Explore. Dream. Discover. – Oregon Road Trip

A few weeks ago my mom, step-dad and I were scheduled to visit Spain and Italy for nineteen days. Unfortunately, my mom ran into some health complications and we were forced to postpone our trip. This delay left me with a three week long hole in my schedule and quite possibly the only real opportunity for me get out of town. But wait, where could I go? Money and time to prepare were to be my restricting factors. That ruled out a plane ticket to Costa Rica or Hawaii and with rising gas prices I was forced to look in the western reaches of my map. Immediately Glacier National Park popped into my head, yet as quickly as it entered it dissipated when I realized that the park would be inundated with snow this early in the summer. Next thought, California. With friends dotting the coastline and the opportunity to surf SoCal was rapidly becoming my the destination of choice. As I began to think more about the purpose of my trip I began to shift my direction. Here I was, set to touch down in Europe, a place I had never been to see sight I had never seen. Now I was set to visit a state that I was in only a few short months prior and had frequented numerous times throughout my college years. Then it hit me, why not explore Oregon a bit more. Lush forests, rocky coastlines and miles upon miles of epic mt. biking. It sounded like the end all be all ticket. Now all I needed was a quick look at the weather to see if all the pieces would fall into place. I should have known better. The forecast called for 50* temps with ample amounts of rain..  More and more I was beginning to think that this whole trip idea wasn’t going to transpire. Frustrated and depressed I picked up a book that my step-dad had gotten for me several months before. The book was entitled “Force of Nature” by big wave surfer Laid Hamilton. It was almost as if some magnet pulled me to this book. On the opening page there is a rather inspirational quote by Mark Twain. It reads, ” Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Right then and there I loaded my car with a great anticipation of coming home with a story, rain or shine.

With a rough outline of how my trip would pan out and a fully loaded car including delicious snacks, I slammed the trunk of my Subaru and headed west. I hopped on I-84, Idaho’s major west/east artery headed for Portland, Oregon. Fierce head winds tested my gas mileage while a lack of sleep tested my driving skills for a solid five hours. By the time I reached the Hood River area the rain began to fall. These combined factors forced me to take a short reprieve from ever demanding freeway. I found a turn-off for a more scenic route at exit 135 to Highway 30. As I meandered down this quiet road I was quickly enveloped by a lush green landscape dotted with waterfalls. Little did I know that this spectacular scenic by-way was more than just a sight to see, it was actually the Historic Columbia River Highway. Along side this delightful highway lies Ainsworth State Park stated as being, “equal parts waterfall wonderland, hiker’s playground and camper’s delight.” It truly was a campers playground surrounded by waterfalls. For each waterfall that I stopped and explored I began to feel more and more rejuvenated. This was just what I needed. By the end of the drive I was fully revived and looking out over the Columbia River George amidst the Crown Point Vista House. Quite a sight.

I could almost taste the cool ocean breeze as I sped through Portland. The ocean was calling and I was ready to take on the last hour and a half push to the coast.  High-rise buildings slowly gave way to high-rise trees and my temper grew impatient. I was ready to be there. Just before I was ready to freak out, I reached Cannon Beach. Low and behold, there was the Pacific Ocean. My previous visits to the big blue Pacific included locations such as Southern California, Mexico, Costa Rica and Hawaii. These places ingrained images of people walking barefoot on hot flat sandy beaches. When I first laid eyes on Oregon’s stretch of the Pacific Ocean I had to throw all of those warm fuzzy “beach” feelings away and embrace the crisp ocean air and drastic coniferous terrain that etched this coastline. Nonetheless, the sight was welcoming and just the start that I was looking for. It was a sight that I was beginning to see versus a sight that I might have wished I had seen.

