For many of us this past week, our determination to view the world positively has been tested, but perhaps a solution to this problem can be found outdoors.
An outdoor remedyI’m aiming to be in a happy place mentally and geographically this weekend (do you find the two are inextricably linked, or is that just me?) We will be snowboarding at Louise, our first outing of the new season, and I’ve only been looking forward to this for about six months. The snow pictures this week come from the previous season or two.
Looking for Louise (other way – it’s behind you)I’m likely getting on a bit to be so excited about stepping onto a plank of wood and launching myself down steep snowy slopes, but what can I say? I love it! Don’t go thinking I’m some sort of daredevil riding a snowboard (only in my head), it’s more like a slower version of Driving Miss Daisy, where Miss Daisy is shaking a fist and yelling at me to move over. I get down the mountain…
HappyIt’s definitely not the adrenaline rush. I find that when I’m on the board, being on the board is all I’m thinking about, if thinking is the right word here. Everything else has to drop away, and there’s the balance, the movement – leaning one way then the other – and all the little adjustments made on the fly as you navigate the terrain. Finding equilibrium. If you’re lucky enough to be first out on a powder day, and the sky is blue and the scenery is sparkling, then so much the better.
I smile on a snowboard – it may look like a grimace, but honestly, that is a smile. I love how fellow riders and skiers all appear to be happy. Faces are lit up, stories are shared in lift lineups, and the mood of the day is upbeat. I know there are risks and accidents, and some can be severe, but life is about risk and exploring boundaries (without trampling over your fellows along the way), so enjoy it as best you can while you can. If that means being an elderly(ish) snowboarder, well, off you go!
A bit of a selfish post here, so I’ll keep it brief. A weekend in the mountains riding my board at Louise – fresh air, good company, a cabin at the end of the day – definitely a happy place!
Some sort of a daredevil?!Thanks for reading! Do you find happiness and equilibrium on a snowboard? Maybe somewhere elsewhere? Please feel free to make a comment or share a story, have a happy weekend, and keep your guy ropes secure.
I am a would be outdoorsman - that is if I had more time, skills and knowledge. When I can, I love being outdoors, just camping, hiking, snowboarding, xc skiing, snowshoeing, paddling a canoe or trying something new. What I lack in ability, I make up for in enthusiasm and having a go. I'd never really survive for long out there in the wild, but I enjoy pretending I could if I had to...
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28 thoughts on “Snow pictures – happiness and equilibrium”
I’ll skip the snowboarding thrills but your snow photos are lovely!
Thanks for your kind words! Trust me, I’m hoping there won’t be too many snowboard thrills, just a graceful descent down the mountain…
Have a wonderful weekend!
Being out in nature just makes me happy. Now snowboarding is not my thing, but I am glad you are so excited about your trip and so happy. We each need to do what makes us happy. I like camping (sitting around a campfire), hiking, bikes, sleding, rollerskates, and photography. Am a tomboy and love the outdoors. Not to take away from your wonderful post with my chatter – keep on snowboarding and enjoying your adventerous life.
Now, I wouldn’t have the nerve to be on roller skates – I’d be out of control, I know it! The rest of your outdoor activities sound just fine!
Thanks for reading and commenting, and have a great weekend!
I gave up skiing years ago, but fondly remember the fear and beauty. Always worried a little bit about being able to stop at the bottom and crashing into something. Nowadays, I often discover happiness and peace on a walk, bike ride or kayaking. I also may be enjoying a weekend of snow and going down a hill, but, in my case, it will be with a snowblower down my driveway. Enjoy your weekend. Wonderful photographs, especially the one with the Jeep.
Haha, your downhill snow comment made me laugh! I’d be terrible on skis (I just about manage on xc skis if the going is fairly flat), too many arms and legs going in different directions – my inability to multitask…
Hiking, biking and kayaking makes for lots of wonderful outdoor adventures!
Have a wonderful weekend, hope the snowblower isn’t needed!
A lovely post, pc. Your humor (I always chuckle as I read your posts), self awareness, compassion, and sense of adventure is a joy and inspiration. And your photos, as always, are stunning. I know you are going to have a great time this weekend~~yippee! 😀
I must be careful not to get too adventurous on that snowboard…
Thanks for your kind words – and for putting up with my dubious humour – I always appreciate you taking the time to stop by!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for your kind words – appreciated! Honestly, I’ve no idea if it was a wolf or not. It all happened so fast (maybe I’ll tell the story sometime soon, not that there’s much to it…)
Will you be hitting the slopes on your trip out here? On skis? A snowboard lesson or two?
It’s looking really great, drove over earlier, and we’ve never seen so much snow in November!
Thanks again, and enjoy your weekend!
