The Adventures of Jason and Abby Forrest

Journal Entry - November 2010 - South Dakota

2011-10-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

Clearing off the desktop on our computer. Wrote this in the back of the car on our way west.

We didn't know what the future held.

Dickenson, North Dakota.

November, 2010

Muse is blasting through the speakers. I am laying in the back of our 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser SL. Abby is driving. Gauge, our Chesapeake Bay Retriever has his head across her lap. My sideways view has a blue sky and scattered houses and farms screaming by, snow on the ground, the cool of the window comes through on to my feet.

It is a long drive to Montana for Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. We are on interstate 94, going 70 with America flying by. We get tastes and samples at quick stops through gas stations and rest areas. North Dakota is as we remember it. A funny accent, lots of farmers and snowmobiles. Big gaps between services. When there are shops and stores they are not chains. Probably the most original “American” part of our journey so far. No Panera’s, no Starbucks. Cheap, crappy gas station coffee, energy drinks and Mountain Dew.

We have come up with an idea that I think is pretty good. It is a travel philosophy and book idea. No Interstates. I will google it to see if it’s being done. I deep down hope for America’s sake that it has, that there is an underground travel crew and sub-culture revolving around and over the backroads of america.

We are going to keep it in our minds for the spring. We could have some time on our hands, unemployment checks rolling and a backroads adventure home. If we could tie in a Mt. Hood and Oregon Coast trip we could make it coast to coast, backroads, no interstates all the way, going slow, stopping at stop-lights, sleeping where it gets dark. Not covering the miles nor eating up the road but soaking it in, stopping and talking, exploring and adventuring.

Has it been done? That’s the question.

This thought can’t be that original--God I hope not--but if it is we could be on to something, on to that book or adventure that could actually pay for this madness.

Is it possible or have interstates swallowed and paved over many of the routes.

Here’s my ramble:

Are interstates are more fuel efficient? Saving money and the environment but not putting money back into the small American business’s, bypassing our tourist dollars around the small american towns.

We drive, we visit, we explore, we write about the town we are in while we are there. We move on. We eat pie, we drink coffee, we let our dog pee on bushes.

I research the american interstate system- when and why it was built? The best way to move goods? Trucks are the feet of much of our economy--but what about trains? Are they not more efficient?

How do interstates play into Freedom to Roam? (http://freedomtoroam.org/)

Are train tracks better? I think so. Car and truck traffic is constant. Trains are a big object going by at once. They leave a break for animals to cross.

It is a case study into America. The Panera, Target, Starbucks, Lowes suburban sprawl. It is the same nationwide. Are we losing our individual American identity within this sprawl? Has price and convenience become the only factor that drives our economy? Are we all to blame for this collapse? We need to stop giving our hard earned dollars to the big corporate brands and return it to our small towns and keep our bills in our neighbors pockets.

A return to local American tourism. Could it be a part of this nations rebirth? Like farmers markets and buying local. Could we travel across the nation and stay local, buy local and keep our travel dollars local while transporting our “local” across this country.

I driven across this great land of ours eight time, be every major interstate north to south. Every state is beautiful. Every state is unique. Every state holds folks who are proud of where they live. Locals eager to share. Eager to have you at their diner. Eager to have you at their hotel or campground. Eager to serve you crappy coffee at a rundown gas station.

It’s cold out.

Western North Dakota is quickly passing under our wheels. We will be in Montana, the state of our destination within a couple hours. It’s arrival will be sweet.

Ancient polynesian ocean travelers believed that they never traveled to their destination but that the destination would rise from the horizon and bring itself to them.

We are like the great polynesian ocean travelers. Going through the correct steps and willing that our distant island destination will rise from the horizon and bring itself to us. The destination of the Northern Rockies will rise from the plains. It will rise because we are worthy and willing to pay the price of the journey.

The no interstate philosophy makes the distant destination our daily journey. The island goal will rise to us daily, willing us to draw ourselves out of our mile eating mindset and into a mile loving slow journey across this great land.

Full Circle

2011-09-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

I grew up in a little town on the Chesapeake Bay called Poquoson, Virginia.
Just about the best place a kid could ever want to be raised, friendly neighbors, good schools and boats in the water in every backyard.
I loved that place and always will.
Despite all that Poquoson had to offer I got out of town every chance that I could. Before I had my license this meant boat trips to Yorktown or just a short trip out into the marsh to run around.
Once my license was in hand I was out of town every chance I got.
Nearly every day I left Poquoson.
Using the payphone in the high school to call WRV in Virginia Beach to get the daily surf report. The rest of lunch was spent trying to convince someone to come with me to the beach. My two best friends played football so were always out when the waves were good.
If there was no surf which was usually the case then it was a solo mission, mountain bike in the back of the truck and a drive west to Williamsburg or Yorktown, out to the rolling hills of the inner Virginia peninsula.
A note left on the counter. "Gone Bikin'."
Never really alone on these trips. Our Chocolate Lab Bear joined me on all but a few. He always sat in the passenger seat and he never held me up on the trail.
It was a natural progression for a kid that had to be moving but didn't like the hits of football.
We rode BMXs before there were mountain bikes and when mountain bikes came out the world opened up. Jumps, drops, downhill, uphill and single-track through green grass. It was my escape and my mission. I read all the magazines and even raced in a circuit for a couple years. I didn't know a soul there and was the only one without spandex. Somewhere there is a picture of me in a tie-dyed shirt, covered in mud with a race plate on my 1996 GT all-terra tequesta.
Surfing held my passion but a thirty minute drive to VB and waist high crap often was not enough for me. At that time it was never waist high crap. It was mission, an adventure that involved a routine stop at the gas station on the way home, the .25 cent rack and a double chocolate brownie and moon pie.
I followed my surf dreams. I truly did. Surfing has taken me places and put me through experiences that I'll never replace. We'll revisit them one day and we'll have salt water in our blood.
Four year ago my brand new wife and I packed up her car and drove west. Surfing wasn't an option for me at that time. I had a crazy wrist surgery from too many skateboard slams and would not be able to do a push-up for six months. Together we knew we needed to leave town. We needed to form our family and become Jason and Abby Forrest.
We have.
Today I loaded up that wagon.
Put a mountain bike in the back.
Our dog Gauge in the front and headed ten minutes down the road.
That short drive brought back a flood of memories. I looked over and saw Bear.
I was in that red pick-up truck with the Counter Culture sticker in the window.
I drove our wagon to go mountain biking.
Some friends had planned to join but bailed at the last minute.
Abby was working late and the sun was falling fast.
She's due any moment so my phone's ringer was set to high.
Gauge and I rallied the trail. We climbed to the top of spencer and dropped into a solid downhill.
I'm 32 years old, my dog hot on my tire and I rode a trail way gnarlier then anything I would have ever rode at 17. My wife home with our baby boy on the way. A career that I'm stoked on that provides benefits and a solid income... and I'm bombing down the trail. Mandatory drops and gap jumps.
Dirt on my face and blood on my knee and I'm back at the car.
I'm 32 years old and have never been happier.

Kiteboarding Montana

2011-08-22T10:36:00.005-07:00

Home from work and it's absolutely beautiful outside.
We've been going pretty hard the last few weeks and it's been non-stop around the house. I'm nesting, Abby's nesting and feeling pretty tired. In the last couple weeks I've completely refurbished two dressers that we found on Craigslist for 40 bucks and have been organizing a carload of baby stuff we got from some friends.

Life is non-stop in Montana and every day there is something more to do.

So sitting inside on a beautiful day, cold beer in my favorite coozie right next to me. Abby on the couch reading a book and Gauge panting on the floor.
Life could be worse.

Montana is number 5 in the United States for Wind Energy Potential according to the Wind Energy Association. We hold our spot right behind South Dakota, Kansas, Texas and North Dakota. I'm willing to bet if you google any of these spots in relation to kiteboarding potential they would be pretty low on the ranking behind North Carolina, Oregon, California and Florida... and that's not even going international. Now I'll admit that Wind Energy Potential is much different then "epic kite spot". Wind Energy Potential takes into account terrain, topography, availability of energy transmission, etc...while kiteboarding is looking for something just a bit different. The key ingredients of which are water, wind and access.

Wind sports are nothing new in the state and in fact windsurfing was quite big here years back...when windsurfing was quite big.

Now enter one of the worlds fastest growing sports. Kiteboarding.

I finally threw in the towel on this sport last summer while home on the Outer Banks. This rant could go on for days but lets just say I need to constantly move, the Outer Banks is the best place in the world to learn to kite and my father-in-law teaches kiting for a living. Put these things together, add a bit of ego swallowing and you have me... a new kite addict. I love the water, I love surfing and it is just another avenue to keep moving.

Then we commit to life in Montana and I have this new passion without an outlet.
Where we live in Montana is probably one of the least windy place in the state. Very good for snowsports, not so good for kiteboarding.

I put forth some effort and hooked up with a few fellow wind addicts. Some new to the area and quite a few that have been chasing the wind here in the state since they had a huge board strapped to their roof. They have this place wired. They have been getting after it for years. Flat out - the east side of Montana is one of the windiest places on earth and they have a saying.. "small kites, drunken nights."

I came into this sport with absolutely NO interest in taking it to the waves. I wanted an option for the non-surf days. I wanted a board with boots and a kite that acts like a magic wakeboard boat. I want slicks, I want tricks and my erratic totally out of control kiting is evident of this desire. This tactic is doable on the Outer Banks where in general the winds are moderate and the water shallow. You can "pull the trigger" -try whatever you like and even if all goes wrong you just stand up, shake your head and go "damn--that was close."

"Small Kites, Drunken Nights" - cold water, crazy strong winds, deep lakes, sketchy launches, life jackets and helmets. That's what that means.

My approach to kiting is straight-up dangerous in this new land.
I've had a handful of sessions and only once have I been able to use my 11M kite. Every session has been on an 8M and totally powered. I've taken some serious thrashings and spent some time in the water. It's been crazy fun and a whole new take on the sport. This crew is committed and they want big wind and waves. These lakes are huge and I'll admit at Tiber there were solid four foot rollers. The Montana crew is chasing the waves and I'm trying to find a spot with calm water and a place to do an air.

This past weekend I was able to join the Montana crew at a "new" kiting spot. Kiting itself is a "new" sport but it's pretty cool to literally be able to go somewhere and kite and know everyone who has ever kited there and to know when the first session went down. The committed crew of kiters in Montana has had about 10 session there this summer and it's possible that the results of these session will be a consistent summer kiting location for Montana Kiters. Summer has always been considered the off season for this crew. Winter they snow kite and spring and fall they chase the winds on the plains. Summer has been the time for hiking and waiting.

