Could this be me one day?

I work out every day.  I’m strong and athletic, but not at all coordinated.  I’m in great shape, but holy jebus, snowboarding kicked my ass.  Did you know there are muscles in the backs of your knees?  I didn’t, but mine are sore today.  I broke nothing and I bled not a drop.  I fell a few times, but far fewer than I expected.  I’m a little battered and bruised, and sore pretty much everywhere.  That said, I’m sure I’ll mend quickly, and when I do, I’d gladly try snowboarding some more.  Just not today.

My lesson was yesterday at 9:30, but I was so nervous that I woke up at 5.  I spent four hours trying to fight off visions of horrendous wipeouts before I made it up to the Burton Snowboarding Academy at Northstar for my lesson.  The Academy is located up on the mountain, so you have to ride a gondola to get there.  I shared my gondola with three skiers who told me that I would have a great time and that everyone they know who takes lessons here does very well.  That was good to hear, and calmed my nerves somewhat.

When I checked in for my lesson, Adrienne at the Burton Academy fitted me with a board and boots, and put my boots on for me like my mother did when I was a little girl going out to sled in the back yard.  If she hadn’t been there to help, I’d probably still be trying to jam my right foot into the thing, or struggling with the laces.  Thanks, Adrienne!  Next, she took my lunch order –

“Oh, for after the lesson?  That’s nice…”
“No,” she said, “for the break — your lesson goes until 3:30.”

Oh wow.  Would I survive that long?

Finally, I met my instructor, Kevin McCarthy, and the lesson got started.  There was only one other student in my class, Megan, who had just a little bit more experience than me.  Kevin said the most they ever put in a group class is four people, so everyone gets lots of personal attention.  He gave us a rundown of what we’d do that day, starting with learning the basics in the mini pipe.

The Superpipe at Northstar

I pictured a smaller version of the half pipes I’d seen in the X-games, but I really should’ve chilled out.  The mini pipe has about a 2% grade on each “slope.”  This I could handle.

Kevin first went over safety and form, and then helped us strap into our boards.  I learned that I’m a goofy-footer, meaning right foot in front when I ride.  Apparently this is backwards from the norm.  Of course.  We went one at a time, with Kevin pushing us side to side and holding us steady as we practiced some basic moves on the mini pipe.  I was pretty good at these basics, and started to get cocky.

Even working on the basics on the very tame mini pipe was quite a workout, and the three of us were all shedding layers within a few minutes of getting started.  It was a beautiful sunny day on the mountain, and 35 degrees felt like a Phoenix summer.  But after my first fall, I decided being hot was better than crashing with no padding.

Soon, Kevin decided we were ready to start riding downhill.  I did not agree, but Kevin was the expert and I didn’t want to hold Megan back.  He took us about 20 yards up a very slight hill and asked us how it looked.  “No problem,” said Megan.  “Like a black diamond,” I thought.  We went down one at a time, working on the basics we’d learned on the mini pipe.  Kevin rode down with each of us, gently holding on and guiding us down, telling us what to do with our bodies.  A few more tries and he took us even higher on the same hill, eventually letting go and letting us ride on our own.  Megan caught on way faster than I did — I’d left my confidence in the mini pipe.

The Big Easy slope looked big, but not easy when I first stepped onto my snowboard.

After a third run down this small but intimidating hill, Kevin told us we were going to the chair lift for some real runs.  My heartbeat registered a 5 on the Richter Scale.  I hadn’t really fallen yet — a couple of slow wipeouts, but I was sure my time was nigh.

The chair lift was one of the most challenging parts of the day.  Kevin used a picnic bench to show us how it would work with our snowboards, and had us practice getting off.  I still hadn’t mastered it when we got in line, but he rode next to me so he could pull me up like a momma cat when it was time to dismount.  This worked pretty well, but I was nervous every time.

