Christmas was a little strange again this year. In some ways the being away from friends and family back in new Zealand was no different to other times of the year, and was probably not worse because it just didn't feel like Christmas. A White Christmas is some kind of ideal that we've been fed even in the Southern Hemisphere - and its cool alright - but the seasonal triggers just aren't there: no progressive build up from cut grass in the spring, the start of the cricket season, first chilly days at the beach, the Wellington November winds, slowly increasing temperatures and promise of those two weeks spanning Christmas and New Years where the whole country seems to just shift down a gear. Without those associations, which tie one Christmas with those nostalgic ones of years gone by - when the summers were always longer and hotter - there is undeniably something missing at a time of tradition.
I split the day between a midday ski with a bunch of friends and the afternoon and evening with Anna and Andy Roberts, who I'd been staying with I first arrived. We had a little antipodean bonding, all being so far from home, and the phone/skype lines were busy. Andy was being really knocked around by his chemo drugs; but it was really nice to spend time with these guys who have been so good to me in such trying times and become good friends. It was neat to open my gifts from home on Christmas Day with Lisa on the phone. Her arrival in two weeks will be a second Christmas
On Boxing Day I took off with the Christmas day skiing crowd for a three day trip to Tolovana Hot Springs. It was a 2 hour drive and 3.5 hour ski to get into the cabin. The drop into the valley was bloody steep for my skis and inexperience, but the slog up hill was rewarded with spectacular views of the Alaska range and painted sky to the south, and massive hoar frost crystals twinkling all around.
At the cabins we rented at the private hot springs, we fired up the stoves, ate well, and lounged in the tub. On Tuesday we skied about to somewhat justify more indulgences. Trivial pursuits went to the wire and fun was had by all.
I split the day between a midday ski with a bunch of friends and the afternoon and evening with Anna and Andy Roberts, who I'd been staying with I first arrived. We had a little antipodean bonding, all being so far from home, and the phone/skype lines were busy. Andy was being really knocked around by his chemo drugs; but it was really nice to spend time with these guys who have been so good to me in such trying times and become good friends. It was neat to open my gifts from home on Christmas Day with Lisa on the phone. Her arrival in two weeks will be a second Christmas
On Boxing Day I took off with the Christmas day skiing crowd for a three day trip to Tolovana Hot Springs. It was a 2 hour drive and 3.5 hour ski to get into the cabin. The drop into the valley was bloody steep for my skis and inexperience, but the slog up hill was rewarded with spectacular views of the Alaska range and painted sky to the south, and massive hoar frost crystals twinkling all around.
At the cabins we rented at the private hot springs, we fired up the stoves, ate well, and lounged in the tub. On Tuesday we skied about to somewhat justify more indulgences. Trivial pursuits went to the wire and fun was had by all.
Left to right: Lars, Phil, Ed, (Dart), Andy, Ellie, Anthony, and Leslie enjoying a dinner of salmon (in foil), lentil salad and couscous, night two in the cabin.
Here's the view looking west on the ski out on Wednesday. Lars, up on an abandoned water tank, is looking south towards Denali which was prominent on the horizon in such good, clear conditions. With about 4 hours each way, this was about as long as is comfortable with the current daylight conditions. We stopped at the HillTop truck stop for fries and hot chocolate/coffee and were back in town by 7pm.
A great trip with great people, that, I suppose layed a little ground work for this time next year really feeling more 'like Christmas'.
A great trip with great people, that, I suppose layed a little ground work for this time next year really feeling more 'like Christmas'.