After spending some quality time meandering up and down Cannon Beach near Haystack Rock I found myself in the car once again bound for a campsite. A friend had mentioned that I try and stay the night at Oswald West State Park but my research led me to find the campsite closed for repairs. However, just a fifteen minute drive south lay Nehalem State Park. With only a few brave souls such as myself tempting the fate of mid May camping on the Oregon coast, I had no troubles finding the perfect site secluded from the rest. I quickly setup camp, grabbed my camera and headed to the beach for some exploring. A vast stretch of grass covered protective dunes sat in between the ocean and the campsites. I made my way up and over the dunes to a sweeping sandy beach. Stones blown smooth by the wind and water sat perched on miniature monolith like sand formations. I found them quite interesting to photograph. Content with what I had seen, I slowly made my way back to camp. While heading back,  the familiar sound of Jimi Hedrix’s “Along the Watchtower” increasingly began to build. There was a guy who looked to be of similar age to me sitting on a large piece of driftwood tearing it up what appeared to be a cheap miniature guitar. I stopped and asked if I could listen in on his reposeful tunes. Without hesitation the guitarist said, “no not at all.” There was something very peaceful about that guitar playing while looking out to the sun crashing towards the oceans waters. Every now and then we would exchange brief conversation in between the blend of classic rock/reggae tunes. I came to find out that this guy, named Robb Davies, was a 22-year old University of Washington student on a mission to ride his bike from Vancouver, Canada to the Mexican border all by him self. I was pretty stoked to hear as I am an avid fan of cycling. After a few more tunes had passed, I explained that I was going to head back towards my camp for a few last shots. I invited him over for a refreshing PBR and a crackling fire. Thirty minutes later and we were back to an relaxing blend of tunes, talk, brews and warmth. No matter how much I enjoy some quality time on my own, good company is always welcomed.

Morning came with a cool 45* breeze drifting across the open vents of my tent as I wiped the sleep from my eyes. I had a big day ahead of me and spent little time packing my things before my next exploration were to ensue. My growling stomach led my car into the quaint little town of Manzanita in search of nourishment. Manzanita News & Espresso beckoned me with the smell of fresh bagels and coffee. Their bacon and cheddar bagel toasted with cream cheese hit the spot. With food and caffeine satisfying my desires I made my way north to Oswald West State Park for some exploration. A secluded parking lot along side the 101 in between Manzanita and Cannon Beach serves as a starting point for exploration of the parks dramatic scenery. I opted for the quick 3/4 mile trail down to the surfers beach, Smuggler Cove. Just as I set out toward the beach the rain began. Ahh yes, now my Oregon coast experience was complete. When I reached the sheltered open bay I felt that the hike had been way too short. Fortunately, there was a 4-mile hike to a place called Cape Falcon to keep me going. Half way into the hike the winds kicked up and the rain transformed from a drizzle to a full on downpour. Soaking jeans brought thoughts of turning to mind but my waterproof Arc’teryx jacket kept my core warm enough to push on. Although the site was dreary and cool it was still spectacular to be sitting on a 100ft over looking the ocean with no one around but the bald eagle cruising the shoreline. Once again that Mark Twain came to mind. It was another story I could tell versus one that I wish I could have told. On my way back from the hike I dropped down to the beach to enviously watch a few surfers ride sloppy 1-2  foot waves before heading back to the car.

Soaked but smiling I made my way back south in search of the next adventure. Persistent weather left me viewing much of the scenery from the comfort of my car. The town of Tillamook was one place that caught my eye. I have recognized the Tillamook dairy brand in the stores for quite some time now but never associated them with being based out of the Oregon coast. I had to see what it was all about. Fresh cheese curd samples showed me right away that this place actually puts out some damn good cheese. Brief descriptions on the walls gave insight to the history of this non-midwestern dairy. I won’t bore you with the details but if you are interested you can read up here. With new found knowledge and excited taste buds it was time to move on.

Just down the road I the road began to veer away from the ocean and more inland. I drove all this way to see the ocean and I was by all means going to get my fair share of it’s sights and sounds. I saw a sign for the Meares lighthouse and knew I had found the right road for me. It was a quick drive to the top this neat bluff offering up expansive views out to the Pacific Ocean. It was still pouring and blowing but I was stoked. I walked the quarter mile down to the Cape Meares Lighthouse for a better view and another history lesson.

From Cape Meares I decided that it was time to put some miles on and make my way towards Newport. As I raced south, the quaint vibe of the northern coastal neighborhoods began to dissipate in favor of destination location strips of chain hotels and fast food. This certainly was not my cup of tea and so I pushed on with fervor and a craving for Newport. You might be asking me what’s so great about Newport. If you like delicious craft beer then you’ll know where I’m coming from. Rogue Ales is one of my favorite breweries and their home base is right on the Yaquina Bay of Newport. It took me a few tries to find the exact location but I was not disappointed in the least when I arrived. I quickly grabbed a seat in the bar and ordered up four of their “imperial” selections to fill my taster tray. Their Imperial YSB took the cake for me. I highly recommend this beer if you’re ever lucky enough to find. It went perfectly with the cheeseburger and fries I had ordered. After being completely satisfied with the four, four ounce tasters and greasy burger I hopped in my car and made my way back in-land towards Corvallis.