No longer- Enter Montana newest and I'll say best kiting spot- St. Mary's Lake - Glacier National Park.

In my opinion the launch is sketchy. Basic rule of kiting- no offshore, no onshore. This launch was straight onshore with a nice beach big enough to lay out your lines but holds trees at either end. With some effort a walk up the point would give you some room for error but if your a beginner your kite will be in the trees before your feet can touch bottom.

The wind was smooth and consistent and the water offered just what these kiters wanted. A rolling swell. A slick could be found close to the point and a better kiter then me would of ruled that zone but I finally decided to keep my board in the water and see what the kite-surfing part of this sport is all about.

I made my way way upwind and started looking for these rolling swells. The wind wasn't too strong and they held a solid shape. Riding toeside and dropping my kite downwind I was able to pull a full top turn, bottom turn to another top turn combo - kite adjustment and eye the next roller. If you know me you know I just don't say this but I think I surfed in Montana....huh...
I found lines back-side and front-side.
True I had a kite in my hands but once I dropped it down the wave provided the power.

I live 12 hours from the Pacific and 2600 miles from the Atlantic.
I live in Montana and I'm pretty sure I surfed.

Now I know your going to look at these pictures and see the three inch waves rolling in on the beach. It was the same at Tiber. I kited the slick and the crew was talking about these big rollers in the middle. Same deal here, the waves die out close to shore but hold their power in the deep, middle of the lake. It must be the fetch over a short distance. The waves hold no power through the shallows- the exact opposite of an ocean swell. It's an interesting deal and one that must be experienced.

The crew of kiters here in the state is a committed, determined and stoked crew of kiters, surfers, snowkiters and like all Montanans passionate about their recreational activity of choice.

It's good to open your eyes and try something new. If your not learning, your not living.

So maybe I'm waving the flag a little hard but if your sitting around and your looking for something to do- grab a kite. Look where you live and say- what does my land hold. Maybe it's not kiting but every spot holds an adventure and if you looking for something to do- maybe it's kiting.

**all facts either made up by me or searched on google for less then 30 seconds

Enjoy these photos - taken at St. Mary's Lake in Glacier National Park
Click on them to make them larger and open in another screen- the small shot does nothing for the view.

Brett Barley - Vote for him!

2011-08-09T21:19:00.002-07:00

Bay Head, NJ - stolen from the internet...

It was 2005 and the middle of winter on the Outer Banks on North Carolina.

I got a call from Jason Andre that we should head up to New Jersey for the Ocean City Christian Surfers annual Cold Water contest.
March on the Outer Banks and it doesn't take much to hit the road.

It was me, Jason Andre, Brett Barley and Dana Quinn.
The waves were fun and the water was just as they advertised - cold.
We huddled in the mini-van between heats, all squeezed towards the dash trying to get some heat.
The contest was fun and the trophies were the best. The hand held boxing toys from way back when. Had it at my house for years. Pull the trigger as fast as you could to throw enough punches to be crowned the winner.

We had a session after the contest at Bay Head, New Jersey.
Some of the best waves I have ever had, heavy dredging barrels right off these short jetties.
Super fun, super cold, super heavy.
It was one of those days- crisp, cold march air, stiff offshore and water in the 30's.
We surfed till we couldn't paddle. We surfed till we had no warmth.
Walking up the beach- stoked and cold, wishing the sun delivered just a bit more warmth.

Brett was sponsored by O'Neill at the time.
I looked down at his booties and they were flopping in front of his toes.... a few sizes too big.

We'd surfed three days, cold water, huddled around the heater, waved and clapped our hands for warmth, stomped our feet to get the blood flowing.

This was the last session before we drove home and I looked at Brett's booties and they are sizes too big. He hadn't said a word.

If you've ever surfed waves that really require booties you know that having a pair too big is the worst thing in the world... at least at that moment.
If you've ever been around young sponsored kids you know they complain and if they don't complain, they brag.

Brett never complained and I've never heard Brett brag.

I voted for him for many different reasons but maybe you'll vote for him because on that day six years ago his booties didn't fit, it was cold, the waves were sick, he was sponsored and didn't complain a bit.

http://innersection.tv/

Cracker Lake - Glacier National Park, Montana

2011-07-25T19:51:00.000-07:00

Journal Entry
Cracker Lake - Glacier National Park, Montana
7/23/11

The most beautiful place I've ever been and this was before we even left the parking lot.
6 mile hike in, 1200 ft of vertical gain.
Abby 7 1/2 months pregnant.
Tent drying in the cool, sunny wind.
Packed a few beers in for a surprise and lost one on the hike in. Got the tent all covered with Trout Slayer Ale. Washed the tent in Cracker Lake. Pretty Classic. Heavy bear country. Super cautious about scents and food storage. The tent smells like beer. Couldn't help but crack a smile, knowing the surprise, knowing I had a beer soaked tent as Nate reviewed safe scent practices.
No doubt the most majestic spot this beer stenched tent has ever been pitched - and I've had if for 15 years. Mt. Siyeh just to our left - 10,014 feet, the fifth tallest and one of six peaks over 10, 000 feet in the park. Siyeh Glacier receding at the base of it beyond vertical north face.
The sun is warm on my face while the wind cools my skin.
Patches of snow all the way down to the lake. Alpine flowers in yellow and purple that I do not know. Birds, wind and flowing water a constant sound. Clouds roll by and obscure the sun dropping the temp well below comfortable. They quickly moving on to bring back the warmth of the sun.
A mountain goat that is way to tame hangs in the next campsite.
Eager day hikers explore the distant ridges. A pair of tall foreighners scale the steep alpine terrain straight ahead.
A gust of wind just assaulted us with the force and announcement of a train.
The shadow of the clouds race across the ridges.
Laying here on my therma-rest I just found the most comfortable spot in this most comfortable of places. I've found it's perfect fold while my sleeping bag act as the perfect pillow in it's stuff sack.
We'll lose the sun to the steep ridge way to early. The temps will plummet and we'll find comfort in a warm meal and the beers buried in the snowbank 100 yards away.
The tent has dried in the sun and wind like clothes on suzanne's clothesline that is currently strung in Cape Hatteras.
We've never been here.
Nature rules this place as the wind shows no mercy. Announcing it's presence well before it's arrival. It will be thunderous this night. The stars in this place will be inspiring.
Our child grows next to me. Relishing in the purest air in America. A tucked away valley, a stunning alpine lake in America's rocky mountain front. Abby's health and happiness, love and devotion nuture in this place.
An absence of clouds and a calmness of wind bring a pure warmth- but the calm did not last the length of this sentence.
I could see a return to this place in a year. A baby on my back.
Abby just kicked in a dream. She naps with a purpose. An arm twitch.
The shadow of the ridge creeps forward. My search for a bear - a constant scan for motion. A comfortable excitement would follow a sighting on the opposite ridge while the fear would follow tonight in out tent.
A few more moments and I'll apply the rain fly for added security against the wind.
The scenery is surreal - almost distorting in it's size, grandeur and distance - reference points are confusing and scale is gone. The ridge and the summit of Siyeh seem so near but getting there from here would bring death from a fall.
The cry of a hawk.

Montana Craigslist

2011-04-18T18:43:00.000-07:00

1986 dodge one ton van - $300 (Missoula, MT)

Date: 2011-04-17, 4:46PM MDT
Reply to: sale-dmngp-2331139775@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

Is a white dodge one ton van, with a four-forty motor 90 thousand original miles on it. Needs gas tank cleaned and is willing to trade for guns.

11th Annual Nate Chute

2011-04-14T14:39:00.000-07:00

Honestly this is the raddest event we do all year, good cause, great people, super good times, sick course and some great racing. Biggest competition ever at Whitefish Mountain Resort and obviously very proud to be a part of this years Nate Chute!

Couple Rad End of the Season Video

2011-04-14T14:35:00.000-07:00

Another Great Video of the Pond Skim:

And Ski Patrol with their domination of the Employee End of Season video contest! Watch for my cameo.

Whitefish Mountain Resort Pond Skim 2011

2011-04-12T21:16:00.000-07:00

So Proud of this event every year. This season was just that much better! A super nice, sunny day, perfect day for skimming a 90ft pond filled with freezing water. Our finale, the mountains finale and my last event as Events Production Supervisor! Sixty costume adorrned competitors battling for $1000 in CASH, a cat ski trip for two, a pair of skis and a bunch of other gear.
Video by Gravityshots.com

Pond Skimming flight at Whitefish Resort with a Hexakopter from Jeff Scholl on Vimeo.

Picture Post and the Flathead Valley Roller Derby

2011-04-04T18:46:00.001-07:00

This is the picture post.

The North Fork of the Flathead River

April 1st, 2011 we celebrated Gauge's sixth birthday!! It's become an annual tradition that we go to the local grocery store and buy him a bone straight from the butcher. He was pumped!

Willy came home late that night and gave Gauge a wrestling match for his birthday

Ok... This is rad... Flathead Valley Roller Derby! Willy and I are going backwards in a car.

This was the raddest time ever. We were totally blown away. Flathead Valley Misfits vs. The Spokannibals at the Fairgrounds. 10 bucks to get in, $3 beers and over two thousand in attendance. Flat Track roller derby... the biggest thing in The Flathead Valley for sure!

Chicks going fast

Radness!

Willy was overwhelmed!

This guy had almost as much fun as us!

This photo was taken during half-time and a sick metal cover band was playing
White Zombie "Thunder Kiss '65"
In case you don't remember that song...here it is:
Play the song, close your eyes, put yourself at roller derby then open them to the best mullet ever!

Montana Update

2011-03-29T08:45:00.003-07:00

I'm sure 99% of those that actually read this blog actually got this as an e-mail...but It's been super crazy around here and my blog post have been slacking. Read below if you don't know what's going on..

A bit of celebration happened tonight for the Forrest Family in Montana.

A new soft serve yogurt place opened up right next to one of our favorite bar/grills. Their business plan is genius. A wall of self serve yogurt flavors, a wall of toppings in bulk style dispensers and a finale of a hot chocolate topping machine. You pay by the ounce, load it up, weigh it and pay.

I took a bit of liberty on the chocolate covered espresso beans... So here it is 11:30pm and as much as I’d like to be asleep your getting an e-mail filling you in on our news.

...and no the yogurt spot, nor the bar was the root of our celebration.

It’s official. Abby is pregnant!! Hence the mandatory stop at the new yogurt spot.
We’re 11 weeks in, we’ve heard a heartbeat and seen a little picture. We’re super stoked and just beyond excited. The official due date is October 8th, but I’m calling the 10th. Where do you start with news like this??? other then that we’re pumped! We’re making a name list, got 10 books from the library, owe late fees on ‘em already and I tie-dyed a onesie...

