18 February 2013 - 9:07T-Minus 1 Week

Holy crap. I can’t believe how quickly the time is going. I remember stiring in this very spot at the beginning of the month, wondering how I was going to fill the time between then and one week from now, when I put the Green Mountain State in my rear view mirror. I’ve been busy, paring down all my personal effects, trying to lighten the load. It actually feels pretty good to see all the last little bits of my excess personal baggage go away. Letting go of things isn’t always easy, but it is a worthwhile exercise.

long live rock

My record collection, which hasn’t been listened to in over 20 years is now sold. While the amount I got for it barely covers beer, I no longer have to worry about lugging it around with me anymore. I havent had access to a device to even play a record in at least that long, yet I have moved them across country twice, and then sat them in the basement for 10 years. No more.

My superfluous outdoor gear, all gone or on consignment.

All my bikes. I’ll be headed west with my road bike and Kermit, the only two complete bikes I have left.

And then there is the saying of the goodbyes. It’s a tough process, especially when you have roots in a place for 10 years – my longest run anywhere. Lots of folks to see, including family, friends and my old haunts.

shredding the gnar, and the gnar was good

I was surprised on Friday by Daddy Nat, who had texted me to find out that my plans were. I had some organizing and packing on my schedule for the day, and was very happy to blow it all off to go snowboarding at Stowe. It had been about 2 years since my last time out, and about 4 years since I had been to Stowe.

Turns out I didnt forget how to ride, but as the day went on and I got my confidence back, I really had to reign it in. I was starting to get waaay to comfortable on the board. Conditions were great, and our familiarity with the mountain allowed for good choices for trails to hurtle down with minimal people. It was good that we stopped when we did, because I was getting tired, and was beginning to have the feeling that I was going to get really hurt if I didn’t stop. Headed out west for a new beginning with a torn ACL would be less than ideal.

my skill level 19 years ago, in Colorado no less

I used to have Jedi like skills, but now my powers are weak. Still, it was a really nice thing of Nat to hook me up with the lift ticket, and it was a nice send off to the mountain where I had spent so much time sliding sideways.


But now it’s crunch time. Shit to do. No screwing around. I leave in a week.