The Final Day!

So we woke up to snow again, shocking I know. SLC was forecasted for another 3 inches! Our flight was not out until 1pm but given the lines that Graham and I saw flying in, we decided to err on the side of caution and get to the airport early. This go round Paige was with us…..so the Dynamic Trio set out for the airport at 10am….a bit too conservative possibly?

Checking in and locating the gate were a piece of cake….finding the hidden watering hole was a bit trickier. Luckily we only passed it onceJ The wait began with Bagels and Bloody Mary’s! After our $100 Bar tab the flight started to board…off to Denver we go!

Note to the reader – in exchange for the cheaper flights we had to endure a 2 stop flight home..1^st stop Denver, 2^nd stop Chicago....not sure I would do that again.

The flight to Denver was short and to the point…the next one was a bit longer….In Denver, Graham decided that he needed to buy me a Valentine’s day giftJ I am the lucky recipient of a 3-D magnet with a Wolf, Bear, Eagle, Ram and Elk on it. It is a welcome addition to the tacky magnet collection! Paige also decided she needed Ice Cream, off to TCBY we ventured.

Somewhere along the way we also assigned each other nicknames…(not really sure how this started).. Graham = Graham Cracker (original aren’t we [though Graham did request “Razor Malone”]), Paige – Chocolate Strawberry (see previous entry with our flight attendant friend), Becca – Junior Mint (for her love of things chocolaty and minty).

Ok – off to Chicago! On this particular flight Graham tried to make friends with the girl sitting in our row….Katie…she was part of a traveling comedy troupe that was headed home Chicago. Graham ended up being the “chatty guy” sitting next to her on the plane, Poor girl.

We landed safely in the Chicago airport in time for dinner at Chile’s (gross) and a few bevies. (Did you know you can take beers to go in O’hare???!!!!)

With our plastic solo cups in hand, we headed to our departing gate. This is where Graham’s chattiness continued. The gate attendant was making our final boarding call when Graham asked it if he could borrow that (that being the CB type thing for the PA system)…the attendant actually said ‘Sure’!

Graham then busts out in a Valentine’s Day serenade of “I will always love you.” Needless to say, Terminal F was treated to a really off key rendition of Whitney Houston’s hitJ (see attached Video)

For the remainder of the trip we giggled, listened to music, and enjoyed the last or our trip to the fullest. We arrive in Richmond around midnight and my Mom picks us up! She arrives and immediately comments on the fact we smell like a distillery – I wonder if that had anything to do with the Bloody’s, the Jack and ginger, or the beer…hmmm, hard to tell.

So what did we learn this trip?

1) The Mormons frown up “outsiders” walking through their downtown areas with cases of beer.

2) The Mormons also have a thing for water features in downtown! Everywhere you turn, there is a fountain, a pool or a fall…not good if your bladder is full. Graham has hypothesized they require water in which to lay their eggs for breeding.

3) Skiing Utah is about the greatest experience ever.

4) The public transit system there is fabulous, once you figure it out.

Day 7, Solitude Mountain/Rosners Double

Good grief – where to start. We headed back to Solitude today….we started our journey sans Paige as she was still gauging her wounds from where her friend ran into her leg yesterday. I’m sure the pictures will surface but until then imagine that instead of a leg Paj was walking around on a standing rib roast. Graham Rosner and I met up with David Rosner (Graham Rosner’s cousin on the Rosner side) and we began our day.

Graham also completed his set of stickers from Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. In your face Park City!

Paige simply couldn’t stand to be away from the magnetic force of two Rosner’s and came up to meet us on the next bus. What a trooper. The wind was far mightier than we anticipated…kind of felt like what a car experiences in those wind tunnel tests but colder.

We headed to the less windy side of the mountain and played around in the trees, moguls and generally enjoyed being on the mountain together. Speaking of moguls (not Mongols) we’ve forgotten to inform you about Becca’s new ski jargon. No longer will a stand of skiable trees be known as a “glade”…henceforth Becca has declared these areas “orchards.” And, for you freeheelers, you will no longer be known as “telemarkers” you shall be “telemarketers.” Learn it. Live it. Love it.

And there was Jeans Guy.

Becca finally found her gonads (the male ones) today and tackled a black diamond! Literally they descended and caused a series of avalanches. She made it down quickly and safely! (Editor’s note: Becca followed Graham and Dave onto an ungroomed, rock-filled, tree littered orchard that had about a 25 to 35 degree pitch. She was timid at first but after she broke the seal on her first turn she linked the rest together and ran it out like a rockstar). She mocks her conquest below.

Dave, on the other hand, thought he had something to prove coming from Snowbird. He took it upon himself to level a stand of aspens just so he could make a snow angel right below the lift. It was a great snow angel.