In just a little over an hour I had made my way to the home of the OSU Beavers, the place that I would lay my head for the evening. A long time friend of mine, was attending pharmacology school here and I figured that it would be a great opportunity to see him before continuing west. We spent the majority of the evening catching up and partying with his friends. It was a long night and I knew the morning would come far too early.

My heavy eyelids shuttered the next morning as I loaded my car once again. I said my goodbyes and was off to Bend before 10:00 with the anticipation of sneaking in a good long mountain bike ride before the light faded. By 1:00pm I had pulled into Bend and was in search of a bike shop. Sunnyside Sports on Newport pointed me to a series of trails called Phil’s, Jim’s and Kent’s just off of Skyliner Rd. Being the new guy to the trails, I managed to start out in the opposite direction managing to get myself lost within a matter of minutes. Fortunately, the people of Bend are truly genuine and before I knew it I was being escorted to the exact spot to be, the signature Bend round-about. I will admit that I had my tail tucked between my legs but I was still quite grateful for the generosity nonetheless. My new route had me following Phil’’s trail up to the Helicopter Pad and back down the Whoops or Ben’s trail. Check out a map here. This iconic Bend trail offered up a little bit of everything from long flats to technical rock sections with everything in between. It was exactly what I was looking for. Tired and happy, I made my way to my best friend’s dad’s house for a mellow night of relaxation.

Fully recharged from a good night’s rest I was ready to take on another day. A friend of mine and I decided to start the day off right with a spot of coffee from a rad shop called Lone Pine Coffee Roasters. Anna and Scott Witham have a great gig goin on here and they are truly passionate about a delicious cup of coffee. Check them out if you’re ever in Bend. Charged and ready to roll, I jetted back to Skyliner Rd. for another quick loop on the Phil/Jim/Kent’s section before an afternoon climb. My lungs were happy and legs were grateful for a quick stretch. I was anxious to get back to grab my climbing gear and to meet up with my best friend Alex for a day out at Smith Rock. When my friend first said that we were going to a place called Smith Rock I envisioned a mall little rock outcropping perfect for bouldering. Little did I know that this little outcropping in my mind was actually a world class place to climb located in a beautiful canyon along-side the Crooked River. This wasn’t a terrible place to take on my first outdoor climb. As we arrived, a wave of emotions overcame me as we pulled up to this spectacular spot. I was blown away with the scenery but nervous about my first outdoor route. I definitely spent some quality time on a couple 5-9 routes before easing in to a 5-10. Everyone climbing was super supportive and patient. It made for one hell of an experience for me. If you’re into climbing, this place is a must!

We anxiously awoke the next morning siked and ready to hit the slopes of Bachelor for the last weekend of their 2009 season. Although the lifts fired up at 8:00am we were lucky to have made it by 10:00. This late arrival gave us a short 3.5 hour window to shred. Fortunately it was just what we were looking for. We were greeted by soft spring conditions throughout the mountain with near perfect conditions in the park. Big smiles, high-fives and cheers were passed around throughout the day. By 2:00pm our legs were beat but our spirits were still soaring. We headed back to the casa for some grub and relaxation before a night on the town.

My last real day in Bend was to be another epic day on the ski hill. Here it was, May 17th and we were still skiing on five feet of snow in 70* weather. Yet again, we were fortunate enough to have sunny skies and soft snow to close out the 2009 season. Pond skimming kept the masses entertained in the morning and while the summit lift catered to those still sober enough to ski in the afternoon. I sat atop Mt. Bachelor’s 9,065ft. crest, smiled and nodded my head for coming out to Oregon. Now back to business. It was the last run of the day and we were in need of a little excitement. We traversed across Bachelor’s sizable caldera before finding ourselves at the edge of a notable cornice. A “1-2-3 dropping” count sounded off a mere moment after arriving and before I knew it I was mid air. What an exhilarating little last day rush. My buddy followed close behind sending a similar section. High fives were once again exchanged. We decided that the drop was way too good to just do once so a second attempt ensued. Fully satisfied, we ripped long super-g turns down to the bottom to unwind a first rate day. Much to our delight, we found that the Sunday was far from over. It just so happened that the crew from Rage Films were filming a section for their 2010 movie just up the way from where we were. The story gets better. A friend of a friend ended up being the terrain park manager and he was generous enough to give us a cat ride up for front row seats to the acrobatic show. Now this was the perfect way to close out my trip. I was super stoked to have gotten permission from Dan, their lead videographer, to shoot a few photos of the whole showdown.

