Welcome, Spring.

Though it doesn't currently look like Spring out there, its certainly in the air. As I got back from a run through the snow last night, I thought, even this snow feels different. It feels like Spring snow.

Sunday, however, really felt like Spring, as did the entire weekend. Complete with deep-rutted, muddy roads and calls from the birds who have recently returned. The arrival of redwinged blackbirds, with their distinctive call, are my favorite sign of Spring. I celebrated the arrival of one of my favorite seasons by planting my seedlings for the garden and taking our first bike ride of the season.

In the garden, I'll have lots of heirlooms like moon & stars watermelon and bleeding heart tomatoes (they actually look like hearts, which can be unappealing, but they are the most delicious slicing tomato I have ever tasted). And flowers. Now that I have a patch of Earth, rather than containers on the front porch, I no longer have to limit myself. I'm even putting in berry bushes and fruit trees. And a compost bin. I'm so excited!

As for the bike ride, it was a slog through deep mud, but it was wonderful to use those muscles again, to feel the burn in my lungs, and to be out in the sunshiny Spring day. Today we will enjoy the snow and maybe some skis. Enjoy some photos from the day, and Happy Trails!

A Spring Moon Field ski

Ryan, Odin and I found ourselves in the middle of the Moon Field just as winter decided to return after a couple of warm Spring like days here in Vermont.  Matter of fact Sarah, Odin and I had just been riding our bikes the day before.  You never know when you, your dog and a friend might stumble upon the right trail, at the right moment, at the right time, in Vermont; in early Spring.

There's Still Some Snow to be Had

T emailed me at work today "I want to ride my bike!!!" We've had some warm weather, which by our standards means higher than 40, and the conditions are great for our famous/infamous dirt road rides. But my reply? "I want to ski!!! (on soft snow)." So, we skied.



The conditions were fast due to some soft-snow-turned-crust (we didn't hit the hill until 7pm) - true spring skiing conditions! And the Rossi BC 125s handled things beautifully! We ended the evening with fast shushing turns down our rural hillsides under a twilight sky with a near-full moon, as the sun set over the distant mountains. Enjoy some shots from the evening, and Happy Trails! Oh, and yes, Tristan is skiing in jeans.

Sarah knows a little nightime BC skiing....

A good work day

GMPG

Photo courtesy of : GMPG Scott Kaier

If theres one thing we like to do here in central VT thats to find good snow and this year has had its share.  Heres Kip hitting the BC like a true GMPG.  I can bet there are more than a few of you out there that are having a terrific year.

Now go out there and get it.

T.



A sad day; a life well lived.

I am sorry and deeply saddened to hear that a wonderful man very close and connected in the community I grew up in was struck and killed on his recumbent in Florida.  Gary was an incredible man that I wish I could have known better. The few times I did talk with him was a pleasure. I remember seeing Gary riding his recumbent when I was younger as he worked close to home using it as his commuter and too explore the back roads of our home town.  My hopes and prayers go out to his family and the legacy he leaves behind.

To learn more about this incredible man here's a link to read about his extraordinary life.

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Gary-Zimmer&lc=4816&pid=148497052&mid=4552665

T.

Breaking the camels back; CHC

A job well done and it's always nice when its fun.  I spent the day with a great group of BC skiers on the Camel breaking trail for this Sunday's Camels Hump Challenge.  If you haven't done it yet, this will be a tremendous year as all snow has really filled in the trail.  You can register the day of for $125 that goes to the Alzheimer's association, a good cause. This tour allows one to see aspects of the forest in and around Camels Hump not  usually accessible or seen as it traverses around the summit.  A must do for any BC skier.

T.

CHC skins...

They may be a tad short but I'm sure they will do the job. Tomorrow we break trail so all the good folks who will be doing the Camels Hump Challenge will know the way, plus not have to break trail in a banner snow year here in VT. So good luck to Sundays CHC skiers and here's to more of that sweet powder snow! 

It's been one heck of a year thus far.

Now get outside

T.

It's a labor of love.

As many of you know, I work at Onion River Sports with a lot of good folks and we love to hang out in our free time and get outside. Everyday, I get to work and there happens to be this great wall of photos of people getting outside and enjoying themselves, whether its on a bike, skis, hiking or snowshoeing . Some of the people are customers, past co-workers, even Olympic athletes that have passed through the doors at Onion River Sports, heck I even know a couple! There are two pictures that often catch my eye; the two people in the photos, embody exactly what I deeply feel about in life, " do what you love, work hard and the rest will follow." I get to work with both these individuals and can't say enough wonderful things about them. To this day, both do exactly what they're doing in these pictures from years past. Why? Simply because they love it.

     I was drawn to ORS because of people like this, to have the opportunity to work with people who do what they love and feel passionately about the outdoors. Their passion helps get other people to understand that feeling of riding a bike, sliding on snow, or maybe hiking a long distance trail for the first time. I can honestly say that ORS is a place where come five o' clock, we want to get your skis mounted and your bike tuned, but we're also chomping at the bit to get in some fresh powder turns or get that single track mountain bike ride in, because- "we love what we do and we do it often." When you come in to the shop and need a new BC ski setup or that new road bike, chances are, one of us or all of us just got back from skiing or riding.  It's just a matter of, we love what we do.
The two, young guys in the photos are our very own Jamie Huntsman; telemark skier extraordinaire- bike mechanic/nicest guy you will ever meet, and the one and only; ORS owner, Andrew Brewer.  Ask any of these guys a question, and I'm sure they have a good story or two to share.  I'm positive Andrew taught Lance a thing or two about bike racing, and Jamie, from what I hear, is the best telemark skier you will ever ski with down the slopes.  Don't take my word for it, come on down and ask them yourself.

Now get outside.

T.