The Blue World

Desolation - Chapter Two (draft)

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:38:00 +0000

Chapter Two

Gripping his steering wheel like a bar bottle at closing time, Charlie Grayson briefly peered out the drivers’ side window of his pick-up truck to get an idea of how much snow had fallen on Lake Loop Road in the previous two hours. With temperatures hovering near freezing just above lake level, the new snow had turned the road into a thick layer of cream cheese and Charlie was struggling to maintain control.

The steady flow of warm air from the dashboard vents along with the white knuckle tension from the dangerous road conditions had formed a thin line of sweat above his eyes, but he feared that taking a hand off the wheel for a mere moment could cause his truck to veer off the road and plummet over the 300 foot cliff that dropped off from the other side of the road.

And while the pending road closure was more a matter of when and not if, Charlie was of the mind that his call to the state police may speed up the process before any cars passed north towards Tahoe City.

As he pulled into the rest area above Eagle Bay, Charlie noticed a pair of headlights cutting through the driving snow, heading below Avalanche Pass, just to the south.

Sitting a couple miles north of Crystal Falls, California, at the southwestern corner of Lake Tahoe, Eagle Bay offered the last safe turn around between the south shore and Tahoe City.

With a quick glance at his watch and then back towards the oncoming vehicle, Charlie had a feeling of unease at the thought of anyone passing north of him, open road or not.

Charlie reached for the VHF receiver, depressed the small people on the side, and said, “South shore base, come in. Sammy, you there?”

“Copy, Chief,” a raspy voice responded. “Been wondering when we’d hear from you. Where you at?”

“Yeah, Sammy, I’m at the Eagle Bay Rest Area,” he responded. “Any word on road closures?”

“That’s a negative, Chief. Still mixed precip down here in town and no word from the Staties. Billy just came down from the lodge and said they’ve got about six inches. What’s the road like up there?”

“Not safe to drive on, that’s for sure. About four-six wet inches. Dangerous stuff.”

“Any traffic?”

“I’ve got a vehicle heading north right now.” Chief Grayson sighed. “Only going about twenty but still all over the road. I really don’t want this guy passin’ the gate.”

“So turn ‘em around.”

“You know how those troopers get when we step on their toes.”

“You want me to try to reach someone on the horn?”

Charlie paused, panned across the bay, and said, “Listen. I’m gonna try to turn this guy around. If you can reach someone in Truckee of Tahoe City, try to get the OK to close this road. I may not be able to stop this guy, but this storm’s only gonna get worse and I could use one less headache.”

“Copy, Chief. You take her easy on the way back”

As he flung the door open and jumped out of the truck, Charlie reached back into the cab, flicked a switch on the dash, and suddenly the snow-filled sky was illuminated with alternating flashes of blue and red emanating from the lightbar.

While the light of day had come and gone, the low cloud ceiling and white out conditions provided an eerie orange hew that lit the road light like a dull street light.

Charlie stood in the middle of the road and waved at the nearing sedan with his flashlight. He walked to the far side of the road and watched as the drivers’ side window of the cherry-red AMC Matador slowly opened.

“There a problem, officer?” The voice was low yet smooth.

“Where you heading, friend?” Charlie said, pointing his flashlight into the car. Directing the light back to the front of the car, he was surprised to see a boyishly-round face with cobalt eyes staring back at him. His light-brown crew cut and broad shoulders seemed out of place with his fair complexion. He looked like a boy in a man’s body and to Charlie, something seemed off.

“I’ve got to be in Truckee in the morning and wanted to beat the worst of the storm.”

“Yeah, well, you’re heading right into the worst of it and I’m about to close this road.”

“I’ve got chains, officer.”

“Chains or no chains, one slip on those switchbacks and we’ll being scraping you off the cliff walls. Besides, you can swing around the backside of these mountains and still make it by morning.”

“We both know that after tracing back to the south shore, Echo Summit will be shut down and I can’t afford to wait out this storm in Crystal Falls.” The man said assertively. “Besides, you said you were about to close the road. That gate looks pretty open to me.”

Charlie stepped back from the car and gave it a once over with his light. He stepped around to the back of the car and noticed the New Mexico license plates.

“Not from around here, friend?” Charlie asked. “What’s so important about getting to Truckee that you feel the need to risk your life?”

