Evolution

I can still remember the first time I went snowboarding. I was probably about 10 or so. Mckell took me of course, she was pretty much my only exposure to life outside of Gunnison. We were at Elk Meadows. I had glasses, no real snow clothing so I had just layered tons of sweats and sweatshirts. My glasses kept fogging up and I remember crashing so hard I did a barrel role down the mountain and hit myself in the head with my board. I hated it. And this was pretty much my experience with snowboarding, randomly here and there, for the next 10 years. I always wanted to be able to do it, but it was so expensive and it just wasn't happening. Then Logan and I got married. His history of snowboarding was similar to mine, except he actually has some natural skill. We went the year we were married and decided it was a hobby we wanted to acquire. So we scrounged together some snow clothes and old boards and drug Logan's siblings along. We taught them what we knew, which wasn't much, but we all enjoyed it enough that it caught on. Every Christmas break for the next 4 years we would go as much as we could. We were even able to squeeze in one trip last year when Jack was born. We usually just go to Fairview where it is free and every now and then we hit a resort. And slowly over the years we have accumulated proper gear which made such a difference. Really, the first time we went we had some Wal-Mart boards, farm boots and Lafe was in his pajamas. We still don't go much, just usually over the break, and we are by no means amazing. But, it is fun to see the progress we have made. And I love it because it has sort of become a tradition. We always stop at Terrell's in Mnt Pleasant and get a bucket of fried chicken and some snacks and I say our travel prayer that no once will get hurt. Logan's parents are to thank for lending us the truck, sending us with food, and babysitting Jack.

We went the first year we were married and decided it was our hobby.

Notice the sweatpants and farm boots.

This was a snowboard I bought from Jorgen Jensen. It was terrible. So heavy, like a plank.

Like I said, Logan has always had natural skill.

So we rounded up a crew and went. I taught Mad and Hannah. Logan and Lafe dropped us off and literally an hour and a half later, we made it to the bottom. I had to unstrap and dig out both Madee and Hannah a couple of times. Lafe is wearing pajamas.

This is 2008. Apparently I didn't take any pics of 2007. We are starting to have proper clothing.

Colby Caldwell and Madee

Lafe

Madee

2008 at Beaver Mountain

2009. Logan

Me

Madee

We took a big group this time. Bradly Jackson came snowboarding. I am pretty sure he had never been before but he is fearless and just flew down the mountain. We have never had an injury in our group, except this trip. He flew off a jump and got a concussion.

Madee and Lafe came to visit and we took them to Beaver Mnt.

Mckell and her cousin visited too.

2010. I had Jack a couple months before but we were still able to go in March to Sundance.

2011. Our most recent trip. Logan was a trooper and was our driver even though he couldn't go (shoulder surgery). But we just may try one more time this year so he can come. Good times.