We stopped for lunch and refueled for the afternoon. Becca headed to the restroom and somehow slipped and fell on a wet tile. Since she was not wearing her skis she couldn’t release like she did earlier in the day. Mind you she was drinking Vitamin water! Fortunately, no one saw her fall but the bartender…

So, we’re packed and ready to say goodbye to The Kimball with its plush furniture and red carpets (nice). This evening will be spent packing, finishing the food and alcohol and planning for possible layovers.

Goodbye The Kimball. Goodbye The Mormons. Goodbye The Twisted Bus System. Goodbye The 3.2% alcohol beer. We’re on the way back to Richmond and bringing the snow with us. We will recap the trip and share our new discoveries about Mormon mating habits tomorrow.

EDIT: Quote of the day: "Why are you carrying a snowboard?" - From lower than average Mormon gent to Paj who was fully decked out in snowboarding gear.

Day 6 - Walking tours and silliness

Graham and Becca set out on a walking tour of the city. It was sunny and chilly when they started their trip to the Planetarium. A stop in the Union Pacific Train unveiled a beautiful old station with very cool stained glass (Graham takes the 5th in regard to stained glass being cool).

So we hit the planetarium on a quest for Graham’s first IMAX experience. (Yes we were the only people over 30 that didn’t have children). We went to see Dinosaur something or other in 3D! So we settle in, geeky glasses on, popcorn and beverage in hand, surrounded by little kids and their parents. The preview starts and it’s for an Under the Sea 3D adventure – very cool! Lot’s of gigantic fish flying about and in the last scene one jumps up out of no where and eats a fish…mind you this is in 3D and makes Becca yell “Sh*t” in the middle of a theater full of children. Oops. Fortunately she was able to curb her Tourette’s like cursing for the rest of the movie.

Also, during this trip to the Planetarium Becca was able to pretend she was a meteorologist – a role she is fascinated with since they are paid to be wrong 99% of the time.

We emerge from the Planetarium and find it is cloudy and snowing again! Woo Hoo! We hit Starbucks and explore the rest of the city using the Trax line (which is a very convenient tram that runs through the city – and it’s heated :)

This evening Graham and I walked the city in search of wine (Please note: you have to find a state liquor store to purchase said wine). We were successful in our mission and are currently enjoying some in honor of all of you!

Tomorrow is our final day and we are heading back to Solitude! Graham’s cousin David is going to join us for our adventure which is sure to be fun.

Day 5 - Brighton

Yet another fantastic day – yes it gets sickening sometimes. Snow continued to fall in Utah today and we hit Brighton – yet another GIGANTIC mountain.
Today, Becca continued to conquer her fear of steep slopes and started to come to terms with this thing called speed. Graham realized his skis are perfect for groomed slopes but a bit too stiff for the pow pow (editor’s note: Graham would require another 10 days on the snow for these skis to be optimal in the freshest of freshies).

As for Paige, a branch magically appeared in front of her lip. When asked about the incident Paige’s face replied, “I blame the children.”
***Note to parents: If your children cannot stay up on a blue slope, then let’s not take them on a black diamond with moguls… SERIOUSLY? ***
Paige also decided to go exploring… finding not only rocks but tons of powder. During this discovery of boundaries of Brighton, she lost sight of all the lifts. Don’t worry, she found her way back with the help of some fellow boarders.

All in all, a glorious day on the mountain with fresh snow continuing to fall.

The SLC Hash is meeting tonight and we are contemplating joining them at Mo’s for a bevy or two…we just have to find the place. Update: That was yesterday and we missed it.

After in depth research (really) we are on our way to get some sushi and relax for the evening. Who knows what the next day holdsJ

Day 4: Snowbird is a very hard mountain to get around

Wow, what a day. We did make it the bus in time…bleary eyed but with everything in order.

Snowbird has gotten 27 inches of fresh snow in the last 48 hours – 13” of those yesterday! It was still snowing when we headed up this morning and it was absolutely gorgeous. We started the day as a group but SOMETHING went terribly wrong.

Lack of communication, crappy walkie talkies, and a mountain that was poorly marked is to blame. We head down our first run of the day (which was really long run) and somehow we managed to get separated at the bottom. Graham and Becca went one way, Paige went another….and didn’t see each other again until the end of the day. Somehow we managed to avoid each other all day!



Paige spent part of the day waiting at the wrong lift (oops), then she decided to try and locate G & B on her own (mind you the crap ass walkie talkies had other people on our channels and interference). During this time, Paige somehow couldn’t turn left (a la Derek Zoolander) due to tree interference (where G & B were) but eventually did make it to the Gad-Zoom lift area. Please note “gad-two” and “gad-zoom” sound alike on a crappy walkie talkie. This caused major problems. Essentially, a series of near-misses ended in a happy ending


Once reunited, we realize the time in relation to the shuttle schedule. It was a mad dash back to the locker – Paige scrambled ahead and unpacked the locker for us! We made it to the Center, just in time for the 2:30 bus…which was cozy. Cozy like the train from Lahore to Dehli.

