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Phase 5... We bought a car!
We call it, "The Merkin" Reason being due to my new beanie my partner bought me, typically every beanie for girls (or "Toque" i should say) has stupid Pom Pom's on the top of them, making you look like a tea pot cover. I removed this once we bought the Dodge Mini Van in Vancouver. Hanging from the rear view mirror is the Pom Pom/Merkin looking item the boys & I had been throwing at each other for the past few days.
I arrived in Vancouver after a 3 hour delay & a 12 hour bus ride from Nelson, with excitement, a smile on my face & constant nerves due to thinking about seeing my boyfriend. I had butterflies! The 60 year old bus driver was singing at every stop with information about the towns we were stopping in, it seemed so much better then the ride to Nelson. I saw a wolf in a creek bed & some beautiful lakes. So Glad to be out. I made it into Vancouver to St Clair Hostel which looked pretty cool but I had to drag my 25kg suitcase and backpack up the stairs at midnight into a room that was by the toilets. The hallway smelt like urine. Not the most pleasant stay but I was looking forward to the next day so it didnt matter one bit. Woke up & made my way to the airport where a 45minute nerving wait resulted in my mate & my man walking out of the terminal... Unreal, time to cruise & look for accomodation for them to get over their jetlag.
Stayed in a pretty comfortable hotel but the boys soon realised they didn't like Vancouver. It was much the same as a typical Australian city, busy, raining, work sites, shops, traffic lights... They wanted out already. So glad they felt the same as I did. They were asleep by 8pm & awoke with a big enthusiasm to find a car & get out of the city. After a days worth of looking on Craigslist, Kijiji & Autotrader, tracking through a couple car yards down in East Hastings, we found a car in Burnaby. The next day bought some boards, boots & bindings & got out of the big city. Driving on the Right side of the road, turning right on red lights & being cautious with flashing greens was a weird experience, but definitely worth the car ride. Cheaper, Sites, Could stop for the Dunny whenever we wanted & could open the window when the boys cracked a whopper noisy smell from there rear ends. I realised pretty quickly this would be the worst part of the next 9 months... We needed air freshner & we needed a lot of it.
Made our way to Merrit for the night & went strait upto Sun Peaks Hostel the next morning. SNOW BOARDING Finally I get to see it, do it & be amazing at it.. I was wrong, I sucked, I failed dramatically the first day & had nerves like mad, I fell on my coxic & smacked my head coming off the lift. I realised I needed to call my mate for a lesson, best idea yet! I suprised friend #1 with a Red Skin (Australian Lolly my boyfriend brought me from home) & a visit that afternoon, Think I made her day. Caught up on the goss & messaged a few other mates to try arrange a catch up. Took a safe option of buying a helmet & wrist guards before my next ride. The lesson really helped, I was able to stand & lean with comfort on my heels. started to cruise & I got to see the Top of 5 Mile, the Snow Ghosts & how foggy it can get. Yet to master the dance & remember the cowgirl knees but I can board & was so glad I got up top to see.
Few more days of boards & catching up with a few people, was good to be back & see the mountain at full steam. Met a few more interesting people along the way up there but locals night was definitely more full then what I was use to. Crazy infact, I knew barely no one. My Partner & friend enjoyed Sun Peaks but we realised after discussion in the hostel there was no long term accommodation left in this town. We left after 4 nights with a couple from Queensland dragging them to Costco for our discount ski passes *Best find yet* and food shopping for a few days worth of meals then to stay in Kelowna for a night. Revisiting a couple friends I made in the Hostel, then the next day upto Big White.
Brings us to Phase #6 Big White. MORE SNOW! So powdery & yet again I feel like i've never boarded before. I fell on my rear end & started to nerve up again. This time I had 4 people waiting for me to hurry up down the mountain. Decided I'd let them ride away while I took a breather & bought a Bum Pad. Doesn't help much but hey I'd rather wear it then not. Tried it the next day, went slow & took some incredible photos but now, I have yet to get back up the hill again as the power out this morning caused my boarding lesson to be cancelled, the lifts werent operating & car was stuck in the carport. Seems Big White aren't prepared for a catastrophy... One Generator for the town? Smart move guys. Either way it was beautiful up top the day before, with the views of trees & the village, the sun shining different colours in each direction. The Snow Ghost (trees) & the different terrain. I can't wait to have another lesson & master it, but still feeling very nervous. The boys are enjoying the tree runs, deep powdery holes, mini jumps & Black Diamond runs... More guts then the average. I think i'll stick to my flatter slopes until my behind heels & my confidence enhances... Few more days of this place I think I do like it here. It's not too busy but very hazy. See how the next plce compares.
Next Phase is just us three to Revelstoke, Although I was told to not even try this hill.. I want to see the site. I won't be purchasing any day passes for the Steep hills, I'll leave that to the boys, but A couple days not boarding might do my body some good & the camera might get some wear and tear. We will then be taking the Merkin to Banff. Where exactly is uncertain. But can't wait to see something different again.
- comments
Mum Sounds like the boys are pros. It takes practice tho Shaizy and you are one step up on me. I got off the slopes after 1/2 day. Keep practicing I know you it'll suddenly click & you'll be as good as them xx