Derrick Connell Notes from the road

Well - I guess I should out myself.

 

I'm not really the committed snowboarder I think I am. I could be going to Australia,Chile or NZ where it is snowing right now but no - I'm off to sit on my ass on the beach in Mexico.

 

But I did have a dream the other night -- I was sitting on the top of Whistler, looking out over to Blackcomb, the snow had come down overnight, and I was ready to drop in. Dreams though - it just didn't feel right, but I reallllllllllllly wanted it to be November when I woke up. I'm not allowed to say that to people here in Seattle because they are enjoying the sun so much right now, but I'm Irish--- I have no expectations about sunshine...one or two days and I'm done

 

So where have I gotten to - am I happy about going to Mexico tomorrow, sad about it being July, happy that I am buing a new board in November, really happy that I was browsing the Vail web-site this week and found a good spot to stay over Xmas, or WHAT!!!

 

I'm just happy I don't have to work next week....

I headed up to Steven's Pass, north of Seattle on Saturday - it snowed all last week and fresh tracks were high on my list but I had a very different day.

 

Firstly I broke rule #1 - and didn't check I put the right gear on in the car-park or is rule #1 to throw away crap gear when it becomes crap - well either way I didn't do that. I stuck my crappy broken goggles on my helmet and stomped up the hill. Funny how little you can see through crap goggles but I learned how to roll with the curves.

 

Anyhow - once I got all that worked out I had a brilliant day. The park tempted me as I've been building up the nerve to try the big jumps - hence the scrotum tightening

 

I hit the biggie - and landed it - and boy did I feel the andrenalin - I took off straight from a 5-6ft jump and cleared about 15 ft of air --- holy shit --- and it was amazing. I have tried to get the nerve for a while and it was fantastic. Where's the camera when you need it.

 

So will I do the 360? well - it's next on the list of 'what the hell were you thinking!" things to do

 

Here you go Aeron - pictures of Josh and VaiL

is it really snow - or is it snain? or is it fog? hard to know --- so I'm going up the hill, up the hill, up the hill......

 

so now - where to go - Crystal, Baker, or Stephens? When? Thanksgiving - I'm giving thanks that all the people will be eating turkey whilst I'm on the hill....nice quiet day with Debbie

 

ttyl

where is the snow? I know it's not due to months but I just can't stop thinking about a better season....please please please please

 

 

Well - just got back from London, and it was a wild trip - wedding in Dublin on Sunday, Show in London on Monday and dancing all night at the Ghetto on Tuesday night - it's always nice to go back to your hotel at 6:30am and surprize the doorman :-)

 

Off to Mexico tomorrow morning --- last vacation before the snow comes !! Can't wait.