Daylight Savings

I’ve been waiting for snowboarding season for a long time. In fact, I was rueful last March, when I took my last run on the mountain, to leave that space knowing the grass would be green, the weather would be warm and there’d be no more opportunity for me to enjoy the sport until next year.

I’ve done everything I can think of to anticipate the coming season. My season pass was bought months ago. I’ve watched instruction videos, learned terminology, and focused on fitness routines which will expressly prepare me to be a better rider (think core work, strength training of my legs, and the endurance achieved through the half-marathon schedule). I’ve traveled to snowboard Mecca and back, all while the seasons slowly changed and Shaun White won medals on his skateboard.

Now we’re looking at a month and a half to go before the mountains open up again. And each time I lament my cold feet (poor circulation) or the necessity to wear a bulky coat outside (my least favorite part of winter), I have to remind myself this is what I’ve been praying for all year: Cold. Dark. Snowy. Amazing December through March. When I get to progress in this sport and have the time of my life.

Then the nor’easter happened. Now I’m from the mid-Atlantic, and so I secretly think NE is a bit wimpy for inventing its own kind of storm. If it’s not a blizzard, and it’s not a hurricane, guys, I just don’t think it’s that big of a deal. But I thank God for this nor’easter, whatever it is anyway, because it allowed me to go snowboarding, in my front yard, in October.

Let me just say this winter is going to be great. My snowboard is fantastic. Not only is it set up for a goofy rider (imagine trying to learn this sport upside down – that’s pretty much what I did all last season on my rented board), but it’s an ideal length for me and much more flexible - for carving, jumping and turning in general. Four runs on the new board, outside my house in October in two inches of “nor’easter” snow, and I didn’t fall once. In fact, I pretty much flew.

This winter, I know I am going to need something just for me to keep me sane. To get me in a zone where I can just be. So snow, sleet and cold, I welcome you all. Let’s get down to business!

Purgatory

Today S and I ventured to Purgatory Chasm in Sutton, MA to do some hiking.

It was the best kind of fall day to be outdoors – cool, but not freezing, so sunny, and full of sounds without too much wind.

The chasm was technically closed because of downed trees from last week’s nor’easter, but there were plenty of people out and about on the cliffs anyway, so we joined in.

It was a great hike around to “little purgatory.” We saw The Majesty’s Cave, the Devil’s Coffin, Pulpit and Corn Crib along the way. There were gorges, waterfalls and fresh greenery (and orangery, yellowery, etc.) all around us. Even though it’s so late in the leaf-peeping season, I think this may have been one of New England’s finest fall weekends yet.

I am thankful that S planned this day trip for us. He knows I love a good adventure and likes to show off his manly moves when we hike. What I most appreciate is having time to walk, talk and just enjoy one another in a different atmosphere.