Possibility of more content

I have realized that my blog here has gone greatly untouched this weekend but breaking my laptop, sketchy internet connection, and general laziness added up to fewer and fewer posts. I wish that I was still on the travel in many ways although I do have to admit to enjoying my time near home. The section of time from the time I returned to from England to what is now April has been spent relaxing and doing some minimal amounts of work. That said here is what I am looking into now...

I realize that I am going to have to actually stash a few more dollars into my bank account to actually afford the vagabond lifestyle that I have grown to love so I am currently mowing grass and doing yard-work to make a few extra bucks. Along with the yard-work I hope to be working for the US Census during the months of May and June. I am sure it will be odd to be back to work (granted I did work for 2 weeks this past winter at a pizza place.... not fun).

Other than that I am planning my escape from the country again. I doubt I ever mentioned this in the past because it was in the works but I had a job lined up for February of this year to Teach English in South Korea, but that fell through at the very last second so now I am looking for more work abroad. I have started dropping applications to South America and spending some time boning up on my Spanish repertoire.

Hopefully I can try and post some of my adventures around here to regain my knack for blogging and get on the road to somewhere with "international" flavor by July.

That said, wish me luck and thanks for reading.


Jonny Walker

VIdeo of Snowshoe Total

So here is the compilation video from the 30+ minutes I got this season.... just remember that all the best stuff is never captured on tape.

Riding with some folks

Sunset at Snowshoe

I shot this clip the other day and condensed 5+ minutes of video down to about 35 secs. The clouds were actually in the valley so the view from the apartment was great.

Driveway terrain

Now that rain has set in here on the mountain I can post this video for the other week when we didn't even need the slopes to pass the time. 3 guys, a driveway, and some shovels.

Jumping off the 3rd floor balcony

I realize that I have rarely posted this winter but the internet connection is iffy at best. Actually I realize that this is a horrible excuse but I have also been taking care of a lot of business. It appears that I am actually going to have to go back to work after 2 years of traveling and nursing a broken leg.

Luckily this video did not cause another broken leg...

Video from the Shoe

I just left the mountain for Xmas in Florida but here is an update.

POWDER!!!!!

The other night I could barely sleep... I was ready to go but sadly it was 4 hours until the mountain was ready to open and I was riding out the alcohol in my system from the night before. The snow had been pounding the mountain for almost a solid twelve hours and I couldn't wait for the mountain to open for an epic powder day... life is good

DAY COUNT THUS FAR FOR DAYS ON MY SNOWBOARD.... 12

number should continue to grow drastically after New Years.

Camera low on battery

I have been up here on the mountain for a while now and hitting the slopes daily. Sadly I have misplaced my camera charger and have been conserving batteries to make a video at the end of the season of all my days on the slopes. I think I the number is around 8 or 9 days on now.


Here is a map of the slopes up here. More open up every day and my couch is still as comfortable as ever. No break until after this weekend for the X-mas holiday so at least 3 more days on the slopes to get the most out of my season pass.

The era of "guy on couch" begins

In setting up shop on the mountain, Robbie and I took some of his stuff up to the top and I slept on the couch for the first time. I think I am going to like it there.

The Transition to "guy on couch"

I have staked my claim on the couch up on the mountain and already have my season pass now to "sneak" some of my stuff up there. It has been recommended that I can only have the shirt on my back to not take up too much space but I think if I take my television up life will be a little bit better for all.

I am considering writing a list of laws that all "guys on couch" must follow and as I collect data on this process I might begin to piece some of it together.

First Days On My Snowboard

I have already picked up my season pass for the year and I spent the past 3 days breaking myself in for the new season at Snowshoe Mountain. My friend Aaron moved up to the apartment the other day and as the official "guy on couch" I accompanied and managed to make my first runs of the season.

There was some natural snow out and the crowds were minimal which was great due to the fact that they had cut it down to 2 runs (that they call six but using the terms upper, middle, and lower don't fool me... I know what two options look like) and one lift but it was enough to start building up some confidence for the coming season.


Here is a shot of Aaron clipping into his board "The Lightning"



Needless to say I was enjoying myself.


If you have read my blog for any amount of time you might ask yourself, "How does he pay for this?" Sadly my funds (which I have saved up myself... if you want to sponsor me however I would be open to the idea) have run short and I am in the process of setting up some work abroad towards the end of this winter. Posts are sure to come soon as I get more info.

Winter Begins - I am back

Now that snow has replaced rain here in my part of the world my life is suddenly back in full swing. My friends have returned after hiking the entire Appalachian Trail and I am looking forward to a winter of snowboarding and remaining unemployed.... impossible you say?

Not when I have been deemed "guy on couch"

I have purchased a season pass already and can't await an endless winter of snowboarding.


These guys have hiked the trail and will now allow me to crash on their couch... (not the one pictured)


Here is a vid of the first snow of the season here in town.

Sweet Pool Underwater Montage

Got snowed in at the Inn at Snowshoe and went to the pool.

Snowboarding for a day

I decided that I needed a little break from home so I headed up the mountain for a day to get in some much needed snowboarding. Other than some small lift lines the weather was great.


You probably can' t tell from the pic, but I am actually moving downhill.


Not sure what my plan is to get my snowboarding fix for the season yet, but I am working on it.

Late Season Snow

Just a little show from the walk home...

Work

Work has crawled by today... I need an escape from the mountain. Looks like I will be heading off in a few days (that is if they ever get the road fixed).

Not sure where I'll be headed, just far far away.

Parents Day

Before my birthday I managed to trick my parents into a day here at the shoe. The conditions were epic and my padre broke in his new skis with the $1100+ price tag. All in all, a great day. I love these people.

Padre


My mother in action

Francis working...... haha

Breakin in the new skis

I think they had a good time

Valentine's Day Khaki Run

For the second time this season I strapped into some rental boots and took to the slopes for a daytime khaki run. This is my new tradition here at the shoe, and from last times attendance of two it has now grown to three. Basically it consists of one run on the clock with no gloves, no jacket, no ski pants (note that Sergio still had his on from the morning), and no winter hats or goggles. Just boots and your board of choice (which luckily mine was in the shop).

This was us pre-run (top)
Blake was owning the khaki look. I think he went golfing after this in his boots. (below)




My camera was only letting me take oner picture at a time before shutting off due to battery, but I still got some shots of the Serg in action.

In the end it was all good.