(I’ve been on a Coldplay streak for a couple of days)

I got a “do-over” today.  Yesterday, something told me not to go.  The mountains were saying, “Stay away.”  Today was a different story.  All systems were go.  The mountains were saying, “Come on in!  Let’s party!”  Thanks to the day job, I was able to rearrange my schedule and get to the mountains.  This isn’t all about snowboarding though.

The storm had passed.  The forecast was clear.  There was a fresh blanket of snow on the mountains.  The sky was as clear as I could remember.  Here is the view from the chair.

The day wasn’t without its hitches.  The hour-long drive to Loveland took a little over two.  A rock-slide closed the westbound lanes of I-70 .  Traffic was rerouted through Idaho Springs, a small town on the way to the mountain.  Normally, this would be a major inconvenience, but instead of getting frustrated, I looked.

Years ago, I lived in a mountain town.  It was one of the best years of my single life.  I worked, I rode, I rafted, and I learned a lot about myself.  One thing I learned is I want that experience again.  I don’t want it now, but I want it someday.  I thought about that while winding my way through Idaho Springs.  It was so peaceful; this small town, tucked away from the city.  It was almost like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

Due to the melting snow on the roads, I had to stop and buy windshield wipers.  The old ones just weren’t cutting it.  For some reason, this always happens in Idaho Springs.  I think I’ve purchased at least four pairs in this town.  It makes sense, considering that’s usually where I start running into bad weather.  Anyway, I walk into the hardware store and four gentlemen are waiting to greet me.  I say hello and I tell them I need windshield wipers for our 2003 Honda CRV.  They tell me it won’t be a problem.  They get out a wiper catalog and look them up.  The find the wipers on a rack, hand them to a “kid,” he was probably about 20 or so, and he offers to put them on for me.  He even calls me sir.  The other gentleman rings up my wipers and I pay for them using a credit card.  He hands me a hand written receipt.  It’s like I traveled back in time; traveled back to a time where people mattered, manners were used, and technology was minimal.

I get back into the car and head for the mountains.  I think about my experience at the hardware store.  It stays on my mind while on the hill.  A simpler time.  I think about my time working on the ski slopes.  My job was to check people’s tickets.  A remedial job that, at the time, I didn’t realize how special it was.  It was a job, an $8.25 an hour job.  It wasn’t special then, but it is now.  I’d see people on vacation.  They would roll up to the resort in their fancy cars and I’d think, “Man, I can’t wait until I’m that person.”  Now, I am that person.  I don’t have to go on vacation to get to the mountains and I don’t have a fancy car, but I’m not exactly checking people’s tickets these days.  I just want to, but not right now.  Someday.  When I retire, I want to live in the mountains.  I want to bump chairs a couple of days a week to stay active.  I want to still be snowboarding.  We’ll see.

This all brings me back to today.  Being up in the mountains really makes me appreciate what I have.   It’s a reminder of a supportive wife who understands my passions.  It’s a reminder of a good career that supports my passions.  It’s a reminder of my wonderful girls, who will hopefully share my passions.  It’s a reminder of my health.  It’s a reminder of creation; a sky so blue it hurts my eyes to look at it, mountains so big that make me feel so small, and snow that is so white and so pure.  I have a great life and for that, I am thankful.