End of a winter

The mornings are hard and icy. The afternoons: soft and slushy. Days are spent in the terrain parks in t-shirts with beers in hand. California sunshine, blue skies, temperatures in the 60's and enough of a base to keep everyone hiking for lines well into June. I am a bit of a powder hound, but when it comes to spring skiing in Tahoe I can't deny how perfect it all really is. The atmosphere and vibe is relaxed and upbeat and the focus begins to shift from the mountains to the lake. And of course it wouldn't be spring skiing in Tahoe without a couple 2+ foot storms to give the powder hounds their fix and fill in any troublesome bare spots on the hill.

It is not easy leaving Tahoe, especially with another couple weeks of resort riding ahead. Yet, funds have officially run dry so I have to head back to reality and start working so I can make it back to NY. I say reality, but I will still be traveling between San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles and most likely Tahoe. And then there is the drive back to NY which is always a good time.

This has been an amazing winter and it's sad to see it coming to an end, but I think it's time. I met many interesting, talented and great people along the way and saw places I've been drooling over since I first took interest in snowboarding about seven years ago. I must thank everybody who helped me along the way. I slept on many couches and was taken in by many people and it all meant so much to me. This trip wouldn't have been possible without all of you and hopefully we all took something away from it. Once back in reality I will finish my portfolios to have something to show from my trip.

I am almost entirely in summer mode and the California Coast is calling to me. After writing this I will be clearing out my South Lake motel room and packing my life back into my minivan/mobile apartment. San Francisco is the next stop on the trip and then down to Los Angeles to work and stay with Adam and see other friends.

And so a great winter comes to an end...