Paul Sellew was sitting courtside when the Celtics won the 2008 NBA Championship. The next day the Boston Globe ran a full page photo of the players hoisting the trophy, and there was Paul in the background. In this photo you can see Paul on the left side of the central photo. He is wearing a blue shirt and has a big smile on his face; his head is at the same height as the top of the trophy.
For your own copy of Paul's photo, check out this Framed Print: "Sweet 17" Celtics' 2008 NBA Championship.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Invitation to view Phillip's Picasa Web Album - Minis Take The States, Boston 2008
| You are invited to view Phillip's photo album: Minis Take The States, Boston 2008
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expensive gasoline spurs some good changes
Two articles in today's Boston Globe caught my eye. I've excerpted the main points and then added my thoughts.
Grain of salt: I write this a day after attending the Boston Mini Rally where 300+ Mini Cooper owners got together just to drive their cars for fun.
--Phillip
exceprts from House hunting in the age of $4 gas: Analysts say commuters may move closer to work
excerpts from Ciao car, hello Vespa: Easy on the pocketbook, Italian-made scooter makes riding smooth around the city
Grain of salt: I write this a day after attending the Boston Mini Rally where 300+ Mini Cooper owners got together just to drive their cars for fun.
--Phillip
exceprts from House hunting in the age of $4 gas: Analysts say commuters may move closer to work
- With gas now $4 a gallon, the software executive is no longer willing to pour $500 worth into his tank each month, an expense he attributes mainly to his 34-mile commute each way to work in Wilmington, or farther, to Logan International Airport for out-of-town meetings. He is looking to buy a home closer to his employer and the airport.
- soaring gasoline prices, which have forced many commuters to modify their driving habits. Some are making fewer trips, and others are trading in gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles for compacts or taking mass transit to work. The US Department of Transportation recently reported a record drop in the number of miles Americans drove in March, compared with March 2007, which amounted to a 4.3 percent decline.
- But if gas prices continue their inexorable rise, commuting costs will become a critical factor in where people choose to live, according to transit specialists and economists.
- The first dramatic changes would probably occur for those in isolated suburbs and exurbs: the New Hampshire resident who commutes 50 miles to Boston or the Framingham resident who drives 20 miles into Kendall Square in Cambridge.
- In a survey of its agents by real estate brokerage Coldwell Banker, 81 percent said they are seeing more interest from prospective buyers in urban living because of high gasoline prices. Fifty-four percent said access to public transportation is more important to their clients now.
- A May study by CEOs for Cities, a research organization supported by government and business, said rising gas prices would push new housing developments closer to the urban core in Boston, Seattle, and other US cities, while suburbs with few transit options will lose value.
- "The market for higher-density development in close-in neighborhoods is likely to grow stronger," the report said.
- Young families might settle for tighter quarters closer to the city instead of the larger, less expensive homes with long commutes. For suburban professionals, a more expensive condo in downtown Boston might make financial sense. And baby boomers might consider giving up the family home because higher gas prices eat into their retirement savings.
excerpts from Ciao car, hello Vespa: Easy on the pocketbook, Italian-made scooter makes riding smooth around the city
- Ahead, a red light glared, and bumper-to-bumper traffic stretched as far as the eye could see. Taxis honked. Drivers sighed. Nobody was happy - except the reporter on the white Vespa who slipped into the space between the lanes and nimbly passed among the cars. Pedestrians stopped to watch, and drivers' eyes gleamed with irritation and envy as the reporter made her way to the front of the line, turned right, and zipped off on her way.
- With gas prices at record highs and the weather transformed to glorious summer, many are parking their guzzlers in favor of transportation less petrol-hungry. Subway ridership is up. Bicycles are out in greater numbers. This reporter's choice was a Vespa, the sleek Italian-made scooter that seems to exemplify the phrase "Ciao bella!"
