Whistler trip 2024-2025

Above is probably one of my favorite places in Whistler -- the Daylodge at Whistler Olympic Park where I write, cross country ski and occasionally snowshoe. More later.

I have been negligent in writing in the blog for the trip. There will be much rejoicing. I'll go kinda chronologically henceforth. To the left is me at Badlands in South Dakota. I have already done a blog on the subject, but I thought another pic would be nice. Spectacularly crazy place.

Really needs very little introduction, but I still shed a few tears at the poignant rendering of the Star Spangled Banner in a twilight ceremony that simply is a must see. Go!!!!

Next stop was Oliver, BC where the Area 27 race track is. To the right is the 'overland' obstacle course. I write about it in #MemoirsFromTheDruze: "...‘Cuda began with a concise explanation, “Look. This course is actually designed by Chevrolet, so it goes to the max of this little vehicle’s capabilities.  For example, if the hill feature was maybe one or two degrees steeper, you’d roll.  First thing is look at the instrumentation on the dash.  Gotta built in inclinometer that depicts the cab’s pitch and roll—gotta max of 29-degree decline, and a max roll of 35%, and either one of those will get your full attention.”

Joud asked, “Does the course go to those extremes?”

‘Cuda answered directly, “No.  They don’t push it quite that much.  Especially for a novice, you’ll see the tracks you take will require all of your concentration.  Anyways, take a look at the infotainment screen.  You see you have options to toggle each differential on or off independently.  That really comes in useful.  Also, there are different modes—Tow/Haul; Off-Road; Terrain; Baja. I’ve already configured it for off road.  There are some spots—like the river bed trail—where you could slip into ‘terrain’, but probably don’t need it. 

The modes relate more to comfort in shock absorption.  The speed-sensitive spool-valve dampers are what really sets this truck apart; when the going gets rough, the position-sensitive dampers maintain a firm grip on the terrain, soaking up harsh impacts but still communicating a lot of information from the surface.”

Here is the actual race track. I write some more in #MemoirsFromTheDruze: "...Over the radio, Kelly coached, “That was nice. You’ll feel the effects of super elevation holding the car on line as the vertical profile compresses you into your seat. Focus.”

Disappearing asphalt and blue-sky left Joud searching for a reference for a turn-in point. The distant 7,900’ peak of Chopaka Mountain in Washington State would suffice. Approaching Turn 7, he applied a heel-toe downshift to avoid over-slowing at corner entry by getting into the lower gear at a higher speed through the blip of the throttle to increase his engine revs.

Sharply, Kelly interrupted, “Careful.  You may experience the rear of the car wanting to ‘step out’!”

In the zone, Joud nodded, not even thinking Ted could not see his affirmation.  He slowed down by maybe 2 kph and adjusted his line to the next turn.  The track flowed by, his full concentration nearly nirvanic. He pushed through the gears, pulsed on the brakes as he knew he was too far to the right and that an early apex would make a mess of this section.  He got off the brake pedal before adding steering input for the downhill entry into Turn 14, and with just a slight tail wiggle, he caused the ‘Vette to slightly understeer, nothing catastrophic. Correcting his speed, balance and line he properly hit the late apex of Turn 15 and set himself up nicely for the uphill run through Turn 16.  He confidently crested the hill and crossed the finish line..."

Finally, I arrive at the destination: Whistler, baby. Here is mostly peak foliage downtown. In the foothills to the west of Rt 99, the ridges have streaks of gold from the aspens that glow against the backdrop of green firs and spruce. Make no mistake, around mid-November, you know: Winter is Coming.

Upon arrival in Whistler, preparations began nearly immediately to assemble a team to row for #Alzheimers and to raise money for that cause. My brother ran the show via #OarsOfHope from Maine, but it was the #WhistlersWarriorTeam that raised over $7500 for a very noble cause! I've already had three more 'volunteers' sign up for next years effort, and I will likely double my weekly distance from 10K to 20K (even if the snow piles up in early December)... elsewhere in this blog, I point out why Alzheimer's means so much to me (https://www.authormikebennett.com/blog).

This is what it is ALL about. At least for me. Two feet of POW, bottled lightening in crystalline form-- slick and yielding; cold, but hot. I come here, after trudging with a 25' trailer in pull, the poor, ol' Zamboni wheezing up 7000' foot climbs through the Cascade Mountain range at Snoqualmie Pass...and then, a clandestine personal meet with my man @Blue_Prop in which I pass to him my G43 for safekeeping for when I penetrate the border. No shit-- there I wuz-- the Canadian border guard actually pulled me into secondary! A passage from #MemoirsFromTheDruze: "...He came to a small shack with a raisable red-striped barrier gate, another uniformed guard bristling with self-importance, behind which stood another small structure with no windows.

Thiago rolled his window down, the guard indicating him to proceed another 7 inches, then barking, “Stop! Papers!”

Thiago initiated a conversation to roll back the tenseness as he handed his role-play ‘passport’ denoting his Venezuelan citizenship, “Good morning, my friend.”

The guard snatched the documentation, looked at Thiago hard, looked down at the passport photo, looked at Thiago again with a frown, down at the picture, back down to his face.  Summarizing his disdain, the guard queried, “What is purpose of visiting Pineland?”

This Winter became VERY Wintery as Arctic winds swept south down the coast. Down the thermometer the mercury dipped-- we probably averaged 0-5 deg F most nights for at least 3 weeks. I can assure you the R-factor of Airstream insulation is insufficient for such abuse. For those of you who lean towards testicular comparisons, yes, I nearly froze my balls off. It did not really snow for weeks at a time, and it was too damn cold to ski on the mountain. I went one time-- did maybe 4 runs on Crystal, and after realizing the tip of my nose was becoming dangerously sensitive, I waved off. Instead, I drove down to Squamish (there is a restaurant called The Copper Coil that plays a lot of Otis Redding/Soul and Blues...), and got me a pair of hockey skates. I had not skated for nearly 40 years! I will say this about my Canadian hosts-- MFs can skate. On day one, I could still cross over both left and right-- but couldn't stop. Day two, I could cross over (both left...) going backwards and added stopping to my repertoire. Day three, I was Bobby Orr reborn.

I dabbled in ballistic endeavors at Whistler Olympic Park. I strove to look as TactiCool as @DolioJ, but probably failed miserably as Rhodesian Brush Stroke cammies were no where to be found. Speaking of Joe, he is mentioned in...you guessed it...#MemoirsFromTheDruze: "... Of course, the class turned around in their seats to see a fairly rotund and balding man with gnarled hands, a bit on the short side, and with a somewhat simple, vapid look.  He was wearing a shirt of what many refer to as God’s Plaid and, very incongruently, a pair of cargo shorts festooned in a Rhodesian brushstroke camouflage pattern..."

The route home and plan, you ask? Adventures include Reno, NV; Lake Tahoe spring skiing; Yosemite; and a week at Gunsite in Paulsen,AZ where I'll do some 3-gun shooting and some other 'research'... Until next time, stay frosty.