With this new addition our search for a place of residence has been heightened. As many of you know we have been on a serious job hunt over the course of the last 18 to 24 months. I’ll spare you details but it’s been an interesting road to say the least....

That brings us to tonights celebration.

I have been offered and plan to accept a full time, salaried, benefited position here with Whitefish Mountain Resort as a Sales Representative. My exact role will be to increase group business by establishing and building upon relationships with ski councils, clubs, colleges, corporations, etc... It involves a bit of travel during key times of year but also focuses on ensuring a quality experience once the group has arrived in Whitefish. I’m pretty psyched and think this position really highlights my sales experience, people skills, host and guiding experience.

So... We’re staying in Whitefish!

Our current lease ends mid april, we’re looking for a new spot and it will include a guest bedroom for the summer and a baby room come fall! Needless to say it’s bit bitter sweet but would have been either way. The Outer Banks; family, friends, the ocean, surfing, kiting and one great lifestyle. Montana, friends, a bit of family, adventure, fly-fishing, snowboarding and a billion and one activities to choose from.....

My start date could be as early as tomorrow but I’ll work through my events supervisor commitment and will start to balance that with a bit of my new work load. Really use this time to become familiar with some of the mountain services that I’m not 100% familiar with...and how much does it cost to take the train from Seattle?? Stuff like that...

So that’s the word! We’re pumped. Billy, Abby’s dad is pumped, he’s down a kite crash test dummy but he’s guaranteed that in the next six months we’ll get our stuff out of his house...

So stay tuned to http://www.jasonabbyforrest.blogspot.com/ as the adventure continues!

With love,
Jason and Abby Forrest

Snow Reporters Daily Video

2011-03-15T12:32:00.001-07:00

Willy and I went up with the Snow Reporter this morning.... Caught the chair at 8:15, usually can't get on 'till 9:30. Our own private resort. Would of been rad except the conditions were horrid. Hard and harder. It's been super warm the last few days. It was cloudy and just starting to snow while we were up..

Watch to the end... pretty classic.

..and this is the video that got me there. The marketing crew is putting on a "ski with the snow reporter" contest. This is my submission. It's all footage you've seen with a new edit, rad music and truly good times. Thanks Pat and Tony for the music suggestion.
..oh..Didn't win the contest, they pulled me out (something about being an employee and that my video is super good and they want a "regular" joe to win).. So they just asked if Abby and I wanted to go up. Unfortunately she woke up this morning sick as a dog, so willy got to come.

G.N.A.R.

2011-03-08T18:00:00.002-07:00

You'll need some time on your hands for this one. It's a full length ski movie. Over an hour long....
I will say that it is hands down my favorite "ski" movie EVER!
Watch it! Be inspired! and get G.N.A.R.!!!!!

OK.. it doesn't want me to embed it so copy the link below, watch it full screen.
It's worth it I promise!

Mom.. I'll call you on the top of my next G.N.A.R. line.
Watch the movie and you'll get it!

http://unofficialnetworks.com/gnar/

Frabert Awards

2011-03-07T16:44:00.001-07:00

What can I say... Sometimes you just do dumb stuff.

The Whitefish Mountain Resort Ski Patrol has been sponsoring this weekly event for years, known as Frabert. Every Wednesday at the Bierstube they offer up a free keg and tell the stories of all the stupid things employees, guests or friends of the mountain have done that week.

It's a pretty rad thing to be involved with a corporation that actually, well sort of actually applaudes the dumb things it's employees do. It's usually keep that quiet and don't talk about it. Well, we're up here in Montana and sometimes making a good laugh about is the best thing to do.

Enjoy my folly!

Kerin needed a bit of help on her chug and I didn't want the crowd to heckle her too hard...

7 Day Forecast- Whitefish Mountain Resort

2011-02-27T19:35:00.000-07:00

7 Day Forecast for 7 miles north of Whitefish..aka.. Whitefish Mountain Resort

Winter Storm Warning

Tonight: Snow. Low around 18. South southwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.

Monday: Snow and areas of blowing snow. High near 26. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 17 and 23 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

Monday Night: Snow. Low around 17. South wind 10 to 17 mph becoming north. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tuesday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 28. South southwest wind between 11 and 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tuesday Night: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. North wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Wednesday: Snow. High near 29. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

"Attitude Makes the Difference"

2011-02-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

Just a day off

2011-02-24T22:18:00.000-07:00

Just a day off and quick video for you to enjoy!

Fernie, British Columbia Trip

2011-02-21T09:12:00.002-07:00

Dang...just lost all my text to this post.
So you'll just have to deal with the pics.
Went to Fernie, Pat would have gone.
It was rowdy as sh@#! Locals called it the "best day of the year".
11 inches overnight, bluebird and full on blower pow.
Had some of the best runs of my life!

The is one of the bowls they opened while we were there. We were at the rope drop on this one!

This is looking down at what was the run of my life. Right there when Patrol said go! Blower, untracked for 1500 vertical feet.

View from the lift. We rode the lookers right line and hit the dogleg riders left drop under the dead tree. Rad line, steep to drop to massive toe side slash on the wall that's just out of this pic

Willy and Pete, the crew for the day. On the chair with that line in the background again.
Lapped this chair till they opened that top bowl.. What a day!

Looking North towards the town of Fernie, BC.

McBride

2011-02-18T20:43:00.001-07:00

My uncle and aunt were in a tragic car accident a few nights ago.

This letter was/is a bit of my emotional process. A feeling of helplessness but an effort to do something. Please excuse any inaccuracies.....

This is the link to his Caring Bridge Website.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/patrickmcbride/mystory

Many years ago I was turned on to the music of Third Day. I even attended a few shows in Hampton, Virginia near where I was living at the time.

Like many I was recently saved in a charismatic church and was totally on fire for God. In the almost ten years since those exciting days of being young and radically in love with Jesus my faith has had it’s ups and downs. No matter what has happened I have always known that Jesus is my true savior. I have met my best friend, wife and soul mate and the last five years we have supported each other while following our goals and dreams. We have moved on the next stage in our love and are super excited to say that we are expecting a child at the end of this summer.

Probably about seven years ago my Uncle who lives in Homer, Alaska was home for a visit. We got to talking about faith and his new found church home. Needless to say he and I were both stoked after a lifetime together to be sharing this new joy. I turned him on to the music of Third Day. Over the course of the last seven years I would get a random call from Alaska or wherever my adventurous uncle would be and he’d be beaming through the phone about this drive or that flight and how he was just singing along at the top of his lung. Guy was totally on fire for your music! I know without a shadow of a doubt that screaming those lyrics solidified his faith and truly spoke to his heart and soul.

My uncles name is Pat McBride. He and his older brother ventured to alaska in the late 1960’s. My uncle Mike was a recent grad of Virginia Military Institute and heading to Anchorage to serve his time. He dragged along his little brother and together they never looked back. The two of them have had some of the grandest Alaskan adventures that are truly worth a book. They earned a living like many alaskans through commercial fishing and by becoming hunting guides. Truly carving a home out of the wilderness near Homer. Pat stuck to fishing and came to be known as a “high-liner.” One of the best black cod and halibut fisherman in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea. His brother Mike founded and built from the ground up the Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge. (http://www.alaskawildernesslodge.com/)

Pat has faced some challenges and has had more near death experiences than most humans will ever know. He almost lost his life piloting one of their first boats when it capsized while trying to cross the bay. He actually carved “I love you Pat and Barb” as a message to his wife and young son. He survived that incident and many more. Within the last ten years I recall a mayday signal he sent out when a rogue wave crashed through the windshield of his 100ft halibut longliner, the Judi B.

Recently Pat and Barb both retired from commercial fishing. They sold the Judi B and many of its Halibut and Black Cod shares. They found a boat in Seattle that was just what they were looking for but needed some work. Over the past few years; Pat, Barb and their son Pat spent months in a Seattle boatyard over-hauling The Bear. Their hard work culminated in a journey from Seattle back to Homer.

I am pretty sure you guys have a side to the story on how your song “Follow Me There” got to be the theme song to Sarah Palin’s Alaska but I’ll tell you mine.

Pat and Barb McBride were chosen to take the Palin’s fishing for the show.

To be honest I have no real interest in the show but you can be sure when the episode came on with my Uncle and his new fishing boat my wife and I would sit down to watch it. When the show started and Third Day was the opening music I instantly turned to my wife Abby and said “I’ll be damned, I guarantee Pat had something to do with this!” His enthusiasm for Third Day is just too contagious.

Weeks went by until I was able to catch him on the phone. He proceeded to tell me how he and Bristol Palin were in the wheelhouse while making their way to the fishing grounds and he was blasting Third Day like always. She loved it and had never heard Third Day before. He’s not sure that it was this moment that lead to the theme song but I’m pretty sure that it was right there. Right there in the wheelhouse of Pats fishing boat. Motoring across the rolling ocean, windows cracked, cool ocean air coming in and the sound of Pats voiced mixed with the music of Third Day flowing out over the Gulf of Alaska.

Two nights ago Pat and Barb were driving back from a kennel in Northern Virginia. They are devoted lovers of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and had found a breeder they wanted to check out. They had borrowed my brothers truck and were making their way back to Southern Virginia. The detail of the accident are still unclear but what I do know is that they flew off the road. Barbara was quickly released from the hospital while Pat underwent surgery this morning. My Dad, one of Pat’s best friends called me this afternoon after surgery and filled me in on the worst possible news. He completely shattered his C4 and C5 vertebrae. His surgery was performed by some of the best doctors available and they forecast a less then 1% chance that he will recover from paralysis from the neck down.

Needless to say it’s a traumatic time for my family.

I’m not really sure what I would like Third Day to do. I know it goes without saying that he and our whole family need your prayers. There is nothing better to do at this time then to turn this tragedy and heart-ache over to our Lord.

I know as of right now we expect him to be in intensive care for quite some time. To be honest this just feels all too unreal. Someone who has lived with such passion to be taken down like this is just a crushing blow. My personal faith is shaken.

Maybe someone could hit me back by e-mail and as things progress and I have some contact info available you guys could write a card or place a quick phone call. I know your getting ready to go on tour and it will be a long time before Pat is ready to attend another show but when that time comes I hope you could take a minute to meet this amazing person that you can call one passionate, thankful fan and I call my Uncle Pat.

Noah Couser Night Shoot

2011-02-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

Did a night park shoot with a really talented local photographer Noah Couser.
Super fun time in the Fishbowl after dark. A solid crew of local rippers, skier and riders, a full photo set up, a brand new wallride and a forty foot flat down box.

He got some really great photos and I am humble to be the shot chosen for the skiwhitefish.com homepage. Check it soon, they rotate out every Monday. Truly believe some of the other shot were better but know the mountain wanted to highlight the new wallride.

