Birthday Ride

Last year, after almost a decade long hiatus from snowboarding I finally returned to the slopes. This year I was determined to not let another eon pass before I found my way back to the black diamonds, blue squares, green circles... whatever. There is nothing like a birthday ride and the days of aching muscles and joints to remind me that I am getting older. Armed with new gear and a free lift ticket for my birthday I headed up to the Mt. High Ski Resort. In this case the word resort should be interpreted loosely, but it serves the purpose. The new gear provides many functions. The first I must admit is to make me look cool. Hey, if you can't board well at least you can look good doing it. The second is to keep me safe. The helmet may make me look like a Spaceball, but it keeps the cranium intact when the brain is one-upped by daring (otherwise known as stupidity). Besides, nothing screams safety like a guy in line for the lift with a beer or the contact high you get while walking through the parking lot. Back to my point. The final reason for obliterating my 401K and emptying the kids' college fund for new gear is to justify more trips to the local mountains (requiring more $$$). Its twisted logic, but it serves me well. The more trips I can squeeze in this season the better. In all honestly though its a great diversion. Especially for a geek like me who sits in front a computer most of the day. It's hard to beat the stunning mountain views and snow. With our great weather it’s rarely too cold to enjoy yourself. Unless of course you are one of those dudes who wears socks to bed. If so there is probably no hope for you anyway.