$5/hr. stress relief

I just couldn't bear it anymore. The Twin Cities got hit with about 12 in. of snow over Easter, and it didn't melt. Come Monday, I was sitting in my office perplexed as to why I couldn't get motivated to write and overall feeling helpless. So I took the afternoon off from work and visited Afton Alps - stress relief for only $5/hr.

The weather was nice, about 40, but there was a brisk wind that nipped you while riding the lift. I spent my time in the Highlands, a sweet part of Afton that has a culvert-style tunnel, rollers and plenty of open country to experiement with jumps, 360s and speed. In places the snow was courduroy, perfect for me to work on my carving. I described the snow as butter, soft and easy to carve, which gave me a great deal of confidence in my snowboarding ability. In some places the snow was so soft that I couldn't turn.

While working on my 360s (effective edges) I fell into 3-4-in. of "slush" just like a snow cone. At times I tried to jib - getting up a birch tree near a lift in the back - but failed miserably and didn't leave the snow. You know you're having a good time when you faceplant right in front of the chairlift. Or when the liftie asks you if you have dinner plans (response, "Haven't even thought that far ahead, thanks, but no thanks.").

One query I have: What stunts can be pulled on the lip? I made many good approachs, but didn't know what to do when I got there. I think some of my stunts could have been classified as Ollies, but having no verifiable witness except the liftie watching me, I can't be 100% sure. If it sounds like I'm progressing in the world of boarding, don't jump to conclusions - I'm still doing speed checks before jumps and rollers - lest someone call me a poser. No - yesterday was a true day of just working on my skills in hopes to be better.

If you can't follow the terms (highlighted in "calf scours" color), I sugget you brush up on your lingo by clicking here.

Personal highlight and future snowboarding tip: Bring along an index card with a meaningful scripture verse you'd like to memorize. I brought 1 Peter 5:6-9 with me and have it down pat.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's might hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world and undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

A spring thing

This morning I got up early to workout. And what to my wandering eye should appear? Four inches of snow - wet and near. Yah! It snowed! Not a typicaly response for March 21 - the second official day of Spring. But in Minnesota, March will play tricks on you - yes, it's a month of endless teases.

Years back, I probably would not have cheered - I would have looked glum...fearing another indoor softball practice. But now I give a shout of joy because it means there's one more flicker of hope for me to go snowboarding one more time. Of course, I go 'round-n-'round in endless debate about, "Should I go if I don't have any friends to board with?" It seems snowboarding, like any activity, is so much more enjoyable if you can share it with others.

So here I sit, staring out at the pure, white, wet snow thinking about how I could be carving turns, falling in unique ways and praising God all at the same time. Someone asked me where I'd rank (scale, one to 10) on my longing to go snowboarding today... and today, I'm a seven.