Did take a fall off the back going for a backside disaster, literally got it first try before anything was set up, then could get nothing more then a back tail, went for it big, missed the coping and went over the back straight to my back, a solid fifteen foot fall. The feature had not been opened to the public yet so no padding, straight to flat snow.... actually taking today off and I'm blaming it on this fall from thursday, today is tuesday...sucks getting older.... yoga session coming soon!

See More on his facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Noah-Couser-Photography/373255130860

Run with it.

2011-02-04T20:15:00.000-07:00

My buddy Jason Andre made this and I would like to share it.

Reduce Reuse Reduce from J Sun Productions on Vimeo.

Whitefish Mountain Resort-Daily Video

2011-02-03T19:12:00.000-07:00

The Snow Reporters Daily Video from February 2nd.

The Northern and a bum knee

2011-02-01T12:22:00.001-07:00

I started a tradition a few seasons back and jumped into it a little hard this last Friday. "Friday Night Lights." Night Skiing, always fun, always a bit sketchy. We have Night skiing here Friday and Saturday nights through most of the season. Most of our events are held on Saturdays so come Friday night we are ready for game day. My Friday night tradition goes like this, get off Friday night, walk over to Ed and Mully's, get a straight up shot of expresso and hit the park till it gets rock hard and super scary.

It's been a busy season opener and I finally was getting into the swing of my "Friday Night Lights" sessions. The park got a total rebuild over the last couple weeks, the jumps in central line got bigger and the jib section has everything you could want. Friday: Shot of espresso, ipod blasting, first run through the jumps, straight airs all the way, second jump, tweaked a grab, twisted my knee in the air, overshot the sweet spot and landed pretty hard, rode of the hill with ski patrol, check the last clip in Winter 2011 #2 video. That's me at my "Friday Night Lights" session, posted up with a PBR and a bag of ice.

Since then I've been to the doctor, strained ACL, some swelling, a sweet big ol knee brace. Was stoked to have off Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, something pretty unusual for us. I've not ridden since my first "smart style" run through the park this past Friday, hopped up on caffeine and loud metal does it every time.

We went to The Northern last night. Place is epic, celebrated my buddy Stephens 32nd birthday with some one dollar 16oz Miller Tall boys and Free Ping Pong and Pool. Held my own even though I was moving a little slow.

Night Riders Park Series #1 Best Trick

2011-01-31T15:18:00.000-07:00

Winter 2011 #2

2011-01-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

Sitting on some footage and needed to get creative.
Enjoy

Stark Living

2011-01-26T17:53:00.000-07:00

Living with the Starks is something else.

Just to be clear, Abby is a Stark, through and through and Willy Stark her brother lives with us. Food is a big part of living and no matter what Willy says he's more like his Dad then he thinks and cooks just like him. It's usually Abby and I doing dishes and Willy cooking up something crazy totally from scratch. You can't just make pasta around this dude, it's gotta be spiced and marinated, the sauce has to simmer and the noodles must be rinsed. (I think actually, I'm not even sure 'cause I don't pay attention)

We had a dinner party, actually Abby had a dinner party. I was so not into it I felt bad. I was tired, we had been busy with events and I knew Willy was the cooker....and he was not that into it either. Abby's a sweetie and kept inviting more and more. Driving home from the mountain we had a dinner party planned, no preparations made, no ingredients... just a sweet table.

Here are the results and it's all Abby's doing. Lady knows how to come through!

No idea why Strum is throwing up westside..dudes from buxton, nc and yes that is even a crostini!!!

Low visibility tour part 2

2011-01-23T19:32:00.000-07:00

Scott and Carol Busbey from Natural Art Surf Shop in Buxton, NC came out for a visit. A video they made.

Finally.... A lazy sunday.

2011-01-23T19:30:00.000-07:00

Sometime you just have to take a day off.

I literally have done just about as little as possible today other than taking a shower, going to church, eating leftovers, took gauge for a cross-country ski on the lake and have almost read a whole book. The only downer was that Abby had to head off to work at 2. This is the first Sunday I've had off since the season started and actually have off until Wednesday. It was a super nice day so I posted up on our front porch for the afternoon and into the sunset. Really wished I had taught gauge how to retrieve a fresh beer from the fridge.

Whitefish Whiteout

2011-01-18T17:37:00.000-07:00

This is our project for the week.
Putting on the 4th Annual Whitefish Whiteout.

Turner Mountain, Libby Montana

2011-01-14T16:48:00.000-07:00

Turner Mountain Part 1

2011-01-06T22:06:00.000-07:00

We're going here in the morning:
We're not renting it just going on a friday with free passes and eight friends.
It's been snowing all week, piling up--should be sick.
Look for a video from me in the next few days.

Helena Mens Drag 2nd Place

2011-01-04T19:03:00.000-07:00

Went to our friends Stephen and Gabrielle's for an awesome White Elephant Part just before Christmas. Pretty classic party-- Gabrielle is a Pilades instructor here in Whitefish...and I won't lie it takes money to take Pilades and there are some folks here in Whitefish with plenty of money. She invited her clients expecting only a few to come. Stephen is a flight instructor so he invited everyone from the airport and all his dirtbag snowboard friends...us and a bunch of others. It was a pretty awesome mix of folks. All her clients showed up, everyone from the airport came and we were there! Let me also say they live in a four million dollar house overlooking the valley. They house-sit and pay a modest rent. We had a blast and it was absolutely the biggest White Elephant Party ever-- took over an hour to exchange gifts and it ranged from super expensive bottles of wine and whisky, full on nice tool kits, ugly sweaters and track suits to what I got--- and I'm fully aware that mine's the best- A Mens Drag 2nd Place Trophy from Helena, MT. We mounted it on our hood!

Nate just banged on the door. Abby's down in Kalispell, he saw the car's go so he assumed I wasn't home. He's been outside for an hour shoveling-- we are going to build a quarter pipe for night shredding!

New Years Eve Rail Jam Video

2011-01-03T22:37:00.000-07:00

Have not even watched this yet. Pretty tired after a day of shredding. I hope it's good. Found it on our "Big Thoughts" Skiwhitefish.com blog. This is one of the most fun events we put on every year and always exciting to put together as a season kick off!

Enjoy!

Not even sure who made this???

Season 4- Part 1

2010-12-30T21:13:00.000-07:00

Covering our travels from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to Whitefish, Montana for another season at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The drive, the sites, a pre-season hike and a good powder day early in December.

A post for my brother

2010-12-26T20:54:00.004-07:00

But always time for this- "Now Rock Out"

2010-12-24T21:56:00.002-07:00

Time goes by

2010-12-21T17:52:00.000-07:00

Time just seams to go by.
Pretty busy with work, riding, sleeping, hanging out with friends and getting up and doing it day after day.

Had the last two days off and the holiday season is quickly upon us here in Whitefish. For just a couple weeks a year we're just like every other mountain in the country with lift lines, crowded groomers, gapers under rollers, lines in the park and with the super solid local crew growing every year the untracked lines are harder to find. All the hikes are being explored and folks are hyped to be around for the holidays. If you've got skins you're pumped, that little extra bit will put you over the top.

It's good for business and we all just hold our breath till it's over

Gauge and I walked down to the beach after riding today, snapped this shot of the alpenglow lighting up the mountain and the ice starting to form on the lake.

Had some friends over the other night, out buddy richard from NC brought over some Edenton peanuts. My dads huggy, PBR, NC peanuts and friends....

Volcom Omega Jacket Product Review

2010-12-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

I made this video for the OBBC website.
Shot in two sessions with a GoPro.

This was a priority video project for me.. Really needed to get it done before Christmas.
As the season progresses look for more straight up shred videos featuring the crew.

Our View at Sunrise

2010-12-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

We've been pretty tied up with moving west, moving into our house, seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Not to mention starting work and of course riding our snowboards.

Had some trial and tribulations with the new GoPro and working on a travel out video but want to include just a bit of snowboarding and the footage I'm getting just isn't turning out, sorting out my mounts and figuring out what I'm going to need to do.

Have not been taking that many pictures, mostly video... so for now you get this view from the upstairs bedroom at sunrise on Monday. pretty awesome!

Battle of the Banks Video

2010-11-21T17:09:00.000-07:00

A super rad day. I got a couple good ones down the beach.
Pretty disappointing for us...another loss.

The Calm before the storm.

2010-11-20T06:39:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the Stark House kitchen, first cup of coffee almost empty. Billy's making breakfast, Abby is still asleep, NPR's on the radio, Suzanne's reading the paper and Willy is downstairs sleeping. Charlie and Gauge, the dogs are laying on the floor.

It's the calm before the storm for Suzanne. Abby and I leave first thing Monday morning, the cars packed and we're in for a good drive. Billy flies out for his third season in Vail on Thanksgiving Day. Willy flies out to meet up with us in Montana on the 1st. We're taking Gauge with us and Charlie is staying here.

We're soaking up the time and nice weather.
Hatteras Island is quite a place to be this time of year.

I've been getting texts every day:
Photo text from the top of the mountain "it's deep, get out here" -Richard Dixon
"Time to sell the surfboards and move west. Big Mountain is going off! Kid tested and Nathan approved" - Nathan Hafferman
I replied with a picture of the sun setting through the Frisco pier...He replied
"I don't see any cold smoke in that photo?"

We'll be there about a week from today.

Here's some photos from the fall:

Forrest Family Photo

The Abby's and Billy- 6AM Race Morning

Just a few people running

Billy- Mid race- Coming in for a Suzanne Kiss

Billy on the bridge

This is where Suzanne and I met up with Abby and Billy- The Free Beer Garden

This guy ran hard

Abby Lindsey coming into the finish- 26.2 miles

They earned it!

Snow Porn

2010-11-09T18:10:00.001-07:00

ok. I love Nicolas but this had my elbows on the table, hands on my cheeks, mouth open and oh my gods coming out of my mouth.
The raddest five minutes of snowboarding I've seen in a bit

Sporting Sails

2010-11-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

The shop called today and my much anticipated package had arrived.
Just before the call Abby and I had both just said that we needed to go on adventure with our dog Gauge. I suggested that Jockeys Ridge would be a good spot to be in these winds- Hard NE but tons of Sun.

I quickly ran up to the shop and back to the house. Jockeys Ridge State Park is literally at the end of our road. It's one of the most popular hang gliding locations in the world and just about the closest you can get to the actual flight location of the Wright Brothers.

Sporting Sails- I got to meet a new friend a few weeks back. A dude named Billy Smith. Classic story. He and his brother were digging through their parents attic and stumbled upon a great discover. Their grandfather had experimented and made a few wearable sails or wing suits. Enter Billy and his brother, downhill skating, skiing and snowboarding and you've got a great new adventure.

