SNOWBOARDING!!!

One of my long time friends arranged to take me up to Mt. Charleston yesterday to teach me how to snowboard. I have been dying to go for a few months now and I finally got the opportunity. We met at her house in Pahrump at 7am (I stayed at my moms the night before), and drove up. We got there around 830 with just enough time to rent equipment and gear up. The sloped open at 9am and we were ready to go. I least I thought so...

Dana first taught me the basics of keeping your balance on you heals or toes and the the majority of the movement was in your hips, like when you are dancing - she kept telling me.

The first time down the bunny hill was ok. That is until about half way when I totally ate it and did a face plant into the snow. It was like instant headache. Plus I landed on my left wrist pretty hard and that was now throbbing.

**Waiting in line at the lift**

**Eating Snow**

**Getting the hang of it... kind of**

**Givin Dana the thumbs up**

But I was determined. So, I jumped right up and over and over again I tried. We must have went down about 7 or 8 more times before noon and I was really starting to feel comfortable and have controll. I just had a little problem with getting on my toes. It's kind of hard to exlain so just bare with me.

I started to get a little frustrated and Dana decided we should take a break and get some lunch. After we ate, we we both thought we should take a shot to 'warm us up'. I also thought that maybe it would loosen me up a bit and help me not to think so much. So we both had a shot of Southern Comfort and a Captin and Coke.



I felt good and was ready for round two. After 3 more times down the bunny hill and very minimal mishaps, Dana convinced me I was ready for the bigger slopes. I was scared out of my mind but I figured I had to push myself to get better. So up we went.

We chose one of the slopes that seemed to not be so steep. We got to the top and I nearly had an anxiety attack. The first little part down was very intimidating and I threatened Dana with just hopping back on the lift and taking it down. After a couple deep breaths and a lot of reassurence from Dana, I went. I didn't do to badly either. However, I did stay on my heals the entire time. Which by the way is hell of a quad work out.

**On the lift up to the bigger run**

The next time up we tried a different run. It was one with part of the skate park attached. They have little jumps and rails for more experienced skiers and boarder to use. I of course didn't go with in 20 feet of them. But I did get some video of Dana attempting the rails. She did good.

On our second time on this run I got the courage to try to carve on my toes. There was this perfect little area that was a borderline half pipe and it really helped.

**View from top of one of the runs**

**Dana taking a break**

I finally did it! I carved a few times on my toes and I didn't fall!! I was sooooo proud of myself! And Dana was really excited for me too.

We figured it best to end on a good note and decided to call it the day. I was coming down closer to the lodge with my head held high when all of a sudden, i hit ice right around the lift. BAM! My board slipped out from under me and on my butt I fell. Actually it was right on my tailbone and on the ice. I was in tears because it hurt so bad.

So much for ending on a positive note!

Oh well. I had a blast and I really think I have the concept down. I can't wait for the next time!!!

A special THANK YOU!!! to Dana for being a patient and helpful teacher. I LOVE YOU!!!