“My son, officer,” he said, his voice softening.” I just got custody and his mother’s leaving town tomorrow. I don’t trust her not to run off with him. You got kids, officer?”

“No I don’t, but I know the importance of family.” Charlie signed as he stepped back to the open window. “This is totally against my better judgment, but I’m gonna let you pass. You got supplies in case you get stuck?

“Yes, sir,” the man replied, a slight smile crossing his face. “Right here in the back I’ve got a sleeping bag, water, a bunch of warm clothes, and even a couple of Hershey bars.”

“Well you’re a regular Boy Scout.”

“Yeah, well, my Sergeant taught me well, officer.”

Charlie nodded approvingly and said, “Good to hear and thank you for your service.”

“Just doing my part, officer, just like you.”

“Hey, you take it slow, especially this next mile or so.” Charlie stepped back from the car, waved his flashlight forward, and watched as the Matador’s rear tire chains dug into the snow.”

Charlie followed the car up the road as it passed by the gate and closed the gate behind him as the taillights rounded the first hairpin. He stood there for a moment before making his way back to the truck.
After switching the lightbar off, he restarted the truck and picked up the VHF receiver. “You there, Sammy?”

“I’ve been trying to reach you, boss. I was about to come up there after you.”

“I’m fine, Sammy. Besides, you wouldn’t really risk missing Danny Terrio to come after me,” Charlie said, laughing.

“Very funny, boss,” Sammy replied. “And just for that, I’m pouring out the coffee. Hey, I was able to get through to the State Trooper barracks in Truckee and they said to go ahead and close that road. Fella up there said they’re getting hammered by the storm and lost radio for a while.”

“And they don’t have a trooper down here?” Charlie shook his head.

“One, apparently, but she’s been up at Echo all afternoon.”

“She?” Charlie asked rhetorically. “It’s going to be one long storm. Hey, I’ll see you within in the hour.”

Copyright © 2011 by Jerry Graffam

The Last Weekend - Sugarloaf!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:30:00 +0000

The last weekend of lift-served skiing in the east used to bring me to central Vermont in the latter days of May, but in recent years, the resort I grew up skiing has stepped up the plate and offered the latest and best skiing in the east.

Sugarloaf may not get as much snow as some Vermont resorts, but with a high altitude and a colder winter, the snow last longer. So come this weekend, myself and a bunch of friends will pack out skis, food, and netbooks, and head for Maine’s western mountains for a rite of spring and what is hopefully a glorious conclusion to an epic season!

Goal complete - 100 Days On Snow for 2008/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:35:00 +0000

Nearly six months after I logged my first day of the season back on October 31st, I reached a lofty goal I set for myself before the season began – 100 days on snow for the season. To many skiers and riders this is something that is unfathomable while to others it’s an annual occurrence, but realistically, when you work full time and liver 40 miles from the closest ski area, skiing 100 days is quite an accomplishment.

And unless I somehow become rich or work in the ski industry, I never want to try that again. Too much driving and not enough sleep, even when you’re at a resort for multiple days!

It's time to put up or shut up!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:18:00 +0000

So the other morning while Julie and I were getting ready to hit the slopes, we saw an infomercial for an exercise program. Normally I wouldn’t have thought twice about such a program, but this time I ended up calling. It seemed like something that the two of us could do together and for success, we know that this is how we want to go about it. So when I called, I was bombarded with offer after offer for extra this and extra that. The lady offered me a 30-day trial on what she considers the best diet pills and yes, I took her up on the offer. This time, I’m committed.

Great coverage in Tahoe!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:10:00 +0000

A friend of mine has recently made the choice to move from Golden, Colorado to Lake Tahoe. An avid skier and chef, he is torn between whether to live on the north or south shore. As a yearly visitor to South Lake Tahoe, I may be a bit biased, but when you’re on top of one of the surrounding mountains and have a full view of the Blue World, it likely does matter where in Tahoe you live as long as you get the Blue Advantage for you and your family!

Spring skiing in Maine

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:06:00 +0000

The third weekend of April has passed and throughout most of New England most ski areas have already either closed previously or at least after today. In Maine we happen to be a little fortunate with the colder nights and thick base.

