jolson

Was a great first time out and finding Dave for the entire run - time was a bonus....aside from the need to take better care of my legs......what a great morning.....Can't wait for the rest of the season opportunities with the complete three musketeers of Dave, Russ and Ken........

...actually, I did get the memo on wearing red that day......I'm just a quiet rebel..........all around a great day with with those guys as always...

Was out the last two mornings and burnt up my old-man under-used leg muscles but had a couple days with Ken (ever present) and finally, after two years rode the lift and down the hill with Russ....Dave was AWOL surprisingly.......Less than a month left I am betting given the temps but hill is holding up nicely.

...well...CRAP... broken ribs and a broken wrist yesterday shortening my already short boarding season ,what a bummer. Collision with another high-speed snowboarder was not optimal ,but the melon cover saved me..... Layed on the hill with the other guy for awhile ...compressed front ribs on my right side all the way to my backbone it felt like...surprised all my internal organs did not come out the closest orifice,,,,, caught my breath finally in time to see Ken go by who I had been riding with ….coulda used a Doc right about then..... we both limped to the bottom ...he went to his car I believe and I took the lift up.....not how the day was supposed to go. Will be up with Grandsons to coach them on the bunny hill next couple weeks but my riding is over for the year.

FINALLY caught up with two of the three amigo's this year today.....Great riding with Ken and Dave and looking forward to seeing Russ tomorrow as they said he would be patrolling and on the slopes...….biggest change is my new conviction to start buying lotto tickets cause short of a win my getting to the hill is going to remain far less than I prefer...…..see you guys tomorrow for some flat light riding.....but riding none the less! First tracks till about 11:30 till my grandson arrives and I will work with him the rest of the day.....

Faced strong winds but as the day went on yesterday got to hero carving snow.....even made me look good. Looks like my season is over .....maybe Tuesday lunch as Spirit will be open Tues- Sunday next week I am told.....but am out of State for the remainder of open hours. Had late season fun with all and look forward to seeing everyone next year. I like the MINI-SES potential each year for us Northern folks....... Be Well

Made a rare appearance today and conditions were absolute crap......expected as much with rain and warm temps but was fairly let-down anyway. Switched boards after an hour just to try and make it all better but no-go........saw Ken doing well though on my second to last run and never caught up with him as I bunched it early. Hope to catch up with the two wanderers to out-state fun and hear all about their trips.

Russ, I did send along a note to Spirit Mt. Exec Director early yesterday about the apparatus at bottom of four-pipe that included in part that very issue of distracted and merging traffic off the west slopes....good to hear it was most likely on the agenda for removal.

Finally made it out on Saturday.....as usual, first day felt like I was a flight attendant carrying two pots of hot coffee in high turbulence........Got busy by 10 AM due to last holiday weekend drive and took the cue and got off the hill by 10:30 having been happy just to have strapped a board to my feet. Work continues to see major changes and this will be another challenging year to get to the hill but looking forward to finally catching up with the group. Oh, and next letter is to Spirit Mt.... ....I am sure they are trying to appeal to the bigger group mindset, but putting all that apparatus on the last 400 feet of Four-Pipe is akin to creating 400 feet of constricted lift line prep. You simply have to prepare the whole four hundred feet or so to avoid others in the constricted fee area and the chance (like last year's one obstacle they had) of getting caught up in some jibber's destruction along that area is pretty good odds......saw it happen at least four times last year and was caught up in one of those. A waste to what was otherwise a great finish to the end of a great run.

Looking forward to seeing everyone and great to hear that Russ will be back at Spirit for this season. Would agree that regardless of my usual late start on the season, it will be forced on everyone unless the weather turns. See everyone soon.

.......and will the illustrious Mr. Maron be joining us on that freshwater base this year?

OMG BWD......pretty sure the poorer angels of my soul would have gotten the better of me on board damaged by skier hit.......would probably have tried to straighten it on his helmet..while he was wearing it....... ..sorry to hear and hope your hip and board are back in the game ASAP.....

