For those of you who actually read my blog, I apologize for the lack ...lack of effort to keep updates to the website. However, the site has gotten a complete overall change as you can see now. I am currently working day by day trying to fix it up and make it the best it can be. I am hoping you are all excited to see what is to come. I am pretty pumped to be able to put more effort into my blog site.
I'll keep you all posted on what is updated and when it is complete. Please leave any suggestions or comments that may come across your mind as things progress.
I would have to say I am very pleased to know that someone recognizes snowboaders in the Mid-West. TransWorld Snowboarding made a stop at the Otsego Club and Resort in Gaylord, MI. They brought their famous TransAm competition to us folks here who sit in the dark from the snowboarding world. I am glad to have had the opportunity to compete in a larger competition.
Although, I did not make the podium as I had set on doing, I did gain an insight of where I stand in the snowboarding world of girls. I believe I am at the same level as the girls who won the first, second, and thrid slots, but have less expereince on certain types of features. I think I did a pretty damn good job seeing as I didn't practice the week before or even got to ride the day before beucase I had to drive to it! A big backside 360 off a booter punched me into the finals. Even one of the judges reconized it and told me I was killin' it! He handed the t-shirt to me afterword. I was almost in disbelief that I was able to make it to the finals. I wasn't even sure how the other girls were doing becuase I was focused on getting back up and trying something different. I walked up to the guy with the clipboard giving him my t-shirt number and name. I was estatic to see my name on the list for the girls.
My downfalls I would have to say were on the snowbus made as a butter box out of snow and the zumiez couch jib. I was hesitent to attempt anything on them because I had never hit feautures similar to this setup. However, I have learned a lesson from this mistake. I have learned in this situation is to give something a try because if you do then you don't have anything to regret. This really makes me sad because I had the opportunity to inspire someone with these same exact words. If only I could have thought of this while we were riding. I wasn't completely stupid and still encouraged her to give the down box a try. I really hope she did give it a try so she doesn't have the same regrets as me for not giving something a try. Oye!
Anyhow, I haven't been keeping up to date at all ever on this blog site. I should update a few things and keep a follow up on what's happening next in this snowboard filled world!
This weekend I plan on going to Madison, WI for the Jeep Downtown Throwdown Rail Jam. I really hope the set up is nice with a fun atmosphere. I went to this a few years ago and placed third and so my goal is to do better than this status and encourage the other ladies who are cometiting to do their best. More info on this jam can be found here: Jeep Downtown Throwdown Rail Jam
If you have any comments, please post what you feel like saying.
T-Bone
*Note: I did start this like the day after. I got kind of lazy and finally finished it today. Procrastination gotta love it. HA! Don't judge me! >_<
Saturday, July 10, a little over a month ago, a day of adventures presented itself on Thomas’ yacht (or his mothers technically). I have never been a yacht before nor have I taken a short trip on one either. Jeff said it would be fun because we’d find cliffs to jump off. I silently disbelieved his statement wondering where exactly climbable cliffs would be besides Canyon Falls; the typical place to throw flesh and bone into freefall. Apparently, hidden on a small island was proof my small disbelief wrong. Skeptical at first, part of the crew became engulfed by Lake Superior.
There were ten of us; Tom, Jeff, Tony, Will, Will, Wills (…), Amanda, Tara, Kenny, and I set out for an adventure 4:00 P.M. Everyone I knew except for Amanda, but soon became acquainted during our trip to the Huron Islands. We set out from the super8 docks towards the entry where Superior greeted us.
Superior deemed happy with our presence with calm, glass-like water and a temperature bearable to jump in. The crew, at first suspicious, grew courageous, daring the warnings of how cold the lake usually is. I normally jump in with the first wave, but decided waiting this time. Cold waters tend to make me shiver uncontrollably and turn my lips purple. So, seeing that no one screamed, I enthusiastically jumped the clear waters. Mm, refreshing.
The ten adventurers’ including myself felt like we were living life or so I observed. A few jumps from the bow, a couple challenged a swim under the boat, riding on dolphins doing flips and shit, and admiring Superiors clear waters satisfied the first part of the trip (kudos to those who get it). We all climbed back onto the yacht grabbing our towels waiting eagerly for our next stop.
The picture at the top is the first views of Huron Islands. Everyone became chipper as it grew larger every minute. Two light houses were the first things we eyed. One stood at the very highest point of the island; the first picture below. The second one stood on the left most side as we came closer. Being idiotic, I thought the red lighthouse a home where people resided. How sweet would that be to have this massive house on an Island am I right? Anyhow, my hopes and dreams were smashed to smithereens as Jeff pointed out the fact it wasn’t.