- Would one of Boston's notoriously aggressive drivers push her off the road? Would people honk when she topped out at 35 miles per hour? Would she be eaten by a monster-sized pothole? Or would the ability to cut through traffic, park virtually anywhere, and look good doing it win out?
- As vehicles circled Newbury Street searching for a spot during the lunch hour, the reporter glided up onto the sidewalk and left the Vespa in the shade of a tree.
- Cars actually let the reporter cut in front of them. Pedestrians stopped midstep and waved the scooter by.
- It seemed like perhaps all of Boston would be a happier, kinder place if more people drove this way.
Monday, June 16, 2008
old time photos
The first photo is of Roya and me on the first day of school (probably kindergarten and 1st grade). At least Roya's socks are supposed to show.
The boy reminds me Forrest Gump or the Beaver. My friends at work think it looks like a Norman Rockwell painting.
The second photo includes Mom and Dad, and my grandma (on Mom's side) holding baby Tonja.
Thanks to my dad for taking and saving these photos and to Roya for moving them from slides to digital images.
I anticipate some good laughs looking at the rest of the photos when we visit Indiana in July.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Fwd: Good News, Bad News
The Good News is I don't have to get up at 3 AM to ride in the rain tomorrow.
The Bad News is I won't be doing the Boston Brevet 300K tomorrow.
Yesterday, I rear-ended an SUV that was stopped at a red light. My bike is OK, but I have some bruises and strains.
I rode to work today, but it was slow and uncomfortable. Not the optimal situation for a 12 to 14 hour ride.
My plan is to do the 300K route on my own sometime this summer.
The Bad News is I won't be doing the Boston Brevet 300K tomorrow.
Yesterday, I rear-ended an SUV that was stopped at a red light. My bike is OK, but I have some bruises and strains.
I rode to work today, but it was slow and uncomfortable. Not the optimal situation for a 12 to 14 hour ride.
My plan is to do the 300K route on my own sometime this summer.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Fwd: Mini Cooper Festival
The Mini Cooper Festival in Boston sounds like a lot of fun. Fri to Sun (June 20-22). $20 per person.
Fri night - F1 kart racing.
Sat morning - rally
Sat afternoon - drive your Mini on "an aggressive auto-cross course", go-karting, Mini products, live music, mtb stunt show, rock climbing,...
Sat night - "headline" band (who is still to be announced)
Sun - repeat most of the Sat afternoon activities
Alexa, your goal should be to improve your driving of the Mini so you can do the auto-cross course. Sat morning you can even sign up to test-drive one of their cars, instead of ours. :)
Fri night - F1 kart racing.
Sat morning - rally
Sat afternoon - drive your Mini on "an aggressive auto-cross course", go-karting, Mini products, live music, mtb stunt show, rock climbing,...
Sat night - "headline" band (who is still to be announced)
Sun - repeat most of the Sat afternoon activities
Alexa, your goal should be to improve your driving of the Mini so you can do the auto-cross course. Sat morning you can even sign up to test-drive one of their cars, instead of ours. :)
Fwd: Mini Cooper Festival
We have to "trick out" our Minis for the festival. Here are some ideas.
--pws
--pws
Fwd: Mini Cooper Festival
Someone asked what "an aggressive auto-cross course" meant, so I found some photos.
--pws
--pws
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Re: 200K Boston Brevet to New Boston, NH
I did the 200k Boston Brevet today. Left Hanscom at 7 AM and rode to New Boston, NH and got back to Hanscom at 2:50 PM. That's 127 miles in 7:50 including 30 minutes spent at the check points. I rode the first ten miles with a group of ~20 people who planned to finish in under 8 hours, but at 10 miles I hit a pot hole and got a pinch flat. I spent the next 40 miles chasing that group to the first checkpoint.
I was told that large group disintegrated into groups of 2 to 4 people, so for most of the rest of the ride I was with two guys that are Paris-Brest-Paris veterans. One does a different 1200k ride every year. Turns out it was Brian Johnson from Teradyne. He knows Jay and says hi. The other guy was Justin who began riding a year-and-a-half ago and rode PBP last summer.
