On other notes, I just realized that it's been exactly two weeks since my last post. Hmm, this matter of inconsistency breeds fewer numbers of readers I am sure, but what can I say? Much like phone calls and emails, I am neglectful and preoccupied with things filling the air inches away through my window. A winded way of saying the out of doors.
But don't take it personal, my appreciated family of readers, in the name of playing catch up I offer a quick list below of the happenings here on Mount Hood and in my life over the past 2 weeks. Brief as it may be, it'll have to be what it is: a whiskey induced rant influenced by some loud Van Morrison and encouraged by tired legs after a solid day of planks attached to old ass, packed out ski boots.
That should front load the following nicely. In no particular order, game on.
Two nights ago I received a message from some college friends, whom I haven't seen in three and a half years (since their wedding in Lutsen) informing me they decided to take an impromptu vacation to Mount Hood, and were in fact at that moment, in Welches. This small mountain community happens to be only a few miles down the highway from me. I thought she was bullshitting me for the first few reads of the text. We connected yesterday for snowshoe hikes to Trillium Lake and Mirror Lake, with beers and lunch at the Brewpub in between.
The previous week it dumped snow up here at the rate of last seasons record setting accumulation, heavy but deep early in the week and progressively getting lighter, and still deep, towards the end. I snuck some tree turns in at the Bowl on Wed night, at the far reaching edge of the night lights, and took some fun and messing falls in heavy freshies, loving every moment of getting tossed.
On Thur night, after catching up with a high school buddy and after finding out my friends were near by, I dragged Tischer out into the 2-3 feet of newly fallen snow for a night ski tour out back. Not knowing trail conditions, and guessing I'd be breaking trail most of the way, I left my skinny skis behind and strapped skins onto my Alpine Touring skis. We set out traversing the Crosstown trail and took an uphill turn to follow the Glade trail towards Timberline Lodge. Not far from where the Glade parallels the Alpine trail closely, I took T on a goose chase through the real deep stuff.
No trail, little shelter, just tall trees and the glow of undisturbed white crystals shining under the partially clear sky. Glorious! Keeping a close eye on T and tree wells, we wove our way through the forest for the next 90 minutes, eventually reconnecting with a part of the Crosstown trail. Back to the cabin, Tischer drank a bowl of water and went to bed. I greeted a couple of alumni and enjoyed vegi pad thai with them, then slipped into bed myself.
Hmm, what else?
The previous Thur and Fri, I had Kirk and Julia as visitors from Ptown. Hadn't seen them since before they left for North Carolina a year(?) ago. We boot packed up Tom, Dick & Harry on a blue bird day when no one else was around, taking in a spectacular view of the Cascade Range, including Jefferson, Hood, Rainier, Adams, and St Helens. We also got some serious Dominos and Cribbage time in, along with some fine beverages. Such great company to have in those two! Set my weekend up perfectly.
Speaking of weekends, I spend the day skiing at Meadows with the Ski class on Sat, and split early to head down to Ptown to take a group of student Go-carting. I think it has honestly been at least a decade since I last drove a go-cart. Burritos, Malibu Raceway in Beaverton, and beer at the Basement Pub with my friend Ashley made up my Saturday (perhaps only my third or fourth ever Sat in Ptown since I've worked at that cabin).
Sunday I was hungover. I allowed a 2 hour play session at the dog park for Tischer as a thanks for her patience the night prior, then I took a nap at Seth's house before dinner with Ashley. Afterwards we played trivia at the Basement Pub.
About all that pops into my head for the days preceding this is a noon patrol Bill, his brother-in-law, and I did on President's Day. You can read about it when this month's Mountain Time's comes out in a day or two. Long live the noon patrol.
Probably more to tell, certainly no less. It's 7:33PM. Van has given way to a few well placed Bob Dylan tunes. Time to manipulate my face into a classy looking 'stache. "What the hell is that on your upper lip?"
Dirt.
The previous week it dumped snow up here at the rate of last seasons record setting accumulation, heavy but deep early in the week and progressively getting lighter, and still deep, towards the end. I snuck some tree turns in at the Bowl on Wed night, at the far reaching edge of the night lights, and took some fun and messing falls in heavy freshies, loving every moment of getting tossed.
On Thur night, after catching up with a high school buddy and after finding out my friends were near by, I dragged Tischer out into the 2-3 feet of newly fallen snow for a night ski tour out back. Not knowing trail conditions, and guessing I'd be breaking trail most of the way, I left my skinny skis behind and strapped skins onto my Alpine Touring skis. We set out traversing the Crosstown trail and took an uphill turn to follow the Glade trail towards Timberline Lodge. Not far from where the Glade parallels the Alpine trail closely, I took T on a goose chase through the real deep stuff.
No trail, little shelter, just tall trees and the glow of undisturbed white crystals shining under the partially clear sky. Glorious! Keeping a close eye on T and tree wells, we wove our way through the forest for the next 90 minutes, eventually reconnecting with a part of the Crosstown trail. Back to the cabin, Tischer drank a bowl of water and went to bed. I greeted a couple of alumni and enjoyed vegi pad thai with them, then slipped into bed myself.Hmm, what else?
The previous Thur and Fri, I had Kirk and Julia as visitors from Ptown. Hadn't seen them since before they left for North Carolina a year(?) ago. We boot packed up Tom, Dick & Harry on a blue bird day when no one else was around, taking in a spectacular view of the Cascade Range, including Jefferson, Hood, Rainier, Adams, and St Helens. We also got some serious Dominos and Cribbage time in, along with some fine beverages. Such great company to have in those two! Set my weekend up perfectly.
Speaking of weekends, I spend the day skiing at Meadows with the Ski class on Sat, and split early to head down to Ptown to take a group of student Go-carting. I think it has honestly been at least a decade since I last drove a go-cart. Burritos, Malibu Raceway in Beaverton, and beer at the Basement Pub with my friend Ashley made up my Saturday (perhaps only my third or fourth ever Sat in Ptown since I've worked at that cabin).Sunday I was hungover. I allowed a 2 hour play session at the dog park for Tischer as a thanks for her patience the night prior, then I took a nap at Seth's house before dinner with Ashley. Afterwards we played trivia at the Basement Pub.
About all that pops into my head for the days preceding this is a noon patrol Bill, his brother-in-law, and I did on President's Day. You can read about it when this month's Mountain Time's comes out in a day or two. Long live the noon patrol.
Probably more to tell, certainly no less. It's 7:33PM. Van has given way to a few well placed Bob Dylan tunes. Time to manipulate my face into a classy looking 'stache. "What the hell is that on your upper lip?"
Dirt.
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