(Apologies if this appears twice – I’m having a terrible time with the recent WP upgrade, and cabin wifi is a little patchy)
Thoroughly enjoyed your museum tour/recommendation over at Simpletravelourway, and we will visit next time we’re in DC. Love the variety of Smithsonian museums – we likely walked right on past this one as you described it!
Have a wonderful weekend!
I’m sure that your ability to find poise and beauty in the world around you won’t let you down this weekend. And with snowboarding in a place of postcard scenery, it’s a slamdunk! (In my case, I used to ski, and it would have been a head-first-dunk!). Awesome photos. And yeah, is that a coyote or a wolf?
Yes, the PlaidCamper poise! If (when) I face plant, the scenery keeps me out there, ample consolation for poor coordination – once I’ve picked myself up, brushed myself down and restored dwindling dignity. I can fake the inner poise, but practical balance? I’d be even worse on skis…
I’ll have to look more closely at the coyote/wolf photos when we get back home. At the time, I was certain it was a coyote – mostly to reassure my inner-city self that leapt to the fore – but I’m not too good with animal identification.
Thanks, Walt, and have a wonderful weekend!
I wanna go too!! I haven’t been on a snowboard for several years, but I used to get between 100-150 days/year in my late teens/early 20’s. I really miss it. Have lots of fun!!!
Now that’s a huge amount of time on a board! My knees definitely couldn’t take it (not now, not then!) – you must be very comfortable on a board!
Enjoy your weekend!
We’ve been snowboarding and snowshoeing today, and my knees might be saying stop listening to my heart!
I think I’m a Western Canada guy – all the way from here to your west coast. We’re lucky to be living here!
I’ve not had the opportunity to go snowboarding yet, but it is definitely on my to-do list. I also find that your pictures make me hate the snow just a little less 🙂 Hope you are having an amazing weekend.
Thank you! I hope you’re having a great weekend too.
There has been so much snowfall this past week – conditions are really good for this early in the season. If only my legs were as well conditioned…
I think you’d love the snow out here from a photography perspective, there’s always something to shoot!
Hello PlaidCamper – thank you for the post and lovely photos – my favourite – Looking for Louise.
Mother Nature has a way of helping us ease the pain of grief, shock, stress and other issues that confront us in life. We can enjoy the majesty of the mountains and enjoy such activities as snowboarding, skiing, hiking, camping, etc. With each new morning we can appreciate a beautiful sunrise and hope for a peaceful day.
Your passion for snowboarding shines through this post. Hope you had a lot of fun.
Have a great week!
Thanks for your kind words – always appreciate your visits and comments! I hope you’ve been having a wonderful weekend. I’m on the sofa wondering how sore the legs will be come Monday morning…
Have a great week!
Just today me and my husband were talking about giving snowboarding a chance. I used to snowboard, but it’s been more than 15 years since the last time I tried and the husband has never tried. I hurt my knee in a car accident and that ended my snowboarding but if I’m careful…
It’s a good way to love snow! I have a dodgy knee that manages ok on the board – but I’m only gliding and cruising down the mountain, not looking for big air or anything exciting. Noticed quite a few older riders this weekend (I didn’t start until I was 40), and you definitely have youth on your side!
Enjoy your week.
OldPlaidCamper 
I’ll skip the snowboarding thrills but your snow photos are lovely!
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Thanks for your kind words! Trust me, I’m hoping there won’t be too many snowboard thrills, just a graceful descent down the mountain…
Have a wonderful weekend!
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Being out in nature just makes me happy. Now snowboarding is not my thing, but I am glad you are so excited about your trip and so happy. We each need to do what makes us happy. I like camping (sitting around a campfire), hiking, bikes, sleding, rollerskates, and photography. Am a tomboy and love the outdoors. Not to take away from your wonderful post with my chatter – keep on snowboarding and enjoying your adventerous life.
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Now, I wouldn’t have the nerve to be on roller skates – I’d be out of control, I know it! The rest of your outdoor activities sound just fine!
Thanks for reading and commenting, and have a great weekend!
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I gave up skiing years ago, but fondly remember the fear and beauty. Always worried a little bit about being able to stop at the bottom and crashing into something. Nowadays, I often discover happiness and peace on a walk, bike ride or kayaking. I also may be enjoying a weekend of snow and going down a hill, but, in my case, it will be with a snowblower down my driveway. Enjoy your weekend. Wonderful photographs, especially the one with the Jeep.
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Haha, your downhill snow comment made me laugh! I’d be terrible on skis (I just about manage on xc skis if the going is fairly flat), too many arms and legs going in different directions – my inability to multitask…
Hiking, biking and kayaking makes for lots of wonderful outdoor adventures!
