Snowboarding Self-Care

I took myself snowboarding two Saturdays ago on one of the best selfie dates I've had in a long time! I spent 6 glorious hours in the mountains carving turns, bombing down big hills, and launching myself off of ski-lifts to my own hearts content! Just me, myself, and I. No one whatsoever to stop me or slow me down!
I spent the entire day moving tirelessly as I explored every run and every inch of that mountain. My heart was exploding with happiness! By one o'clock I didn't want to even stop for lunch, yet I had to because my body needed nourishment to keep going, then I was back up on the mountain again to explore and carve and smile and just be me.

I needed a date with myself! I enjoy hanging out with myself! I don't get to hang out with me too often as I live with 5 other people, 4 of them who are like little appendages. Most of my days are spent feeding them, cleaning them, wiping them, teaching them, and worrying about them.
But up on the mountain it was just me. 
My arms were free, my mind was free, and my spirit was soaring!

ME.

I learned to snowboard as a teenager. One spring break I flew to California with my best friend and her family. They took me snowboarding up in Mammoth Mountain for my first time and even paid for me to take lessons. I loved it so much and couldn't wait for the next day to bomb down that mountain with all my new found skills! Unfortunately, my friend didn't love it. In fact the next day she took the money her dad gave her for snowboarding, found some guys selling weed, and smoked marijuana all day with the local potheads. I, on the other hand, spent one of the most exhilarating and rewarding days of my life navigating through the runs and lifts of Mammoth! Sure I was all alone, but I didn't care one bit. I found snowboarding to be just the right amount of challenge and excitement to keep me busy and happy all day. 
Having grown up with the solitary sport of surfing and spending many days out in the ocean alone, I was used to the peace and quiet that often accompanies me on my adventures. 
I picked up snowboarding again in college when I moved to Utah in 2002. My student loans helped pay for a season pass to Sundance, as well as new snowboarding equipment. I spent many Saturdays alone (or with my friend Reo) carving and sweeping down the slopes of Sundance! 

The only problem I discovered with snowboarding is that although it's wonderful in it's own regard, it can't replace surfing. Surfing is...surfing. 
To quote one of my favorite bumper stickers: "Only a surfer knows the feeling"
But, that doesn't negate the fact that I sure had some really fun adventures snowboarding in Utah in my college years! There was Powder Mountain with Shannon and her family, BrianHead with Pepper and Ricki, Brighton with those girls that I forgot all their names, and of course Sundance with myself or Reo.

The last time I went snowboarding was right after Micah and I were married. We thought it would be fun to go to Sundance together, but after several runs Micah sprained his ankle. It was  a sad day. :(  Micah spent many weeks on crutches and unemployed. It was not the brightest beginning to our marriage, either, which led to me selling my snowboarding gear and moving on from that sport.
That was eleven years ago and the last time I went snowboarding, until 2 weeks ago.

I'm so glad I got the opportunity to get back out there. Getting alone time to recharge as a busy mother is absolutely essential. Usually I get an hour or two here or there, so this six hour stretch was pretty unusual, but very much needed. I came back recharged, inspired, relaxed, excited, exhilirated, happier, and armed with some new perspectives on life. All that time to think to myself helped me think these following things:
--Good, wholesome recreation is absolutely crucial to my sanity and well-being.
--I want to share my love for the outdoors with my children always.
--I want my kids to learn to snowboard (ski-lessons next winter?)
--This cold, snowy place we live isn't so awful in the winter, afterall.
--There is a pretty fun and lively sub-culture of ski-people here that I never knew existed. 
--If I can't surf, at least I've got snowboarding.
--I want to ensure I'm always this active and healthy in my life.
--I am a mom, but I am still me.

IT WASNT VERY CROWDED AT BRIANHEAD ON A SATURDAY.