Monday morning I had mixed feelings as I packed my car. I had really grown to love Bend as a city. The people, the lifestyle, the weather, everything about it felt right. I was bummed to be leaving. On the other hand, I could always come back. The whole trip had been one hell of an experience and can honestly say that I am proud to say that I would have stories to last me a lifetime. As I put the car in drive, a smile overcame me while reminiscing thoughts of the past week flashed through my head.

Next time you have an opportunity to get out and see something new, take it. Remember that Mark Twain quote for,  “twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” Cheers!

The District – Day off in D.C.

Where would I be without travel? I’d probably be a little less sane but imagine that I’d find some way to utilize Boise’s nooks and crannies to feed that desire for exploration. For now, I’m fortunate enough to wander out of the 208 and into new locales.

Back in the beginning of May I found myself in Washington D.C. on a job with rest of the Steve Smith Photography crew. We spent a solid week shooting a corporate event non-stop. Seven days trapped in a hotel without a single breath of fresh air nearly drove me crazy. Propitiously, we had a free day at the end of our trip to get out and explore. As cool overcast day set the stage as Steve and I jetted out to National Park for an afternoon of sight seeing.

We planned a loop that included the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial and the White House. An essence of rooted American history intensified with each successive step we took. It was truly amazing to think of what all took place in this small plot land. Each monument and memorial told it’s own unique story that brought me a far better feeling of what America was founded on and has persevered through than any text book ever could. I was super stoked to have had the opportunity to check it all out.

Cricket Campus Rail Jam – Boise State University

So it’s been far too long since I’ve been active on here. I have definitely missed posting but have been distracted by the beautiful weather. I’m going to date back  to April and fill in the blanks.

Last year was my first experience with the Cricket Campus Rail Jam and I can honestly say that I was way stoked on it. This “grassroots snow sports movement, dedicated to promoting the amateur ski and snowboard scene,” brings campus across the country alive. The Galvanic crew has the ability to transform a dead college campus plot of land into an epic urban rail haven with the snap of the fingers. Last year’s scene was a bit mellow as it was a fairly unknown event. Year two of the Jam would prove that the word of mouth had spread for this event.

Great weather, hype and an improved location and  brought the masses out for the 2009 event. I rode with 70* temps warming my soul to a crowd of stoked fans filling the south-east corner of the BSU parking lot. Snowboarders and skiers were already greasing the various rail setups only amplifying the enthusiasm of the masses. I was eager to get out and start shooting.

After covering some basic angles I opted for the elevated perspective of some neighboring trees. Although scratched and bloody I was siked to have the view of the riders and the crowd below.

This year was rad! I hope that the continual progression presses on for 2010. Keep doin what you’re doin Galvanic crew. To scope a highlight video of the BSU Jam and to see results from the event click here. For more info on the tour including stops, applications and the blog click here.

Queen’s Cup 2009 – Park City, UT

Women’s skiing and snowboarding has sat in the shadows of men’s skiing and snowboarding for countless years. Despite this cloud, more and more female skiers and snowboarders are continually stepping their game up in an effort to shed a little light onto their hard work and dedication. With each new season comes a wide array of new riders, sponsorships and events aimed at giving gals the attention they deserve. Queen’s Cup is one particular avenue that has been dedicated to this progression of women’s skiing and snowboarding for the past four years.  “There’s hardly any coverage out there showing their dedication and the level they’ve taken women’s skiing to and since they’re all here to support the next generation, I felt the perfect way to thank them is to plan a rad week to have fun, shred hard and give them opportunities that they haven’t had before,” said Annaleah De Masi, visionary and coordinator behind Queen’s Cup. From a first had perspective, I can tell you that this truly was an ideal forum for all around progression and enjoyment of women’s riding.

This year was my first opportunity to experience Queen’s Cup. I initially set out as another face in the crowd but through a few connections I was able to throw my camera on and move in a bit closer. Annaleah graciously hooked me up with all the credentials needed to capture these girls throwing down up close and personal.

After watching these girls, I have a new found respect. They truly are pushing the envelope every day and deserve to have light shone on their efforts. I can only hope that events such as Queen’s Cup continue.

For a great piece on the play by play happenings, the results of the events and some great shots, check out Kristi Giles’ article on newschoolers.com. I picked the quote given by Annaleah De Masi from her post.

I am sincerely grateful for having the privelage to shoot this event. Big thanks to Annaleah for hooking me up, Moo for making the connection, Hector and Christine for the lodging and all those other rad people that I met along the way!

Spring Time = Bike Time

The weather was warm and bikes were calling. I met up with a few friends to rally around a new parking garage downtown. Here’s some shots from the shenanigans.

Images copyright ray j. gadd photography

Diamant Soiree – Hosted by Bodie Lee & Sara West

Have you ever had the urge to get all dressed up for a night on the town, to be able to partake in VIP treatment, to listen the most au currant music and to enjoy finely mixed beverages all under one roof right here in little old Boise, Idaho? If so, you’re not alone. Bodie Lee and Sara West had a vision of changing the status quo of the Boise nightlife and giving everyone an excuse to get all decked out.

The soiree, entitled “Diamant”, was took place this past Saturday at The Linen Building in Boise’s historic linen district. Exclusive limo service transported guests from Red Feather Lounge and Chandler’s. The inside of the original American Laundry building gave off an urban chic feeling. As you walked through the doors you were immediately drawn to the expansive dance floor. At the helm, Bodie Lee DJed NuDisco while two lovely go-go dancers echoed their bodies to the beats. Off to the back end an elegant free flowing bar invited guests to check out the Red Feather inspired menu that was tweaked specifically created for the event. Boise’s finest bartenders, Mark Allen and Brandon Sweat, made sure that everyone’s drink desires were accommodated. Upstairs offered a more intimate setting with modern couches and chairs to provide VIP comfort and class. The whole setting made you feel like you could have been at a classy club in Las Vegas, New York or Los Angeles. My hat goes off to all the creative effort.

Diamant Soiree #1 was a great success with plenty of potential to be one of the biggest re-occurring events in Boise. I hope they continue satisfying with this fantastic new wave of nightlife need that Boise lacked. Again, big thanks to the whole Diamant staff, especially Bodie, Sara and David. All photos are copyright Ray J. Gadd Photography. More images can be found at here.

Studio Shoot with Bodie Lee – Boise Based DJ

A few weeks back a friend of mine, Bodie Lee, came to me and explained that he had been making huge headway with his DJing. He had recently signed his own record deal with Pawn Shop Records and even signed his collaboration group Hustler and Gloss with Heartbreak Revolutions! With all of this success, Bodie wanted to have some photos done to compliment everything. After seeing some previous work I had done with a mutual friend he was all aboard for having me shoot him.

It was a real treat to shoot Bodie. His previous modelling experience, high energy, rockin clothes and overall demeanor made my job a breeze. He stepped out onto the floor and I just shot away.

I’m looking forward to shooting the Diamante party that he is putting together for this weekend! If you get a chance, check out his myspace, catch him most Saturday nights at The Red Feather Lounge and occasionally at the Neurolux.

Belated Birthday Gift – Long Weekend in Seattle, Vancouver & Whistler

Sometimes the best presents are ones you give to yourself. Back in December I decided to buy myself a plane ticket to Seattle to spend a nice long weekend there. I lined up a place to stay with one of my friends and let fate take me on the rest of my journey.

A mere hour and ten minute long flight put me in Seattle with only ten minutes burned in my day thanks to a generous time zone jump. My good friend Willie was awaiting at the curb when I walked out of the Sea-Tac sliding doors. We caught up as he drove into the heart of Seattle for what else but a cup of coffee. It was off to a great start. Our next stop had us checking out the innovative architecture of the Seattle Public Library. Repetitive geometric shapes and abrupt angles were the highlights of this structural masterpiece. From there, we wandered a few blocks down to the H&M clothing store to browse the stealin deals. (If you’ve never been, go..) When the racks had been all picked through we made our way out of the city to grab a burger at Red Mill with a few other friends. Another must. Fully satisfied, we headed to my buddies house for some beers and games. A good first day under the belt indeed.