The second leg, had some big climbs. My back got sore, but I did okay. I guess riding with the Rippers is helping me with hills. We had some ripping descents after all the climbing. Topped 45 three times and could have gone faster on one hill except for traffic turning caused me to slow down on the steepest section.
After hanging out at Hanscom chatting for awhile, I rode my bike home for a total of 136 miles. Now I have three weeks to rest up for the 300k. We leave at 4 AM. I'd like to be able to finish in 12 hours, but I don't know...
51 people did the ride today. After we sat around a bit at the finish I asked how many were still on the road. Answer: 39, so I finished in the top 10 or 12. The first finisher, Matt, did it in 7:15, so he must have been taking it easy. He left with the group (2 people) who planned to finish under 6 hours.
I rode with Matt during the 100k on 4/12. He is studying at the Harvard Medical School and still has time to be a sponsored ultra rider. Last summer he set the record for riding across Maine. I think he said 380 miles in 20 hours, but that seems near impossible. Anyhow, he finished first for the 100k also. I finished 3rd. These brevets aren't races, but it is nice to finish before the masses.
200K on May 10, 2008
map to Checkpoint 1 - 48.9 miles - from Hanscom Field, MA to New Boston, NH
map to Checkpoint 2 - 86.0 miles - from New Boston, NH to Brookline, NH
map to Checkpoint 3 - 124.7 miles - from Brookline, NH to Hanscom Field, MA
I was told that large group disintegrated into groups of 2 to 4 people, so for most of the rest of the ride I was with two guys that are Paris-Brest-Paris veterans. One does a different 1200k ride every year. Turns out it was Brian Johnson from Teradyne. He knows Jay and says hi. The other guy was Justin who began riding a year-and-a-half ago and rode PBP last summer.
The second leg, had some big climbs. My back got sore, but I did okay. I guess riding with the Rippers is helping me with hills. We had some ripping descents after all the climbing. Topped 45 three times and could have gone faster on one hill except for traffic turning caused me to slow down on the steepest section.
After hanging out at Hanscom chatting for awhile, I rode my bike home for a total of 136 miles. Now I have three weeks to rest up for the 300k. We leave at 4 AM. I'd like to be able to finish in 12 hours, but I don't know...
51 people did the ride today. After we sat around a bit at the finish I asked how many were still on the road. Answer: 39, so I finished in the top 10 or 12. The first finisher, Matt, did it in 7:15, so he must have been taking it easy. He left with the group (2 people) who planned to finish under 6 hours.
I rode with Matt during the 100k on 4/12. He is studying at the Harvard Medical School and still has time to be a sponsored ultra rider. Last summer he set the record for riding across Maine. I think he said 380 miles in 20 hours, but that seems near impossible. Anyhow, he finished first for the 100k also. I finished 3rd. These brevets aren't races, but it is nice to finish before the masses.
200K on May 10, 2008
map to Checkpoint 1 - 48.9 miles - from Hanscom Field, MA to New Boston, NH
map to Checkpoint 2 - 86.0 miles - from New Boston, NH to Brookline, NH
map to Checkpoint 3 - 124.7 miles - from Brookline, NH to Hanscom Field, MA
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Happy Birthday, Mom!
We just wanted to send a note wishing you a Happy 72nd Birthday.
That's 6 cycles of the Chinese Zodiac, so in the attached photo Julie is holding a picture of a Rat for you birth year.
We are all looking forward to seeing you next month.
Happy Birthday from all of us,
Phillip, Julie, Alexa, Michael, Nicholas (and ChiChi too!)
Win Susan!!!
Thought you might find this interesting. Follow the "Lance link" to see a cool photo.
--Phillip
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Susan,
You and your family have been on my mind a lot recently.
I'm sending this "Win Susan!" photo as an emblem of my support and positive vibes.
