Finally

Foliage season is over, the tourists have tapered off, and I am finally getting two days off a week...yes, for the past three months I have been working six days a week. The overtime pay has been great, but I have been exhausted. All I can say now is, "bring on the snow."

More than the other

I had a thought the other day, a thought I never expected to have. I would sell my motorcycle so we had some extra cash if we were moving back to Utah in the future...yes..I actually thought of giving up my bike for epic powder.
Because of this, I have come to the realization that I am truly a skier. Yes I love riding, but I like skiing more...I guess it is because I can always buy another motorcycle..but consistent powder days only happen in Utah...I use to be an obsessive dancer...but I can dance anywhere...Being happy on snow is the best feeling on earth..

As I said in an earlier post, I was never actually miserable in SLC. I just made myself believe I was. The people there, weird though they may be, are at least friendly, and make an effort. Yeah I know, I am still just missing home.
I don't see anything wrong with that.

Pray for snow

Snow

Yes, snow will be a constant and ongoing theme in my blog...Even in the off season. When it comes down to it, I only see the year as having two seasons. Ski season, and training for ski season. Ski season starts as early in the fall as possible, and if the weather cooperates runs through at least late April. Training for ski season starts as soon as the other ends, which includes a lot of high elevation hiking, lunges, running, cycling, etc...Having two dogs helps a lot...they need to go for long walks...which involve climbing a 5000 foot mountain in 4 hours..up and down. Mountain biking with them, and running. Also since I have become somewhat of a telemark skier, lots and lots of lunges at the gym.
The Wasatch mountain range in Utah has received over two feet of snow already...it is being used...I saw pictures...I am severely jealous...I am still waiting for the snow here...I am told it is coming..but I don't see it..as always, pray for snow...
peace

Homesick...

I know it's been a while since I have written anything...life has been hectic, the summer was long and mostly rainy here in the northeast, and we are looking forward to Winter already. We have bought a house here in the state of Vermont. In the village of Essex Junction, just outside of Burlington. It is a 4 bedroom cape style home, with a nice size yard, in a nice neighborhood. Not too far from anything, but just far enough that the four colleges and universities in the area are not a bother.
I have mixed feeling about the whole thing right now. I am 3000 miles away from anything I know. My parents, long time friends, and the west...I look at pictures, and my heart is slightly saddened. I have never been truly homesick, but I believe this is what I am feeling. The western US and its' 10 states were my home for 28 years of my life. I would hear a story, and know I had been there. I miss how tightly held the dancers are there. Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sac, PDX, Seattle, SLC, Denver, Phoenix...these were all just part of a larger group of friends. So far the dance scene here is disappointing at best, and disheartening at its' worst. As much as I complained about SLC, I truly was happy there...I just didn't know it until I was gone. Sure the drivers were a bit off, and the people were a bit wacky..but the snow was just like heaven, and the mountains were a sight to wake up to. Yes, I know there are "mountains" here also...I still just see them as the green hills..barely reaching the sky at 5,000 feet. SLC was at almost that height.
I have always known that I am able to be happy in just about any situation, and make the best of it. So, who knows what the future holds. Maybe UT will once again be graced with our presence on its' glorious fluffy slopes. Only time will tell.
But for now, I am homesick, and a bit lost...here's to hoping all is not lost.

-Tim...

Long Trip

Observations from my cross country ride.

Rain gear is a must...even if it doesn't rain, it is good for wind protection. I brought 4 pairs of gloves...I used 3 of them. I brought tools, and string tire patches just in case, didn't use any of it, but it didn't take up much space. U.S. road atlas. didn't take a gps...my phone works as one, but I really didn't need it until I was in the cities I was staying. Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, and most of Illinois were windy, the entire length of the states, this is where the rain gear came in very handy. Without it I was shivering, with it I was warm and toasty. I also had a balaclava (one of those neck warmer things that also has a thin layer over your head.
Base layers and warm socks are a must. If you are a skier at all, you already know this. I do not have heated gear, nor have I ever, and I don't see the need for it if you know how to layer, and it isn't below 35*. I wore ear plugs the whole way. I took them out for about 30 minutes and couldn't stand it. I have in helmet speakers for my ipod, music helps the miles pass by nicely. I found between 100 and 120 miles was about my limit. Had nothing to do with my seat, just figured it was a good resting point...plus I get hungry often.
I had to dodge tumble weeds across most of Nebraska...it was the weirdest experience ever.
Those huge air spoilers on the top of semis really make a difference in turbulence when they pass going the opposite direction. I found myself cursing the ones without.
The weather was not perfect, nor was it horrible. I ran into a little rain in Chicago, some hail about 30 miles outside of Cleveland, and more rain in Buffalo, and Syracuse. Nothing that stopped me, or made me uncomfortable, but then living in Portland you get used to riding in rain.


Over all the experience was good, probably wouldn't do it again, unless I had two to three weeks, but I would take a more southern route.

Bruges Waffles & Frites

So, as I am always looking for a new and interesting place to put food into my mouth , I stumbled across a great write up in the Salt Lake City Weekly about Bruges Waffles & Frites . I was curious because I had rode by this place on my way home the day before. So today, I tried them, and I will definitely be trying them again.



So this culinary delight is originally a Belgian thing...the owner and cook Pierre Vandamm, no relation to the horrible actor, is a nice guy with a great accent. He knows what he is doing, and does it well. The name of his place comes from his home town Bruges, Belgium. It currently claims to be the waffle capital of the world. Waffles and fries are sold by street vendors there, kind of like our down town taco carts here in Salt Lake City.
The place is small, with only outside seating, or a small bar with four stools inside, but that really doesn't matter. The food is great, the service is exceptional, and the price is right...

I am always amazed

At how easily my body gets back into shape...Since ski season had started, I had been ignoring the gym. Since I had been skiing a couple of days a week, and running with our two dogs about 3 days a week, I had neglected my weight training regimen. But, 3 weeks ago I started up again...and I am always amazed at how quickly I get back to where I was 6 months ago, and already am seeing results. My body is amazing, I know that makes me sound like a pompous ass, but it is just the truth. I have been blessed with very good genes, thank you mom and dad. I am a true ectomorph. My daily caloric intake is upwards of 4000...yes you did read that correctly, 4000. I know, all you women hate me right now, no worries, I am used to it.
To be honest with you, it is actually hard to intake that many calories. I don't eat sweets, or junk food, so it is an incredible feat. Basically I eat 5-6 meals a day, and supplement with protein shakes in between. I eat breakfast twice, have a shake before lunch, lunch, a shake in the afternoon, and eat dinner twice.
It is tons of fun...of course there is also all the snacking in between meals..which usually ends up being some type of fruit. Ok, enough on this, time for second breakfast...peace