Have a wonderful weekend, hope the snowblower isn’t needed!
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A lovely post, pc. Your humor (I always chuckle as I read your posts), self awareness, compassion, and sense of adventure is a joy and inspiration. And your photos, as always, are stunning. I know you are going to have a great time this weekend~~yippee! 😀
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I must be careful not to get too adventurous on that snowboard…
Thanks for your kind words – and for putting up with my dubious humour – I always appreciate you taking the time to stop by!
Have a wonderful weekend!
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Great thoughts plaidcamper and photos! Was that a wolf at the end? Amazing place, excited to go next month. I have no idea how to snowboard.
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Thanks for your kind words – appreciated! Honestly, I’ve no idea if it was a wolf or not. It all happened so fast (maybe I’ll tell the story sometime soon, not that there’s much to it…)
Will you be hitting the slopes on your trip out here? On skis? A snowboard lesson or two?
It’s looking really great, drove over earlier, and we’ve never seen so much snow in November!
Thanks again, and enjoy your weekend!
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Sounds like the perfect thing to do this week. Enjoy!
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(Apologies if this appears twice – I’m having a terrible time with the recent WP upgrade, and cabin wifi is a little patchy)
Thoroughly enjoyed your museum tour/recommendation over at Simpletravelourway, and we will visit next time we’re in DC. Love the variety of Smithsonian museums – we likely walked right on past this one as you described it!
Have a wonderful weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure that your ability to find poise and beauty in the world around you won’t let you down this weekend. And with snowboarding in a place of postcard scenery, it’s a slamdunk! (In my case, I used to ski, and it would have been a head-first-dunk!). Awesome photos. And yeah, is that a coyote or a wolf?
LikeLike
Yes, the PlaidCamper poise! If (when) I face plant, the scenery keeps me out there, ample consolation for poor coordination – once I’ve picked myself up, brushed myself down and restored dwindling dignity. I can fake the inner poise, but practical balance? I’d be even worse on skis…
I’ll have to look more closely at the coyote/wolf photos when we get back home. At the time, I was certain it was a coyote – mostly to reassure my inner-city self that leapt to the fore – but I’m not too good with animal identification.
Thanks, Walt, and have a wonderful weekend!
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I wanna go too!! I haven’t been on a snowboard for several years, but I used to get between 100-150 days/year in my late teens/early 20’s. I really miss it. Have lots of fun!!!
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Now that’s a huge amount of time on a board! My knees definitely couldn’t take it (not now, not then!) – you must be very comfortable on a board!
Enjoy your weekend!
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Not sure if my knees could take it now, but back then it wasn’t an issue. I hope you’re having a splendid time! 🙂
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Happiness is found where the heart is.
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That sounds about right – I guess that’ll be in the mountains for me…
Hope you’re having a great weekend!
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you are a mountain guy aren’t you.
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We’ve been snowboarding and snowshoeing today, and my knees might be saying stop listening to my heart!
I think I’m a Western Canada guy – all the way from here to your west coast. We’re lucky to be living here!
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I’ve not had the opportunity to go snowboarding yet, but it is definitely on my to-do list. I also find that your pictures make me hate the snow just a little less 🙂 Hope you are having an amazing weekend.
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Thank you! I hope you’re having a great weekend too.
There has been so much snowfall this past week – conditions are really good for this early in the season. If only my legs were as well conditioned…
I think you’d love the snow out here from a photography perspective, there’s always something to shoot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello PlaidCamper – thank you for the post and lovely photos – my favourite – Looking for Louise.
Mother Nature has a way of helping us ease the pain of grief, shock, stress and other issues that confront us in life. We can enjoy the majesty of the mountains and enjoy such activities as snowboarding, skiing, hiking, camping, etc. With each new morning we can appreciate a beautiful sunrise and hope for a peaceful day.
Your passion for snowboarding shines through this post. Hope you had a lot of fun.
Have a great week!
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Thanks for your kind words – always appreciate your visits and comments! I hope you’ve been having a wonderful weekend. I’m on the sofa wondering how sore the legs will be come Monday morning…
Have a great week!
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Just today me and my husband were talking about giving snowboarding a chance. I used to snowboard, but it’s been more than 15 years since the last time I tried and the husband has never tried. I hurt my knee in a car accident and that ended my snowboarding but if I’m careful…
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It’s a good way to love snow! I have a dodgy knee that manages ok on the board – but I’m only gliding and cruising down the mountain, not looking for big air or anything exciting. Noticed quite a few older riders this weekend (I didn’t start until I was 40), and you definitely have youth on your side!
Enjoy your week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing photos..! This is a PARADISE..! You are a great photographer..!! : o )
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