FYI - There is going to be a new ride at Busch Gardens this year based on our experience. Park goers will wear ski boots and carry 50lbs of gear on their back and/or in hand while the ride careens around turns at 50mph….People under 5’3” should not ride this ride should not ride this ride as they will not be able to hold onto the roof strap (Paige, you slipped through the cracks this time).

Once we arrive at the park and ride we thought we had time to change out of our boots and repack…Graham was successful, Becca not so much…she boarded the other bus with one boot on and one shoe on (See picture). Fortunately we had seating on this ride.

We are now back at the homestead enjoying our vino and awaiting the arrival of Graham’s cousin who has graciously agreed to bring beer and water. Rock On David.

Quote of the day:
Dude we met on the bus texted Paige….”Hey sexy, like a chocolate strawberry, how was your day at Snowbird?”

THIS JUST IN!!! PAIGE HAS A DATE WITH A FLIGHT ATTENDANT! Only another 600 feet until the mile high club P. Too bad we’re not in Denver.

Day 3 - A Day late

Ok, so we are a little late on this one!!

We start the day at the crack of dawn…6am and the alarm was dinging rousing me from my slumber and it is snowing in Salt Lake city! Well, it’s a mix of rain and snow but it counts.

We grab our gear and head on our “short” walk to the Ski Bus. So the short walk turned out to be about 6 blocks with our gear. Not that long, but long enough to remind us that we didn’t have enough coffee to fuel this walk at 7:15am! It was well worth it though.

So the snow starts to really fall as we head up and doesn’t stop. We hit Solitude around 9:30 and I head over for my lesson. Luck for me, the group lesson I paid for ended up being a private lesson for 2 hours!

My instructor just happened to be named Don Johnson, but he wasn’t the one that starred in Miami Vice. He was a former mountaineer and outdoorsman and was a fabulous coach this morning! I learned how to navigate fresh powder with confidence! It was amazing. He dropped me off with Graham and Paige around 12:30 and I promptly fell over my own ski. Mind you I had not fallen all morning!

So we were aiming to grab the 2:30 shuttle down and we agreed to meet after our last run which we were all headed in the same direction. Somehow we all ended up in the wrong side of the mountain at a different lift, at different times.

Being the slowest and most tired, I unfortunately ended up on the top of the mountain at 2:18 and had to creep my way down a really steep and slightly scary side of the mountain.
It almost brought me to tears but I made it, unfortunately not in time to make the shuttle.

So we head to the bar and have a beer. The 3:30 bus arrives and out of no where hoards of people swarm the shuttle and we are shut out from getting on! What kind of crap is that? So of course we head back to the bar again, running out with all of our gear every time a new bus arrives as we were informed “another bus is coming down”. It was quite comical actually and I am fairly certain the other bar goers enjoyed our scrambles!

All in all, it was a magnificent day with over 8 inches of fresh snow floating down on us all day…mind you that was on top of the 5+ inches they got the night before. More snow in the forecast for today and we are aiming to tackle Snowbird today….if we make the bus on time. Doesn't look like we are going to make it at this point...it's already 6:50...

More pics from yesterday....

Updated Quote of the day:

"Don Johnson reemed my ass hard"

Day 2 - February 8. 2009

Day 2 – February 8th, 2009

It took 3 alarms to wake us up at 3:45am .This was a painful and bleary experience for us both. We made it to the shuttle (which was actually full) and road our way around the airport…we were of course the last stop.

Once inside, we had to contend with Delta reps again which is less than enjoyable AGAIN, but finally get checked in and move through security. In Becca’s non-coffee enhanced state, she forgets to remove her laptop from her carry-on and is pulled aside for the “swab your crap” test…Fortunately; the lady was pleasant and didn’t take too long.

Starbucks had just opened and we were the first customers. That just isn’t right for a store that opens at 5:00 AM.

So did anyone know JFK also serves as an Aviary that is run by little girls with bagels? How often do you get to experience pigeons and small sparrows swooping past your head at 5am? Lovely. Graham let the young lady know that if she fed the birds they would peck her eyes out.

So in addition to the birds, we also had the pleasure of sharing our plane with the entire Brigham Young University indoor track team. The place was swarming with Mormon runners, all way too chipper, way too blonde, and way too caffeine-free at that hour.

Our seats were initially next to a very friendly rabbi on his way to California. (we had the window and middle seat and he was on the aisle). Part way through the flight, he swaps seats with his wife…The Rabbi-ess was not as friendly to say the least and she kept encroaching on Becca’s allotted seat space. This gem of a seat mate also COMPLETELY grossed Becca out mid-flight.