My disappointment definitely ended once we managed to dock the boat where a bunch of folk were drinking and having a blast on this fine, sunny day. They soon recognized a few of the people on the boat and began chatting up a storm about going to school with their parents and blah, blah. I didn’t really pay attention because heck I wanted to explore the island. You only have so many hours in a day! I curiously wandered away first inspecting the large rocks in the clear waters and a strange building. Soon others escaped the family reunion to join my inspection of the building. Sadly, the building didn’t have much to offer and I hopped out seeing everyone finally ready to wander the trail ahead. I probably would have continued even if they weren’t there because I was growing impatient.
I wasn’t the only one impatient though apparently. Everyone, or most everyone, got in front of me on the trail exploration and boy, were they scurrying quickly. I mean normally on a hike I take my time to enjoy the moment, the scenery, and the people with you. They were like sprinters on the 100 meter dash going up this trail. And having sandals didn’t help with my short legs trying to keep up. Ugh, I didn’t even get to enjoy the first steps of our island adventure. I at least got to get a few pictures along the way which put me back of the pack. It didn’t really bother me too much, but it would have been nice to get a group shot or something.
The highest part of the trail brought us to the highest point of the island where the white light house was located. We had the pleasure to explore the small buildings and even climb them. I was the first to find the double-seater outhouse. Finding the outhouse definitely put a smile on my face especially when two of the guys jumped in it for a picture I took below. :3 I think I need to get one of these in my house just for the enjoyment of saying, “And here’s my double-seated bathroom.” Imagine the strange looks you’d get from whoever is touring your house. Bwah, ha, ha, ha! Simple humor is all I need.
Anyway, after some pictures and exploring the buildings I decided to scour the edges. I thought it would be neat if there was a spot you could start climbing down. There was! A few other people must have saw me because they came hurtling towards the direction I was going as if they were trying to steal my hidden secret path. Geeze, can’t I find something totally awesome on my own and first! People are too impatient these days. Oh well, I continued and we started our descent. The path was easy and my eyes set on large rocks where we could easily take a swim in the water. Not everyone in the group had the same destination leaving some going one way and some going the other way. Tony took the lead in the direction I decided to go and Tara followed along.
Gaps and giant rocks made it fairly easy. I had to take my sandals off for easy rock hopping. The last obstacle was the hardest because if you screwed up you were pretty much f’d. The gap was huge! And if you didn’t make it you’d fall onto rocks below. I eventually made it across and so did everyone else. Fear dispersed because I was rewarded to take a dip in the water. Tara and I took advantage of the water and swam to back towards other rocks to escape trying to cross the death gap. Ha, ha! It’s so funny I can throw myself off a 40 foot jump feeling amazingly comfortable, but when it comes to jumping a gap I’m terrified of getting hurt. But that’s a good thing if I want to be a professional snowboarder right? What use would I be if I was afraid of flinging spins off a jump?
Eventually some people disappeared back to the boat and the rest of us stayed around discovering cliffs to jump off of. I guess Jeff was right about finding cliffs to jump to throw our selves off. I was excited until I remembered I forgot to wear shorts to jump in with. Two piece swim suits generally don’t mix so well with extreme. Ha, ha! I jumped off a smaller ledge with the other two girls, but still had malfunctions. The bottoms went up the ass crack and the top slid up and over. It didn’t feel so amazing realizing underwater that having the clearest, see-through water would have disadvantages. Eh, whatever.
Climbing back up the rock face the boys introduced the higher ledges they had hopped off earlier before we got there. I climbed down and around to stand below to watch. My eyes stared as Kenny took a higher ledge than the other three boys there. My swimsuit would have been mutilated from that drop. I would have probably lost it if I had attempted this feat. It didn’t stop Kenny though, and he took the plunge claiming victory over everyone else. We celebrated by deeming the day Kenny’s Day! Kenny was man, man is Kenny. No one could deny and take away his extreme cliff jumping skills.
Kenny Day soon dwindled down after the hype of the jump. We all soon started heading back towards the boat where a few people waited for our return. The walk back definitely suited me better because everyone didn’t seem to be overly impatient on the path this time. Probably all of the anticipated excitement wore off.
The last thing I remembered before climbing back onto the boat was seeing Wills smoking a cigarette with three old guys. The sight was humorous because after getting on the boat the fourth man I hadn’t seen just previously was passed out sleeping on the back of the boat. Bwah, ha, ha, ha! I hope he had a good weekend. Soon after, we pushed off and made our way back to the Super8 where we had started the adventure. The day was amazing! I loved the overall day and hoped everyone had just as much fun as I did.
Two things have happened in the past week were both strangely invigorating and a let down.Oh and in the same day! Wake boarding skills have improved, but were cut short due to weather while mischievous doings received consequences.
Floating Baboons
Have you ever been stranded in the middle of a body of water with no means to get to shore? I have had the pleasure to do so last Tuesday. Thankfully the way things ended hadn’t really been extreme, but still the feeling I felt was something new.
