So, I’m back where it all started, sitting on a plane in Seattle, ready to head back to Denver. It’s been a great trip.
It’s really been a three part experience. Firstly, friends.
The man who was the best man at my wedding, one of my best friends since we first met more than 16 years ago, now lives on a farm in rural Tasmania. I live in Central Denver, a 24 hour combination of trains, planes and automobiles away. The chances we get to spend quality times limited, and while we get in our monthly Zoom calls, it’s not the same as hanging out together, on the slopes, in the hot tub, or round the card table with a cold Molson in hand.
Lachy wasn’t the only friend I got to spend time with. Geoff, Lachy’s father, and Dougall, his brother, along with a cast of extras were there for the ride. Some I knew quite well, like Matt, a friend I made later in life who make me laugh time and again, and knows a LOT about a lot. Today we got a full lecture on the history of the Chinese Opium Wars, instigated by our excursion into the degeneracy of Hastings Street.
Meeting Dougal’s mates was interesting. Apart from being 6’4+, they were all off doing different things. One is about to go off farming in the Western Districts, another is an insurance broker in London. One is a film producer in LA, another helps early stage start ups in Sydney. They were all super nice guys, and excellent skiers. It was a pleasure to meet them.
Last but not least, it was a treat to be able to catch up with our Canadian based friends. Mel and Angus joined us for dinner on Saturday night, and I had the pleasure of having brunch with our friends Chris and Michelle, who are living extremely busy lives right now. They’re moving into their new house, are expecting a baby, and have been flat out at work. I’m super proud of them all.
The next part of the trip was the skiing. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t always amazing. This has been the worst snow season in 30 years at Whistler, meaning it was often icy at the top, and slushy at the bottom. Visibility was mixed, although often cloudy, and the temperature was mild. But while conditions weren’t excellent, it was still great fun. The runs in Whistler are long, meaning you can turn, and turn, and turn. Great fun.
Going up in the helicopter was something else. The chance to ski powder without interruption was an incredible experience, and one I would love to do again someday day. The three dimensional aspect of it, and the remoteness, and you have an unforgettable experience.
The final thing I will take from this trip is my time in Vancouver. Countries and cities have good times and bad, grand golden periods and dark Middle Ages. Vancouver is, sadly, having a rough period. Walking back one night, I was reminded that the city felt like Gotham. Dark. Dangerous. Drug addicts living on the street. Fiends smoking crack pipes every few feet. Filth and decay. Among all of this, was every known luxury product store. People stepping over the destitute to get to the Tiffany or Patek Philippe store isn’t a great look.
The combination of the grim weather, the ugly architecture, and urban blight means that Vancouver isn’t my favourite city. But BC is beautiful, and the friends I have there make it worthwhile to visit time and time again.
Overall, a great trip. If you want tips, I’ve got some now!
But for now, what I look forward to most is getting back to see my wife. Not long now!
Leave a Reply