For more make sure you check out their website at http://www.sporting-sails.com/

This was a test run and we'll be taking three of these with us to Montana and the slopes of Whitefish Mountain Resort thanks to Billy and Sporting Sails.

Outer Banks Marathon

2010-11-08T18:21:00.003-07:00

This is going to be an ongoing blog. I'll keep the same title and edit it through the week so check back and read on for updates


Our roommate Abby and her husband Brad.

So Abby, our roommate got online last night and signed up for the Outer Banks Marathon...yes the full Marathon. It's sunday... today is Monday. She ran 12 miles today and this is her after training meal.. A white pizza from slice, I think maybe three pieces and a couple yeunglings... carb loading.


My wife Abby.

So she signed up for the Half Marathon months ago, she's been running "a bit" but we're still calling it an "off the the couch" half marathon. She ran four miles today and this is her post run meal. $1 cheese slices and a couple yeunglings.

Stay tuned as we follow the progress of these two top of the line endurance athletes.

Quote of the day "every day this week we should mimic the diets of other endurance animals."

11/9/10-5 days to Outer Banks Marathon

Abby Carey "Jason! The only thing that is sore is my hip flexors..from lifting my legs. I'M GOOD!"


These girls know how to train.

Abby Carey ran some miles today and so did Abby Forrest and they both did Yoga this morning..
This is certainly turning into a "How to train for a marathon in one week" book.
Publishers...hit me up on my cell

Fall waves and wind

2010-11-08T18:09:00.000-07:00

Perfect waves..three people out including myself, nothin' but lefts, spitting tubes.


yep..that's the one. These shots were taken standing in my tupperware box on the beach, pulling my wetsuit on while the beach full of fishermen and women looked at us like we were crazy

Our card loaded for a day of adventure

Trebors truck loaded for the wind side of our adventure

Lunch and out to kite point for some big airs in the steady west winds.

Anniversary in DC..the Capitol and the greatest photo in the history of this blog

2010-11-07T17:00:00.001-07:00

We rode the metro

So it was our anniversary. three years! Abby had to be in DC for a two day conference for her Farmers Market Promotional Program Grant. I tagged along and made good use of my time while Abby had a great experience at her conference.

The Smithsonian Natural History Museum and a part of the origins of humans exhibit.

This guy had me in emotional tears. The worlds most visited Museum. The Air and Space Museum. The actual Mercury Mission Capsule that first carried a man in orbit of the earth. This guy told the story in depth and standing there next to the actual capsule... i shed tears

Our anniversary night- We walked the national mall before dinner

The most bad-ass dude I have ever seen. The White House guard, photo shot through the fence.. still need to google that gun but would probably get put on some list and be tracked the rest of my life.

The home of our President and his family

Here it is.. the best photo in the history of our blog. This has NEVER been done before.

She's classy.. I take phalic photos like a 16 year old

and ten minutes later i read this and get all choked up

The WWII Memorial was very emotional. Couldn't help but think about my grandfather and his role

This one got me

80's Party

2010-11-07T16:28:00.000-07:00

Our friend Lisa was home for a bit this summer. She lives in Perth, Australia, was born in 1980--celebrated her birthday while here in the states so we threw an 80's party...fitting..

http://www.loriallenphotographer.com/

Halloween and fall produce

2010-11-07T16:20:00.001-07:00

Our garden has been great this fall..we didn't grow the pasta but we grew the lettuce, green and red peppers

Halloween with the family in Poquoson

These kids want your candy

I went as a chicken...

Fall on the Beach

2010-11-07T16:12:00.000-07:00

A great day on the beach this fall...
Gauge digging a hole, coffee, our friend Rachel and good times.

You've seen these

2010-11-04T17:59:00.000-07:00

"I wish she was my grandmother"
-Laura Kurtzman- Our Roommate

and if you haven't seen this yet...your blowin' it!

Abby Says "Hot Damn!!!"

2010-10-30T12:22:00.001-07:00

Durand Beasley KDH Park

2010-10-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

Closed the windows

2010-10-04T17:41:00.000-07:00

I have jeans and a hoodie on, socks too, cause when I'm cold my mom would tell me to put some socks on so that what I did and now I'm actually pretty warm. My hood is still pulled up and most of the windows in the house are closed.

We are currently 2559.18 miles from our shred destination but the cool air gets us thinking.

So here is a trailer that gets me amped.

RESPECT YOUR ELDERS FRITZ TRAILER from Fritz Spiegl on Vimeo.

Been getting back into the swing of doing Yoga again, did some lunges on the beach the other day after a run, ran up the dune at Jockeys Ridge and need to spend some more time on my skateboard. We're getting ready and before you know it we'll be packing the car.

Found this place on craigslist
http://kalispell.craigslist.org/apa/1932077351.html

Pretty awesome spot. Looks like Abby and I are teaming up with her brother Willy and our buddy "Strum"--Mister Micheal Struminski. All Whitefish veterans and Outer Banks locals ready to get out for another shred winter.

Bus Adventure 2010

2010-09-30T17:18:00.000-07:00

Tonight at midnight, I'll be sleeping in bed with my wife, the winds from a tropical storm will press against our house, the rain will continue to fill out garden, forcing plants onto the ground. I'll be asleep.

An alarm is going to ring in Kitty Hawk, eleven miles up the road. Ten passengers are going to board a bus tied to a time-line of a flight into Austin, TX. A rottweiler bought off craigslist will be finding his spot on board. Three friends bound on an adventure of a lifetime. A family heading home to a house they have built on dirty dishes, hard work and tough living. Young kids sad to leave their friends while young men form bonds that will remain unbroken.

The trail and dust breeds strong ties.

Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia said "It's not an adventure until something goes wrong" These guys are setting out on a journey at one of the most dangerous times in Mexican history. The call to travel south is strong. The urge to embark on something dangerous doesn't listen to warnings. It ignores the news, it pushes through your pores and into your actions. Something is going to happen, shit is going to go wrong. It's adventure.

I met up with these guys today as they were packing up and wrapping up their final preparations. I've known Jonathan for years and as I left he said "it's an honor to have you stop by." It's an honor for me to know "kids" like these guys. It's always encouraging knowing people are doing "it." Breaking the norm, heading into the unknown, risking all and for no reward but the spirit of going.

As I drove down the beach road today after leaving their house with the winds pushing hard into the windshield and the sand blowing across the road I could not help but feel a fear well up. That familiar fear of embarking onto something new.

Wrapped in prayers and love we can hope that the things that go wrong end up so right.

Enjoy this clip

Massive Shark Sighting

2010-09-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

Got this video as an e-mail link today.
A little disappointed in the quality considering the filmer is Raven Lundy, known for incredible video footage while surfing. This video was shot from his ski off S-Turns in Rodanthe, NC.

Outer Banks Pro 2010

2010-09-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

Mountain Bike Whitefish

2010-09-23T12:41:00.000-07:00

Stolen from the Whitefish Mountain resort Blog- Big Thoughts

Last September, Ride Guide, a freeride/freeski TV series, came through with four riders and a camera crew. Pete Costain and Tom Danley took them down Runaway Train – and they had a blast! The episode just went live – check it out:

Garden Redux

2010-09-20T16:01:00.001-07:00

Our Garden got a face-lift over the weekend. We ripped out most of our plants from summer, loaded up on some fresh new soil, ripped out the soaker hose, patched a few shovel wounds and got to fall planting. We planted a slew of salad options, three different lettuce varieties, strawberries, collards, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. We left the eggplant and the green peppers be 'cause they are still looking good. Another round of tomatoes and basil, green beans coming out our ears and fall is upon us.

Found this beauty on craigslist:
http://kalispell.craigslist.org/rvs/1959903517.html
Our house-sitting deal has fallen through for the winter so we're looking into other options....

The Luckiest People On Earth

2010-09-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

A little World Unity

2010-09-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

This video reminds me of the story I heard about a year back.
World famous violinist Joshua Bell set up and played on a Friday afternoon in January in the Washington, DC metro station. Joshua Bell is one of the greatest violinist of our time... He and his very expensive Stradivarius set up and played for hours... almost no one stopped to listen.

Interesting note from one of the greatest marketers of our time

2010-09-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

"Marketers have long tried to turn happy events into shopping opportunities. Macy's and Gimbels and others pushed us to see Christmas as a chance to buy gifts. Shopping is right next to happiness on the spectrum of emotions, I guess, just as green is next to blue in the rainbow. They did it to Valentine's day and now, of course, Halloween.

Lately, some marketers would like to push us to move from fear to hatred. It makes it easier for them. We honor and remember the heroes who gave everything, the innocent who were lost, the neighbors who narrowly escaped. A day to hate? I hope we can do better than that."
-Seth Godin

Carter: The Video

2010-09-10T17:09:00.002-07:00

My good buddy Brad Oates just became a father.
Here's the e-mail I got from him:

Radical! Lori just had Carter on tuesday. Becoming a father is so rad! Hope you and Abby are good.

peep the video link!

carter : the video. from bradley oates on Vimeo.

Links to "all" the Hurricane Earl Coverage- Enjoy

2010-09-10T04:54:00.001-07:00

http://www.surfline.com/home/index.cfm

http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/hurricane-earl-coverage-puerto-rico-outer-banks_47371/

http://espn.go.com/action/#

http://espn.go.com/action/surfing/gallery?id=5543838&image=1

http://surf.transworld.net/1000114038/photos/chasing-hurricane-earl-on-the-outer-banks/2/

A day of Adventure with Captain Billy Stark

2010-09-10T04:46:00.002-07:00

A quick incomplete video of a day of adventure with Captain Billy Stark.
Unfortunately my camera failed half way through the day. It's been sent to Texas for repairs but for now this video will remain incomplete....

Check out Billy's website at www.capehatterskiteboarding.com

Felix Pivec Strapless Kitesurfing in Hawaii

2010-09-09T12:31:00.002-07:00

Trying not to be too bummed on my camera problems and I found this.

Felix Pivec Kitesurfing strapless in Hawaii from felix pivec on Vimeo.

Lens Error and results

2010-09-09T11:41:00.005-07:00

Just got a new mac, spent a ton... super pumped on making movies and my camera breaks... Way bummed-- Half way through filming a day in the life of Capt. Billy Stark. Still going to do it but with a quick ending....

It's a Canon SD750- Lens error is the message
Apparantly super common. It's the second time it's happened to me. Last time was early spring. We sent it in through the geek squad, they fixed it and it didn't cost that much but I'm not too willing to try again.

Anyone got a camera they want to get rid of-- Go Pro, Flip... anything.