The first time down the hill, Kevin held me lightly by my waist so he could guide me, and I made it all the way down without wiping out, but I felt that if my teacher hadn’t been there, I would probably have flown head first into the nearest tree.  I still had no idea how to control my board.  We got on the lift again, and this time Kevin said he wasn’t going to be so hands on.  Yikes…

At the top of the Big Easy, Kevin went over steering and control with me one more time, then pointed my board in the right direction, gave me a push, and sent me down on my own.  Without him there, it was amazing how my instincts kicked in.  I was able to control my speed very well, and even direction for the most part.  I was probably going slower than walking speed, but I made it down all by myself without wiping out.  It’s a good thing, too, because I never did master getting up on my own.  It requires a kind of flexibility that I just don’t have.

When we broke for lunch, I was able to relax for the first time all day, and I realized just how tense I’d been.  I was having fun in the snow, but I could’ve used a couple more hours on the couch before heading back out there…

Riding on a full stomach is dicey.  You sort of get into that food coma state, and it’s harder to balance and focus.  I had my first real wipeout on our first run after lunch.  I caught myself with my hands as I fell backward, which is exactly why wrist injuries are the most common snowboarding injuries.  You’re supposed to just let yourself fall on your bum, or on your elbows if you’re falling forward.  Unfortunately, the instinct to catch yourself is pretty strong, and I sprained my right wrist.  I kept going, though…

Here’s the part of the story where I admit that I’m a little bit stupid.  I have chronic coccyx (tailbone) pain.  It used to be really bad all the time, but now it doesn’t really bother me much.  Still, I knew that snowboarding would involve a lot of falling on my tush, and I knew I was asking for trouble.  On the next run, I was doing pretty well.  I was on my own, heading down the steepest hill of the day.  At the very end of the run, my board turned and I started going faster than I was comfortable with.  Trying to regain control, I lost my balance and fell back, hard.  With already tender wrists, I just let myself fall on my butt…and I was done for the day.

If it hadn’t been for my chronic pain issues, this fall would’ve stung, but I would’ve been fine in a minute.  I’d pushed my own limits enough, though, and I left after about 5 hours of riding.

This is what I’ll learn at my next lesson

Going into yesterday’s lesson, I had ZERO experience, and I had extreme clumsiness working against me.  I never would’ve imagined doing half of what I was able to do in just one lesson.  Sure I’m sore and achy today, but that’s just because I was using so many of these muscles for the first time ever.  Kevin was an incredible instructor, and the Burton Academy method works.  Megan was also a total newbie, and she was an all star by the end of the day.  If I can do this, anyone can.  I’ll need another lesson or two before I’m comfortable on the slopes on my own, but I’ll get there.  I’ll be back at Tahoe in March, and I plan to make another date with Kevin then.

When Adrienne checked me into the Academy yesterday, she asked me what my goal for the lesson would be.  I said “not dying.”  Mission accomplished, and then some.  I think it’s actually reasonable now to amend my snowboarding goal to “proficiency.”

Check out the Burton Academy at Northstar for skiing or snowboarding lessons.  Those people are miracle workers.  If only they had a way to make me look less dorky in my goggles…

I have been skiing twice in my life, and not since I was 19.  I’m much older than that now.  I remember being okay at it, but having no control whatsoever.  I have never been snowboarding.

I checked into a condo at Northstar at Tahoe Resort this afternoon, and tomorrow I’m enrolled in my first snowboarding lesson at Northstar’s Burton Academy.  I mentioned on Facebook and Twitter and to a bunch of my friends that I’m going to do this, and the replies are pretty much all the same:  YOU’RE GOING TO DIE.  Uh, thanks for the encouragement, guys.

Seriously, I’m a little freaked.  I’m athletic, but not what you’d call coordinated, and I’m pretty much a snow virgin.  I’m optimistic that the instructors here have a lot of experience with inexperienced klutzes such as myself and can give me the assistance I need to master snowboarding basics — at the very least, I expect they can keep me from seriously injuring myself. Here’s hoping!

