ORS Frozen Onion 10

Get well soon

There are many things in life we cannot change or foresee. People in our lives who mean allot to us like family and friends come and go. As I type this my father faces challenges and changes in his life. He was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 32 and has lived with the disease ever since. He was also diagnosed with prostate cancer as well two months ago. Unfortunately these health issues have him in Saint Francis hospital in Hartford CT. I was able to see him and saw a very human side of my father I had not seen in some while; I think he saw his mortality and as he sobbed to my mother I could see just how much he truly loved her. I know my father loves his family but all to often we don't show or say it. Although you wouldn't notice it my father and I do share things in common, things he taught me as young child early in life that he may not know. I love old things; I'm sentimental, I love people even though I give them a hard time FYI: this means I like you that much more, sorry. I perform under pressure rather than ahead of time, yes its much livelier that way and much more exciting. I appreciate the simpler things in life like coffee and a good conversation with a passing stranger. These are all the things he taught me about life and didn't really realize it until much later. Who would? no single kid ever thinks or wants to be anything like his parents when he grows up! So as I sat there, I felt how much I love my father even though I don't say or show it as much as I should and as I felt this my heart hurt as I know I cant make my father get well. I can only love and make him understand just how much I truly appreciate the many wonderful ways that he showed me as young child how to live and see life the way he did. All the while having no idea just how lucky I truly was. No one is perfect we all make mistakes in life, there are things we may not be proud off, people we've hurt things left un-said. It's how we reconcile in the end and realize those we love and the mistakes we may have made. This is what makes us all human and allows us to forgive, forget and love. I love my father for who he is and who he helped me to become and this has served me well.

I love you dad and I'll see you soon.

Your son

My favorite Olympic athelete.

This is Liz, for all of you that don't know her she's having the time of her life right now in Vancouver skiing in the 2010 Olympics on the U.S. Ski team. Liz is someone I clearly identify with as she loves what she does and she lives life to its fullest and does it well. I'm lucky to have met Liz as she stops in at the local shop I work at in downtown Montpelier when she has time to say hi and hang out. Just ask Liz and she'll be the first to tell you she has the best job in the world which is what makes her my kind of person. May we all find that zeal and courage to follow our dreams and find happiness I'm sure its a little different for all of us but may you find it well.

So here's to Liz who I'm sure has a smile on her face as I type this because that's just the kind of person she is. May you ski like the wind and have the time of your life.

Cheers

Grrrrrr....

It was a night of poor visibility, as hard wind driven flakes stung our eyes but we were rewarded with smooth fun turns as we made our way to the bottom. By the time we descended every thing had been coated in a frozen patina. You just had grit your teeth and turn, example A.

White Gold

Well out of all the events and hype in the Olympic games I think everyone has to agree that even if you don't know the man you know the legend. Shean White is "the" half pipe master. Half pipe riders even took upon themselves this year to push the envelope to challenge White and the whole sport with moves such as the double cab cork. White not only embraced this challenge but reinvented the sport all over with his signature double McTwist 1260 which he landed on his victory run. Gold in Vancouver was all Sean White was thinking about now he has it; again.

Vonn finds Olympic gold.

As everyone wondered what would happen Lindsey Vonn ripped the downhill race of her life through the pain and injury that put all her olypmic dreams in question. She proved that she indeed is the best womans downhill skier of her time, now she has the gold to prove it.

Gold in Denim.

This was by far the most exciting morning in the winter Olympic games for me thus far. Waking up to watch Seth Wescott the defending Olympic snowboard cross champion come from behind to inch out the Canadian rider Mike Robertson at the finish, Seth took the smooth inside lines and waited patiently to reel in the gold hungry Canadian. By far the most thrilling final so far in the winter Olympics! Here's to Wescott and Robertson for one hell of a race. I think the next time I hit the mountain its going to be in some true blue Denim; bad ass.

Olympic Gold in the Green mountains.

I can attest to the fact that this moring the buzz in Montpelier and in Vermont in general was that vermont naitive Hannah Kearney brought home the United states first Gold medal in stunning fashion. We have snow and we have bumps so heres to Hannah .

Frozen Onion

If you can ride a bike and love winter I suggest you consider checking out ORS Frozen Onion. Montpeliers crown jewel is host to this years first winter bike race! Come out and race or spectate either way it's going to be a blast!

Boltron valley nights.

A late night skin after work with John, Meghan and Dudley and the unexpected late arrival of Phil and Kip! Beers, good turns and smiles were had by all as usual!


FYI: one of these good friends is always sure to show if he tells you right off the bat he can't make it, I guarantee it.

Cheers.

Doin' the humpety-hump...

Every so often I like to kick my own ass to put things in perspective. Last fall it was the Reach the Beach 200 mile relay which I ran 17 miles of. This year it has been the Camel's Hump Challenge: 25 klicks of BC touring that allowed me to discover muscles that I didn't know existed and use pain to filter my thoughts down to the basic. Thankfully it was a good crew, all moving at about the same pace, and there was significant beauty (and snow!) at elevation to keep us going.

I've found it's when I've completely exhausted myself that all the petty worries and thoughts melt away and what is truly important becomes starkly apparent. Good friends, a beautiful environment, enjoyment of life and relationships are some that came to mind this past weekend. These are things that I will try not to lose perspective on again so quickly.

Thanks Dan, Ryan, Tristan, Alex and Johannes for an amazing experience.

Back at it again.

A last minute decision to get out and get some turns led us to where we had just been a mere two days earlier and like usual we had a blast. Unfortunatley when its just the two of you a dog and a fleeting sunset there is just to much fun going on to take pictures, sorry folks.

Camel's Hump Challenge - behind the scenes!

After my solo hike, and while Tristan was out skiing, I came back and met some of the organizers of the CHC, and then helped to get the soup going.

First Solo Hike

It only took me 29 years, but today I did my first solo hike. I just wanted to see what it would feel like: everything on my terms. I hiked the Burrow's Trail on Camel's Hump, and was up and down pretty quick. It was nice!

Odin missed Tristan, though!

I hiked in my Bogs, which were really nice and warm to hike in. I also tried out my brand new microspikes, and the traction was awesome. I even saw a touch of ice near the top, but felt totally secure on the 'spikes. Here's our feet on the way back down....

It's a two-sauce day.

Today I'm making spaghetti sauce - one meat and one veggie. We're having a pasta dinner in preparation for tomorrow's Camel's Hump Challenge. Yummm...

Ahhh. This is the life.

I'm sure of it.

I'm Counting My Blessings

Odin is such a great friend. This picture is from Christmas day 2009, when we skinned up Bolton with dogs and friends and I made my first tele turns on groomed powder in my new skis. When I look through our pictures, I feel so fortunate. And content.

I think this is because I have simple pleasures. I let life be, rather than trying to jam it into some shape I think it should take. Everything always works out beautifully when you just let it. I can laugh at myself. And I take the time to be grateful for the people who truly know me and continue to love me, the blue lines of hills and pink fluff of clouds through the stark trees, my fortune at being born to a place where I feel safe and free, my strong legs, heart and lungs, the way Odin huffs and prances and smiles at me, for the feeling through your body when your ski glides through fresh snow or you feel like your bike is part of you or your legs wobble from exhaustion. I have so much. And I never forget that it can all be taken away in short time; none of this is going to last for ever. What we have is now, and each other. I choose to let it be, to enjoy it thoroughly, and to be so thankful that it all happened. That is the key to contentment: look at all that you have! How lucky are we.

Be well, happy trails!

Ooot and abooot..