As for my Indian Summer, well she's gone and packed up now. Clouds have been rolling in and out the last few days, bringing some highly anticipated thunderstorms by yours truly. Don't know how you feel about storms and lightning, but they've always been quite precious to me. Growing up in San Diego has given me two things: spoiled sunshiny weather and little to no thunderstorms. Luckily the other pod of my family lives in Arizona, so I spent a good chunk of my summer's in Tuscon during... MONSOON season! Oh boy do I love monsoon season. The warm weather, down pours, cracking thunder, and bolts of electricity could keep me entertained for hours. Flooding little rivers I watched in awe but damn those mosquitoes, little blood suckers couldn't get enough of my sent. Bug bites were a guarantee, it was the suspense of surpassing the summer previous with a whopping 47 bites. Back to the storms, this morning around five a.m. I was that little kid again watching the sky light up, only difference is now I'm almost 24 and these storms have become apart of my winter lifestyle.
One thing I've forgotten about the mountains is how quickly the weather changes. Within 30 minutes you can go from one extreme to the other, back again, and who knows what will come next. Dropping temperature by 20 degrees in the ease of just a few minutes. Throughout the entire day the sun can decide to play hide and seek. Throwing some rain, sleet, even some snow in between. Point being? Ha, I made the mistake of not bringing a sweatshirt on a six hour road trip. Won't happen again ;)
Officially witnessed my first snow fall of the season. Being this is the first time I've arrived at a winter location early, I actually felt the season in the atmosphere change. From fall to the muddy wet birthing of winter. She's started her winter chill. The brown tint of the mountain with changing leaves highlighting it has now acquired a beautiful white coat. Not thick as fur, but a wind breaker to start the base. Base of snow, which allows us to shred our first tracks down the long awaited season. You can feel the stoke of the town, as everyone embraces the gloomier weather. Breaking out the beanies and coats, staring at the hill while packing the summer days away. All in fantasies of powder days to come. Yes there's still 45 days to go, yet the season has never felt closer. Bring on the wind, falling leaves, and wet sidewalks. I got a week of skating in with shorts and T's, I'd have to say I got lucky in timing this move perfectly.
While my stoke overpowers my sense of what I miss back home, always know I miss you all constantly. Whether you're Janet, Kyle, and Diddles holding down the Central Coast. My other half's in the SC-mente, protecting beaches with peace 'n love. The Swartz Clan and the Burkett Brigade, I could not be luckier. The Cal Poly Crew, rocking survival mode like its our mother loving YOBS. The friends that are family. The roots from which I come and the pod I share with a purrty pea, ALWAYS on my mind and in my heart. I can share this happiness because of the support. Never taken lightly, it's where I get the cahones to go venture my passions.
Pura Vida Con Amer~ Positive Thoughts
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
SHE IS ALIVE!!!
And kicking, hola mis gentes y welcome back! Been a good few minutes since I've bothered people with my creative thoughts. Glad to say that after a year of diving the Great Barrier Reef and zip lining the deepest lengths of the Congo I'm back to rekindle my word blunders, stories, adventures, fantasies, and so forth. Exaggerations, not here. Only words describing a minds own visualizations, interpreted to whatever pleasure you chose. Wow, what catching up we have to do...
I could sit here and say how lazy I've been to take a minute to think with technology. I could say how busy this summer's been with work and blah blah blah, or try and recompose the beauty that last winter distracted me with. What's not fresh does not give justice to the moment, so I write for today. Yesterday, and the last few days of anxiousness beginning the next chapters (genie;) yet to be written.
How we start this vacation revolutionized blog is with one of my favorite topics, the weather (and I'm not talking bout the micro climate forecast on the six o'clock news). Boy does it feel like I've just jumped right back into my prime season, summa time <3
The sun is shining, and these rays aren't shy. When hidden from them you'll feel the chill of elevations feet, but once that sun hits your flesh it seeps right down to your pulse. Breathing harder cause the air is thinner, yet feeling more alive in the freshness of mountain sunshine.... Translation? I'm in shorts and a tank top, sandals and no sunscreen cause good ol myself forgot it, of course. I've never spent a summer in the mountains, besides my last minute 'ultimate camping adventures' as I like to refer to them. I'm getting a small taste for as many days as I can swindle. Going to enjoy the sun while it's here, and wait patiently for the winter season to approach. No rush, take your time, I've got some rays to abuse.
To completely change whatever road I was heading down with those rays, I have to let out my shock of intrigue. Intrigued at how something similar and somewhat known can feel so new and fresh. This is my fourth time leaving my ocean grounds for a mountain's winter mystery, so you think I'd be use to this right? Well not quite. Every time I leave I do get this anxious feeling. Happens bout the week before, slowly builds day by day and come two days til take off my heart constantly beats a little faster. Day before, no use making any impressive conversations cause my mind is going in a million directions with none taking the lead. Sleep much the night before, ha you wish. Not uncomfortable just not able to fully turn off the brain sensors. Wake up, bags are packed sort of, still few things need to pick up so emotionless motivationalist takes command and gets shit done. Boom, right on time ready to go with not a second wasted in between.
A nice dinner, drink, and swift goodbye to the finest city I've ever been blessed with calling home... and loved one's there and everywhere. Always kind of stings me like a fresh wound, tears no blood, but no time to concentrate on it for sake of the heart. Same routine, but fresh feelings overwhelming the past felt. Next thing you know the palm trees can only be seen on my phone and I'm watching the land below light up on fire. Red, orange, yellow, blue above, and white fluffy things scattered around from a smooth view at 37,000 feet up. Something always takes over, every thing's calmed, acunamatada it's 100% no worries now.
This is where the anticipation of the adventure stops, and the real thing begins. I'm overwhelmed yet completely by the incredible colors reflecting off the leaves and this weather that magically keeps pulling this grin higher. So excited to share what is to come with anyone truly curious of taking on this adventure with me.
Peace 'n Love ~ Positive Thoughts
I could sit here and say how lazy I've been to take a minute to think with technology. I could say how busy this summer's been with work and blah blah blah, or try and recompose the beauty that last winter distracted me with. What's not fresh does not give justice to the moment, so I write for today. Yesterday, and the last few days of anxiousness beginning the next chapters (genie;) yet to be written.
How we start this vacation revolutionized blog is with one of my favorite topics, the weather (and I'm not talking bout the micro climate forecast on the six o'clock news). Boy does it feel like I've just jumped right back into my prime season, summa time <3
The sun is shining, and these rays aren't shy. When hidden from them you'll feel the chill of elevations feet, but once that sun hits your flesh it seeps right down to your pulse. Breathing harder cause the air is thinner, yet feeling more alive in the freshness of mountain sunshine.... Translation? I'm in shorts and a tank top, sandals and no sunscreen cause good ol myself forgot it, of course. I've never spent a summer in the mountains, besides my last minute 'ultimate camping adventures' as I like to refer to them. I'm getting a small taste for as many days as I can swindle. Going to enjoy the sun while it's here, and wait patiently for the winter season to approach. No rush, take your time, I've got some rays to abuse.
To completely change whatever road I was heading down with those rays, I have to let out my shock of intrigue. Intrigued at how something similar and somewhat known can feel so new and fresh. This is my fourth time leaving my ocean grounds for a mountain's winter mystery, so you think I'd be use to this right? Well not quite. Every time I leave I do get this anxious feeling. Happens bout the week before, slowly builds day by day and come two days til take off my heart constantly beats a little faster. Day before, no use making any impressive conversations cause my mind is going in a million directions with none taking the lead. Sleep much the night before, ha you wish. Not uncomfortable just not able to fully turn off the brain sensors. Wake up, bags are packed sort of, still few things need to pick up so emotionless motivationalist takes command and gets shit done. Boom, right on time ready to go with not a second wasted in between.
A nice dinner, drink, and swift goodbye to the finest city I've ever been blessed with calling home... and loved one's there and everywhere. Always kind of stings me like a fresh wound, tears no blood, but no time to concentrate on it for sake of the heart. Same routine, but fresh feelings overwhelming the past felt. Next thing you know the palm trees can only be seen on my phone and I'm watching the land below light up on fire. Red, orange, yellow, blue above, and white fluffy things scattered around from a smooth view at 37,000 feet up. Something always takes over, every thing's calmed, acunamatada it's 100% no worries now.
This is where the anticipation of the adventure stops, and the real thing begins. I'm overwhelmed yet completely by the incredible colors reflecting off the leaves and this weather that magically keeps pulling this grin higher. So excited to share what is to come with anyone truly curious of taking on this adventure with me.
