snoe.down 2007

The last time I spent any significant time in the Adonrondacs was in the 70's for one of our explorer canoe trips. This time we are back for moe. and `bisco (snoe.down). The tired looking ice rink, and I'm writing of the 80's Herb Ritz arena and not the one from before WWII, was not quite filled to half-capacity.

Stellar drive through VT and NY

Waterville Wind-Down

This Waterville season was compressed. Four half-days of six runs apiece. Susan and Tina both bailed on me this morning, so I was solo. Both Waterville and Telluride close on 8 April.

Rolled "Ballroom Flat"

The Odd Way of Things

Mid-March and there are summertime lapse rates as the snow melts. It is 70 degrees on the hill; yet a winter storm watch is in effect. Freaky stuff. Officially New England Ski "day 1.5" as we got in a few runs yesterday morning, our third morning out this year.

The Look of Seasonal Dispair

Wall of Wires

February brought a quick jaunt out to Monterey for FPGA-2007. The highlight was dinner with Heidi at Foreign Cinema. Back in New England, March rolls in with record cold. And thoughts of closing out Telluride in April.

Telluride Web Cam
Telluride NOAA Weather

Wall of Wires

Telluride 2007 Day 6

Dinner last night at COSMOpolitan. We had friendly Sierra as our server. The Super Bowl was on in the bar, but none of us really cared much. I remember Super Bowl 24 when we stayed at a (then newish in 1990) Mountain Village to watch the 49's dominate the Broncos. ... Most of the gaggle departed this morning. I slammed 9 as usual before Steve came to join me for lunch.

Steve enjoys a "health drink" at Chair8

Telluride 2007 Day 5

The exquisite lamb chops at Allreds last night must have been what I needed to get my skiing mojo back today. That, or the fact that it was really nice out. Tape to Tape.

No Complaints

Telluride 2007 Day 4

Blue and crew flew in yesterday afternoon. So now we are 9. Had dinner at the Bluepoint Grill last night. "Not as Cold" today.

Telluride 2007 Day 3

Dinner at Siam (Thai) the night before. ... Groundhog day was a really cold one. Not that I wouldn't mind repeating it a few times. My ear lobe is still sore from what might have been the precursor to frostbite. Did the usual runs on 9, made a few friends at Giuseppe's.

Sandra and Kathy

Telluride 2007 Day 2

Last night had dinner at Honga's. It takes some getting used to $250 Sushi dinners; but not if you have been in Telluride for long. The fancy fresh shaved Wassabi is nice; but they should just give it to you - the $5 extra is kind of lost in the noise. ... Day two was spectacular. Lots of sun in the morning. I yo-yo'd on 9 until the gang caught up. So many friendly people here. I met local yoga instructor Victoria who helped confirm many of the positive images I have of the locals.

The ride up 9

Telluride 2007 Day 1

Got into Telluride airport yesterday just as the snow started to fly. There was about six inches on the ground when we woke. I had a hard time getting up. I forgot to slam lots of fluids and coupled with the sake and wine we drank last night... ouch! So it wasn't a tape-to-tape day, but at least I was on the mountain by 10 AM. The snow kept dumping.

Mark and Karen

Quick Trip to Portland

A quick trip to Portland was one day shorther than expected when the group I was supposed to meet wasn't entirely there! Made the best of the situation and had some comfort food at Mother's.

Synopsys Hillsboro, OR Campus

Ice Storm on Mine Hill

The karmic payback for all the whining about it being too warm took place a few days ago. It got wet... and cold enough for the worst ice event in ten years on the hill. Worked at home for a couple of days, but with face/face meeting looming and perhaps 3/8" ice I thought "I only have to decend 500 feet over a half mile". Bunny slope material. Check out the stud-on-ice ABS action as the Hakka enabled Saab goes right into the ditch!

The road-bed

Bosch ABS in action

Resting Place
Next year the Saab will get new Hakka-5s with the square stud. That will do it!

Winter, What Winter?

9 AM on January 6th and it is over 60F in New England! What's the deal? We got in a second "half day" earlier this week. Waterville has done a good job considering the lack of any substantial snow.

The Holidays are Here

But there isn't much snow!

Manitou House, December 2006

I found that if I take the MJPEG output from my trusty Canon PowerShot and convert it to Divx, it looks OK on YouTube:

Snow Ski Day One

Not epic or anything like out west, we had a nice morning of six runs on the quad. I guess that's about 9000 feet of vertical. The cover was OK on the trails that were open.

Not a Party

A few friends came over last night for what wasn't a party. The tire and foot marks in the snow on the driveway stand as evidence.

Fall on the Hill

Fall went way too fast this year. I think it started with the leaves falling early. Not sure if this is a New England thing or more global.

Linus and Liona are still eager for a walk...

Cats and Dogs

Plenty of travel lately.
We had a day ahead of GSPx to hike up Windy Hill to Skyline.

Woodstock Fall

Quick trip through Woodstock in early fall.

Hillside Drive

Ron and Paul

South Mountain from Drybrook Rd

Madrid Friday

I had some time to roam around Madrid with my pal Etienne.

We hung out at the bohemian "Plaza del Dos de Mayo"