Thursday was welcomed late in the morning after a long night’s rest. My friend Andy and I headed down to a campus coffee shop called Zoka for some french press coffee and to get a little work done. From there we jetted over to Chandlers for some mid afternoon happy hour specials. They have half off appetizers and drink specials. We opted for some ahi poke and a tempura salmon, ahi, cream cheese roll with a few beers to wash it all down. Life’s rough… Fully satisfied, we headed over to my other buddies house to load his car for our Vancouver/Whistler leg of the trip. Our departure was a bit delayed and didn’t have us out the door until a bit after 9pm. Fortunately, we had little traffic and no troubles crossing the border. We did find it a bit difficult to navigate Vancouver due to some cryptic Google map directions… After a few wrong turns we finally arrived at the Hyatt Regency right smack in the middle of downtown. Willie’s parents graciously hooked us up with a room on the 29th floor. With an early morning departure awaiting us we quickly fell asleep dreaming of skiing deep pow turns at Whistler.

The 6:30am wake-up call came all too early. With the help of a press and go espresso machine we were able to muster up the energy to take on a breakfast, pack the car back up and to hit the pavement all before 7:00am. A warm orange glow slowly overtook the city as we etched our way along the northern most reaches of Vancouver. Quite a site to see after arriving there previously in the dark. Still in a haze, the drive up the valley seem to blur by until we made that first turn into Whistler village. I immediately had a rush of memories from a previous trip there four years prior. I had a lingering smile thinking about the past as I buckled my last ski boot buckle and began to walk toward the village base. We were on the Whistler gondola by 9:40 and making our first turns off the top by 10:00. The better part of our morning was spent exploring the Whistler shoots before shifting our attention to the Blackcomb side. Mother nature felt it necessary to throw a weather front in our faces right as we headed for the newest lift addition to the mountain. The mountain staff deemed the “Peak to Peak” gondola not safe to travel on with the winds. Oh well, we stuck around the Whistler side for a few more runs. The site of the 2010 Olympic Downhill was a joy to rip some long super-g turns down. Satisfied with all the Whistler side had to offer we made our over to the Blackcomb side to get a little taste. It took a mere three runs before the high winds and sore legs had us turning in for the day. We strolled to our hotel room at the Holiday Inn (pretty decent diggs and location for being a Holiday Inn). A quick drop of the bags and we were on our way to the grocery store for some dinner supplies. Yes, we even had a kitchenette in our room! A long day of driving and skiing made the hot tub sound ever so inviting so we made our way to the comforts of the 104* water. A deliciously hearty meal of fresh pasta, red/white sauce combo, grilled italian sausage and a side salad filled our growling bellies before our night on the town was to embark. We headed out to check out the scene and wound up spending the majority of our night a bar called Moe Joe’s. The staff was friendly, the music was good and the people were lively. I would definitely head back to that place next visit. A few of our friends parted ways earlier in the night to a different spot called Tommy Africa’s. Good things were spoken about that place as well.

Saturday morning came slowly as we all caught a bit of much needed rest. We sluggishly packed our things, checked out and loaded the car. I was able to catch one last glimpse of Whistler/Blackcomb as it’s peaks snuck through the wispy morning clouds amidst bluebird skies. A warm grin overcame my face as we made our way out of the village and back towards Vancouver. The winding road that leads down to Vancouver provides spectacular view of earth’s impressive architecture. As farthest reaches of the ocean give way to massive 4,000′ peaks that soar to the sky a feeling of insignificance began to over take me. There’s definitely something to be said for the grandeur of the coastal mountains that erupt along the Pacific Ocean from British Columbia to Alaska. If you make it to Whistler for the 2010 Olympic games, do your best to pass on the shut eye and take in the scenic drive. Although we were flying along at 100kmh, I still managed to snap a few shots. The majority were blurry but a select few were sharp enough to give a sense of the surroundings.