On Friday I took a day trip to Sugarloaf and enjoyed some of the best conditions of the season with wall-to-wall snow cover and good friends to share it with. Not to mention the vast rays of sunshine that just so happen to have burned my face a little. Thankfully, both Sugarloaf and Sunday River will remain open for the next couple of weeks!

Time to get fit for next season!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:18:00 +0000

How many skiers talk about what they are going to do to get in shape in the off-season? Probably most and I’m no different. While I don’t see myself prescribing to a diet pill or anything like that, I look forward to getting in some more cardio and hiking in the mountains once the mud season comes to a close. Of course in Maine, that could mean I’d have to wait till the beginning of the next ski season before the mud’s gone!

The Ups and Downs of Spring Skiing!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:08:00 +0000

As the spring rains fall across the northeast, ski area after ski area is closing down for the season and while the larger resorts remain open, most have scaled back their operations. Even places with tons of snow left in certain pods have limited their open terrain. It is the sad reality of spring in the mountains.

And while this may seem a little depressing – and it is – there’s still a lot of good skiing to be had across the country and right here in New England. With 91 days down, I’m still within reach of my goal of 100 days for the season. I look forward to soft corn snow and bright sunshine as I embark on the last few weeks of lift-served skiing. And yet after the lifts shut down there’s still time to head to the eastern backcountry skiing mecca on Mount Washington.

Retro Weekends Are The Best!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:25:00 +0000

While Julie and I enjoyed snapping photos of strangely dressed folks while we were out west, it’s always fun to have a retro weekend and this past weekend at Sunday River didn’t disappoint. With an 80s theme and lots of local characters promising to come out with their retro best, there was plenty of dayglo to go around, a lot of long-straight skis, and I think I even spotted a guy skiing in a tuxedo shirt.

Shane McConkey - RIP

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:48:00 +0000

I’ve gone back and forth on whether to post anything on Shane McConkey’s recent passing. To be frank, there have been many people who were critical of him continuing to push the limits with a wife and 3-year0old daughter, but then it struck me that I don’t have the slightest clue what it meant to be in his shoes and I don’t know what his family thought about him attempting to defy fate on a daily basis.

What I do know is that Shane McConkey was and is a legend in the sport of skiing. Forget, if you will, all the stuff about BASE jumping and the like. When it comes down to it, he was one of the best damned all-around skiers to ever strap a pair of boards on. Whether it was his exploit as a pro mogul skier, a racer when he was younger, or one of the pioneers on the international competitive freeskiing your, McConkey represented much of what embodies places like Squaw Valley and Chamonix. His passing is surely a tragedy that could have been avoided, but his life is surely worth celebrating! RIP!

Choose you ski resort wisely!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:53:00 +0000

Over the weekend while at Sunday River I spent a lot of time with friends and talked about some of the similarities and differences between eastern and western skiing. Given that we all tend to go on trips out west each year – to different places, we all have different things about our trips that we like and different reasons for wanting to go to one state versus another. Julie and I like the vibe and feel of Lake Tahoe for its’ skiing culture and laid back atmosphere. That isn’t to say that other western states don’t have terrain and skiing that is as good, but every region has something unique and different to offer. While Julie and I like the laid back home town feel of South Lake Tahoe, other people might like the option of boutique hotels you can find at place like Northstar on the north slope of the basin. And yet regardless of what you are looking for, I’ve come to realize that you just really can’t go wrong with any type of ski trip!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:59:00 +0000

You never know what you find when you go through old things and then tonight while I was back at my childhood home - where I happen to still keep my ski tuning equipment - I was looking at a picture on the basement wall that I'd cut out of a magazine from the mid-90s. I knew the last name had sounded familiar and thus I scanned it into the computer. The shot is of 1992 World Mogul Champion, Dave Hilb. His relationship to director Mickey Hilb, of Deep Winter fame; I don't know, but I bet I'll find out soon enough. Cool shot, nonetheless!

Get ready for some awesome spring skiing festivals!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:29:00 +0000

With spring skiing pretty much in full swing, thousands of skiers and riders will flock to resorts with ample amounts of spring festivals and activities. Sure, most American resorts have some fabulous line-ups for spring, but two of the most popular spring skiing destinations are north of the border in Canada. With Whistler/Blackcomb and Mont Tremblant both hosting their annual Telus Spring Festivals, there are awesome ski and stay deals to be had. But before you book your trip, make sure you get the best deal possible and maximize your conversion rate optimization.