Just count me (along with Lance) as one of your well wishers,
Phillip "TigerMouth" Stern
Susan,
You and your family have been on my mind a lot recently.
I'm sending this "Win Susan!" photo as an emblem of my support and positive vibes.
Just count me (along with Lance) as one of your well wishers,
Phillip "TigerMouth" Stern
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Fwd: JD Drew
I won't be at wrestling practice this week. I sort of feel like JD Drew; more time on the injury list than on the playing field.
My ribs still hurt from Thursday's practice, but that alone wouldn't keep me away.
Saturday I smashed my hand with a hammer working in the garage and today I cut the tip of my thumb off with a knife working in the kitchen.
In between those mishaps I had 5 flat tires on my bicycle. I'm hoping next week is better.
--Phillip
My ribs still hurt from Thursday's practice, but that alone wouldn't keep me away.
Saturday I smashed my hand with a hammer working in the garage and today I cut the tip of my thumb off with a knife working in the kitchen.
In between those mishaps I had 5 flat tires on my bicycle. I'm hoping next week is better.
--Phillip
Monday, April 07, 2008
Fwd: Mini Bummer
Driving to work this morning (because I go to wrestling after work on Mon and Wed), a hit-and-run driver smashed the Mini Cooper.
I was turning from Montvale Ave onto I-93 North. I waited for the green turn arrow and went. I never saw the car, but it must have run the red light going the opposite direction on Montvale.
I pulled over to the side of the I-93 entrance ramp and walked back to the intersection, but the car that hit me was gone. The other vehicles that were waiting at the light with me were gone too, so no witnesses.
Fortunately, I was not injured and I think the Mini was only minimally damaged.
The rear bumper was ripped off and hanging by two bolts, but that seems to be the extent of the damage.
Still, it was very sad seeing the Mini lying in pieces next to the road.
I guess now I have no excuse for not riding my bike to work for the next couple of weeks.
I was turning from Montvale Ave onto I-93 North. I waited for the green turn arrow and went. I never saw the car, but it must have run the red light going the opposite direction on Montvale.
I pulled over to the side of the I-93 entrance ramp and walked back to the intersection, but the car that hit me was gone. The other vehicles that were waiting at the light with me were gone too, so no witnesses.
Fortunately, I was not injured and I think the Mini was only minimally damaged.
The rear bumper was ripped off and hanging by two bolts, but that seems to be the extent of the damage.
Still, it was very sad seeing the Mini lying in pieces next to the road.
I guess now I have no excuse for not riding my bike to work for the next couple of weeks.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Mt. Cardigan: 1st Sled Descent
The drive to Mt Cardigan was an adventure of its own. Rain and snow made visibility poor. We saw three crashses; one left a minivan perched atop an 8-foot high pile of snow; another somehow deposited a car on the other side of a 3-foot guardrail. Watching the wrecks instead of the exits, we missed our exit... twice. The AMC's Cardigan Lodge is at the end of a dirt road that goes over a big hill. New snow and old tires made it impossible to drive over the hill. Michael and John put on their crampons and pushed with all their strength for about 100 yards to get us over the top. Only time this week my strained QL was a benefit; I got to drive instead of push.
There was no powder like last time, but there was still plenty of snow. The trail was well packed, making snowshoes unnecessary, but step off the trail and you would posthole to knee or crotch. The bridge gave evidence that the packed snow was at least two-feet deep. Blazes on the trees, normally at eye-level, were waist high.
It was a warm day, in the high-30's, so we had to strip down while climbing. Although it was cloudy, it didn't rain.
Just before the summit, there was a small downhill, so sleds came off the packs for a bit of fun.
The summit was windblown and icy. We used our snowshoes for traction, but could have easily booted it all the way.
A group of skiers skinned past us while we were eating lunch near the warden's cabin. They were still at the summit when we got there and took the group photo below. They saw our sleds and waited around to see us descend. They told us it would be the first sled descent from the summit of Mt. Cardigan, and I'm sure they would know.
