Sea to Snow...

Awoke this morning to crystal clear blue sky with Mt. Hood perfectly framed by our window. Huge buffet breakfast in the Cascade dining room watching the wedding party from last night nurse hangovers and herd children. Geared up and a brief climb on my new backcountry 10th Mountains to see how they do. Sarah easily walking along. A few effective turns and it's time to trade up to "real" skis and pay to be hauled up the moutain. A morning of turns on perfectly groomed runs with sunshine and a view of a looming Mt. Hood that can not be beat by the best postcard. Lunch of salami, cheese, and bagle with Sarah in the lodge as I attempt to cool off burning thighs. Back to the slopes as fog floats in from the valley. One run down from the Magic Mile lift on burning legs, visability dropping to 60 ft, and a meet up with Sarah in the lounge. Water and a beer and time to write as the mountain comes and goes thru the haze just beyond the giant windows reinforced with an iron bar against the occurance of gale force winds from above.

This "near-cation" started 5 days ago in Yachats on the coast. A gathering of frinds at the Yachats Inn for two days of watching Pacific storms, eating good food and making much merryment (it is Mardi Gras weekend, after all!). Sarah and I enjoyed fresh crab and potato salad for lunch before all the revelers arrived then dinner for 8 at the River House (?) Inn. Bread pudding complements of Sarah back at our room, party central. Saturday we hiked the 1/2 mile Hobbit trail to a beach surrounded by haystack rocks all the while mindful of the tide hoping we don't get trapped requiring a hard climb up the sandy cliffs. Our much anticipated potluck began with decoration of the motel's common room in the theme of Valentine's Day mixed with shades of New Orleans. Hot appetizers accompanyed cocktails as pasta cooked for Crawfish Monica. Dinner leasurly, loud and fun included salad and home made bread with a finale of delicate creme brule. More stories and lies prepared us for bed as darkening waves crashed upon the rocks and wind howled among the timbers.

On Sunday, Valentine's day, after an exchage of cards, gifts and expressions of romance, Sarah and I followed our friends, Jim and Kristy, to Portland allowing them the opportunity to play the perfect hosts after we had invited ourselves to their place for lodging enroute to the mountain. Valentine dinner was at 50 Plates in the Pearl District. Nouveau cousine of Mom's comfort food (an oxymoron there!) with a twist. Interesting concept. I'd go there again. Monday involved our usual pilgramage to Powell's Book Store, lunch at Larry and Zukes (?) Deli joined by a long lost friend from the Oregon Country Fair; a bit more shopping in "the Pearl" until it was time for cocktails with another long lost friend, this time from my ER days. Breakfast for dinner back at J & K's and an early bed time.

On the mountian and checked- in to Timberline by noon yesterday and on the slopes to ski with my friend John, who just happens to be a "Ski Host" with required knowledge of the entire terrain. It was good to get back on the boards and snow after a year's hiatus. Reminded me why skiing is such an enjoyable sport. A nap at 5:00 was followed by dinner in the Cascade Room of seared elk on savory french toast. Later a little internet action (a Skype call to Herman the wonder dog and his care giver, Sarah's son, Jesse) in the lobby while sipping expensive cheap brandy as the kids from the wedding party watch Monty Python in the room made famous by Jack Nicholson in the "Shinning". Early to bed again, as this old monster of a lodge creaks and groans with age and spirits.