Powder and Ice

Powder and Ice, Bretton Woods, NH, January 2006, HP Photosmart R817, Exposure 125/5071 sec @ f4., ISO 102, no flash © Steven Crisp

What do you want in life? Do you want the good or the bad? Of course, "the good" you say. But then how will you really appreciate it? Indeed, how will you even know it is "good"? Do you want powder or ice? Take them both for better appreciation. See how sharp your edges are. Or revel in the powder along the trail edges. Look how you can hone your skills.


The day began rather chilly, with the top of the mountain immersed in clouds. Snow cover was not complete, and some of the trails were closed. Might be a questionable day.


It's been so many years since I last strapped on the boards. It feels good taking advantage of gravity: "cheap and reliable", as Deming once said. What would we face? Crowded slopes and long lines?


How about just a few happy souls, like this young skier, with his protective helmet all dressed up to entertain us. When I asked to take his picture, because I liked his hat, he could not stop laughing afterwards.


What kind of a crazy person just happens to be carrying a camera around the ski slopes anyway?


As the day progressed, the sun broke through the clouds, and soon the view was clear from the top. That's Mt. Washington in the background.


But this too shall pass, as our warmth begins to set over the mountain top. Clouds dance with the tree tops and play hide and seek with the sun.


Blue sky takes hold and we were basking in sunlight as we rode up the chairlifts, with great long shadows as our companions while we skied through the glades.



What a beautiful way to help appreciate nature, and realize it is all "good", even when it sometimes seems "bad". Because you can't have one without the other. So enjoy it all and see the inherent beauty everywhere.