By 2:00pm we were reaching the edge of Vancouver. The skies were clear and the temperature was much more inviting than Whistler’s. Our first stop was to Grannville Island to scope out the public market. This place felt like a clash between Seattle’s imfamous Pike Street Market and San Francisco’s Saturday Market in the Ferry Building. Fresh seafood, produce, cheeses, meats, flowers and every other delictable appetite apeazing food lined the interior building from wall to wall. Before you could snap your fingers we had our hands on some tasty treats. We spent a good hour taking in all the sights and smells that adorned this delightful place. Just beyond the doors of the building lay the False Creek waters. Street performers echoed admidst the chugging ferry boats along the waterfront as we took in the city views. Another half hour of sight seeing and we were ready to move on. (Definitely hit this place up! It’s super rad.)

Our next destination had us scoping the iconic Stanley Park as the last daylight hours began to fade. Stanley Park boasts nearly 1,000 acres of natural British Columbia landscape set only moments from the Vancouver’s city center. The south aspect of the park was our first stop. As you look across Coal Harbour, Vancouver’s eye appeasing architecture reaches towards the stars. A few quick snap shots were taken here before moving in a counterclockwise rotation north. As we wound around the waters edge, B.C.’s coastal mountains came into view. The glowing lights of Cypress Mountain ski resort lit up the dark dense peaks that rise straight out of the water. (Cypress will be hosting the freestyle skiing and snowboarding events for the 2010 Winter Olympics.) With the last bit of light coming to an end, we pushed onward to the westerly edge of the park. Calm ocean waves lapped along a stretch of sandy beach tucked between rigid rocky seawall. The fading light provided some neat opportunities to slow the shutter speed down for whispy ocean images. I really enjoyed this park and could have easily spent countless hours there give more daylight.

Traipsing around all day left us rather tired and hungry. We grabbe a bite to eat at this great restaurant downtown, the name of which I can’t remember to save my soul… My appetite was satisfied with a delicious masala plate and an frosty beer. Fully satisfied with dinner, we made our way over to a friend of a friends house in which we were staying. This gorgeous house was situated in “north van” and was far from roughing it. We’re incredibly fortunate to have this gracious stranger open her house to us. Thanks Lindsay!

This is where my story comes to a rather uneventful end. We departed Vancouver mid morning bound for Seattle in an attempt to catch the kick off of the Super Bowl. Long lines at the border prolonged our journey back and we were forced to listen to the game on teh radio. We caught the better part of the second half before my scheduled departure encroached. As I sat in the airport and watched the Steelers pull out a win, thoughts of  another amazing trip raced through my head. I tried putting it all into words but just enjoying the moment was far better. Thanks to everyone who was a part of this whole endeavor. I had a rad time. Look forward to getting back to Seattle, Whistler and especially Vancouver.

Inversion Excursion IV – Boise, ID Alley Cat

If you’ve lived though a winter in the Treasure Valley, odds are that you’ve experienced a dreary inversion. These formations brought on by stagnant ridges of high pressure result in a frigid layer of particulates that settle in the lower elevations leave many of us depressed and longing for sunlight. Amidst all the gloom there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

The Velo Pirate crew has been hosting an event to motivate fellow cyclists to leave the warmth of their own homes, to meet up with up with like-minded friends and strangers, to jump on their bicycles and to enjoy an adventuresome Inversion Excursion.

More than forty competitors looked past the daunting task of crossing the icy waters of the Boise River in an effort to show that they will not be brought down by the infamous inversions. I will admit that I pulled the lame card out and opted to shoot photos instead. My hat goes off to all of those who competed.

Big high fives to the Velo Pirates for stepping up the alley cat spirit. Oh, I almost forgot, you have to check out Brook’s river crossing outfit at the Bikes & Rec Site.

Avalanche Safety Course – Sawtooth Mountain Guides

As the last leaves of fall give one last vibrant surge of color and the first cold snowflakes of winter begin to settle, a twinkle in every skier/snowboarder’s emerges in anticipation of another season riding. For some, their riding is done within the boundary lines of ski resorts while others choose to venture out into the uncontrolled backcountry. Those who choose to explore what the mountains have to offer on their own face the significantly elevated possibility of avalanches. It is up to each individual’s/group’s knowledge and experience to keep them from being another tragic statistic.

The backcountry has began to intrigue me back in 2004 when I was attending school at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. I spent the better part of my down time skiing up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Everyday that I was up there I would look across the canyon at the the few and far between tracks that etched the south facing slopes. I yearned to get away from the crowds and into the backcountry. A lack of equipment and knowledge kept me from satisfying that hunger.

Nearly five years later I’ve reached the breaking point. Fed up with $80 lift ticket prices and exposure to the limitless possibilities of skiable terrain here in Idaho and I am ready to begin learning what I can about avoiding avalanches and understanding how to act if they occur. I asked for help in acquiring a beacon, shovel and probe for Christmas and my birthday. My generous mother went above and beyond and made these tools a part of my quiver. In addition to all of this, she also signed me up for an avalanche safety class with some of the best guides in Idaho.

The Sawtooth Mountain Guides out of Stanley, Idaho offer a weekend long level I avalanche safety class at their William’s Peak Yurt located six miles into the Sawtooths. I was fortunate enough to partake in one of their courses this past weekend. I sit here today fondly recollecting my three day experience.

My weekend began well before sunrise on Friday morning as I ate a quick breakfast and packed the last of my gear into the car. It was 6:00 am when I departed from the Wood River Valley bound for the Stanley Ranger Station. A warm glow began to light up the Boulder Mountains as I crested Galena Summmit while the Stanley basin stayed in a slumber still blanketed with darkness. By 7:20 I had arrived at the meeting point welcomed by a brisk -6* temperature. I sat in my car watching the Sawtooth Mountains come alive much as the Boulders did not long before.

Not long after and the eleven other avy students and I were  in the ranger station getting acquianted with one another and beginning our first lessons. With our first taste of avalanche awareness in our mouths, we headed out for a quick beacon test. Alive and peeping, we grabbed our packs and started out on the six mile trail bound for the William’s Peak Yurt.

We made the brunt of our elevation gain within the first two miles. An open ridgeline gave us our first glimpse of the surrounding peaks.

Four miles later and we arrived at our new home away from home, the Yurts. The main yurt offered up a nice kitchen setup, wood stone, three bunk beds, a gathering table and a Dewalt radio. While the first yurt boasted luxurious amenities, the other was a bit more archaic in nature, only provided three bunk beds and enough room to store your belongings. All in all it was a great spot to lay our heads. We welcomed a delicious spaghetti and salad dinner with a nice glass of boxed red wine. When our hunger was subdued, we directed our attention to an insightful lecture on the snowpack. Not long after and our heavy eyes welcomed the comforts of warm sleeping bag and a soft pad.

Even with a long rest, the morning still came quickly. We were greeted with scrambled eggs, hashbrowns and english muffins. Quite the gourmet breakfast to get the day rolling. By the time breakfast had been finished the sunrise broke over the White Cloud Mountains and lit up our surrounds.

The remainder of the morning was spent going over recovery techniques. We honed in on our skills and were placed in real world avalanche recovery situations. The most realistic trial had us in groups of six searching for four mock victims spread out in a 500yd slide path. Statistics show that victims have a 90% chance of living if found within fifteen minutes. We were able to locate all of our victims within sixteen minutes. Not terribly bad for our first performance. This scenario was extremely useful in giving us a sense of how little time you have to react when a slide hits. After the drill we grabbed a make your own sandwich, some granola bars and fruit.

Our afternoon was spent learning the ins and outs of snowpack testing. We performed compression tests, Rutschblock tests and examined snowpack hardnesses. It was a gorgeous day out touring. As the sun began to dip below the horrizon we were able to catch our first taste of some earned turns. Stir fry with chicken, pepers, water chestnuts, broccoli, mushrooms, jasmine rice and a thai peanut sauce was a welcome dinner after a long day. To top it all off a cherry cheeescake cleansed our palets before another interactive lecture began. Insightful information on route selection and case study analysis prepped us for our tour in the morning.

Our last morning was another beautiful blue bird day. I took the opportunity to grab a few more snap shots before the day got rolling.

One last check of the avalanche report and we were packing for our full morning tour. We split up into three groups and headed out. The group I was in headed to a gorgeous place called Skier’s Summit. I feel that images speak stronger than words in for this leg of the journey.

We made our way back the huts for one last lunch, a wrap up of the course events and packed our gear up for the decent home. Sawtooth Mountain Guide truly did an amazing job building my knowledge of avalanches. I would highly recommend this to anyone thinking about getting into the backcountry.

Big thanks to Kirk Bachman (Alpine Al), Michael Hatch (Thunder Chicken) and Clark Corey (Captain Coolio). You guys gave one hell of an insightful experience.