Crystal mountain

I went to Crystal Mountain with Bill yesterday. It's the best and most beautiful mountain ever - my new favorite place. It rained the whole time we were there, so I didn't take any photos of the actual mountain, only the lodges:

The drive there.

Bill taking a piss.

The lunch lodge.

Bill's boots.

The best mountain lodge ever.  You ski/snowboard right up to the front door.

Snorting Elk detail.

Inside the Elk.

My hair looks like a Medieval warrior.

Bill out front of the Elk.

Awesome graphics next to the urinal.

Still at the Snorting Elk.

Muckleshoot Casino!

dogs in hats

We spent New Year's with our friends Bill & Barb...

Then we went snowboarding. This place is about 45 minutes door to door.

Pretty good snow and no people anywhere.

This is the base area.

Jazz Alley

Melissa got us tickets to a jazz/supper club to see Pancho Sanchez.

Pre-show. We had a great view from our table.

Pancho Sanchez looks like Santa Clause.

This place has a cool little bar in the back that you can watch the shows from.

California Christmas, pt.2

Next stop was Long Beach...

straight to my mom's house.

This is our friend Dennis from San Francisco, who we rarely get to see. 

Colin and his dad, Rich. Melissa is in the back with my step mom and sister (Yvonne and Debbie).

Dad's side of the family.

My dad and his dog. 

Dennis and my dad's dog.  They have the same expression.

Stopped by John and Tricia's for a visit.

Tricia and Melissa.

John played the guitar for us.

Motel 6 quilt.

Sunset on the way out of California.  I don't think we'll ever drive that far again.

California Christmas, pt.1

For some reason, Melissa and I thought it would be a good idea to pack up the dog and drive to Southern California for Christmas...

This was basically the first 12 to 14 hours of driving (except it was usually snowing).

Plowing the I-5.  They closed interstate 5 the day after we left.

First stop was Indio to hang out with Melissa's folks. Here's a shot for all you suckers that were snowed in - we were relaxing poolside in the desert!

Went to dinner at the Crab Pot. Melissa made a new friend.

I had the sea feast. Notice the completely useless wooden hammer they gave me.

I ate while Mike saved a blown over christmas tree from going in the fireplace.

Shelly enjoying a crab leg.

Mike wishing he had a crab knuckle.

Digging meat out of the crab knuckle.

Crab gingham.

Birthday mud pie!  Four of us couldn't finish it. 

This was moments before rushing Finch to the emergency room for eating a one pound box of chocolates.

Melissa's parents gave us these awesome rabbit fur russian hats. They're so insulated, you can't hear with the ear flaps down.

Don't straighten eyelashes with a hair iron.

trains

Photos from my walk to the store: