Did That Really Just Happen…Yes, yes it did.

January 31^st…possibly the most ridiculous day of the road trip thus far

It began like any other day in Mammoth…pretty crisp with blue skies.  I had surprisingly slept well and it was miraculously warm out.  Kathleen and I rendezvoused at the apartment to gather up the last of our belongings that we would be storing at Mountain Center for the following week.  Then we got to packing the car and meticulously cleaning our shabby room.

The previous day, somewhat of a miracle happened…we found a place (Z Ranch) to host a benefit and raffle show for Climbing4MS on Friday, February 15^th.  President’s weekend is supposed to be one of the busiest times at Mammoth, therefore saying we are psyched is an understatement!  After getting the wonderful news we tidied up a bit before our employee party where delicious food and great company were a constant, not to mention we watched Hot Dog (an 80s ski movie, when EJ was in his prime).

Anyways back to the 31^st…We went around town after dropping off the keys to our room and posted flyers up.  We received good feedback and more donations for the raffle from some of the outdoor and coffee shops in Mammoth.  We headed to Mountain Center to drop off our last load when we realized how warm it was outside and then the lightbulb turned on…”Why don’t we go skiing in jeans and be ridiculous, well just because we can and it's our last day in town?”

Skiing in jeans...yea

Somehow when this came out of my mouth it didn't sound half bad so we added…”Why not in matching tank tops too?”  It was settled.  We parked the car, returned to Mountain Center, and changed into jeans, matching neon Giddy tank tops, white beanies, goggles, mittens and ski boots just before grabbing a bottle of bubbly.

Stretching out at the top of Canyon Express 

Champagne was sipped not very properly on the gondie ride from the village.  Once on the mountain we put on our skis and wrapped Champagne in our capes (also doubled as Stuessy sweatshirts).  We had forfeited ski poles in order to hold Champagne and for added enjoyment which was one of the best decisions of the day.  We were received well on the slopes; our tank tops deterred anyone from making judgments about the fact that we were wearing JEANS!  The lifties were super psyched for us and swiftly got us on the chair where we drank the rest of the Champagne heavily. 

Andre!

At the top we buckled our boots and made the rule(s)…

Rule #1: Don’t wipe out

So Kathleen says she was impressed that I could ski and I swear I can but…here’s a look at run #1.  What a beauty to be caught on tape

Well after that the skiing got a bit smoother although the altitude was affected us with alcohol a little bit more.  We skied to Main Lodge and said hello to some friends that looked at us with the “wow you are slightly ridiculous” expression.  That didn’t bother us because we were off to better things upstairs…ice cream, beer, and sunshine.  We sat outside chatting until a friendly boss-ish type person stopped by leaving us tongue-tied.  He chatted like we were sitting in our work uniforms instead of neon tanks and jeans, yet we were fairly mortified that he probably thinks we ski like this all the time.  Oh well we were tipsy and it was time to head back and hit the road.

We drove to San Diego and stopped for dinner where Kathleen had her very first experience at Taco Bell.

Things just got real.

February 3^rd…possibly the best day of the road trip thus far

Once again it started like any normal day.  And once again I had surprisingly slept superbly next to Kathleen in the car.  We woke up in a San Diego Wal-Mart parking lot, content as could be.  We weren't exactly sure what was on the agenda for today so we started with the usual…into Wal-Mart for some teeth brushing.  Once our hygiene was in order it was off to Starbucks, which we went to in a roundabout way.  We updated the blog and all that jazz before we realized there was a kitten adoption happening at a pet store.  Obviously we made our rounds and played with them, simply because we miss animals and like to feel our hearts ache.

Then it was on to business.  It was nearing 11 o’clock and I was supposed to call a representative from Head to see if he wanted to do lunch with us.  He should’ve just been getting off a place from the gear show in Denver so I doubted he would have the energy to go to lunch with two random girls he met in Mammoth.  I gave him a ring and on the third ring I realized I would be leaving a message and Leena and I would be eating lunch on some beautiful beach, just the two of us.  But then he picked up and said lunch at noon, well there was nothing else to say except “alright see ya there” and try to contain my excitement and nervousness. 

We looked in the mirror…shit.  Our hair was greasier than fries from McDonalds and we were a mess.  Showers were necessary seeing as we really wanted to make good impressions.  We found the closest beach and scouted a shower…20 minutes until lunch.  I ran back to the car to get Leena and our shower stuff, yes we would be taking pretty legit showers in beach access rinse off showers.  We turned the corner and all of the once empty spigots were consumed by surfers of all ages.  We didn't have time, we hesitated for a mere second, grabbed the shampoo and let the frigid water coat ourselves.  We were definitely the talk of all who caught a glimpse, people starred and giggled and one surfer even remarked “Wow, ya’ll really are homeless huh?”  Oh well, it was an experience that has turned into a story, but you have to do something when you've got greasy hair and an important lunch meeting.

We did get asked if we were homeless.

We pulled into Schooner or Later in the Marina near Long Beach and it’s packed, there is no way we are getting a table anytime soon.  I call Steve and he simply says walk straight and you’ll see me.  We all reunite with friendly hugs and are then introduced to the rest of the party.  Everyone hit it off splendidly and we’re chatting about gear shows and how Schooner or Later has been on the Real Eats TV Show a number of times and everyone at the table (minus us) has appeared on the show.  The food was out of this world, right behind the company.  As we’re chatting Leena and I realize that the gentleman to my right, the one I’ve been joking that he is looking better by the minute from the specialty mimosa I’m drinking, that guy owns the place.  We are eating lunch with the owner of one of the most well-known restaurants in California.  He proceeds to tell us what other restaurants he owns while the Head rep invites us to stay in EJ’s room that evening as long as we can handle getting attacked by terrors of love.

The terrors of love...Mya & Sam

As we left lunch with plenty of delicious left overs we couldn’t get to the car fast enough.  We softly spoke “just make it to the sound proof box…shut the doors…shut the doors.”  Then yes squeals of 12 yr old girls vacated our bodies as we tried to convince ourselves “yes that really just happened.”

The rest of the day we go on a tour of Denny’s restaurants.  After Schooner or Later we made our way to Schooner at Sunset.  This was more of a pirate bar, that was fantastic!  Great beer on tap and of course served in Schooners!  Major cool points…there was an outside shower on the back on the restaurant for surf breaks for the employees.  It had hot water too…how I wish we would’ve known this a few hours earlier.

Maybe the best beer I've ever had.  Victory At Sea at Schooner at Sunset!

We then changed into nicer attire and made our way to his upscale Asian restaurant, Tantalum, which has the best view for miles.  The Super bowl was on the Television but I couldn't stop starring at the view.  (By the way, could anyone else only think about The Little Giants Movie during the bowl?)  The bar looked over the water, and at sunset, it took me back to Holden Beach, my childhood, and my Dad.  The drinks here were sophisticated and there was something for everyone.  Weather you wanted to stick to the stellar Happy Hour menu or order a quality Asian dish the opportunities were endless.

We headed to Steve’s house off the Pacific Coast Highway where we were warmly welcomed by the girls and Steve.  We had a recap of the Super bowl and watched the Budweiser Clydesdale commercial that our fellow lunch goers were in.  We crawled into, quite possibly the largest bed I have ever slept in and settled in for the night in a house that fondly reminded me of my Oma’s house.  Sleep was on the agenda, shortly after some crosswords, since tomorrow we would be guiding for Climbing4MS.

Thank you to everyone who have helped make everything in my life “really happen.”