In the last week, I’ve heard everyone’s snowboarding horror stories and warnings of all kinds.  It would be nice if someone could volunteer some words of encouragement instead.  Tell me about the time you were new to the sport, and you had such an amazing time that you fell in love with it and now you’re an expert.  Tell me it’s easy.  Tell me you’re sure I’ll have a blast.  I really want to be able to tell other newbies the same thing tomorrow, after I try it for the first time.

If nothing else, wish me luck!

60 years ago this winter, the slopes of Squaw Valley USA in Lake Tahoe, California, opened to the resort’s first visitors.  Ten years later, Squaw Valley was home to the 1960 Winter Olympic Games.  This year, the Village at Squaw Valley resort is celebrating these two historic anniversaries with special events and special offers for guests.

Photo by Eric Brandt

The Village at Squaw Valley kicks off this year’s ski season (slated to begin on November 21) with a Buy Two Nights, Get a Third Night Free deal, available through December 17.

Coming up in January is the North Lake Tahoe Olympic Heritage Celebration, from January 8-18, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1960 Olympic Games.  The celebration will include athletes from the 1960 games as well as present day stars Jonny Moseley, Tamara McKinney and Kristin Krone.  You can compete in Olympic-themed games, ski the Olympic courses with the Olympians themselves, or just rock out with your friends and favorite athletes at one of the many parties throughout the week.  The 1960 Retro Party at Olympic House sounds like a lot of fun!  Check this site for a full schedule of events and special lodging packages.

Photo courtesy of The Village at Squaw Valley

Photo by Nathan Kendall

There’s plenty to do at Squaw Valley besides Olympic-quality skiing and snowboarding.  Right there at the Village at Squaw, you’ll find lots of slower-paced activities to enjoy when you’re not on the slopes.  If you’re feeling active, check out the ice skating or climbing wall.  For something more relaxing, take in spectacular views on a scenic cable car ride, make your own souvenirs at the Waxen Moon candle making shop, or enjoy a wine tasting afternoon.  Of course, if you really want to relax, or perhaps treat some sore muscles after a day on the slopes, head to the Trilogy Spa.

A mountain getaway makes a great early Christmas present for your family, and it’s a great way for students to celebrate the end of first semester exams before hitting the books again in January.  Instead of complaining about the cold, take advantage of it!  Make reservations and find more special vacation packages at The Village at Squaw Valley website.

I landed in Boston yesterday for the 2008 Fall North American Bridge Championships. There are few other reasons I would agree to visit New England in the late Fall. It’s effing freezing here! And seeing as how it’s still not totally cold at home yet, this cold weather might well be more uncomfortable for me than, say, dead-of-winter in Boston, when I’ve had a few months to get used to the cold weather at home. Ah well. For the next six days, I’m resigned to freezing my nose off each day, all for some good card games.

Seriously, Boston is a rad place. I’ve been here a couple of times before, and I’ve always enjoyed it. In the summer, the weather is perfectly agreeable and the city is quite beautiful. It’s hard for me to appreciate Beantown’s beauty with my head wrapped in scarves and bowed against the wind. The sidewalks here are just OK.

As the land of the Pilgrims, Boston does have some touristy stuff going on for Thanksgiving, though most everything I’ve seen advertised is for special Thanksgiving meals and mall sales. These are not things worth suffering through the cold and wind, if you ask me. I heard from a questionably reliable source the last time I was here that Boston is actually windier than Chicago, the “Windy City.” I’m not sure if it’s true, but it’d definitely believable. The forecast may call for highs in the 30s, but the wind chill keeps the outside air at a brisk negative forty or so.

Copley Square, where I will be playing cards all week. No flowers in November, though.

Have I made my point yet? It is cold here. Unless you have a damn good reason to be here in the non-summer months, like competitive duplicate bridge or getting a degree from Harvard, I recommend staying away until the weather perks up again. Besides, if you don’t do Boston in the summer, then you’re going to miss out on what I think is the number one reason to come here anyway: Red Sox games at Fenway Park.