Just got back from the Post Office--sending the camera to texas...should be back in a week or so...Deal is... one grain of sand will clog these things up. I'm lucky it does not happen more.. Paying 79 to get a completely new lens, massive service and a one year extended warranty on the whole camera. www.camerasandparts.com-- Hooking it up.
Looking into buying a hard casing, water/snowproof for 139 on amazon, but may have to save up for that a bit... money goes fast and I still need to go to the dentist....

"Come Find Us" Trailer

2010-09-07T10:54:00.001-07:00

This video gives me goosebumps thinking about the upcoming season. Quite a bit of Whitefish Footage and our best riders!

"Come Find Us" Official Trailer from Toy Soldier Productions on Vimeo.

Brad and Abby Carey Wedding Video

2010-09-07T05:43:00.003-07:00

Our good friends, roommates and landlords got married just before all the hurricane madness. The wedding took place on the beach in Kitty Hawk, NC and the reception was on the historic Kitty Hawk Pier. This is my first foray back into video production since we got the mac. Hold tight for some cheesy captions--it's a wedding folks, little canon camera, a few vodka cranberries, good times and this is what you get.

Hurricane Earl Report Vol I and II

2010-09-06T14:28:00.000-07:00

Just got out of the water at Nags Head Pier, literally the closest spot to my house. A bit of a mission to get in the water this morning. Pretty classic Outer Banks, drove around for an hour in town, headed south, got stuck in washover traffic, turned around and ended up surfing as close to home as we possibly could. Don't think I'll finish this blog post in this installment. Coffee and work calls.

Hurricane Earl update volume II.
Days later and finally a bit of time on my hands.

Like any good Outer Bankers we went out on a night on the town right before the hurricane hit. We got a group picture taken

Had some nachos

Tried not to get blown over on our bike- There is wind in this picture- lots of it!

The bikes at the house lined up and ready for action

We did do some serious preparations- Cut down this tree that might of fallen on our house

I had fun

Our Garden took a bit of a hit. Our eggplant blew over. I've since staked it back up and I think it will be fine.

I flipped our garden bench over before the storm and filled it with sand so it would not blow away. It filled a bit more with some rainwater.

The worst flooding we experienced. The passenger side of our car. Our window seals are shot and this is the result of Hurricane Force winds, tons of rain and a 1990 Olds!

The Beach to morning after- Wind blow sand fence and an angry ocean

A wind drift of sand

The afternoon held some good times. Team OBBC took it too Avalon Pier with a pretty crazy jet ski assisted surf session. Pretty much every single good surfer in the area was on the beach watching Jesse and Noah get some really sick waves. It wasn't so much that it was bit, just that the offshore wind was so strong it would be really hard to paddle in to these waves.

The crowd was nuts- Seriously the entire Outer Banks Surf Community

Noah and Matt Lusk discussing strategy or football or evolution, I'm not sure..

Busbey Video of Frisco Pier

2010-09-02T20:12:00.002-07:00

Scott Busbey Pics of Frisco Pier during Hurricane Earl

2010-09-02T13:55:00.001-07:00

These just in.
Hurricane Earl doing some damage on the south side of Hatteras Island.
Pictures from Scott Busbey at Natural Art Surf Shop.

Alternative wind uses

2010-09-02T10:49:00.002-07:00

Just got back from the beach, about to cut down a sketchy pine tree in our neighbors yard. It's leaning a bit towards our house and with this storm approaching we're taking it down before it crushes the wagon.
Our roommate Trebor is a hang-gliding instructor at Kitty Hawk Kites. Today, right now is epic conditions for soaring the beach. Super rad and a whole 'nother group of people living it up here on the outer banks. Check the shot too with all the kiteboarders in the surf. Not too good of waves and actually pretty small here in town. Reports from down south are that it's already washing over the dunes on the south side.

Salt water burns the eyes

2010-09-01T18:57:00.005-07:00

my eyes just started burning, maybe the salt water, maybe the computer screen. a bit late at night and as always close to exhaustion. It's been a busy couple weeks and I am no way going to cover it all in this little blog post but I might try a bit.

This bugger is bearing down on us pretty hard and ruling our lives at the moment.
It just got upgraded tonight to a Cat4 Hurricane, going from "I think we can ride this thing out no worries" to "Holy shit, lets strap everything down, where can we put the car, get everything off the ground floor, fill the tub with water so we can flush our poo." The road might get washed out down south and we might not be able to get down to Abby's folks for a good while. Abby's dad said "see you in a month."

The search has been on for days.
Here's some shots.
Abby took a few shots today from the beach with our little canon. Surfed with my roommate brad and his brother Alex. Alex in the blue trunks, me in the brown shirt.
Sunrise at the first jetty of the famous Cape Hatteras lighthouse. Got it really good there a few days back from Daniel. We're having a good run of it right now, hoping we don't get too thrashed in the coming days.
Check the evacuation traffic heading north on 12 as we head south.

It's time

2010-08-27T14:42:00.003-07:00

I see five storms.
Book your tickets, we got a jet waiting in Va bound for New England, gassed up and ready to go. The 6'7's ready, the 5'4's ready and the the 5'10 and 6'0 are ready for the goods. We got the hook-up from Nova Scotia to Beaufort, NC.
Bring it mother earth!

macbook

2010-08-26T17:15:00.001-07:00

got a mac. look out!
Blogs going to be going off soon.

Surfing for Autism

2010-08-19T16:17:00.001-07:00

Got to be a part of this event this past weekend.
A really special time in some challenging surf conditions.

View this video at Hurley.com

Pan-American Surfari 2011

2010-08-14T13:49:00.001-07:00

Received this e-mail a few days ago... Adventure anyone??

If you have received this email, you are likely already in the loop. Rumors have spread. thethingswedoforwaves... is taking things to an all new level. We are exactly one year away from the "event", which will be explained in more detail in the upcoming emails. But for now, I will introduce the plot, and the characters. If you have received this email, and still do not know what is going on, ask someone who does.

Plot:

11 countries. (canada, USA, mexico, guatemala, el salvador, nicaragua, costa rica, panama, ecuador, peru, chile)
12,000 miles (26,400 kilometers)
4 months.
2 trucks.
1 foldout camper.
1 Southern-hemi swell season

Characters:

Todd Halliday
Matt Bailey
Robert Farmer
Rachel Farmer
Jason Forrest
Abby Forrest
Joe Sherlock
Lisa Sherlock
Rob Mitchell
Wendy Mitchell
Pete Longworth
Charles Aydlett
Sam Newbold

I'm putting together a detailed map of the Pan-American Surfari. There are 3 legs to the route:

Leg 1: Nags Head, NC to Santa Cruz CA, (via Whitefish, Montana and Vancouver, British Columbia) - Approximately 4,500 miles
Leg 2: Santa Cruz, California to Popoyo, Nicaragua (via SoCal, Baja & Mainland Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador) - Approximately 3,300 miles
Leg 3: Popoyo, Nicaragua to Talcahuano, Chile (via Costa Rica, Panama, [impasse at Darian Gap/Colombia], Ecuador, Peru, Chile) - Approximately 4,300 miles

I will let you all think about this. It is a lot to take in. Please remember to Carbon Copy all of your responses so that we all know what is going on! Some of you may not know each other, so quickly:

Everyone knows, or has met Todd Halliday, lurker. Todd is from Perth, Western Australia and is currently working for Scott Busbey down on Cape Hatteras. Todd will be managing a ski resort in Alberta this winter. Matt Bailey is a mutual friend of Joe, Todd, Jason, and me. He is a graphic/website designer from Fremantle, Western Australia who loves lattes. Robert Farmer is co-owner and manager of Outer Banks Boarding Company, and he lives in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. He is a vegan and doesn't need to wear a watch because his bowel movements are like clockwork. Rachel is Farmer's wife and helps make some of the best coffee on the planet. Please call her Murphy, don't ask questions. Jason and Abby Forrest have been kicking it back home on the Outer Banks this summer but have been living in Whitefish Montana for the past few years. We all love Jason's Rip Curl tattoo, and he'll kill me for saying that. Joe, "Mr. Powersh" Sherlock and lovely wife Lisa "beam" currently live in Perth, Western Australia with their beautiful daughter Tayla. Rachel knows exactly when the insemenation occurred. Rob and Wendy Mitchell, from the Outer Banks, have a lovely little girl, Lily, named after one of my former asian girlfriends. Lily has yet to form the calves of her father. Wendy also makes good coffee, and will make Matt Bailey all the lattees he desires. Rob is a masterbating, I mean, master chef. Pete Longworth is the least known participant in this group but he will break something of value from all of you within 36 hours guaranteed. Pete is an internationally renown photographer and filmmaker (all jokes aside). He just had his work displayed at the New York International Independent film festival. He will be documenting our trip/adventures. Pete is from Sydney, Australia. Charles Aydlett is my long time friend who meets girls and buys them dishwashers as gifts. He also got me into surfing many years ago, which was a giant waste because, as all of you know, I surf like a wooden retard. Which leaves me, the mule. I think I know everything, but I know that I know nothing. I have small ears, a bad haircut, my ass stinks, and I will shave my chest if I feel like it, Farmer.

Now that everyone is accounted for, and all secrets have been released, we can all be friends. Let's get this shindig started. Shall we?

Sam(mule)

Summer Shots

2010-07-28T06:57:00.004-07:00

It's been a crazy fun summer. The time really goes by and it will be August before you know it..like in a few days. Here's a flurry of photos from when we've had the camera around.

Abby and her mom getting busy in the woodshop.

We've has some fun surf since we've been back. This was an early day at Frisco Pier. Breaking right on the end of the pier, super fast and a couple good ones to be had..

This spring was filled with Kitesurfing and I finally saved a bit of money to buy gear from Billy. I've been getting after it and having a lot of fun. Billy's jeep and one of the kites I bought from him.

Early on the spearfishing was insane. We got on it quite a few times and had some really good catches. This is the grill after a solid session with my brother dave and our buddy Josh. It seems like the wind has been blowing offshore for weeks until the last few days. Good for kiting but bad for spearfishing.

We threw seriously the most bad ass 4th of July party ever. Totally spontaneous, totally rocking. Full on dance party till 2 in the morning. From where we live we were able to walk out on Jockeys Ridge for the fireworks and right back to here for some rocking!

Gauge has been having a good time. This is right after a trip to the beach, super wet and rolling in the sand.

The fruits of yesterdays spearfishing adventure. Once again our buddy Josh Saunders with possibly the biggest trigger fish I'd ever seen. First dive and he comes up with this one. We all got some good ones but Josh's was a fatty. Fished, cleaned em and grilled em within hours. All topped with veggies from our garden and spices from the Farmers Market... the beers were shipped in though...

