It's freakin' dumping...

I have been enjoying a lot of cold weather lately.. After spending a week in the "freezing ass" Portland area with the beautful Laura Smith, and her equally beautiful and charming daughter, Sophia. Now... I don't really mind the cold, but with out snow?? It's a stretch for us Santa Barbara types. So, I can see certainly what Laura is complaining about. Its cold and not that sunny! There are quite of few Oregonians, or Californians with Oregonian Beards, walking around in shorts, and t-shirts, sort of oblivious, or just stubborn?? But, I pretty much had my winter jacket on anytime I went outside. The cold is fine but, it seems with such cold, you could have a good amount of snow on the ground? Nope, just cold.

Here I go again, I swear it was just going to be a weather report, but here's a couple of more things abount the Oregon trip... Laura's house is very warm and inviting and I don't know why I would ever want to leave... But, we did get out and about. I think we hit all the major areas of Portland plus Fred Meyer's. "Everything from fruit to tires" It is a really cool city... I mean cold. ha. No, I enjoyed it very much and would consider it the best big city I've been too. I guess I liked New Orleans a lot too, the food, restuarants, and epecially the sauces, are the best hands down. I don't like big cities very much to begin with but here's my top five...

5. Denver, A mile high.., a major hub for flights everywhere, close to good skiing. Let's not forget John Elway and the Broncos. My own experience is limited too... Many, many, hours at the new Denver Airport. It's the nicest airport I've been to. I have driven though Denver to get to the Skiing. Breck, A Basin, and a number of others are only about an hour away.. I love how it does really snow, and snow hard in Denver, and that's great for the rental car insurance business.. Let's see, I also stayed overnight once at the Airport Comfort Inn, courtesy of United Airlines, after a long delayed flight out of Jackson Hole. I am sure Denver has many great cultural sites, and wonderful things to do. Overall, I like the idea of Denver, but really only know the airport, and it is really far from the Beach!

4. Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Site of the '88 Olympics. I have driven through Calgary a number of times going to Banff Springs, Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and the Awesome Canadian Rockies, for a couple early snowboard contests. Banff, due to the moose who walk down main street, and the Banff Springs Hotel/Castle, would be high on my the list of small towns. Calgary is great because during the Hockey Playoff's there is not a single business in town that does not have "GO FLAMES" in the window. It doesn't matter if they have a chance or not they love their team. I was there on my honeymoon and they were facing the LA Kings, I think this is the first year for Gretsky.. The Kings lost, maybe the Flames went on to win the Stanley Cup, I don't remember, but it was cool to be up there with all that energy. So I like Calgary.. I have been to Olympic Park and "The Snoboard Shop" (That might have been the "First" snowboard shop in the world!)

3. New Orleans, French Quarter. Come on... It is basically Disneyland for adults. Cart's serving bloody marys on the street, walk up beer and hurricane vendors every where. VooDoo, Sex Shops, Music, Music, Music.... Food, Emeril, Food, Sauces, Oysters Rockefeller, oh my gosh, the food is sooo fucking good. Lets not forget the beads, women taking thier tops off everywhere, aligator heads, and live gators.. I hope that they can put that city back together. I heard that one bar in the french quarter never even closed through out the whole hurricane situation. So, that is comforting..

2. Honolulu, Please... 72 degrees in the air 72 degrees in the water.. Waikiki, the birthplace of modern surfing and still a really cool place to be. Even with all the tourists. Right when you get off the plane in Honolulu, you can smell Hawaii. hmmmm good. Sure the North Shore and the outer islands are much more peacful, and that's where you will find me. But, I don't really like big towns, remember? Oh yeah, The Outriggers....

1. I already mentioned Portland... I guess the big draw there obviously is Laura and Sophia. I also loved the coast there. Driving endlessly through large meadows and big pines, and icy roads. Till you finally see a sign. Cannon Beach, 4 miles. You think, wow, we're still in the ice and trees... Sign, Cannon Beach, 1 mile. Really??? We are still in the ice and trees.. Finally you drop down to sea leval and the smell of the ocean just hits you.. Aaahhhha... And it actually feels warm.

Hmmmmm. I could live here!

Ok, here's the point! It is freakin dumping here in Mammoth. Started up last night. Mike called for three inches. I said over a foot.. Ha.. It is still coming down hard at 10:00 am and looking kinda harsh out there. Over a foot, here at the condo, and easily double that up on the mountain. I don't mind the cold when its snowing like this.. That's what all my expensive Snowboard Crap is for! The picture on top is from earlier this morning, and I'd say there is another 4" to 6" out there already...