Taking care of yourself during the ski season is important!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:04:00 +0000

Truth be told, as a guy, I don’t give too much thought about skin care, but after spending another couple of weeks at a high altitude with bright sun and varying temperatures, I actually found myself roaming the aisles of the local supermarket looking for after sun cream and eye cream. As silly as it may sound, skiing is an interesting sport that makes us do and buy funny things. And that being said, taking care of our bodies is important in a long season.

Spring skiing is finally here!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 01:49:00 +0000

As Julie, Carolyn, and I loaded the chairlift Friday night, thoughts of spring skiing and soft corn snow were swiftly swept away by temps in the teens and the sound of skis and snowboards scratching the hard-packed ice on the slopes below. Mid-March? Yikes, a few days earlier Julie and I had been gliding over the pristine conditions in Lake Tahoe and now we were bundled up like it was mid-January.

After several fast runs down the lit trails of Sunday River’s North Peak, we retreated to the Foggy Goggle for some warm après and friends.

While I was far from discontent, I wondered if spring was coming or if I needed a good stone grind to get me through the weekend, but as the Saturday afternoon sun crept up and shone brightly on the thousands of visitors to Sunday River, the glare got stronger and the snow softened. Smiles widened and grills in the parking lot sparked up.

By the time we packed up the car this afternoon, the snow had turned to mashed potatoes and both Julie and I were comparing the redness of our faces. In a short 48 hours, spring had arrived. It’s the best time of the year!

Late season ski equipment deals!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 05:46:00 +0000

While late season skiing can be a bit depressing, given the fact that I can’t help but think of the fact that it means that summer is on the way and soon the chairlifts will stop spinning, it also means that there are great deals in ski shops all around the country for skiers and snowboarders alike. Regardless of how good a season has been for retailers, the end of the season always means surplus and surplus means bargains for the likes of you and me!

Late season Sierra storms blanket the slopes!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 05:33:00 +0000

It’s been nine days since Julie and I arrive in South Lake Tahoe and sadly, we’ll be leaving in two days. Having begun this year’s trip over a week later than usual, we arrived to the unusual sight of brown lawns and a mild breeze. Sure, this is the beginning of spring around Lake Tahoe, but aside from the snow-covered trees and slopes beginning part way up the mountains, the lack thereof at lake level, was just weird.

Then less than 24-hours after our arrival, the latest storm models began to take shape and in a season that was being described as nothing short of a drought, the locals were beginning to salivate at the thought of a true Sierra Storm cycle. If you’ve never experienced a Sierra snowstorm, they can be best described like heavyweight prize fighters that may be a little slow out of the gate, but when their unleash their fury, they don’t hold back on the punches – for days.

Less than four days after the storm cycle began, we had seen about 4 and a half feet of snow at lake level and about 8 feet above 8500 feet. Needless to say, Julie and I were pleased about the storm, but also pleased for all the resorts and communities in the Sierras that say a huge influx of skiers and riders over the past week with the weather.

Booking places to stay while on a ski trip can be tough!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 03:12:00 +0000

I often think that one of the hardest parts of planning a ski trip is choosing where to stay. I mean we may know where we want to ski and we’ve heard of all the best places to sleep and eat, but when it comes down to booking a hotel or condo, not only are there a ton of choices, but since we’re nornmally so far a way, finding extended stay hotels that suit all the needs of our trip can be really hit or miss. Luckily, Julie and I have been on the good side of such luck with our annual Lake Tahoe trips and this year has been no exception!

NASTAR Open Fails To Gain Regional Support!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 01:43:00 +0000

For years eastern recreational racers have complained that the NASTAR National Championships have been held out west and thus making it very difficult to participate. By most accounts, the 4-day trip to Steamboat Springs costs about $1500 and that’s if you’re on a budget. This simply out of reach for most and just impractical for others.

NASTAR officials heard the feedback loud and clear and finally came out with the NASTAR Eastern Open, which was held at Sunday River, Maine a few weeks back. While the entry fees and other costs were less than the national event, NASTAR didn’t make the announcement of the event until the new year and publicity could have been a lot better. The end result was a poor number for registration and admittedly, I was one of the ones who didn’t race. Why? I simply hadn’t budgeted for a high entry fee and didn’t think it would have been fair to spring such a cost on my wife when we are newly married, have just bought a house, and have trips already booked. Nonetheless, I think that I should have made the effort and wish I had because a lot of time and energy went into making this happen. I don’t expect the event to return to Sunday River, but wherever it is next season, I will make it a point to participate.

