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| Stan prefers Squaw to Lahontan |
[Editor's Note: What follows is Larry's overly generous, somewhat snarky take on our ski weekend. Naturally, I've added my own annotations to counter Larry's exuberance.]
A big thanks to Andrew for opening up his new cottage, cabin, mansion to us this weekend. While my room felt a bit like being back at summer camp, especially when bunking with John and Dan, upscale resort living was the theme of the weekend. Although we had to dig out of snow drifts a couple of times, nobody complained when we were forced to stay an extra day living the aprés-ski life. [Ed. Note: I would have complained were it not for Dean's tasty Sunday dinner.]
As has become standard for these weekends, the meals were MBC calorie-and-cholesterol-be-damned masterpieces. Dean's lamb (and lamb-less) curry, Tom's lasagna, and Paul's crepes were highlights along with the seemingly endless supply of great wines. [Ed. Note: Don't forget Terry's breakfast feast, your own lunches-to-go, and Dan's soothing Manhattans.]
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| Larry's almonds, a few cookies, and an empty bottle...dinner's over |
Entertainment is always an attraction of these weekends and this weekend was extra special once we determined how to access Andrew's Pay-Per-View account. It was money well spent as we focused on the most highbrow of movies: Clash of the Titans and Venom. It was also a good weekend to watch golfers of our vintage at Pebble show the young Turks how it's done -- thanks Phil Mickelson and Bill Murray! That said, Andrew, we need a bigger screen next year with a better aspect ratio. I'm partial to the one in this URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br9yftCP9Mg (just saying). [Ed. Note: If you buy it, I'll install it.]
When we were forced into direct conversation due to numerous lapses in Andrew's high-tech entertainment system, we found ourselves engaged in manly topics such as pickup trucks (see related WSJ article https://www.wsj.com/articles/detroits-latest-offering-big-pickups-at-bigger-prices-11549886400), driving in snow, and our favorite -- what ails you? [Ed. Note: Well, that was mostly what ails Stan, since he's endured every possible sportsman's trauma in the last couple years.]
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| The driveway that defeated Tom's 4-wheel drive |
The highlights of the weekend were several forays into the wild to search out the local coffee scene. One trip required a carpool to town where we learned from one of our members how to chat up a 20-something barista using poetry (who knew?). Another required breaking a trail through thigh deep snow, only to be rewarded with $9 cappuccinos. The last, however, was truly MBC perfect. We were treated (i.e., as in they were free) to custom made espresso drinks and affogatos by Andrew's affable neighbor, who's an espresso aficionado, whose equipment and knowledge rival the best San Francisco restaurants (hint -- bean uniformity), and whose home is the one Andrew should have built. [Ed. Note: Yes, John and Nancy's company, their coffee bar (viva Tinito Rose Café!), and their stylish new home were all lovely.]
So THANK YOU AGAIN ANDREW for a truly memorable MBC weekend in a new and wonderful place. Of course Andrew will need to top this next year, so I can't wait to claim my comped room at the Ritz Carlton-Northstar (or can you at least figure out how to directly access the Martis lift from the cabin?). [Ed. Note: If Stan or George won't trade up to Martis Camp, maybe Doug will negotiate access rights for us.]
[Ed. Postscript: The abundant snow at Northstar made for a terrific ski day--terrific, that is, if one ignores the 30,000-vertical-foot goal that Dean scripted for those foolish enough to hang with him. The overnight snowfall forced Tom to put chains on at the bottom of the driveway and buried Dan's car at the top. But the worst was Stan's treacherous drive back to Squaw Valley: what should have taken 20 minutes took 2 hours. We can only hope for this kind of snow next year....In the meantime, a brief photo gallery below.]
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| A simple walk proves chancy...thanks to John |
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| Still cold, but spectacular weather |
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| Dan's car, covered by a snow angel |
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| When brushing in the dark, Terry errs |
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| Looking down the Martis run from the top of Lookout |
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| John digs out |