Boston loves its Sox

The New England Patriots may be Boston’s best pro team, and the Celtics have a recent title, if I’m remembering correctly, but the Red Sox are the real heart of Boston sports, and the true Boston experience has to include a game at Fenway — which you can only see in the summer.  If you want to see the Celtics, Bruins, or Patriots play, try going to one of their away games in Arizona or Texas.

Nothing against Boston.  The people here are cool, the accents are nifty, and there’s a lot to see and do here, really.  I’m just sayin’, do it all when it’s warm.  Then the city’s windiness will feel great.  And don’t you want a home-cooked meal for Thanksgiving anyway?

This Saturday, 1000 gorillas will run through the streets of London, in what is quite possibly the coolest charity race ever.  Great Gorillas is a non-profit organization working to protect all species of gorilla from the looming threat of extinction.

Starting in London in 2003, there have been Great Gorilla Runs each year — 7km races where every participant wears a gorilla costume.  It’s a funny, light-hearted event for a very serious cause.  This year, there will be more runners in the London race than there are mountain gorillas in the entire world (720).

Money raised in the Great Gorilla races — over £1 million  to date — goes to help the impoverished people of West and Central Africa so they don’t have to mine and farm in gorilla habitats to earn a living.

The Great Gorilla Run expanded to San Francisco in 2007, and future runs are planned for New York, Amsterdam, and China.  The 7km London run is an annual event that takes runners through some of the city’s most famous landmarks.  I wonder if those stoic guards at Buckingham Palace can keep a straight face when 1000 people dressed as gorillas come jogging by.

In addition to the races, the charity offers a trip called The Great Gorilla Adventure.  The 10-day itinerary gets you up close with gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, and the proceeds benefit conservation efforts.

It’s not too late to register for this weekend’s run.  If you’re already in London, click here to sign up.  They’ll even provide your gorilla suit!

Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor

I love football season. How could I not, when my family has season tickets on the 50-yard line, twelve rows up, at the greatest college football stadium in America? That’s Lane Stadium, where the Virginia Tech Hokies play.

Two games into the season, our beloved Hokies are off to a rather sluggish start, but we’re no fairweather fans. There’s something magical about being in the stands at Lane Stadium, which is why the Hokies sell out every home football game, whether they’re playing their biggest rivals or some school no one’s ever heard of before.

Lots of schools boast great home field advantages. It’s true, there are lots of great stadiums in this country, and the Hokies aren’t the only team worth loving; they’re just my team. Maybe you feel the same way about your home team.

Whenever the Hokies have a home game, my family loads up our caravan with coolers of more food and drink than you’ll find in our house on Thanksgiving, and we head to Blacksburg a few hours before game time to tailgate. I live near the UVA football stadium in Charlottesville, and even though Cavaliers love to party, I’ve never seen nearly as many pregame revelers as you’ll find at their rival’s stadium. One tailgater who parks in our lot at Tech not only brings a full sized grill (actually a common site at a Hokie tailgate), but also sets up a big screen television to watch the pregame show while throwing back beers and tossing a football with his kids.

Inside Lane Stadium, the roar of the crowd is intoxicating. The team enters to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” and the entire crowd of 66,000+ fans is on their feet, jumping, screaming, and rooting for the home team. ESPN calls our stadium one of the scariest places for a visiting team to play. It’s not the largest crowd in the country (not by a long shot), but you’ll be hard pressed to find a louder place in America once that Metallica song starts on the PA. The game itself is great — Frank Beamer has built a program worthy of its fans — but to see why I love being in the stands, just watch this video of the team’s entrance:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h1EW5z1wdc[/youtube]

You may get a better view of the action from your couch, but nothing compares to the way it feels to be one of the people shaking those stands. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday.