Tandem sledding
Tree turns
Standing fall
There was no powder like last time, but there was still plenty of snow. The trail was well packed, making snowshoes unnecessary, but step off the trail and you would posthole to knee or crotch. The bridge gave evidence that the packed snow was at least two-feet deep. Blazes on the trees, normally at eye-level, were waist high.
It was a warm day, in the high-30's, so we had to strip down while climbing. Although it was cloudy, it didn't rain.
Just before the summit, there was a small downhill, so sleds came off the packs for a bit of fun.
The summit was windblown and icy. We used our snowshoes for traction, but could have easily booted it all the way.
A group of skiers skinned past us while we were eating lunch near the warden's cabin. They were still at the summit when we got there and took the group photo below. They saw our sleds and waited around to see us descend. They told us it would be the first sled descent from the summit of Mt. Cardigan, and I'm sure they would know.
Tandem sleddingTree turns
Standing fall
Sunday, March 09, 2008
getting back in shape
After a winter of not riding, my weight was up to about 175. I want to get back down to about 155.
So I am cutting back on snacking and sweets and increasing my activity level again.
We just got back from our Jackson Hole trip and I'm going to start riding my bike a lot again. Today (Sunday) I went our for an easy (13 mph average) two hours with John M.
My goal this year is to do the Boston Brevet Series.
I also joined the Boston Union Wrestling Club and will have a 2-hour practice every Monday and Friday. I will drive to work those days and ride every other day.
I also bought trail running shoes and want to get in half an hour in the woods around Horn Pond on the days I don't ride my bike.
So there's the plan.
Today's weight: 170.
So I am cutting back on snacking and sweets and increasing my activity level again.
We just got back from our Jackson Hole trip and I'm going to start riding my bike a lot again. Today (Sunday) I went our for an easy (13 mph average) two hours with John M.
My goal this year is to do the Boston Brevet Series.
I also joined the Boston Union Wrestling Club and will have a 2-hour practice every Monday and Friday. I will drive to work those days and ride every other day.
I also bought trail running shoes and want to get in half an hour in the woods around Horn Pond on the days I don't ride my bike.
So there's the plan.
Today's weight: 170.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Fwd: the hidden cost of buying a car
I rode real slow. I look like the guy in the "bought a car" photo.
Guess I should buy another bike.
wrestling
Last night I joined the Boston Union Wrestling Club and participated in wrestling practice for the first time in 28 years.
After one-and-a-half hours of calisthenics, drills, and top/bottom wrestling I was beat and decided to sit out the wrestling challenge matches.
Today my legs and neck ache, but I had some fun and didn't get hurt, so I think I'll be going back to practice every Monday and Wednesday evening.
After one-and-a-half hours of calisthenics, drills, and top/bottom wrestling I was beat and decided to sit out the wrestling challenge matches.
Today my legs and neck ache, but I had some fun and didn't get hurt, so I think I'll be going back to practice every Monday and Wednesday evening.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Jackson Hole 2008 - Day 7 (Rock Springs)
Today we went OB --out of bounds--to get some untracked powder. Someday I want to try to describe the special feeling of skiing deep powder, but for now, if you haven't done it yourself, you'll just have to believe me that it is really fun.
Mimi used her special pass to get up the gondola before it opens for the general public and made two runs down the Bowl before we Sterns hooked up with her. We did far right of the bowl and then left the ski resort via the high gate.
Here Mimi is holding the gate for the rest of us to ski through. Then we checked that all the avalanche beacons were transmitting correctly, and snugged our packs with probes and shovels. Even though we planned a very conservative and safe tour, we had to be prepared for the worst.
We are all ready to go. Behind us is the ski area, Rendezvous Bowl to be specific.
Once through the gate, there is a short traverse through the trees to get to the first slope. The mountains are beautiful and the snow fields beckon.