We had been wake surfing and wake boarding just before until we saw lightning not far off in the sky. Our boat driver Tom decided to turn in for the day seeing a threat to our health. We began full throttle towards the docks hoping to beat any rain.
I sat right behind Tom staring at the shoreline of the canal hating every little strand of hair dancing wildly across my face. You have no idea how annoying they are when they tackle your eyeballs. I was stupid enough to forget the ponytail I lied on my desk ready to go. Eh, oh well. The next to come had eliminated the burning hatred for the strands of hair.
First, I saw Tom whip his head around looking at the back. Second, I heard a loud explosion-like sound where the engine is on the boat. Thirdly, Tom slew down to a stop and turned off engines. Lastly, we all knew this was not good. Tom threw a ‘not again’ expression as this has happened before. The engine blew and wouldn’t start. At this point, I looked around us feeling stranded. A new feeling I have never felt, but to my surprise it wasn’t scary really. Perhaps the situations didn’t make it frightening. If were in the middle of the ocean with no food or drink then there would be time to panic. Our predicament had civilization all around and a boat launch about 100 meters or so away. We did not become floating baboons for the crocodiles!
The boys on the boat hopped out and started to swim the boat in towards shore with a favoring wind. The feeling I had experienced subdued instantly as I became humored watching Will tug the boat at the front with a rope. Everyone who was there got home safely and the boat tailored. Ironically it was going to be traded in a few days later for another boat.
The day ended up interesting leaving my life an experience to look back on.
Skunk Raiders
Skunks, our smelly friendly outdoor neighbors, or so they are in small towns smack dab in the middle of lush wildlife environments. I smell their presumptuous odor as a wake-up alarm in the morning, on Tuesday mornings I see their splurge before trash pickup, they sometimes take nightly walks (I keep a safe distance) with me, or on my runs at the campus’ outdoor trails. Despite their nuisance behavior, I have heard from several people skunks make great pets. Why on Earth would you want something like a skunk? I mean, yah, you can remove the their scent glands, but can you rid of their trash addiction? Another question, do they have vicious personalities? I mean they are wild animals am I right, so they pose some sort of threat because of their animal instincts. For example, I stumbled upon a baby skunk running through the Tech Trails one day. I was startled and so was the little critter. Him (or her) and I both made squeaky noises on the sudden realization that each of us were there. In my panic, I searched quickly with my eyes for mommy, but didn’t think it would be a great idea to stay and wait. Quick steps found me looking back at the little guy remembering how cute he looked. Heh, he did not look so cute that time I glanced back. It seemed he had a smirk on his face as he was turning his behind at me! Dirty little trickster! You get my point anyway.
I have also had the pleasure to brush my leg up on one (much bigger than that cute little bugger) in my pitch-black porch. Intense experience I tell yah, between touching the darn thing and scampering out, I thought about rabies and dying. Told you! They pose a threat to my health! Thank god the trash stealer did not spray his brand perfume.
Interesting though, if one disappears another takes its place. My neighbors, and good friends, across the street have experienced the wondrous trash raids. I believe it was just before 5:00 A.M. Wednesday morning I arose into a half-sleep state. It is the point where you are dreaming and awake accustomed to your dream and the environment around you. It is almost a lucid state of mind. Well, anyway, I heard shouts and thought in my dream someone was shouting and before I could investigate a loud, thunderous sound awoke me. I sat up in my bed looking toward across the street in pitch black. Was that a gunshot?
At this point I heard more shouting and another thunderous sound suggesting it wasn’t a gunshot. I determined it to be something my neighbor was doing, but I had to sneak a peak to see what the heck was going on! I peered through the small hole in my shades to see an interesting site. At first, I thought Nick might have been drunk off his ass as I saw him holding what looked to me like a spear. A motha f’in spear!
I wonder if my mouth dropped at the site. I stared in bewilderment as I watched him wind backward and threw with all his might at the other side of their porch.
BOOM!
My eyes searched the street for any other curious individuals, but to my surprise no one had been awoken. I mean this sound was just as loud as thunder or a gunshot down the street. I also was surprised their duplex neighbors didn’t turn on a single light or wander to the window. I probably would have been cautious, but I would think something like that would perk my interest. I think I would be the one in the movies that would be murdered first, bwah, ha, ha.
Nick grabbed more things such as a broom and kept throwing the items on the other side of the porch. Slightly bewildered still and under the assumption he was intoxicated I was going to call the cops to settle him down. Until I noticed he kept throwing the items with careful aim directly at the same spot on the porch. Wait, a second here, there was that skunk I had seen the previous day wandering their steps. I had realized Nick had stumbled upon a skunk raid. He did not seem so thrilled as I heard every pounding boom echoed down the street. I felt pity for the little guy, but if it had to be the skunk or me I would have probably defended myself as well.