Go Skateboarding Day Shots and Comments

2010-06-22T19:15:00.006-07:00

It's a hundred degrees???
Wanna go skate??
Me... honestly... How 'bout I show up right before dark, shred a bit and say how rad summer is in NC.
That's pretty much how Go Skateboarding Day went for us here in NC. We were super stoked on Sector 9, Volcom and Outer Banks Boarding Company for making this happen. Truly a good time, hot as hell... We went through seven cases of water, sixty hot dogs and not a bit of sunscreen for anyone.
Abby said it best... "the fact that we got anyone out to skate in this heat was a success in itself."
We had a bit of a small crowd for the long board rally, a solid crowd at the park.
We had a few families at the park, crew from VB, crew from Elizabeth City filming, the local Honorable crew blasting hip hop from the van and a first time skater at 13 wasting those first 13 years until stepping on to a board for the first time at OBBC on June 21st, 2010 thanks to Sector 9. First time on a board and she skated two miles, heat of the day, with no shoes.... So basically if you didn't skate on go skate day because "it was too hot..." ...your lame...
Check a few photos.

Alan Brown, our local Sector 9 rep pretty much ruled the show, making the drive down from Ocean City, Maryland just to man the grill and foot the bill. Thanks Alan

These kids heard it was hot but the wool over their ears still made them look cool... WINTER HATS IN SUMMER NEVER DIE!!!

Eat some hot dogs.

Frontside 5's are the only thing that will live longer than winter hats in summer

These were the first tricks I've seen on the stairs, ledge and rail. All throw down for a pair of Volcom shorts. Saw a Tre-Flip, 5's and 50's, feebles and smiths on the rail, lots of tries and good times.

Artisan Skateparks has been making it happen here on the east coast. They could not make it 'cause they were shooting 'crete in Maryland while we enjoyed the fruits of their labor

Kids love free things.

Once again. Thanks to Sector 9, Volcom, Outer Banks Boarding Company and Ocean Atlantic Rentals for the music system.

See you next year!

International Go Skateboarding Day

2010-06-19T11:58:00.002-07:00

Meet Outer Banks Boarding Company at the Kill Devl Hills Aviation Skatepark for a grill out and skate session.
We'll be there set up at 5pm!
Come shred with local legends, OBBC team riders and random lurkers.

Longboard RALLY!
For you longboarders and cruisers MEET AT OBBC at 4pm. We'll rally up and skate from the shop to the park along the new sidewalks and bikepaths. Lead by our own shop guy Webb.
Get to the park and fuel up on some Hot Dogs and cold drinks!

We won the Volcom Shop Challenge

2010-06-19T11:55:00.001-07:00

Volcom News | BOWL SHOP BATTLE HITS NAGS HEAD, NC!

Can you find Abby in main shot #5... that's my women at it again!!!

Met this dude yesterday at the shop..

2010-06-06T05:43:00.003-07:00

He's in town for the Triple S Invitational down at REAL. Pretty rad.

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Marvin Foster on the Outer Banks

2010-05-27T18:45:00.001-07:00

Super Classic video of a ripping surfer who passed before his time.
Vitamin Sea...what a shop, a classic, and that Wes Laine, a true ambassodor with those shades and the kids. Would love to know who the kids are in this video and where they are now.

Marvin Foster on the Outer Banks of North Carolina from Surfdogmedia on Vimeo.

2010 Pond Skim Video

2010-05-21T11:42:00.001-07:00

Just came across this video.
Our last event of the year and what a success it was. Enjoy.

Just something about surfing

2010-05-21T11:31:00.002-07:00

That's all there is too it.... there is just something about surfing that's nothing else has...
We've had some really fun days the last few, nothing special that puts it on the radar of the car trip surfer but just enough to get the local crew amped and stoked.

Today was just amazing, not a cloud in the sky, super light onshore, crystal clear green water, not another crew in sight and a perfect little sand point. No lie... stood on the sandbar on the inside after getting a good one, looking out at Josh Saunders crank a nice bottom turn, blue sky, green water, full suits, peeling waist to chest high wave... could have been anywhere in the world but it was right here, five minutes down the road with just a few friends. Surfed until we couldn't paddle.

Getting into the groove of it.....

Can barely get up the stairs

2010-05-13T09:00:00.002-07:00

Outer Banks living takes place above the ground. Main level of the house is on the third floor, bottom level is closed in but made to flood, generator on a come-along strapped to the ceiling. Water vents designed to flow one way..out...even though it gets in no matter what. Second floor is a work space and Willy's old room....point is I can barely make it up the stairs. We sleep on the forth floor.
Five hours or more of Kiteboarding yesterday. Wind started at 15 and ended at 25. Packed a cooler, tons of water, a couple sandwiches, two kites, sunscreen, light wetsuits and spent the day getting after it...
Totally spent today, legs pumped, rained all night, grey out again... maybe go in a bit...
Skied/Snowboarded over 100 days this winter, been running on the beach in the mornings. I should be in shape for this. Surf was totally flat yesterday, like I said, nothing to skate on Hatteras Island.. and I'm spent, legs pumped can barely make it to bed. This is why I'm learning to Kiteboard...

one cup of coffee down

2010-05-11T05:47:00.003-07:00

One cup of coffee down, next pot is going now.
Charlie, Abby's parents dog is sleeping on the porch.
Gauge is upstairs in bed with Abby.
Cool, gray morning on the coast, surf is flat, there is nothing to skate on Hatteras island, wind will be light all day. I start work on Monday, we move into our new place Saturday.

We drove across the country, slept in reststops the whole way. I've decided there is not a state in this country that is not rad to see. Just when you think ones going to suck, with the right attitude it's rad.

I've seen the green room again and it's still green, well it was kinda brown and pretty damn cold actually. Still wearing booties on the north side. Got some goods ones down in the village with a short sleeve full, couple chest high waves. Actually good that it's not any bigger.... pretty pumped to get some paddling in before it gets too big. Feeling stronger and know I remember how to surf now.

Camera pretty much been in the glove compartment the whole way, since one panoramic on the east side of the rockies in Montana. Digital just gets lost in life unless you do something with em immediately.

Got to hang out with my brother for his birthday. Super fun, 24 of his best friends on a killer boat cruise. Known em all since I was young. Abby's whole family came along as well. Willy loved it. Partied our way to historic Yortktown, Va. Walked around, hung in one of the best bars in the world, ate dinner and made our way home. Mothers day with the moms. This is the stuff we came back for. Went to a bunch of the kids games on saturday. A flurry of soccer, t-ball then coachpitch... backyard soccer all weekend. My legs were super sore. Mason (5) is a total baller. Kids good, scored on me a bunch, seriously. He'd lob it out, cross me up and nail the goal.

Coffee's ready.....

Learning to kiteboard. Abby's dad is an instructor, has his own business here. Check it at www.capehatteraskiteboarding.com
One of my goal for this time in Hatteras was/is to learn to kiteboard. Been super fortunate that Abby's dad has been teaching me. Otherwise it's a crazy expensive sport....also the fact that he has gear I can use is the clincher. So I've been out a bunch... can totally go both ways, can make carving transitions and have made it back to where I started twice...that's huge..going upwind. Finally got the nod to go out unsupervised the other day and did pretty good. Billy, Abby's dad had a lesson so I was on my own. Starting to try and jump, super easy to ollie 20 feet, tried a spin that day and got the wind knocked out of me. pretty rad. Pumped on it for the summer...fact is, surf is not good here all the time, skating in 110 degrees is pretty rough and this is one of the best places in the world to kiteboard...period, so why not. Want to get good enough that I can do huge jumps and hit rails...no boat, no gas...just gotta keep moving...

Telemark Nationals

2010-03-25T16:38:00.002-07:00

What does a telemark skier say when they run out of weed???
---What the HELL is wrong with these bindings??

We hosted Tele nationals last week. Pretty rad and a really good time. For sure the best ski race I've been involved with but that's kind of like comparing a kick in the nuts to a kick in the liver... Honestly it was fun, they had a jump, this rapaloosa thing they went through and did some skating... the ski kind.. They were mellow and super helpful so it was good.

The kinda embarrassing thing was the overall lack of numbers... Literally a total field of around 60 for a national competition. The top ten blew doors and were super sick but otherwise... really... Nationals and there are only 60 of you???

So here's a video made by our marketing department. Our buddy Jay was throwing around the idea of competing for fun. I called him during awards the first day when I saw the citizen class was only three deep. So he showed up the next day and competed... with one other guy in his class.. So congratulations Jay.. Second in the Nation in the Karbon Classic. (ps... Jay snowboards 99% of the time. He was the head coach of the freestyle team when I helped out with that our first year here.)

Nate Chute. Couple Shots

2010-03-18T17:22:00.002-07:00

Just got off the hill after day one of US Telemark Nationals.

Wanted to throw up these picture from Nate Chute, one of the biggest snowboard events in the Northwest. Day one is a banked slalom and day two is an unreal boarder cross. Check out Ian Mull, our park manager face down in the boarder cross sequence shot (that's him in the white helmet).... more to come.

If you wanna know how bad ass the Nate Chute is check out this video of local boy Aaron Robinson during his recent win at the North Face Masters at Kirkwood... he took 8th in the banked slalom, second in the boarder cross and second overall.

The North Face Masters - Aaron Robinson's Winning Run from The North Face Masters on Vimeo.<

Or if your interested in the what's happening with Telemark Nationals check out this preview video.

Arbor Whitefish Edit

2010-03-16T16:25:00.003-07:00

Another good couple days off in the book. Sleeping in, shredding park in the afternoon. Big jump session yesterday. Snow was slow today so we had a fun jump line session. Dropped the camera off in Kalispell to have it shipped to Canon to get it fixed.... Another good day till I smashed my knee on the down rail. Taking care of it though, just got off the couch where I've had it iced, had a smoothie and a beer... Life is good.

Check out this video.
Ian brought these guys to town a few weeks back.
Hyped on the coverage.

Dummy Derby Video and Park Shot

2010-03-11T18:21:00.004-07:00

Runnin on fumes here....
It's been and is a crazy year. The 11th annual Nate Chute Banked Slalom and Boarder cross is less than two days away and Telemark Nationals are coming quick... as of today we are moving the tele course due to snow depths... life is nuts!

That... Said.. Dummy Derby was rad. Jessica from marketing posted a video online and it's here for you to enjoy. I'm not tech enough to get them to fit my blog.

This is where my energy is right now.

This shot is from one of the best snowboarding sessions of my life. The sunday after the dummy derby. Perfect conditions, sunny, warm, slushy. A solid crew hitting the big jumps, rolling together. Lee on the camera. It was me, Nate, Tyler, Ryles, Danner, TJ, Hayden, Ian and Alex... The jump was perfect... best feeling ever. I've never been so pumped... The jump measures out at 55ft from lip to knuckle but to the sweet spot it's more like 65.....