I’m in the middle of an extended stay in Oregon, which has quickly become my home-away-from-home. I came here for the first time just six months ago, but I have the benefit of a knowledgeable personal guide. My husband grew up here, and through his work with FedEx, has memorized every back road and corner of this state. He shows me new things every day, though, and I feel like he could write this blog for me and keep it totally fresh without ever talking about anything other than his home state. Today’s will be an Oregon-inspired but not Oregon-specific post.

I’ve learned that Oregonians love their wind sports. Wind surfing is huge on the lakes, rivers, and the Oregon coast in the summer months. It looks like a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to my chance to try it, but on Sunday I witnessed a popular Oregon activity that I didn’t even realize existed: paragliding. I’ve seen parasailing and I’ve seen hang gliding, but this was new to me, and I instantly wished I could join in the fun. Of course I’ll need to get an anti-anxiety prescription first, but it is something I’d like to try one day. For now, I just watched from the beach below in Oceanside, Oregon as paragliders kept launching themselves off a cliff above and drifting peacefully down to the shore where I stood.

It looked a lot like you were at the mercy of the winds, and I was very nervous that someone would get thrown back into the side of the cliff, or blown out into the ocean, or stuck in a tree high out of reach of rescuers, but despite my worries, everyone made it safely to the ground in basically the same spot, meaning they must have all had a good deal of control over their flights.

Paragliders soar to heights several thousand feet above the ground while harnessed into the glider in a seated position. It looks much more comfortable than hang gliding, which was also going on above me this weekend — the two activities seem to go hand in hand here on the Oregon coast. Instructional classes are available for paragliding newbies, as well as tandem flights for those who don’t feel entirely comfortable piloting their own gliders so high above solid ground (that’d be me).

Curious about what it takes? According to some information I’ve gathered on the sport, paragliding does not require nerves of steel or incredible fitness. Most who’ve experienced it say that any fear of heights or fear of falling dissolves as they take flight for the first time. Furthermore, beyond the ability to run a few steps at your launch, the physical requirements for a successful flight are minimal. Landing a paraglider should not involve hard impact, and steering is more about finesse than strength. Keep in mind, though, that your gear will weigh approximately 25 pounds.

Paragliding is not like skydiving. Skydivers use their parachute to decelerate as they fall groundward, but paragliders are designed to maximize air time, with some flights lasting well over an hour as you glide on the wind currents. It’s not a fast thrill, but a ride you can savor. Depending on how you decide to approach the sport — either purchase a tandem flight package, or go through a training program for solo flight — the cost starts at about $100. I think that sounds totally reasonable.

If you’re not on the Oregon coast, there are plenty of other places paragliding is popular, like Aspen, Florida, California, Australia, and pretty much anywhere else in the world with nice views.

We’re well into March Madness now, and just a few games away from finding out who will be playing in the 2008 NCAA Final Four in San Antonio, Texas. Whether your team makes it or not, seeing the Final Four live is a thrilling experience for any college basketball fan. According to the NCAA website, tickets are still available through the NCAA Ticket and Hospitality Packages, so it’s not too late if you haven’t decided yet.

One of my favorite things about big sports events is that there’s so much going on besides just the big game. There are tons of sponsors, and all those sponsors set up events and activities for the fans in attendance with free entertainment and giveaways. This year in San Antonio, there will be free performances by Fall Out Boy, Kid Rock, Taylor Swift, 3 Doors Down, Robert Earl Keen and more still to be announced.

At Hoop City, open each day of the five day event, fans can compete in games, take clinics, go to autograph sessions, and meet basketball celebrities of the past, present, and future. In addition to all the music and basketball, there will be parties, fireworks, and fun for the whole family. Find the full schedule of events here.

While the men get all the attention, the women are playing their own tournament, and the Women’s Final Four is a major event, too. The women’s championship will be held in Tampa Bay, Florida this year. You’ll find many of the same events in Tampa Bay, with games, parties, and clinics. Find a complete schedule of events at the Women’s Final Four here.

