mountainoffering

i was recently asked by a friend from a warm climate texas city if the snow and all the effects it has on everyday life is still exciting after living in denver for more than one winter season. now, i personally would much rather be running in scorching heat than see your breath cold, and biking in humidity you could swim in than bundling up for a bitter frozen ride. some might be more inclined to play in the cold, and respectfully so, though just not for me. i account this to my southwest upbringing. though what i have realized most about the colorado winter is that you have to roll with the punches. there is a big difference in getting all giddy about the snow falling from the sky as you watch out the window all snuggled up in a snuggie with some hot tea versus gearing up to go compete and revel in what this snowy wonderland has to offer. even if i supremely hated the wintriness i don't think i could pass up what it has to afford to give the adventurous soul. the biggest bummer about taking a winter weekend trip is that you can't camp, well not really. i mean i have, but pretty positive i wouldn't do it again. it is not very fun setting up your sleeping arrangements on a few feet of snow and only hoping there is enough whiskey to go around so you can fall asleep to a drunken lullaby and forget about that draft of wind. i feel like there is so much hate that spurs from cold weather whether you want to admit it or not.

this weekend was spent taking on what the white covered mountain had to throw at us. it's not everyday you get to ski snow capped mountains with the sun shining down on you. with perfect temperatures to not feel too cold but just cold enough to keep you moving you can't help but be grateful for moments like this in life. i'm glad my friend i was skiing with could agree whole heartily. conversation sparked about how lucky we are as colorado residents to enjoy the mountains year round, that is, if you wish to stomach the cold of mother nature. and if you do, i can promise it will bring you alive a little more.

(hopefully soon i'll acquire a camera and will take and post pictures of my own again)

twoten

the pleasure of start that we loose with time.

ahh, the joy in starting. something. anything. a new year. a skinny love. a hobby or art.

when i think of january i can NOT help but think that it marks the beginning, but why? why can't it just be the next month after december and the month before february, as it actually is? the calendar really is a fascinating thing. mayhaps i'll do some more research on that at a later date.
well, to conform with the norm and bring in the new year and start fresh, what better place to be than steamboat? i went last year and was so happy it worked out again this year. now this is a tradition i could get used to. a long weekend in a cozy welcoming house to reside at, fresh powder snow to ski on, hot springs of water to lounge in, sights to let the mind drift away to. all things i thoroughly enjoy. so we banged some pots, we skied some slopes while dodging trees, we soaked in hot tubs, we snowshoed with too many clothes on, and enjoyed wonderful company. sounds to me this year of two thousand and ten was started off beautifully.

so my hope for you and me this year would be to live in a way [with words from italo calvino] "that what he sought was always something lying ahead, and even if it was a matter of the past it was a past that changed gradually as he advanced on his journey, because the traveler's past changes according to the route he has followed"