I'm here typing, cold beer to my right, waiting for abby to get off work. Alex is in Seattle, one back surgery in... His Dad came by yesterday to pick up his jeans, wallet, cowboy boots and clothes from the locker next to mine. They fit him for a wheelchair yesterday. Currently he has no feeling or motion below his knees.

We're pretty shaken up to say the least. Obviously, I was on scene during the accident. We packed snow around his head, called patrol, he could move his feet at the time and was head down on the landing.

The fact is that no one has hit this jump more than alex.....period. He is a member of the park crew and was towing in early season to test it out, making the calls to open or close it and when to officially let it rip... No one has hit it more than him.

I'm no back expert and the forecast is positive. During his first surgery they were removing pieces of bone from his spinal cord. The hope is that the numbness and lack of mobility is due to swelling. The update today(3/12) is that they are moving him to Denver....

His facebook says... "Look for me to win next years special olympics!"

... He dropped two people after me.

Event Videos for Windells

2010-03-04T19:37:00.003-07:00

A couple event videos for Windells.

Dream summer job in the works??? We'll see???
Check em out at www.windells.com

New Years Eve Rocking Rail Jam 2009/2010
Me as the MC

Whitefish Mountain Resort's: New Years Eve ROCKIN' RAIL JAM from Andrew Bassett on Vimeo.

USASA Inland Northwest Series Slope style and Boarder Cross 2010

taxes, olympics, sleep or write

2010-02-18T21:02:00.006-07:00

taxes, olympics, sleep, write, cruise craigslist for a camper, search e-bay for a new dog collar, watch snowboard videos, hang out, dinner from billy, hot tub, friends in town, youth group, youth group planning, ASG in the headphones, night shredding, cleaning the house, showings on the house, watch TV, tired after events, the Bierstube, the Northern, ping pong, skate videos, e-mail, skiwhitefish.com, abby not working nights...ie..hanging with my lady......all the things that have kept me from blogspot.com

All worthy and super rad. So it's late and I'm tired but pushed through e-bay, e-mails and skate videos online to post on the blog.... oh yea... think I broke the camera too... Had it in my backpack on a little side country jump build mission and think the shovel might have hit it in the pack... Need to get around to getting it fixed.

maybe post a few photos... Here goes

All these photos are from one of the best nights on the planet... in history maybe. We hosted Volcom here in Whitefish and the whole things just went off. He had a super successful rail jam in conjuction with ASG and Kandi Coded playing at the 'stube. The rail jam went off, a few volcom dudes entered to boot...an local kids beat em.. Stube was nuts... best night in the history of the earth...

Check the cute blonde in the front...
Amazing riding, amazing fireworks, we gave out free haircuts, sharp had fun...

Stolen from the Volcom Blog:
"You could see glacier national park in the distance it was unreal. As we drove through town there was a winter carnival going on including a rail jam contest on the mountain our boys entered, Dylan ended up getting third place, and oh man the show at Biers tube went off!! The bar was right at the base of the chairlifts, fans were coming in straight off the hill still in their boarding gear, grabbing beers and heading to the stage. That’s what Blizzard Bizarre is all about. As Kandi Coded and ASG played through their sets the crowd went totally apeshit, jumping off the stage, throwing beer, carrying each other around the room, it was one of the craziest shows of the tour! Thanks Whitefish for all the killer memories!"

And in the words of Jamie Lynn: “that was a mosh pit of love!”

Check the volcom site for more http://www.volcomtour.com/blizzardbizarre/

New Years Eve Rail Jam Video...our edit...

2010-01-22T20:08:00.002-07:00

So rad..
Super proud of this event.
Editing on the video by our own Andrew Bassett.

Whitefish Mountain Resort's: New Years Eve ROCKIN' RAIL JAM from Andrew Bassett on Vimeo.

Outer Banks Photos from surfingmag.com

2010-01-19T10:01:00.003-07:00

Click this link to see these photos a little bigger.
http://www.surfingmagazine.com/surfing-photo-video/surfing-photo-dept/desolation-road-outer-banks-surf-lightbox/

This gallery is brought to you by surfingthemag.com

I must be missing home a bit...and surfing...because lately there have been a flurry of surf posting here...

New Years Eve Rail Jam Video Link

2010-01-15T21:43:00.002-07:00

http://www.skiwhitefish.com/videos.php

Here's the link to the New Years Eve Rail Jam Video that we put on....on you guessed it...New Years Eve.

Was hoping to embed it but had some sizing issues so check the link.

Skiwhitefish.com and Chair 3

2010-01-15T19:00:00.004-07:00

So go check out the blog at skiwhitefish.com
They just posted what will hopefully be the first of my many guest post on the blog "Big Thoughts"....edited a bit..but I guess it comes with the territory.

Chair 3.
Chair 3 is our so called "dedicated park chair." It's also home to one of the greatest beginner slopes on the hill, Hope Slope. It specifically offers an interesting mix of pure beginners and park rats/shredder/teens being jerky teens.... it's pretty awesome. Chair 3 is also super close to our office and we are fortunate enough to be able to jump out of door and be lapping the terrain park in a matter of minutes.

So we called it a day a bit early today since we have some big races the next couple days, starting early and ending late. It's been a bit warm, the park has some new feature and the full jump line is now open. I wanted to get in some laps before calling it a day.

Right on time the kids show up after school, jibbing and spinning like crazy, yelling on the lift, trying to be cool in from of girls, you know the deal. Then the night ticket kicks in... straight $16 bucks to get some skiing in at night, it's a good deal with multiple chairs running, even chair 6 which is dedicated beginner terrain....but most seem to come straight to chair 3... Hope Slope, the name just draws em in.

The lift goes right up Hope Slope so you have a front row view to the madness. First one I see is a Dad with his kid, you can hear em giving pointers..it's looking bad......"put your weight on your right foot, now your left foot...Nice" Kid does pretty good but by the end dad is carrying him..chair 6 would have been a good place to start.... Now I respect and am super into Dad and Son skiing but really, that first pitch on Chair 3 is a bit steep and it gets em every time.... So here's the good one and the motivation for this story.

I'm pretty done and it's getting dark, on the chair and I hear another dad yelling "LAY DOWN!!!! LAY DOWN!!!" I see a little guy coming in super hot off that first pitch, he listens and lays down on his back to stop, both skis fly off and he goes sliding for a good twenty feet. Then I hear a SCREAM! His sister maybe, at least the scream sounded like a girl, pointing it straight past him. SCREAMING!!!, not from fun or joy but straight "TERROR SCREAM!!!!" Dad's got terror scream as well "LAY DOWN!!!! LAY DOWN NOW!!!! LAY DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She's too far down now and into the second pitch..... SCREAMING!!!! The jibber kids on the chair in front of me are freaking out.... Shit, I'm freaking out... I note she has a helmet on but hauling ass, run is lined with trees, she's going way fast and SCREAMING!!!! Now I have to admit, I'm going to be a dad some day, I'm getting a bit older, and I'm straight scared... I'm thinking I'm going to see death. Dad's with his other kid who's still on the ground. He's not screaming, just watching. I feel his terror from 50 feet above. I see her head off the second pitch, still SCREAMING, still hauling ass. Just before the bottom it levels out for about 100yards, if she makes it there she'll be fine. All heads on the chair are cranked over their right shoulder watching. She gets to the flat at top speed...we sigh.... slows down a bit and crashes pretty good into the chair lift corral. It's just rope and PVC.

I hit the jump line one more time, just straight airs to end the day... I've seen enough.

Surf- Skate

2010-01-14T09:31:00.002-07:00

A little surf skate rampage for ya in the middle of winter.
Home in the fall... doesn't get any better.....

Outer Banks edit tease from Logan B on Vimeo.

Andrew Basset Shots

2010-01-13T21:39:00.008-07:00

This shot was taken by Andrew Basset. One of the guys on my crew. Amazingly talented! This is the first morning of the race we held last week. I was at the summit taking the shots on the post below. This shot is taken from the finish.
Click to enlarge- Amazing!

This is another one of Mr. Bassets photos. I've been asked to become a contributor to the skiwhitefish.com blog "Big Thoughts" They need a profile shot and my first blog is the blog that has already been posted here "The Gift" Andrew and I went out to shoot a couple night park shots to go along with the blog so we took this portrait as well.
Be on the lookout for my blogs on skiwhitefish.com

The Gift

2010-01-11T18:59:00.001-07:00

This story was told to Abby by an undisclosed terrain park crew member. I dragged the story out of him today but it was clear he wished to remain anonymous.

During the free night skiing event on Saturday a park crew member spotted a particularly happy kid.

If you were out there you know it was not the warmest night and the snow was coming down pretty good. This kid was spotted skiing around with a group of friends, weaving in and out of the terrain park and doing little airs off the jumps. Most of the kids had the skills but the one who seamed to be having the most fun could barely turn. He didn't really have the proper gear either. You know the look. His jeans were tucked into his blue and silver rental boots, blue flames on his skis so you know they came from the rental shop. A black cotton sweatshirt, light fleece gloves, a beanie and no goggles. He was squinting through icy eye lashes while sliding on snow for maybe the first time.

This particular park crew member noticed this kid having the time of his life despite his lack of warmth or "steeze" among the other park kids. Heading into the park shack and digging into his backpack he pulled out an older, well used Mountain Hardwear shell. Kept there as a layer for particularly cold busy nights. Waiting at the slow sign for the kid to ski by, he pulled him aside and offered him this jacket, not to borrow but to keep. He was obviously shivering and obviously having the time of his life. The kid hardly resisted the gift saying "my mom won't let me keep it." "Well tell your mom it was freely given and that you should take it." He did. Zipping it up over his black cotton sweatshirt, the jacket was almost down to his knees.

About an hour later, while working in the lower park a little hoot was heard coming from Hope Slope. This park crew member quickly turned to see the kid straight lining it down Hope slope, jacket to big and hanging to his knees, barely able to see through icy eye lashes, pointing it on rented skis, free pass flapping from his jeans, cold hands gripping rental poles, smiling from ear to ear and giving a little hoot as he went along.

That evening while home reflecting on the evening this particular park crew member was blown away by the simple act we get to take advantage of every day, breaking down and realizing the sheer joy of just simply sliding on snow and the even simpler act of giving. We all know it but we seldom live it. It truly is better to give than to receive.

So thanks to the mountain for helping make this moment happen. A special thanks to the Kalispell Ski Club. I don't think this moment was particularly alone and I'm sure many enjoyed skiing for what may have been the first of many times!!!

Thanks