Here we are contemplating the first powder run. We went one at a time to reduce the risk of bringing down snow on top of the skier below. The snow was light and deep, over the knees.
Mimi let me go first and I skied a decent line. At the bottom I tried to get some photos of the rest of the group, but the better the skiing is, the less time you have for getting good photos.
Nick was skiing without poles, but that didn't keep him from going big.
Powder pig smile.
Julie got this picture of Mimi checking out the lay of the land and keeping an eye on her charges. Mimi was our guide extraordanaire, doing route finding, sharing safety tips, and going last to pick up the pieces if necessary.
Nick watching his Mom making turns. When we were all down, we looked back up and admired our lines snaking down the mountain next to each other.
Julie enjoying the pow.
We had so much fun on our first run that we decided to do it again. This required 4 lifts to get us back up to the top of the mountain (Gondola, Thunder, Sublette, East Ridge). Sometimes skiing the trails between the lifts is what it's all about, but today it was just what we had to do to get to the main event, Rock Springs Canyon.
On our second OB tour, Mimi, Michael, and Phillip hiked up Paranoia Ridge to get 10 to 15 turns through a slash in the trees. Michael went first and laid perfect tracks. I did my best to follow his line, but he is skiing better than me this year. It was still my best run of the day. The north facing slope in the shadows of trees made for light, deep snow that bubbled up to my waist and on a couple of turns flew up to my chin and down the neck of my jacket. Bottomless snow; felt like I was floating down the mountain. Ahhh!
Julie and Nick didn't want to hike so they missed the best run of the day. Next we hit the same slopes we did a couple of hours before, but the sun had warmed the snow and made it heavier. Still fun but not the joy of light, untracked powder.
At the bottom, we skied through the trees and found more light stuff. The turns were very tight, but it was a shallow slope and the powder made it easy. After the long traverse back to the base of the ski area it was time for lunch. Nick fell asleep at the table, testament to the tiring nature of the tour. Julie also called it a day and took a nap. Greg, however, was up for another run. (Greg and Harry were worn out too; they hiked the Head Wall and skied down the Crags while we were in Rock Springs Canyon.)
Greg skis fast (actually rides his snowboard fast) and I have trouble keeping up with him. Maybe he is just in a hurry to get back to the lift so he can call in to work and check on the many design projects his architecture firm is responsible for.
Mimi used her special pass to get up the gondola before it opens for the general public and made two runs down the Bowl before we Sterns hooked up with her. We did far right of the bowl and then left the ski resort via the high gate.
Here Mimi is holding the gate for the rest of us to ski through. Then we checked that all the avalanche beacons were transmitting correctly, and snugged our packs with probes and shovels. Even though we planned a very conservative and safe tour, we had to be prepared for the worst.
We are all ready to go. Behind us is the ski area, Rendezvous Bowl to be specific.
Once through the gate, there is a short traverse through the trees to get to the first slope. The mountains are beautiful and the snow fields beckon.
Here we are contemplating the first powder run. We went one at a time to reduce the risk of bringing down snow on top of the skier below. The snow was light and deep, over the knees.Mimi let me go first and I skied a decent line. At the bottom I tried to get some photos of the rest of the group, but the better the skiing is, the less time you have for getting good photos.
Nick was skiing without poles, but that didn't keep him from going big.
Powder pig smile.
Julie got this picture of Mimi checking out the lay of the land and keeping an eye on her charges. Mimi was our guide extraordanaire, doing route finding, sharing safety tips, and going last to pick up the pieces if necessary.
Nick watching his Mom making turns. When we were all down, we looked back up and admired our lines snaking down the mountain next to each other.
Julie enjoying the pow.We had so much fun on our first run that we decided to do it again. This required 4 lifts to get us back up to the top of the mountain (Gondola, Thunder, Sublette, East Ridge). Sometimes skiing the trails between the lifts is what it's all about, but today it was just what we had to do to get to the main event, Rock Springs Canyon.