Soon enough, Seth wandered out with pellet gun through their front door. Nick had been shouting at the thing while poking it with something. I wondered if it were dead and hoped it was. Having a slow death like that would not be my choice to go. I lied back down in bed after Seth shot it with the pellet gun and they returned back into their side of the duplex.
An hour and half later I woke up to my alarm for work.
So, I have had the pleasure of riding on a Melissa Hybrid last Sunday. Finally, a board that is my size! Of course, women specific was an added bonus to the mix. Let me tell you, the two differences have made improvements on riding in a matter of minutes on the water. Although, it is only the second board I have ever ridden it has impressed me much.
Bindings that actually fit is an amazing feeling. I have been riding a 136 liquid force board with men size 10 bindings where I have to rake havoc on the strings to tighten it down enough. Even then, the bindings loosen while riding letting my legs dance around. A pain in the butt it is to deal with when it is my turn to be a noob at the sport of wakeboarding. Much thanks to Tom and appreciation, I get to ride the Melissa Hybrid with a binding that fits my foot size. Slipping into these babys tickles my feet with joy.
The first few seconds on top of this board gave different sensations to my feet. First, I could tell the board was definitely smaller in size compared to the last. Second, maneuverability awed me to the point where a smile formed at my lips. This new sensation deemed over any bad beating I might receive afterword. I proceeded to try carving the water to get a better feel of the board; real clean turns I discovered.
Now, for the moment of truth, I had to test it on the wake. Normally, I ride around and bounce over the wakes to warm up my body. I don't feel right if I don't and usually do better if I do this. It is most likely to shake the nerves off, ha! Anyway, I prepare myself by taking a breath in and then pull hard on my toe edge (just like many attempts before). Ya gotta let the line slack a little until it starts to pull again. At this point you switch to the heel edge and try to sit low to bring in the speed. I did so and ended up like every other time, either on top of the other wake or just before it. The boat comes around and my buddy Cam yells out to me, "Sit a little lower and you should have it!"
I shake my head letting him know I understand already have hearing this countless times. However, I think I listened a bit better today at his words. Here I am again pulling out on my toe edge getting ready to make the low, sitting cut on the heel edge remembering very clearly and imaging it. I switch over, pull hard, sit down low, and pow! The third sensation that felt right that day. The feeling I know all so well from snowboarding. The ease that should have been there before by popping up, gliding through the air, and a smooth landing that doesn't make your knees rattle. Yes, a proper clearing of the wake. Unfortunately, under the circumstances, cold water and no wet suit of any kind, I forgot to rejoice with the rest of crew on the boat. Bearing through the cold, I stomped a few more to make sure I could do it again (with added front side 180's off my toes). After taking note that I could not tell if the water was cold anymore I got back onto the boat where uncontrollable shivers consumed my body. I was also told, I had a blue tint as they wrapped me in wet towels and sweatshirts. I have no idea if I was on the verge of hypothermia, but from the sounds of it I was. Fortunately, after sitting under the mass of towels and two of the guys sitting on either side of me the shivers subdued.
Despite the fact of hypothermia, this board put ups to my day. I am sure there are others that are awe inspiring, but this one hits the cake.
Houghton, MI, 49931
(906) 483-0697 Store Hours Mon-Th: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm Fri-Sat: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Rhythm Skate and Snowboard Shop offers a unique, relaxing atmosphere with trendy clothing and accessories, as well as the latest skateboard and snowboard gear. And of course, a fancy antique chair inviting anyone for comfort. The store was founded in 2001, which is owned by three very nice guys; Todd Brookhouse, Joe Schwenk, and Adam Yeoman are the three wonderful people who run the skate shop.
These guys get involved with the community by sponsoring events and hosting events. Jibba Jabba Rail Jam and Snocomp are two events Rhythm hosts annually during the snow season. Ocha Potter Park (OPP) Rail Jam is an event Rhythm sponsored. This past '09 season they built and donated brand new rails to the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge to start OPP.
Jibba Jabba is jam format contest that is held in the street next to the skate shop. Friday the street is blocked off to public vehicles to be filled with snow and for the rails to be set. Saturday is the actual event where registration starts at 10:00am. The event is made up of three snowboarding divisions, a skier division, and a best trick award. Sunday open riding invites anyone for the cost of $5. Helmets are required during this event. The overall turnout of the rail jam is fun and amazing. Especially with Todd being the spokesperson of the event and Lady Gaga music blasting our ears away. Jibba Jabba Rail Jam is typically held during the month of January.
Snocomp is a slopestyle competition held at the local ski hill, Mont Ripley. The event has snowboarding and skier divisions to compete on large jumps and a variety of rails. Typically Snocomp is held during the month of March.
Todd, Joe, and Adam offer a lot to the community by being involved for you. So, what are you waiting for?! Walk your behind on down to support your local skateshop, Rhythm.
