 ft from the top of the Indian Himalayans peaks, arriving in small villages where little kids with big smiles run out of their homes to greet me and to hop on the backs of my skis.
Kashmir
I’ve laughed and smiled as these kids hold on while we slide through town. I’ve skied blower white room powder and bullet proof icy on the same run through the winter in Alta, Snowbird, Shasta, and the most remote peaks in Kashmir. I’ve survived, thrived, and even come out smiling. I’ve skied on the other side of the world and returned home to ski some of the best snow of my winter.
Kashmir
Kashmir
I’ve drunk like a teenager, only to feel like an old man the next morning. I’ve smoked Kashmir hash and consumed copious amounts of coffee. When the bank account was still fat, I drank cold Stella with friends in the last hours of the evening glow
Sunrise in Kashmir: On Top of the World
I’ve learned that audio books are a must for Nevada and mystery novels are the best (truck stops offer the best selection). I’ve learned that I don’t need to travel half way around the world to find good snow; I just have to know where to look. I’ve learned that being present is a must in the India international airport and I have learned to never drink the water. Furthermore, I recommend that if you find yourself in Delhi on March, then you “do as the Romans do” or should I say “do as the Hindis do” and celebrate “Holy Day,” the celebration of color.
Holy Day, Delhi
I learned that 3.2% beers aren’t that bad with a shot of tequila in it and that 3.2% still tastes pretty good after a day of shredding. I reaffirmed that the best coffee is organic and fresh, but instant isn’t bad if it’s all you’ve got. I’ve learned that if I eat Indian anytime soon, then it will be too soon. And I’ve discovered that God made you man, but the tailor makes you a gentleman.
As the days get longer and spring becomes summer, I will soon be daydreaming of winter. I know that it will only be a matter of time before I crave that life again.
So, bring on this next chapter that is filled with warm summer days.
I know it won’t be long before I wish for those cold nights and the excitement of the first powder days. It is only a matter of months before I’m trekking back across Nevada for Utah… But first thing is first: bring on summer.
Reader Comments (3)
well said Forrest!
Yeah Buddy. Well said. Love your spirit.
Have fun!!!
good stuff, dude. but hey, it could be worse like living in a city or should i say going through hell.
zurich, switzerland