100 days wouldn't be possible without skiing under the lights!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 02:57:00 +0000

When you work a full-time job and at the same time go for a goal like skiing 100 days in a season, you have to sacrifice quite a few nights in order to rack up the skier days. Yep, that means working a full day, jumping in the car, and then making turns under the lights when the sun isn’t shinning and temps drop faster than you can imagine. Having the right gear and lots of energy is the best way to adapt to the long days and even those mid-week night when we ski under the light bulbs.

You gotta love the soft snow, but it belongs in the spring!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 02:46:00 +0000

Sunday was set to be one of those perfect ski days with temps on the warm side and snow on the soft side. Don’t get me wrong, I love the cold and flying down meticulously groomed trails, but when the temps warm up and the snow softens, possibilities open. Not only does more terrain become accessible, but soft snow means bumps and bumps all day long. I’m a mogul skier at heart and skiing in corn snow is when the sport changes from an anaerobic exercise to a heart-pounding aerobic sport. Several hours of bashing soft bumps is a lot more fun than a gym and easier to manage then diet pills.

Let it snow!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 02:39:00 +0000

I admittedly don’t put much into books like the Farmer’s Almanac when it comes to the weather. While they can claim to be right 80% of the time in their forecasting, it is sometimes nice to have winter storms happen without notice and to have those perfect days when they’re lease expected. Here in the east we’ve had an average winter when it comes to snowfall. Now that I think about it, winter has been dry to average in most parts of the country and that can be a little depressing. Nevertheless, it was nice to click on the webcams at Heavenly Mountain resort the past few days and see Wildlife trees covered in fresh coats of the white stuff each day!

Vonn grabs second gold, becomes best American female ever!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:47:00 +0000

Tamera McKinney has long been the most decorated woman ever to race for the United States. Sure, Picabo Street made a run for the same claim back in the mid-late 1990s, but with an overall World Cup title, 18 career wins, and a gold in the 1989 World Championships combined, McKinney was in a class all by herself.

Last week, fellow American Lindsay Vonn tied McKinney’s mark when she notched her 18th career WC win. A few days later she won the super giant slalom at the World Championships, and then today she finally eclipsed the legendary McKinney with a gold in the Woman’s downhill.

With a slid lead in the overall season standings and the simple fact she’s still quite young, Lindsay Vonn has already become the most decorated U.S. female skier ever. Time will tell what other accolades she adds to that list.

The cold gives way to a foot of snow in the Maine mountains!s

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 03:48:00 +0000

Sometimes the best ski days are the ones that are totally unexpected. While most of us in the northeast had suffered the affects of terribly cold weather this week and into the weekend, the forecast held out hope for some snow to end MLK weekend. Sure, the models only showed a few inches in the mountains, but a few inches is better than none and all skiers know that if it’s going to snow, the temps can hover around zero, it’s just not possible for snow to fall with temps so low.

As the weekend got closer and people got more and more giddy, the snowfall estimates began to grow until we woke up Sunday morning to a fresh blanket of the white stuff and light fluffy snow continuing to fall. The initial estimates of 4-6 inches at Sunday River had given way to a good foot and with the previous days of cold temps, the crowds had stayed away. It was one of those days that we like to call epic and while they don’t come along all that often, we appreciate these days more when they are unexpected.

Crazy weather hampers holiday week!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Graffam) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:08:00 +0000

Yesterday brought a close to what was a crazy month of weather throughout the northeast. With vacation week in full swing at Sunday River, the resort has battled the wind all month long and has had most lifts closed on many days, including each day this past week. And while this has made some people unhappy with the mountain, it’s pretty unfair to blame them for closing lifts with dangerous wind conditions. Along with the safety of the guests and preventing damage to the lifts themselves, the wind out of the northwest can wreak havoc and like everybody else, Sunday River carries a heavy amount of insurance during the season. So just think about the premiums you pay each year for auto insurance for one car and then think about 500,000 visitors, 17 lifts, hundreds of employees, and all the buildings and structures. That’s a lot of money and not worth pushing it on dangerous days!