Jan 14 - Whistler Day 6 of 8

Time is flying by as we fly down the hills.  Yesterday we covered a lot of ground, starting at Whistler and doing a few runs then taking Peak-to-Peak over to Blackcomb and enjoying the sun at 7th Heaven.    The crowds were non-existant, even on 7th Heaven.

We have a temperature inversion now.  It was warm at the peak yesterday and then as we descend to mid-statiion level, quite cold and damp.  A fog hung over the middle of the mountain, very pretty from above in the sun.

Today it's even warmer -- +4 at the peak and -7 in the valley.  However, today those plus temps extend down to mid-station so we'll be skiing everything but top to bottom.  Yesterday we only did a couple of runs down to Garbanzo on Whistler and to the Glacier/Jersey Cream on Blackcomb, focussing instead on staying warm.

It was delightful !  By the looks of things, today will be even better.

There's quite a change since the last time we skied here, or anywhere for that matter.  It used to be that I was the unusual one with a cell phone doing business calls while riding the gondola or simply checking voicemail.  Now EVERYONE has a smartphone and EVERYONE is reading emails, texting, talking (less talking).  I'm in the minority because I'm not doing that on the lifts ... mainly because I don't have a data plan in Canada !  All the big chalets have free Telus Wireless so I can check email there.

We received the home inspection sign-off yesterday; check that box.  

I bought a new inner jacket that was on special and left my thin fleece at the Roundhouse/Pika's for later pickup, which I did prior to the last run down.  I simply stuffed the plastic bag and fleece into my jacket, looking very gutty or chesty, depending on your point of view :).  Since I wear my Salomon fanny pack, it couldn't slip down.

Expecting warmer temps, I wore my HH shell yesterday and pants, rather than the one-piece.  I'll do the same today and tomorrow, although I will probably drop even more clothing today ... will have to figure that out.

My shoulder ... is ok for the most part when I'm skiing unless I have to catch myself off-balance and then that wrench really hurts.  I can now lift a coffee cup without tucking my right elbow right into my side, which is progress.  I don't think that this is going to go away of its own volition.  We'll see.  Perhaps a few days not skiing and warm weather in Florida will help ?  I went to the hot tub with Sandy at the end of the skiing day ... I know ... I have to use the hot tub once every 10 years whether I like it or not.  It felt much better in the hot tub and I exercised the arm through its arc in a swimming motion without any pain.

We went into town a little early and wandered around looking for a birthday gift for Megan.  Sandy had something in mind and wasn't finding it.  I shop differently, when I find something suitable, I buy it.  Sandy has to eliminate every other possibility and then go back to the store for her mentally-chosen item.  We found something; will go back tonight and buy when we go into town for dinner.

We ate at Caramba's ... excellent as before.  The calamari, slightly nuked, I think she said and then tossed with olive oil and garlic and spices in a saute pan, no breading.  Wonderful !  I had the Penne Caramba as my main, which has chorizo sausage thinly sliced.  Sandy had the salmon pasta; I forget the name.  I think that we've settled on La Bocca for dinner tonight and then may go back to Caramba.

The neat thing about Caramba is that the kitchen is beside you, so you watch them preparing everything.  The cooks provide the entertainment !

Another day was done.

Onward ... upward and downward ...