Well, Buster puts it better as always, but here is my rendition:
Day 1: July 2, 2004
Friday 8:40 AM the Mrs. and I roll into GT40’s place in historical Brigham City, UT. The Mobile Traveler II was sitting right there, grinning, and ready to start yet another epic adventure. I proceed to pull out all the gear, while loading up PowHo and phUnk rollup and follow suit. BobMc rolls in a few minutes later and we get all our crap into the MH and the trailer. Needless to say, we were in store for a grand ole time!!!
Pull out a bit after nine and it is on!! We are officially heading to Hood, a place neither the Mrs. nor I have seen or skied/rode. A few hours into the trip, phUnk simply can not keep his eyes open. Game time. We stayed away from the sharpies, although Meats did bring out a pen briefly. Stacking various items on phUnk kept us entertained for quite a few hours. GT40 was just cruising west, like it was destiny and we were to follow. Many hours and fun/boredom/strange smells periodically, lots of laughter and some zzzzzzzzzzz’s, we see a mountain up ahead. STRINKINGT DISTANCE!!! The heart started to beat a bit faster. The head started swimming with anticipation. I could not sit still. :D
We roll into Still Creek camp, #26 and GT40 expertly backed the Maggot Traveler II into the camp as we spill out the door.
10 PM of so, we proceed to grab beers quick, get the fire started and start to see who is in the other spots. What a contingent!! I can’t even name all I met and some I saw yet again. At least not quite yet. Splat showed shortly there after with his Newborns: What a proud Papa!! We touched, admired, flexed, kissed, and hugged these new sticks for quite a bit. FKNA!
A grinning crowd was in full effect. :cool:
Sharing stories, we drank and conversed like we were on big happy family. Light went out at some point, as the mountain was calling us in the AM.
Day 2: July 3, 2004
It is now the AM, and we pull ourselves together for what looks to be a very grey day on the mountain, as it was misting on the ferns and moss that were abundantly growing around us. We hang for a bit and then head up.
Instead on grins this time, it was full huge smiles, as we broke thru the clouds and see the sun on the mountain. Excellent. Parking lot bound, as to make the ever so popular “maggot circle of vehicles”, the Maggot Traveler II comes to a full and complete stop.
“Lady and gentlemen, it is time to play”. Well, that worked out well for all others, as they were magnetized to heading up to the ticket office to start the festivities. Erica on the other hand was feeling quite sick so I hung with her in the parking lot for an hour or so, hoping she would feel better so she could get on the mountain. Well, being pregnant, it did not materialize. I got the word to head up with out her, as she was heading into the luxurious lodge to try to get some decent food down and chill. I was bummed that she was not coming with me but we had another day and I hoped all would go well then. So we parted our ways (radio in tow just in case, gotta look out for Momma Buzz :D ) and bought my first Timberline wicket and printed paper that immediately was attached to the pant and off I go. Crap, 12 o’clock. Got 1.5 hours. I high tail it to the top, seeing a few maggots here and there getting there grove on. I get to the top, no maggots in site so I jet off to the lip quick, strap in and I’m riding the corn mush and loving life. A few fast laps and I meet up with Crinkle and Meats. We pop up and over the lips of the lanes pulling 180’s and just enjoying the sun, clouds, wind, corn snow and camaraderie. After a few more laps, we head to the park to watch DM, phUnk, PowHo, Meats and Divegirl get there grove on. Now keep in mind, Divegirl has skied ONE YEAR and is killing it of the jumps. Kick ass Girl, keep it up!! DG is a natural and her turns speak for themselves. Later her air was speaking as well. :cool:
Lots of spinny flippy shit was going up and coming down and it was a great show. Multiple photogs were getting this history from many angles and these guys put on a great show for us. The clouds stated rolling in pretty hard at the tail end of the day and vis went to crap. I head down to check on the wife as the show started to fizzle and I think, not totally sure, but I do think a beer was calling my name.
