With another snowstorm creating more travel woes in Denver, I decided to extend my Christmas visit to New York and took the A train up to Harlem last night to pay my respects to Mr. Dynamite, James Brown.
The Godfather of Soul passed away on Christmas Day at 73. Fittingly, he went out in style.
“Caution: Moving walk is nearing its end. Please watch your step. Thank you.”
The last few days have proven that going back East for Christmas can be a nightmare, and not just of the fruitcakes-and-frankincense variety.
Here’s an insider’s account of the slumber party at Denver International Airport.
Euphoria. It’s cold again, the snow is soft, and the sun is shining. Nothing like a bluebird powder day, on the heels of holiday merriment, to set your head (and body) straight.
On Teton Pass, new ski ambassador Jay Pistono was walking the beat. The parking scene was refreshingly mellow, owing no doubt to a big turnout at the Village. Pistono reported big slides on Taylor Mountain and Little Tuck’s, but no ski tracks near either, thankfully.
Brr. National Weather Service forecast calling for 5 below and breezy tonight, with wind chill of 18 to 23 below. Somebody hasn’t informed them, apparently, that we have an old saying around Jackson Hole: Wind chill is for wimps. Lows for Sunday and Monday could dip to 15 below.
Welcome to the new Jackson Hole, where winter temperature swings of 55 degrees in the span of a day or two are not uncommon.
No laps for lift riders on the Town Hill today.
It rained yesterday evening up to 7,500 feet, a lift worker told me as I hiked up the slope this morning. Colder temperatures overnight left the main lift-serviced runs, umm, firm.
“This was a sheet of ice,” the worker told me. “Ski patrol looked at it this morning and said no way.”
Well, more solace for those who’d rather earn their turns.
The only thing weirder than last year’s rain in December is this year’s. Because it’s happening again. Because by looking outside you’d want to invest in a skiff boat rather than a pair of skis.
Latest vids from The Snaz.com: High country diary by Teton AT.com: