All Work, No Play

Just back from meeting with a client and their client. Brilliant view, despite the clouds.

Nice View

Work and Play

I managed a quick set yesterday and today. The water and air were chilly, but today the wind was down and out of the south. This made actually getting around all buoys possible. "Work" remains the compliment of "Play"; and thankfully there is some balance. A busy week ahead, and just five weeks until Bonnaroo!

Spray Burn 2009

Brian and I skied an unhurried set this morning, my fourth day out this year. Whereas the past three days I had been whining about it being cold; the subject of blame has now shifted to that of spray burn. Ahhh, that tender spot on your trailing calf where hydrodynamics and physiology come together to make Mr. Ouchy. I searched this blog and was pleasantly surprised to find when I last brought up this topic in 2006, it was already June! So the good news is that we are about a month ahead of the game. Right on!

On the Water

The air temps in the mid 80s and a sunny late-April day. The gang gathers and we are back.

Paul Leans with Care

Dubes 2009 - Day 2

A week goes by and I peg any sort of warming trend incorrectly. The air is a few degrees cooler (but the breeze lighter) and the water the same chilly 55. What a fool I am for not bringing any neoprene. The water is higher and there is almost a current on the pond as evidenced by the busy spillway. Anyhow, we did some course work, and I tried not to whine; and had one short, sweet set. Noon tomorrow, the gang will be there, photos to follow. Psyched!

Dubes 2009 - Day 1

This is season 18, 19, or 20 at Dube's Pond. Dave isn't sure. But we think it is one of those three. Along with Brian, we braved the 55 degree water and 65 degree air to get our first passes of the 2009 season. Brrrrr. Windy Too. But it felt good to get out and now be pleasantly sore. Quick estimate: 20 seasons, 50 days a season, two sets a day, six passes a set... that 12K passes. And we're still not perfect (yet).

Ye Olde Connelly

Happy and Bleeding

After a morning of noodling around with Python, "Pythonizing" as I described it to Steve, I succumbed to the mood of the day and started listening to tunes. It's hard to grasp that it has been almost two decades since PJ Harvey's "Dry". A fave of mine, which harmonized well with Wendy&Lisa and JH for many long, bliss-filled summers at Rangeley.

Hunter Cove (ca 1992)

Portland

Although only 90 minutes away; we just don't get to Portland often enough. Last night a gallery opening, and a good sushi dinner at Benkay.

Gilbert's Chowder House

Limpy the Deer

About a year ago we were distressed to encounter an injured deer that didn't look like it had a chance. This past month, Limpy, as we have come to call her, is back on the hill. It's uncomfortable watching the slow movements; but she looks healthy and alert.

Limpy (March 2009)

Five Great Days

Back at work after five great days. The photo below showing Upper Plunge with the fun not nearly used up yet...

Skier: Gidget

KTEX2009 Day 5

It was forecast to be snowy, but the day was blue skies and some wind. I found that the skiers right of everything on 9 was great. Speaking of Blue, air-Blue arrived in the afternoon, we had dinner at Hongas, drinks at Excelsior, then Noir Bar where Steve is still MIA.

Andy and Danni

Shep, Chrissie, and Clara

KTEX2009 Day 4

First tracks in ankle-deep pow down Plunge and Lookout. Any other commentary is superfluous.

KTEX2009 Day 3

A gorgeous, sunny day, if a little bit windy at times. Skied with the girls in the morning, then rendezvous with Gabriel for his 2PM local's "early start"...

KTEX2009 Day 2 PM

You just never know you may run into in this old mining town.

KTEX2009 Day 2 AM

Sun shining bright, I rode the fourth chair up 8 and the second up 9. Lookout, Bushwacker twice, and then Lookout to Cats Paw (still soft) to come back an meet Heidi at the airport. Sweet!

859AM at Chair 8

KTEX2009 Day 1

Day one was great. There was nearly a foot of fresh, dry pow on the hill as I got out to ski for the first time this season (yikes!). Serious electrostatic forces pulled me to Chair 9, where I found they have added a footrest and safety bar (yawn). My fave of the day, which I must have ran five times, is hard skiers right down the start of Lookout. It was essentially fluffy, nearly untracked stuff, with few bumps to throw me off... well, I did go out the front once in a painless powder face plant. ... The sun is out this morning, and another fine day is in store

Tuesday Morning Downtown Telluride 705AM

Telluride Arrival Drama

Over perhaps a dozen trips to Telluride in the winter, I believe I've only been diverted on the inbound once. Well twice now! Came in from Phoenix on a Dash-8, practically a jumbo next to the Beech 1900s. Below minimums, we diverted to Montrose. Picked up 5000 pounds of Jet-A; and 22 passengers got off while 3 of us stayed on. Gabriel said the weather was looking OK, and sure enough, we shot the approach at 2000 ft ceiling and 2 mi visibility.

Our Dash8

Ulster County in the 1970s

There has been a revival of interest in the historical record of Ulster County, Woodstock, and Onteora High School from the 1970s. I took a whole bunch of photos back then, and some of them have found their way onto my Smugmug account linked below...

• Onteora 1976 Yearbook
• Onteora Candids
• OCS Senior Class Trip
• Onteora Era
• Bearsville Era (late 1970s)
• Bushkill (West Shokan) 1970s
• 1970s Faves (mixed bag)
• Bushkill Video Highlights

Don Jennings (1974)

Linus-Like Behavior

Linus has been a handful lately. Our mellow male bully sometimes wakes from sleep and gets all up in the face of his bed. I doubt he's possessed, although I can't prove it. Will have to pay more attention and seek professional help.

Stink Eye

Eleven Years On

It's been eleven years now without Chris. What makes a spirit so strong that years, even decades later, it illuminates ones life? I miss and curse Chris at the same time.

Coming Home From Killington, 1980s, Susan and Chris in Vermont