_smoochyquemas_ PeeT smoochyquemas _smoochyquemas after a luxurious, eyes closed, poof! gone! sleep, i delighted under the surging power of twin showerheads as a rare morning sun poured through the fourth floor window. kathy lounged about in a restoration hardware robe,(complete with a hood)and together we contemplated breakfast with the aid of the ubiquitous jambox pumping out a decision-making mix. it was our first full day in portland. the lid on the box sprung open! the ace hotel offered a continental breakfast in room 215 for $8 featuring charcuterie, brioche, oatmeal, and juices so we simply descended the two flights and stepped inside the quaint breakfast nook. ambient jazz played quietly. a lone 30-something jeans and flannel-wearing gentleman stood behind a wood and glass counter with his mouth-watering provisions displayed in elegant availability. there was a chalkboard announcing the expansive menu, vintage signs spread about to provide coziness and more communal tables looking out to a small rooftop garden made from turning two load palettes on their sides and filling them in with soil and plants. of course there was mmoss because portland rain+nature's ferocity = an abhorred vacuum. he greeted us warmly and explained how it all worked. we could have anything or as much as we wanted by helping ourselves for it was set out for easy access. if we wanted oatmeal, he prepared that himself separately. all the plates were vintage and unique. even the coffee cups and silverware were individual. it was his gig and the dude was a friendly champ. he told us he was from eugene and how he loves what he does, making trips to local markets to procure the best stuff. the fare killed! all of it was the finest...fresh fruits and berries, raw butter, croissants, primo meats, sheep and goat cheeses, and the oatmeal was absolute perfection. he had been to all the ace hotels to train other nooks like his. we told him we heard about the ace opening a hotel in pittsburgh where we live and he knew about it. so if he gets sent there to train he's going to contact us so we can hang out. 120402 ... PeeT as we ate, two bed-headed gentlemen entered. they were greeted with the same amicable welcome, gathered their goodies and sat near us. kathy, her engagement net always in hand, caught a butterfly in their fluttering conversation and moments later we were immersed in conversation, introducing themselves as moose from nyc and austin, a local. moose worked in media and told us about his wife's foodie blog, "jane says," and offered up a few portland cafes for us to try and we shared dining experiences in manhattan. austin worked for nike snowboards. when i shared news about my work story with the snowsports school at seven springs in pennsylvania, he mentioned he heard about forum snowboards' connection with our new terrain park called "the streets and how it was groundbreaking. since our plans for the day were to drive up to mt. hood, he gave us general advice on where to go. valuable insight since we were clueless. he was also a filmmaker and had a short film play at the toronto film festival. i love how easy it is to connect with fellow tribe members. we all share these particular points of like adventure that work their energetic way to the surface like shiny flashes of gold, little explosions of magnetic fireworks that radiate sudden wonder outwards until they disappear into the ever moving day in search of the next show. yet they are not gone. they become something new to add to the treasure box. 120404 ... PeeT mt. hood looms with ephemeral majesty over portland like the presence of god, always there in a multitude of visages. the first time we caught a glimpse along our drive to ski at timberline it took our breath away. i remember saying, "holy christ!" or something like that. there's nothing like beholding ineffable beauty for the first time. this sense of childhood wonder we never lose. suddenly it appeared out of a blanket of clouds, the curtains of the world dramatically pulled open to reveal a true white absent of even the capacity of transgression, as if light's substance had accumulated into one place, here, now, for us. the road up there meandered through small fir-lined towns, at first snow-less and then as we ascended and elevation increased, the white stuff was everywhere and deep. the choice to rent a 4x4 proved wise with the two lane now covered and slippery. we took it slow, combining our careful climb with wide-eyed fascination at the endless, spreading frosted wonderland. the red light flashing of emergency vehicles forced us to slow down to a stop where a vehicle had slid into a ditch and was being towed out, giving us a chance to truly appreciate the panoramic view. once it finally cleared and we were given the go to proceed we found we had arrived. timberline is only one of several areas for snowsports at mt. hood. there is also meadows,government camp, ski bowl, summit, and ski west. we chose timberline since kathy wasn't skiing. she wanted to hang out in the famous lodge that was used for the exterior shots of kubrick's pyscho-thriller, "the shining." it was thrilling to realize we were at the top of the massive mountain we had seen from portland. we were fucking on it. i noticed temperatures had dropped thirty degrees as i dug out my ski clothes from the suitcase. there were some huge ravens walking about, perhaps looking for a hand out. i brought my uniform and helmet from my job at the snowsports school along with a letter requesting a discount for the lift ticket but the dude at the office, after investigating, said our resort had no reciprocating offer so i had to pay full price. whatever_the_fuck. it's always interesting to visit a different ski resort to compare worlds, immediately discovering things i liked and did not like. i had to rent skis of course, which is always nice and selected 160 carving demos and new fischer boots, then stuffed my uggs in a locker, wished kathy fun, and was off into the new powder. 120407 ... PeeT being a weekday, i didn't expect much of a crowd on the slopes and there wasn't. however, i did see two instructors involved in their lessons. the dude asked me which school i taught at since it was emblazoned on the back of my jacket. i told him and grabbed an opportunity for some slope direction. he pointed me towards the beginner area as a joke. when i was reaching for my trail map, the useless letter requesting a lift ticket discount blew to the ground and was carried away by the wind. i thought that was an apt metaphor. besides, it will make an interesting piece for a found paper collector. at breakfast, austin told me timberline is known for its mile long intermediate trails so i began there and was not disappointed. conditions were perfect, initially with sunshine and a mix of packed powder and ungroomed fluff along the trees. it was huge fun for sure. all i could think about was how bad i wanted a new pair of boots for next year. the skis were responsive and giving. as time flew on, the weather seemed to be in a constant state of flux. clouds rolled in, bringing short blasts of snow, then wisped out offering brief glimpses of sunshine. i was so impressed with the vastness of the area and the hushed silence. all i could hear were my two lungs inhaling and exhaling. sometimes i was all alone, especially when i explored the trees. once i reached a property line that was out of the service of ski patrol. there were signs warning of impending danger if i proceeded any further. i imagined going on and just disappearing. three hours passed by like three minutes. i met kathy back at the rental shop to return my gear. she had quite the time exploring timberline lodge, shooting photos and making new friends, old and young. she was blown away. i could tell. i love when she has adventures apart from me. hearing her tell the stories of her adventures is music. 120412 what's it to you? who go blather from