Peace 'n Love ~ Positive Thoughts
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Hot damn, who is that Mama~
Ello governerzzz,
I welcome you with a special celebrity guest appearance today. None other than Mama Tanya, in Da Boat, finally getting a whiff of what I refer to as Living The Dream. Took the mums out skiing yesterday, her first time in 12 years and boy oh boy did we have a good time. Hilarious, we realized we've never been on a ski hill together... and there's nothing like watching your mother slide head first down a hill, grinning from ear to ear, ski's as high as they can be in the air. Classic. We've been nothing but smiles the whole time, and I'm so stoked to share this beautiful atmosphere with her. I'm sure if and when you talk to the Lady Tanya, she'll preach everything I've been writing for the past two winters (well guess I've only written once this winter, but umm yeahhh).
People are so friendly in ski towns. The scenic shots are more than pictures will ever be able to describe. The adventures r within every step. Everybody knows everybody, and if ya don't, well than you'll get to know them real fast. Within the first five minutes of Mamacita being here, she had already met-befriended-and learned the life story of the bartender in the hotel... one and two Tuacas later ;) Mi casa es su casa, my food is your food, this beer's on me. Coloradoans give 'sharing is caring' a whole new definition... one that San Diegans should really take up. The hustle and bustle, traffic and congestion... what the hell are you talking about? Should we drive? No, take the free bus... actually lets walk. Activities are everywhere and one's for the taking. 75 years old? No problema, they're the real ski bums on the hill everyday, round the clock, smiling like little children on Christmas. Fall down skiing... r u alright? Can I help you? Mum got greeted by 3 or 4 five year olds while skiing, all at separate times... asking if she was okay and needed help. HAHAHhahhahhahaha, all while she was sliding down the hill, to say the least I was crying with laughter. Little kids, taught to help others out on the hill... if only that could humble the kids back home. The tourists replenish the city with MOSTLY great spirits, ridiculous gaper gear, and $$ for my paychecks... thx by the way. Just how much mulla are guests willing to pour out of their pockets? Well the average family of four staying for one week: transportation, hotel, lift tickets, rentals, ski school, eating out, souvenirs... spends around $10,000 for one week of living it up with locals that have made this their lifestyle... for a much cheaper cost.
10,000 dollarez... yikes. Luckily for you all who have visited me (Boom, Sunny, Sunny's Mamacita, Cay-rolll, and Mama!) we've kept it down to a few hundred. That whiskey being half of the bill hot damn. Jack, Jim, and Jamo, thx for keeping me warm all winter. For those who havn't visited me yet well ba-humbug. Calling you out, right now.
Just kidding, I understand people actually have these things called Yobs. Ya know those things with cubicles and pencil jars... eeewwww... sorry but that's just not gonna work for me. Actually................. that pencil jar could do me nicely.
Now I've come to the realization that the Monday thru Friday, 8-5 just isn't me. I've always kind of known that but I've accepted my life revolves around my recreational activities. I am not what I do, a surfer... a snowboarder, but they are my greatest passions in life. Being submerged in the surf and/or snow industry is naturally what I'm drawn to. I'm as happy as can be everyday, surfing the endless summers away and riding the winters sparkling pixie dust with luv. I've also recently been blessed with the option and opportunity to join the new family business. Pick-Smith Inc., the JamKat being the first product developed. A whole industry wrapped up in one little spring-loaded gato. Buzz worldwide, no competition, and so many expansions for the future... I just may have lucked out in this life I am living.
Oh who am I kidding, I'm one of the luckiest people I've known with a family that ya just can't beat. That includes every single one of you reading this, family and friends, friends being family too.
Well it's time to hit the streets with mama, some delicious BBQ later, followed by the Strawberry Park Hot Springs oh yeahhh. Much luv to all, thanks for taking the time to hear my hippie sermons.
Pura Vida, Snow bliss!
Cheyna Bobana
I welcome you with a special celebrity guest appearance today. None other than Mama Tanya, in Da Boat, finally getting a whiff of what I refer to as Living The Dream. Took the mums out skiing yesterday, her first time in 12 years and boy oh boy did we have a good time. Hilarious, we realized we've never been on a ski hill together... and there's nothing like watching your mother slide head first down a hill, grinning from ear to ear, ski's as high as they can be in the air. Classic. We've been nothing but smiles the whole time, and I'm so stoked to share this beautiful atmosphere with her. I'm sure if and when you talk to the Lady Tanya, she'll preach everything I've been writing for the past two winters (well guess I've only written once this winter, but umm yeahhh).
People are so friendly in ski towns. The scenic shots are more than pictures will ever be able to describe. The adventures r within every step. Everybody knows everybody, and if ya don't, well than you'll get to know them real fast. Within the first five minutes of Mamacita being here, she had already met-befriended-and learned the life story of the bartender in the hotel... one and two Tuacas later ;) Mi casa es su casa, my food is your food, this beer's on me. Coloradoans give 'sharing is caring' a whole new definition... one that San Diegans should really take up. The hustle and bustle, traffic and congestion... what the hell are you talking about? Should we drive? No, take the free bus... actually lets walk. Activities are everywhere and one's for the taking. 75 years old? No problema, they're the real ski bums on the hill everyday, round the clock, smiling like little children on Christmas. Fall down skiing... r u alright? Can I help you? Mum got greeted by 3 or 4 five year olds while skiing, all at separate times... asking if she was okay and needed help. HAHAHhahhahhahaha, all while she was sliding down the hill, to say the least I was crying with laughter. Little kids, taught to help others out on the hill... if only that could humble the kids back home. The tourists replenish the city with MOSTLY great spirits, ridiculous gaper gear, and $$ for my paychecks... thx by the way. Just how much mulla are guests willing to pour out of their pockets? Well the average family of four staying for one week: transportation, hotel, lift tickets, rentals, ski school, eating out, souvenirs... spends around $10,000 for one week of living it up with locals that have made this their lifestyle... for a much cheaper cost.
10,000 dollarez... yikes. Luckily for you all who have visited me (Boom, Sunny, Sunny's Mamacita, Cay-rolll, and Mama!) we've kept it down to a few hundred. That whiskey being half of the bill hot damn. Jack, Jim, and Jamo, thx for keeping me warm all winter. For those who havn't visited me yet well ba-humbug. Calling you out, right now.
Just kidding, I understand people actually have these things called Yobs. Ya know those things with cubicles and pencil jars... eeewwww... sorry but that's just not gonna work for me. Actually................. that pencil jar could do me nicely.
Now I've come to the realization that the Monday thru Friday, 8-5 just isn't me. I've always kind of known that but I've accepted my life revolves around my recreational activities. I am not what I do, a surfer... a snowboarder, but they are my greatest passions in life. Being submerged in the surf and/or snow industry is naturally what I'm drawn to. I'm as happy as can be everyday, surfing the endless summers away and riding the winters sparkling pixie dust with luv. I've also recently been blessed with the option and opportunity to join the new family business. Pick-Smith Inc., the JamKat being the first product developed. A whole industry wrapped up in one little spring-loaded gato. Buzz worldwide, no competition, and so many expansions for the future... I just may have lucked out in this life I am living.
Oh who am I kidding, I'm one of the luckiest people I've known with a family that ya just can't beat. That includes every single one of you reading this, family and friends, friends being family too.
Well it's time to hit the streets with mama, some delicious BBQ later, followed by the Strawberry Park Hot Springs oh yeahhh. Much luv to all, thanks for taking the time to hear my hippie sermons.
Pura Vida, Snow bliss!
Cheyna Bobana
Monday, March 15, 2010
Better Late Than Never
Well hello there lovely peeps and WELCOME! Sorry it's taken me so long to kick this blog into gear. Here it is, FINALLY, the long awaited return of my winter writings... just in time for spring. Ha.
If I remember correctly, I last left all you sweets with tales of my Canadian journey. Insights into what was truly an inspiring experience for me mentally, personally, emotionally, physically, and any other 'ally' you can think of. Still growing into my own with lots of room to evolve. I sit here on my couch, in no better place to continue my morphesis than Steamboat Springs, CO. In case some of you missed the memo sent out this fall (I swear my secretary sent it out, or so she says), I am currently perched in Da Boat and loving it. After leaving Whistler, I found myself ansy for another winter in the mountains. Where to go for 2010? Your guess was as good as mine. Tried to get back into Canada, not necessarily back into Whistler. What an amazing experience that was, but not my style. Even got my dual British Citizenship (ha, worst idea the UK and Northern Ireland ever made), but apparently Canada take 2 was not what life had planned out for me. Quite alright with me because surprise surprise... I find myself falling in love with yet another amazing place. Colorado is everything 'they' preach about, and then some. It's common knowledge people move out here for the winter, and end up staying because of the summers. If that's true then well I'm set to be a 'lifer' pending my staying here this summer. For the fam, friends, and co-workers that said 'Cheyna you go to Colorado you're not coming back'... well I now find myself in a dilema.
As for this summer, probably gonna be a last minute decision... but I'm pretty sure I'll be back in SD. That's right mamacita y papa... you'll have your Cheyn back.
Enough about summer, there's still a month of shredding to do and I'm not finished with winter yet. You see there's something special about Steamboat that sets it apart from the rest of this beautiful state. Being the only ski resort tucket in the NW corner, the snow that lands here is... well special. The way the valleys have formed make Steamboat the only resort in CO to get that 'champagne' powder. Extra dry, super light (call it a brut if you will) snow that sparkles like no other flakes around. Only Snowbird and Bryton in Utah can get this snow, if they're lucky. Other hills claim to have that 'champagne' powder (now trade-marked by SS), but they don't. I could go on forever about this 'pixie dust', but I won't. I'll save your retinas and move on to other matters.
Now that you've gotten the low-down on the thing that brought me out here, let me dish up a bit of Steamboat Springs histroy for ya'all. First used by the Ute Indians, Steamboat Springs now sits in the midst of the Yampa Valley. Settled in the 1800's, it wasn't til three French Settlers were passing through the area that Steamboat got it's name. They heard a 'chugging' noise as they were crossing the lands. Assuming there was a large river near by, they declared it a Steamboat. I'm sure much to their amazement, they were shocked to find out that it was merely a natural spring geyser that went 'chug chug.' As for the river, well it could barely hold a kayak... let alone a Steamboat. The Steamboat stuck but the chugging noise did not. After the railroad was built in 1908, the geyser was no longer chugging and still hasn't to this day.
With a mixture of true cowboy ranchers and down to earth ski bums, Steamboat holds it's own character that separates it apart from the rest. No richy bitchy ski snobs here, no for that you're going to have to head to Vail. Here all you find is a bunch of smiles and empty beer cans. Gorgously different, and proud of it.
If I remember correctly, I last left all you sweets with tales of my Canadian journey. Insights into what was truly an inspiring experience for me mentally, personally, emotionally, physically, and any other 'ally' you can think of. Still growing into my own with lots of room to evolve. I sit here on my couch, in no better place to continue my morphesis than Steamboat Springs, CO. In case some of you missed the memo sent out this fall (I swear my secretary sent it out, or so she says), I am currently perched in Da Boat and loving it. After leaving Whistler, I found myself ansy for another winter in the mountains. Where to go for 2010? Your guess was as good as mine. Tried to get back into Canada, not necessarily back into Whistler. What an amazing experience that was, but not my style. Even got my dual British Citizenship (ha, worst idea the UK and Northern Ireland ever made), but apparently Canada take 2 was not what life had planned out for me. Quite alright with me because surprise surprise... I find myself falling in love with yet another amazing place. Colorado is everything 'they' preach about, and then some. It's common knowledge people move out here for the winter, and end up staying because of the summers. If that's true then well I'm set to be a 'lifer' pending my staying here this summer. For the fam, friends, and co-workers that said 'Cheyna you go to Colorado you're not coming back'... well I now find myself in a dilema.
As for this summer, probably gonna be a last minute decision... but I'm pretty sure I'll be back in SD. That's right mamacita y papa... you'll have your Cheyn back.
Enough about summer, there's still a month of shredding to do and I'm not finished with winter yet. You see there's something special about Steamboat that sets it apart from the rest of this beautiful state. Being the only ski resort tucket in the NW corner, the snow that lands here is... well special. The way the valleys have formed make Steamboat the only resort in CO to get that 'champagne' powder. Extra dry, super light (call it a brut if you will) snow that sparkles like no other flakes around. Only Snowbird and Bryton in Utah can get this snow, if they're lucky. Other hills claim to have that 'champagne' powder (now trade-marked by SS), but they don't. I could go on forever about this 'pixie dust', but I won't. I'll save your retinas and move on to other matters.
Now that you've gotten the low-down on the thing that brought me out here, let me dish up a bit of Steamboat Springs histroy for ya'all. First used by the Ute Indians, Steamboat Springs now sits in the midst of the Yampa Valley. Settled in the 1800's, it wasn't til three French Settlers were passing through the area that Steamboat got it's name. They heard a 'chugging' noise as they were crossing the lands. Assuming there was a large river near by, they declared it a Steamboat. I'm sure much to their amazement, they were shocked to find out that it was merely a natural spring geyser that went 'chug chug.' As for the river, well it could barely hold a kayak... let alone a Steamboat. The Steamboat stuck but the chugging noise did not. After the railroad was built in 1908, the geyser was no longer chugging and still hasn't to this day.
With a mixture of true cowboy ranchers and down to earth ski bums, Steamboat holds it's own character that separates it apart from the rest. No richy bitchy ski snobs here, no for that you're going to have to head to Vail. Here all you find is a bunch of smiles and empty beer cans. Gorgously different, and proud of it.
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