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Mobile Lifestyle Praise P2

Yahoo Message Number: 77785
Hi - Previously in "Mobile Lifestyle Praise" we setup the bus base camp in the Montrose, CO area. This was a 4 month stay for us and allowed us easy access to the San Juan Mountains just outside of Ouray, CO. The original email and video to the CC news group is archived
here:

http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=88#Post88
An interesting feature of being out west is that destinations between 400 and 1000 miles apart offer significantly different outdoor experiences. Coupling that with seasonal change offers one access to a very diverse set of activities. Experiencing the best places at the best times is made much easier by being "mobile" which allows base camp to be relocated according to one's appetite for adventure. On an extended stay basis, you can drill down into some interesting places. If it rains the day you planned your outing, you just wait until the next nice day. The meter runs at a much slower pace than those needing to work within a 1 week vacation window. Something we did for over 30+ years when vacations were fit in and around everything else. Sometimes they were even cancelled.

Now Jeannie and I enjoy outdoor activities at a more relaxed pace. Those that present both physical and technical challenges can be savored. When prep work and planning are required there's time to methodically address it. In many cases we find ourselves coming into a venue with little to no experience or knowledge. In many ways it mirrors how we got involved in full timing. I think the mental and physical challenges are healthy and we are grateful to have the time now to enjoy them. Overcoming these challenges and seeing progress is rewarding and educational. The bus has played a key role in allowing us the ability to ramp up our travel activities. Cell phones, WiFi and digital media take the whole experience to the next level.

As I write we are just about 3/4 of the way through our 3rd 8 month stint at Park City, UT. The draw here was easy access to skiing. Surprisingly there aren't too many places nationally that are as convenient as this area is. For mobile travelers, you need a place to park the bus. If you ski 3-4 times per week, as we do, you need safe and well maintained roads to and from the resort. For that reason we chose Deer Valley as our ski destination. It works logistically and we can get to/from the resort in bad weather. Those needing to travel up/down Little Cottonwood Canyon to access Alta or Snowbird will find canyon roads treacherous. During bad weather they require chains. When it's really bad they just close the road altogether. If you ski during a storm (which we do) by 4pm you might find yourself trapped in the resort's parking lot because of a road closure. I'm told some of the area resorts will allow you to sleep on the floor of the lobby. At this point, that isn't something I find appealing. Luckily our choice of ski resorts and travel logistics hasn't seen us faced with an entrapment.

Our goal was to become competent recreational skiers in 3 seasons allowing us to embark on some ski mountaineering and perhaps kite skiing. Deer Valley has provided a wide range of skiing from green butter runs to double black diamond elevator shafts. They also have a good amount of glade and tree skiing which the resort isn't usually known for. These quasi "back country" areas have been a valuable training vehicle for us. Without the bus, none of this would have been possible.

We have been traveling between Montrose (4 month stay) and Park City (8 month stay). I think this will be our last winter stay in Park City which totals 24 months. That's about 1.5 million vertical feet and some 1,800 miles of sliding. Tabulating ski days (about 177) that's the equivalent of 35 years of 1 week (5 days) annual ski vacations. Ironically neither of us are really into the ski resort culture. The sport itself is another matter, however. Luckily we've been able to distance ourselves from the negative aspects and just focus on the challenges of skiing. We played with the helmet camera a bit and shot this
video:

http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=89#Post89 It gives a reasonable cross section of the skiing we did last season. Sadly this season hasn't produced the snow levels of last season. But conditions have perked up a bit albeit late in the game. When the day is done, it's about getting outdoors, exploring interesting areas and enjoying one another's company. Just a couple of knuckleheads running on Motrin and false hopes. Don't forget to bring a sense of humor along with you on the journey.

Best - Scott

2006 Allure 430 #31349
(Bus-Stead Lemon)