On our second OB tour, Mimi, Michael, and Phillip hiked up Paranoia Ridge to get 10 to 15 turns through a slash in the trees. Michael went first and laid perfect tracks. I did my best to follow his line, but he is skiing better than me this year. It was still my best run of the day. The north facing slope in the shadows of trees made for light, deep snow that bubbled up to my waist and on a couple of turns flew up to my chin and down the neck of my jacket. Bottomless snow; felt like I was floating down the mountain. Ahhh!
Julie and Nick didn't want to hike so they missed the best run of the day. Next we hit the same slopes we did a couple of hours before, but the sun had warmed the snow and made it heavier. Still fun but not the joy of light, untracked powder.
At the bottom, we skied through the trees and found more light stuff. The turns were very tight, but it was a shallow slope and the powder made it easy. After the long traverse back to the base of the ski area it was time for lunch. Nick fell asleep at the table, testament to the tiring nature of the tour. Julie also called it a day and took a nap. Greg, however, was up for another run. (Greg and Harry were worn out too; they hiked the Head Wall and skied down the Crags while we were in Rock Springs Canyon.)
Greg skis fast (actually rides his snowboard fast) and I have trouble keeping up with him. Maybe he is just in a hurry to get back to the lift so he can call in to work and check on the many design projects his architecture firm is responsible for.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Jackson Hole 2008 - Day 6 (All Day Dump)
Nick gearing up for another day of deep. Another 4 or more inches fell during the night and it continued to storm all day. Still snowing as I type this after a day of excellent runs.
That's Michael waiting for the rest of us to get our boots on. The patio off the Teton Club's ski locker is a ground level in the summer. In the winter they have to build snow stairs so you can climb to the top of the snow pack.
Julie's still recovering from her cold and moving a little slow, but there was no way she was going to miss these great conditions.
Mimi and Frank have a locker pass that allows them to catch an early gondola so they get first tracks. The hoi polloi have to wait in line for the gondola to open at 9 AM, and there was a long line today. Accidentally, we got in the singles line a few minutes before 9 and didn't have to wait long before we were heading up the mountain. Bonus #1: Chatting with Hollee Armstrong (proprietress of the spa at the Teton Club and wife of Sick Rick Armstrong, extreme skiing legend) in the line. Bonus #2: They put all four of us from the singles line of into the same gondola so we got the short wait in line and the companionship during the ride up.We caught up with Mimi and Frank at Sublette Chair. They already had a run down Rendezvous Bowl and we headed up for another. Then a great shot through the trees in Bivouac Woods with Mimi. Followed by an awesomely deep run down Expert Chutes. Three awesome runs in the first couple of hours. Our final run before lunch was North Hobacks, a looong powder run. We hugged the trees and had some insane fun. Lost Greg for most of the run, but unlike yesterday we didn't send Frank out to find him. Didn't work yesterday and didn't want to diminish today's run. Just like yesterday, we all hooked up at Union Pass Traverse so no problemo.
Here's a shot of Julie near the bottom of Rendezvous Bowl. Even sick and run down, she skis better than most. We had another yummy lunch at our condo thanks to Chef Al's split pea soup and super sandwiches--BreadMan bread fortified with Mimi's granola, topped with condiments like sun dried tomatoes, olive tapenade, hummus, artichoke hearts, and cranberry sauce. Oh yeah, some meat, cheese, and lettuce too.After lunch Mimi went grocery shopping; Julie and Nick took naps; and Frank went to do some work around the house. Michael, Phillip, Greg and his friend Harry went back for more snow.
In the gondie, Greg took a call from a customer (Greg's and architect) and let the caller believe he was in the office, rather than out shredding the slopes.Unlike yesterday, the afternoon runs were as good as the morning, maybe better. We had fun in the Study Plots and Bivouac Woods. The ride up Sublette was cold, with the wind and snow howling. The ride up East Ridge was more of the same, and then Rendezvous Bowl was white out conditions. I couldn't tell which way was down until I got to the black doingers marking the steepest route down. Using them as slalom poles enabled me to enjoy the run down. At the bottom I asked Michael about doing another lap, but he said no way, too cold. Then Greg slid up on his board and said it was the best run of the day. After a long wait, Harry showed up on his board and said never again; he couldn't tell up from down in the whiteout and basically fell his way down the bowl.