Will be a late start again for me this year......but close to getting out and looking forward to seeing everyone. Work, a bum knee, the flu, and building out a bedroom at my daughters house for next - soon to be arriving grandson have all kept me off the hill. I was one of the sorry fools that arrived for 9 AM first tracks on New Year's Day.....and found then found out about the noon opening .....wth.. ...anyway sounds like the faithful are hard at it and see you all soon.

Gentlemen (loosely interpreted), Looking forward to catching up and happy to see Mr. Maron still holding to his Duluth base of boarding operations.......will see you all at some point soon...just maybe not as soon as some of you fanatics.....

Russ, If you still have a golden ticketI will take you up on one for Briana...... Let me know.... mail to 423 W. St. Andrews Street 55803 or intercompany mail to Marlys at 5AV-1 at essential.

Guys, Wish I could join this trip (assume it is still in the works) but the it seems the moon and stars are not aligning with much other than the craziest work issues I have ever seen. On the road or in meetings all next week. Hope to make it to the hill this weekend.....

Seems a lot has been going on while accepting a paycheck keeps me out of the loop........ Dave is on the mend and still look'n like he never got dinged, Ken, always our constant presence on the hill is swith'n boards, and Russ..that dog (or is it God) is in BOZEMAN.......man......I need some serious hill-time. Look forward to seeing more of everyone to close out Feb and March. Russ....we want pics.........get on it. Dave, if you took any of your West trip would love to see a few of those as well.

I mentioned I may try to sneak out for long lunches. This week will not work to hook up during the week but keep posting those weekdays you plan to come up.

Wow....WICKED cold on Sunday....WICKED....but worth every moment. For the first time out all year, I had a great number of runs on good snow and I am fully primed for some runs with temps above 14 below zero.....:D. Dave was rock'n on his new Donek and with that much room on the hill....well, just a great morning. Look forward to seeing everyone else soon. Let me know if anyone has seen my nose...pretty sure it fell off around 10:15 or so......

Yep, late season starter for sure....10lbs of stuff in a 5lb bag....but anxious as ever to take advantage of early opening. Hope to get up there at least once this weekend and see if muscle memory will fail me like usual on the first run and I BIFF the first carve. I owe a compilation of last season's vid...but never captured that last flash drive from Russ.....any chance you can bring that I will do the duty and fire us up at the start of this season with last seasons highlights? Hope everyone is well and I look forward to catching up. Will see you all soon.

Is this sold?.....if not, please contact me at jolson@comolp.com for shipping and payment details.....

Truly the end of the season boys :(.....I am committed to a Duluth based meeting now on Thursday. Thanks for keeping me in mind. Dave, if you have any Vid clips remaining then, please slip the flash drive to Russ. Have fun and talk to you all soon I hope.

Russ and Ken, great updates and pic's from out West....yeah Russ, cool head on shot on that heel side, very sweet. Ken, keep the pics and updates coming. Hope you're back on your feet Dave. I could not get out all weekend so that midweek blast looks like my end of the season. Russ and Dave, my week is in fluid motion, right now. Please post when you are heading anywhere and I will simply glom on or meet you as possible last minute. I may be up the shore this week at some point to Grand Marais for a site visit that is not firm yet. Dave, either way, pass off that last flash drive and I will piece the season together. I will return your flash drives before next season...maybe when you are up this way on the boat effort we can all meet for mid season lunch, brews, wine, other.... Keep me in the loop.

Well, the boss said, time for a board meeting....to which three of us preceeded to Spirit for the morning today......BONUS..... especially since it looks like my season will end after 2 hour morning slot on Saturday. We have much company in town so Saturday afternoon and Easter Sunday are booked....Can't complain too much but man I HATE not hitting the closing day at Spirit (Sunday). Will post again after Saturday and will wait to hear if any trips are planned the first week of April. I have some limited time that week that could work but the week after I am out of town for 8 days and by then all Minnesota local hills will be closed.

Just curious how you found Granite and what runs are best....