Apparently I was not the only one hearing voices from the vast variety of beers in the parking lot, as I show up and a few are already at it. A quick outdoor change of clothes and I settle into the camp chair with some suds. Rusty had the back of the van open with all sorts of sandwich fixins, many coolers to be seen and emptied and tired Maggots filtered into the “circle” for stories to be told and lots of paperwork to fill out about the PM GEAR Skis. Lovely skis. I did not end up riding them for a few reasons, mostly time, but they got great reviews so I was hearing. There did seem to be a love/hate relationship between the “noodles” and the “stiffer than Ron Jeremy” skis, but all seemed very positive. The afternoon hits and the park monkeys finally show, and in relatively good shape, besides Ty. I did something similar to my shoulder just a few months ago and I could tell he was hurtin. However he was much more in the air that I was and I knew something was not right when he explained his symptoms. I do hope I was able to help you a bit Ty. And I hope you heal fast.
As the parking lot seen started to lose maggots, it was time for the campsite and more partying. How many spots did we have? At least 5-6 spots and we darted around from each one, having our way with some hops and barley, reminiscing about the awesome day.
Day 3: July 4th, 2004
We get up a bit earlier today, as the sun was up in the campground and we knew today was going to be THE day. We scampered to get our stuff, as we would head to the killer party that would consume many that night.
Apparently we all had the same idea as the Maggot Circle formed quickly and you could hear the sound of ski pants being pulled on and smell the sunscreen being applied (though 50 spf didn’t even help PowHo). I ask the wife how she is feeling and she says, “Gimme a minute to get my ski pants on” WHOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!! The wife and our unborn are getting to it!! I grab her skis, my board and off we got, heading slowly as we did not want to get her heart rate up too much. Gotta be careful. We load on and she was all smiles. The first run was a bit weird for her, the snow rather slushy, but she got her form back by the end of the run and away we go. We ride together, as we encounter our clan on the hill everywhere. Compliments were said by many to the Mrs. for getting out, as she really was not feeling great most of the trip. Thanks to you all for your support, she dug hanging with all ya’ll.
Come about 1PM or so, we head to the park to watch more flippy spinning stuff. Holy shit, these boys were throwing down today!!! Props to you guys for getting after it, and again, Divegirl hitting the same big booter that was sending these guys into space (queue phUnkstar and a bit of skin left on the landing). Mrs. Buzz had a killer time watching you guys do what you do best. “PowHo is whimsical as he throws those Lincolns. Latedateda, is what she kept saying as you skied down and then I hear, wheeeee, and around he goes.” She loved the show. As did I of course. Many others were hittin it hard, Crinkle was cruising, so many others. I was grounded. :D
And back to the parking lot as Rusty’s grill came out and dogs and burger were grilled to everyone’s delight. Oh, I have a feeling that more beer was drunk. Just a hunch. Another great few hours of great people. And then off to Natty’s. Oh boy!!
We show up to one of the coolest pads I have seen overlooking the river. Absolutely beautiful. We are met by several maggots that had already been there and some dude names Natty Dread :D . What a person, I can’t say enough thanks to such a gracious and easy going host. He had gourmet food waiting for the party goers, 2 kegs, one of which is my favorite beer, Mirror Pond Pale Ale. I am in heaven. Got some tasty suds and grub to go with two awesome day son the mountain with great friends. We later were lucky enough to see what I think is the longest and best fireworks extravaganza I have ever seen. The fireworks just kept going and going, kinda like that Energizer bunny we all know and love so much. After the show, the DJ kicked in and the wild reared its head. Dancing was to be found to the music of the 80’s and 90’s. The guy had skills.
The beer was flowing like a waterfall in May. Mr. PowHo and I somehow decided that we were going to consume more beer until the wee hours of like 4 am. Mission accomplished; whose dumbass idea was that? :eek:
Huge thanks to GT40 for taking us out there in the Maggot Traveler II, Natty Dread for a rocking good time and great conversation, Timberline for being there :D , PM Gear USA for providing 2 pair of skis to test and rock out on (and the give away in the AM; I now have a pair of poles so I am one step closer to going to two planks, thanks guys) and all the maggots and friends who made this trip so damn much fun.
By the way, Trainnvain won the third annual 'BobMc falling from chair award. You will see.
Hopefully lots of pics to follow and more great stories.
My first TR.
Buzz