After another ride up Sublette, Greg talked Harry into another go at the Bowl. Michael was too cold so we headed down the Hobacks. This time we stayed in the trees between North Hoback and Cheyenne Gully; the snow was deep and the fun was off the charts. Michael is skiing great and led me on the best route through the trees. After learning from him, I zipped past him to get first tracks and he followed, complaining that the second skier didn't have as much good snow.
The day ended with a run down Dick's Ditch behind a couple of snowboarders throwing 360's off the rocks. Then some time in the hot tubs and dinner at Mimi's. A near perfect day.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Jackson Hole 2008 - Day 5 (Cowboy Powder)
We got some real snow today (13 inches). It started snowing heavily around 6 AM and kept up till dinner time. My first ride up the gondie (gondy?, gondi?) I heard Jeff Zell (extreme skier turned guide, and brother of Julie Zell, champion boarder turned restauranteer) tell his clients that the best skiing would be "cowboy powder"--fresh snow over groomers. So I took his advice and skied Gros Ventre and a couple of Lower Tramlines. I got three runs from the gondola in untracked snow before the rest of the gang moseyed out around 10:30.
The kids waiting at the gondola for the adults to get their acts together. That's a snow flake in front of Nick's nose, not a tissue to stop the nosebleeds he often suffers in the high altitude dry air of Wyoming. After skiing a few runs with us, the under-15 set went their own way for the rest of the day. We saw them at lunch and again at dinner.
Cousin Greg, the renegade boarder, joined the gang today. His flight from NYC was delayed 24 hours by the snowstorm in the east. Bubba, Paul, Chris and Eric left Jackson for Boston today but got held up in Chicago for two days due to the storms. Skiers' delight is travelers' woe. Greg, aka Eggy, had a couple of tumbling falls which we promptly named "egg-beaters".
We went into the Teton Club for a late lunch, from which some of the crowd never recovered. Julie and Frank (see below) extended lunch naps into all-afternoon affairs, but Nick recovered and spent the last couple of hours skiing Casper Bowl with his cousins. Julie is still recovering from her cold and I suspect Frank is suffering from hosting-induced fatigue.
After lunch, Greg and Michael showed off all the cool things they could do with the iPhone and iTouch. Frank and Michael also held a forum on internet lingo. Topics debated included the pronunciation of "pwned" and the proper use of "teh".
The kids waiting at the gondola for the adults to get their acts together. That's a snow flake in front of Nick's nose, not a tissue to stop the nosebleeds he often suffers in the high altitude dry air of Wyoming. After skiing a few runs with us, the under-15 set went their own way for the rest of the day. We saw them at lunch and again at dinner.
Cousin Greg, the renegade boarder, joined the gang today. His flight from NYC was delayed 24 hours by the snowstorm in the east. Bubba, Paul, Chris and Eric left Jackson for Boston today but got held up in Chicago for two days due to the storms. Skiers' delight is travelers' woe. Greg, aka Eggy, had a couple of tumbling falls which we promptly named "egg-beaters".
We went into the Teton Club for a late lunch, from which some of the crowd never recovered. Julie and Frank (see below) extended lunch naps into all-afternoon affairs, but Nick recovered and spent the last couple of hours skiing Casper Bowl with his cousins. Julie is still recovering from her cold and I suspect Frank is suffering from hosting-induced fatigue.
After lunch, Greg and Michael showed off all the cool things they could do with the iPhone and iTouch. Frank and Michael also held a forum on internet lingo. Topics debated included the pronunciation of "pwned" and the proper use of "teh".
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