Freedom of the Hills

Ahh - the freedom of the hills!!! It feels pretty good to back on skis. The legs are starting to get stronger and I think the preseason ski training is helping. They opened Main Chute at Alta for opening day! Its a real leg burner on the way up and down. I really like early season... the creativity of minimized terrain, the fast turns around unforeseen twigs... your eyes perked like your wellbeing depended on detecting any small inconsistency in the snow that could tell the tale of something lying beneath...and we get a few days to practice carving on hard snow before it goes away until the same time next year. Its absolutely amazing how much better the skiing is at Alta than everywhere else when we have this little snow. Here are few previously unseen photos from last year.

Shelter

Jump in Time

Well there's been a lot going on since we got back from Austria and no blog posts, so I wanted to quickly capture some thoughts in a free form string of consciousness. Maybe later I can fill them in.

We danced in the garage while wearing speed skating outfits.

Went camping on stansberry Island with Sam. Awesome weather, rain, clouds, hawks and great for the dogs.

We laid in the grass at the ball field while watching the fireworks.

Went To San Diego ESRI conference. Great to be back there with Jill. It will always be romantic for us as we went to the conference together by chance while dating early in our relationship.

Jill and I have purchased our first home. A real fixer upper. Jonah came down for the weekend to help. He really jump started or transformation process. What an amazing guesture it was for him to make the trip.

Jill's father is now here to help. We are so thankfull for all the help.

Since Jonah left we have:

• We finished laying the tile.
• We had the stuff tested in the bedroom and it came back negative for asbestos and is now removed. Thanks to Jill's dad.
• The beams are being delivered today.
• The electrician starts tomorrow. estimating 1,450$ for everything including materials. 25$ per hour.
• The dumpster gets picked up tomorrow.
• We exposed the brick on the south wall of dinning room. (almost done)(looks great!)
• Removed sheetrock from post and removed cupboard from entryway.
• I got the parts for the furnace vent pipe but haven't put it together yet.

It is really great to work on the house. Its like being on the ridge everyday. Feels so great to be building.

Lizzie is almost 2 now and as crazy as ever. My neck is recovering well and I think I should be ready to ski when the snow flies.

Weisses Kreuz

C6

On Sunday April 19, 2009 I broke my neck skiing. I went off a jump, got forward, landed and tumbled like I have done a million other times... but this time things went wrong. I will have titanium in my vertebra from here on out. The good news is that things are healing up well. I have no neurological damage and the doctors tell me I will heal up to full strength and full flexibility with no limitations. Breaking your neck isn't as bad as it seems it might be... I am very grateful to be OK and it has given me a new outlook and new appreciation for the people around me. Thanks to all my friends on the day of the crash for your help. Also thanks to Jonah for flying right out to help and to Mom and Dad for putting everything else aside to be with me. Thanks to all my friends a family for all the calls, cards, visits and support. Thanks Beth for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition and most of all, thanks Jill for your strength and love.

Maven

The skis would hardly fit on the mounting bench as I carefully marked possible boot center lines under the warm glow of the light in the shed that protects me from the pouring rain. I committed to a full 3 cm back as I free drilled and soft light wood spilled out onto the glossy ski graphics. The screws crunched tightly into the wood where they will find a new home with the wood glue. I am betting that the bindings are solidly mounted and that they are set at exactly the right forward pressure and DIN and that they wont fly off at the wrong moment. Welcome to the family.

Missing Out

Well its that time of the year when the skiing is amazing! Every time I go up I am just blown away. The steep sunny slopes are covered with creamy solid snow. The lichen covered rocks jut out creating predicable obstacles and the best playgrounds ever. Everyone's skiing is in top form. I'm so glad that i have a few more months left on the snowbird pass. I am sad to see Alta closing. I feel like I hardly got to ski the castle or baldy. I loved skiing the lower devilsapron with Jill and Brandon and It was rush droping the elevator shaft.

Maui five O

We just spent a wonderful week on maui with Mom, Ed, Jason, Jonah Edie Tate and Tula.  The house was great.  I loved having the pool and I loved having the the break right outfront of the house.  I loved the big meals and being able to just hang out at the house.  Thanks to mom for everything.  I really miss doing things with Jason and Jonah.  It would be fun to rent the house again.