The YAGS mountain getaway was a huge success. The weather seemed to turn to spring just as we arrived on March 12 so sunny moderate mountain weather shone down for two days of slopes, fellowship and excellent eats...those who missed it can only wait until next year, training for the mountains by sharpening their snowboarding skills on “practice” trips.
Tiffany provided the housing hookup in scenic Big Bear at a discount price due to her many high-placed connections. Laura was all over the food and designed gourmet meals, highlighted by four huge lasagnas on Saturday night. Sean provided critical beverages. Father Joseph said Saturday and Sunday masses so we could get our spiritual fix. Jake provided the soundtrack.
In the hills, Steph and Tony led a crew on a hike of a trail that turned out to be half mud, half snow. Tony also built a snow cave and went for a run, completing the tri-fecta of mountain activities.
On the slopes of the Big Bear resorts Huy led the pack of snowboarders with Andrew, only in his first season, not far behind. Tara, Christina and Ben rounded out the experienced boardercrew, with the lowlight being Ben landing on his head after catching too much air on a jump...only to be saved from injury by the helmet Huy had recently given to him...
Mark was an ace on skis on the double diamonds and inspired 5 beginners making their ski debut, led by Martin, the natural, who didn't even fall once on his first day, except at the end just to check how it was done. Anisha, Srikanth, Ewa and John also started their addiction to downhill sports. Tina probably would have been the downhill queen but elected to read objectivist propaganda rather than embrace the perfect weather on the slopes. To give her credit, she made the trip on extreme sleep deprivation and it was surprising she made it through the weekend awake.
At night, Tara and Jake were the pros of the evening game with probably as many points as the entire other team. Other late night shenannigans included snowball fights and snowman building. In the morning, Ewa cooked some tremendous pizzas, and the eggs and pancakes rounded out the perfect brunch with John and Andrew slaving over the stovetop. Ben and Christina closed out the weekend with a jump into big bear lake for a brief 33 degree swim.
In short, the weekend was the best YAGS overnight of the year...until next month, at Joshua Tree...
Pictures:
I had a ton of fun up in Big Bear with everybody! Thanks to everybody who took pictures that weekend. I can't wait until the YAG camping trip in April. :)
ReplyDeleteI concur! Tell Tony to post his pics! Punk!
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