Olympic Visit

Top of whistler seeing some northerly wind.

The lovely Sorcha in white out conditions on 7th Heaven

Green Lake and Whistler Village from Blackcomb mountain

Pretty sexy looking snotsicles eh?

View of Whistler from blackcomb with 'Black Tusk" in the background.

Well, I am feeling like the Olympic Champion this week having snowboarded 6 out of 8 days last week at the 2010 Winter Olympic site in Whistler/Blackcomb. My legs, arms, butt, and soul are all bruised and battered for the wear. Gotta say it was pretty amazing to do the boardercross downhill, the Mens and Women's Downhill, seeing the majority of the olympic venues. We won't tell you that it took 20 minutes to do what the pros will do in roughly 1. The bowls on the glaciers were amazing and fast and steep. Found myself a bit off the marked trails one time to be led down a cliff section by a bunch of octogenarians. Fucking old people and their unrelenting confidence and skills. I hope I got that ability in 40 years. It was either them or the 11 year olds that were flying upside down 40 feet in the air. By far, the most talented athletes I've watched in a long time. Thanks to Ms. Sorcha for her patience and hospitality.

The days were great with the sun shining brightly each day except for the first and last days of boarding. Really gave some time to get to know the mountain, which in my experience would take a lifetime to really get to know. It made for a good pre-trip and allowed me to have a bit more confidence when the powder flowed on the final day. The final day we got pummelled by wind and snow and you'll appreciate the frozen beard in the photos. Was sad to leave just as the powder showed up, but I gotta say, one of the best vacations in recent history.

Haida - way

Nice pic of a couple of war canoes that my friend Jaalen is carving out of yellow cedar. A very popular and talented man who carves poles, canoes, argillite, and participates in virtually every medium of painting. He's recently written a play entirely in Haida which he's asked me to produce. I've felt very honored to be included in this project which I feel will be of a great deal of importance to the islands. Many of us - Haida and whitey - know a few words, but it is a language that with the exception of a few Nanni (grandma), not very many people can converse fully. So, it is the intention that this play will introduce the concept of conversational Haida to the islands which is recently going through a proud rebirth in language and culture. We've recently received funding from the Canada Council for the Arts and will be doing this in a very professional capacity. They have written 5 original songs and dances and this will no doubt prove to be an epic production. Looking forward to the performance.
On the other sides of things, been enjoying the hideaway in the woods for sure. I'm getting pretty cbc'd out, but finding myself really enjoying cooking by candle light and waking to the rising sun, which around here isn't that early... "oh what a nice early start to the day, its.... quarter after nine??? yikes oh well, guess the 11:30 pm sunset in the summer has some consequences in the winter eh... apparently we're getting over 2 minutes more sun each day... what am I going to do with all this extra solar power...
Surf has been hit and miss lately, we had a nice 6 foot day on Monday which was great to get into. Been finding myself bringing more and more rookies out into it, and seeing the sport really expanding. More and more women are becoming involved as well, which is really nice to see in a predominately male-driven sport. Looks like big swell to come all next week which will be good to rip up! Next week will be my long awaited trip off island to the big shitty - vancouver, and then to whistler for a nice snowboarding session for a week. Will be nice to cross train a bit and try to get my tricks down a little better on a different board.
Well, all for now, back to the restaurant to prepare our 'baron of beef' for tonite. Have a great weekend everyone and peace out.

Christmas off the Grid

The sauna. Source of my bathing for the last 2 weeks and a great deal of great conversations amongst surfers and friends. Notice the whale jaw for the roof. All out of cedar with a scent out of this world.

Chicken Coop. Source of my breakfast and devilled eggs for the big dinner.

300 cockle clams gathered in a matter of 2 hours on the beach. 35lbs of meat!

My sleeping companion - Darkstar - in the cute cabin on the beach

Happy New Years to Y'all!!! Hope everyone had a good time and stuffed the turkey and themselves. My Christmas was one of the, if not the, less stressful, beautiful and romantic ones of all time. We had a small crowd of very close friends meeting at the bakery on the beach - without power or phone. The dinner was traditional with turkey, stuffing, potatoes... you know the one. The great difference was the Scallops.... ooooh the scallops, we've managed to land or should I say, pick up over 500 from the beach over the last 2 weeks. It has been a complete fury on the beach with dozens of vehicles and hundreds of people out food gathering. The species rolling up on the beach have been out of this world. A few days ago, I found 4 different types of crab, yellow, blue, red, purple... dozens of starfish varieties, chitons, abalone, and an incredible amount of different species and critters. Absolutely amazing. With all of this has come a bout of surf day after surf day. As I write this to you I am taking my first day off in 19 from the waves. It has been absolutely epic and the days are feeling more and more comfortable. We've decided that we're going pro this year... I'm not sure what that really means, and I'm certain that I don't have the skills for it, but it does certainly sound attractive. I'll keep you posted.

As for new years resolutions... conflict resolution. I resolve to end all conflicts in my life and curb those that may arise. I hope that the rest of the world feels the same way. It is truly a wonderful feeling to go to bed, and wake up free from guilt or animosity. I have found myself to become more and more humble as I spend more and more time reading books by candlelight and feeding a sauna fire under a sober subconcious. Life is truly grand and the commercial tidings that seem to guide if not direct our life seems to fade as you find yourself turning somewhat backwards in time. The pioneer lifestyle is one that I have embraced and as of this month will find myself further in as I am moving to a shack on the beach, giving up phone and power for a clear view of the waves. The value of the latter far outweighs the previous.

The very best to you all and may the new year be full of beautiful times.