Sacred Spaces (long)

Yes, Snowbird would be top three. Listen as I tell stories about another in the top 15; and Snowbird.

Several years ago I fancied a girl from Colorado. She had a thing about not going skiing with boys etc. I pressed the issue; and we happened to go on a day with knee deep power. She made me promise that I would not run off with my friends, and leave her. I grimaced and winced with pain as we rode up the old slow Millicent lift (no longer in service, replaced by Milly express). We got there early, there was plenty of waist-deep-take-your-breath-away-fresh powder that I could carve my whole name. I was reminded of my promise to wait, even if there was fresh tracks to be had.

I didn't wait.

Now you know how I feel about Milly Bowl. That is where I spent last Saturday. I took my first turns on my snowboard this season. And really the second time ridding since Cinco de Mayo 2007. I'll be honest, it felt awkward to make the first few turns. Then It came back to me, and did it ever. I felt my stomach rise to my throat more times that morning, than I did at Cedar point. (In the good way, not a scared way) . Ridding up the lift with Nic, it felt so normal and peaceful. Nic's wife Natalie met up with us half day and we spent the afternoon enjoying Brighton. Brighton is a Sacred Space to me.

Monday took me to to the Pinnacle/Apex Sacred Space that is Snowbird. It was a bluebird day (sunny, cloudless etc...). It was a great day given no new snow. I found joy ridding the cruisers listening to my own soundtrack. I hit up all my favorite non-power runs. Reacquainted my self with my love/hate relationship with double fall lines. Met two people from Dayton, independent of each other. Noticed the Warming hut/Bathrooms on the top of Hidden Peak has been moved around. I enjoyed the Sun; It was so warm. It was 45 degrees and I was comfortable in a long sleeve shirt. I rode and rode fast. It was delightful.

Other things of note: Play farm animals with Addie, Ate Mac'n'cheese with Lizzy, talked snowmobiling with Bob, watched football with Tschagg's, Saw Mark & Dana, Met Josh and ate a 4500 Calorie salad.

*So while putting on our boots in the Brighton parking lot this happened: A man in his 50's parked next to us; he asked if he could use my cell phone to make a call. I let him and we had small talk. As this was happening a SUV parked beside us, and out came a father with three of his children. This man whom I let borrow my phone asks the father...
"Looks like you brought the whole family... are you from out of town?"
"Nope, we are from Sandy."
"... you know that ten years ago you would be lucky to see one black person up here..."
...awkward silence. Nic and I looked at each other asking ourselves, serioiuly did that just happen?

** The photo is taken from hidden peak looking at the bookends in the near distance, with powder paradise to the right.