Imagine this…the encroacher seems to have a bit of her in-flight snack stuck in her tooth. She attempts extraction with her forefinger to no avail….at this point, any normal person would either excuse themselves to the lavatory or find some floss and then excuse themselves…..Not this lady. She nonchalantly reaches for the emergency procedure card located in the seat pocket in front of her and uses the corner of it to pick out whatever it was that was lodged in her mouth!!!

So as everyone knows, Becca is a bit of a germ-a-phobe, so the fact she just used an in-flight pamphlet that thousands of people have man-handled completely freaks her out! To top it all off, the woman doesn’t discard the card…no, no….she puts it back in the seat pocket to lie in wait for the next occupant! EEEEKKKKK!!!!!

Right, so we get into Salt Lake and catch a cab to our condo after finally finding our luggage. And we finally get to see Paige. Better yet we get to see Paige in her pajamas.

We did a little housekeeping and ran some errands. One errand included gathering food and beer. Our condo is right on Temple Square. Temple Square is pretty much the center of the Mormon universe (see photo taken from condo window). The scowls we received for carrying beer within a few blocks of the temple are burned into the inside of my eyelids.

Okay, so tomorrow Becca, Graham and Paige will each have a section in the blog! We have agreed we won’t read each other’s post until it posts but we will vote on the quote of the dayJ

Until then, they are calling for 6+ inches of new snow in morning! We’ll let you know how it goes!

Quote of the day:
“Plush furniture, red rugs, I like this place” - a fellow resident of the Kimball Condos

Day 1 – February 7th, 2009

Here we are at the Connections (infections?) lounge in the Ramada Plaza at JFK airport. It’s Friday night we should be in Salt Lake City but unfortunately that isn’t quite how the day went. Here’s how it went…

The trip began with a meeting of parents and pet-sitters on Claremont. We loaded the car, said goodbye to the pets and hit the road/air.

As we were wrangling our gear out of the Jeep, my mom was firing off illegal photos of us to help document the trip.

Once in we discovered our flight was delayed so there was a little time before we boarded our flight from RIC to JFK. We stopped in at “Sam Adams” for our customary pre-trip Guinness. More importantly, we have some observations to share:

We would like to introduce Madam Slursalot (unfortunately no photo to provide but I will provide a visual depiction)….Cane wielding, sweat suit wearing, limping, loud mouthed woman from New York.

So, since quotes speak louder than descriptions (all quotes subject to interpretation as she did in fact slur a lot):
· “She’s a barmaid, not a bartender. That’s sexist that you called her a bartender!”
· “Your eyes are beautiful!”
· “What’s your cheapest drink?”
· “14, you really thought I was 14?” ( Mind you she was at least 60) · “I’ll have a Bud Light. Wait, if I’m going to be rednecky I might as well have a Budweiser.”

After a 20 minute delay taking off in RIC we are on schedule to make it to JFK just in time to reach our connecting flight. Look kids, Big Ben, Parliament, Look kids, Big Ben, Parliament Look kids, Big Ben, Parliament ….No wait, that’s Atlantic City.

When what to my groggy ears do I hear?
The Pilot on the PA and the delay we feared.
We circled and circled and wondered why,
Atlantic City kept passing by…
Yep, holding pattern.

Apparently too many straws were trying to get on the camel’s back and the camel wasn’t breaking. This was announced at 6:30 and our connecting flight was scheduled to depart at 7:30. Eventually, the plane did land (nice landing captain Curtis).

We hit the tarmac at 7:15….we proceeded to crawl through JFK at a snail’s pace and arrived at our gate at 7:28…(please note the time of our departing flight above). As soon as the seat belt light binged, Becca leapt from her seat and took her place in the line to get out. Graham was right behind her.

We dodged other passengers like cones in a driver’s ed. class through the subterranean network of JFK. Unfortunately Becca wouldn’t have passed driver’s ed. (sorry trenchcoat guy). I believe the hit and run happened right around 7:29 but I don’t know since I was running like a hairless chimp at the all sandpaper petting zoo.

Awesome, we’ve got 10 gates to go and 0:00 time to do it. We fly up to the closest Delta Counter and inquire as to our flight….the response “It’s 7:30, That’s left.”

Dumbfounded we consulted the ugly version of that guy Thomas, Graham works with at the ski shop. He was no help. Stonewalled by Delta regulations we had no choice but to take a room at the local Ramada (what is a Ramada anyway? Let’s break it down…Ra is a sun god. Mad is something you are when you are frustrated and don’t know how to express yourself. A is an article that indicates something is one of many. Therefore, a Ramada is one of many mad sun gods).

So, we are staying at a crazy version of mad Sun Gods? Whatever. We have enjoyed the company of Bernie Q (the Connections Bartender), have laughed at the gift shop lady that tried to sell us $10 saline solution are looking forward to journey still ahead of us…

We are sure having to leave here by 4:30am will provide a few note worthy points;) See you tomorrow.