Those who go to either (or both) of this year’s Final Four tournaments will get to welcome spring in a sunny city. They’ll play games, be entertained and get lots of freebies courtesy of the tournament’s sponsors. Oh yeah, and there’s some basketball, too. Good luck with your brackets, and may your favorite team win (as long as your favorite team isn’t UNC).

When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a paleontologist, a firewoman, a professional basketball player, an Olympic speed skater, a flying trapeze artist in the circus, a zookeeper, a dolphin trainer, an actress, a writer (hey! I got one!), a candy taste tester, the Easter bunny, a professional Nintendo player, and a carpenter. Most of these ambitions faded as I realized the glory of such professions was small compared to the hard work (and often danger), and my college didn’t offer Nintendo classes. While I no longer harbor hopes for many of these occupations (though I think Easter bunny may still be within reach), it would still be cool to get to live a day in the life of some of these people.

Most of us had high hopes as children, and some people never let go of these dreams. Others may not constantly daydream about what could have been, but would still relish the opportunity to fulfill such goals. Enter Cloud 9 Living. This company is built around the idea of experience gifts, and offers you the chance to live a day in the life of many of those professionals you once dreamed of becoming.

The company has loads of experience gifts to choose from, so I recommend browsing their website to see if any of your childhood (or current) dreams are attainable through Cloud 9. Here are some of the ones that caught my eye:

Americas Cup Sailing – Spend the day sailing aboard a racing yacht in the San Diego Bay.

Dogsled Tours – You can tour the Colorado wilderness with a team of huskies in this adventure. It’s your choice whether you drive the sled or just ride along.

Private Ninja Lessons – Every boy I knew in kindergarten wanted to be a ninja. With this package, you train with a master in ancient martial arts techniques. You probably won’t be a very effective ninja after only one day, but it’s a start.

Stunt and Special Effects Workshop – This one is for people who like playing with fire. You work on a stunt playground with a Hollywod special effects coordinator, learning how to stay safe while testing your limits.

Air Combat Mission – With the help of experienced instructors, you do 75% of the actual flying in these Top Gun air combat exercises. You can keep it basic or try sophisticated aerobatic maneuvers.

The experience packages are available in many different regions of the country, so you might find one near you, or you might work the adventure into other travel plans. I’ve highlighted a lot of adventure packages, but there are tamer ones, too, like posing for a photo shoot as you live the life of a supermodel and dozens more that don’t require safety training.

Unfortunately, even though they have enough experiences to satisfy even the highest ambitions of our childhood imaginations, there’s no Easter bunny experience. Oh well.

February doesn’t say spring to a lot of people, unless maybe you live in the parts of the world that are nice and warm in winter (and then unbearably toasty the other nine months of the year). But even if it’s forty below outside your home, you can start thinking spring if you’re a baseball fan.

Major League Baseball’s Spring Training officially opened for pitchers and catchers yesterday, and it won’t be long now before the preseason competition begins. If the cold weather outside is giving you cabin fever, now is a great time to plan a getaway to warmer climes to enjoy our nation’s pastime.

Preseason competition is held in Florida for teams on the east and in Arizona for teams in the west, so if you live in the states, you won’t have to travel more than halfway across the continent to catch some baseball this “spring.” Games begin in under two weeks, and it’s a great opportunity to catch some of your favorite players in a more laid back and less crowded atmosphere than the regular season. Tickets start at only $5 — much cheaper than most vacation activities you’ll find.

This is the perfect kind of trip for a long weekend away from work or a road trip with your buddies. Hotels aren’t expensive this time of year, so with a group of people pitching in, you could easily have a great trip for as little as $100. Take in a few games, get some rays, maybe hit the beach or play a round of golf, and come home rejuvenated. With great locations and inexpensive tickets, Spring Training is the perfect way to forget about winter, if only for a few days.

Lastly, I would be a terrible fan if I didn’t throw this in — Go Diamondbacks!