Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Cultural Whiplash - Attitash, NH

Seven days ago I was in a Texas honky tonk. Now I'm sitting, Bloody Mary in hand, at the base of Attitash Mountain on the outdoor deck at Ptarmigan Pub. I'm experiencing cultural whiplash here in the frozen north. I'm partying with New England yankees not Texas cowboys.


Driving out of Marblehead, Ma. this morning there was no snow on the ground. My thoughts revolved around raking the leaves I hadn't gotten to in the fall but a 2 1/2 hour drive north took me to a polar winter wonderland. The record snowfall in New Hampshire this year has left a 7 foot base of snow and 10+ foot snow banks. It's fantastical.





It's in the high 30's but my body is warm from a morning and afternoon of skiing. In front of me is an "ice bar". It's a 25 foot square snow bar built from snow blocks serving ice cold Tuckerman's Pale Ale.






Beyond it the ski lift silently carries excited passengers towards the white heavens as skiers float and carve their way down and across my view. Tree limbs are coated with the mornings snowfall highlighting the already majestic landscape. It's the the frosting and sprinkles on the cake.



It's a 1970's themed day at the mountain so Chic's "Good Times" is blasting it's refrain across the valley for all to hear. The mountain staff is dressed in afros and 70's costumes. To the left of me a drummer and bass player warm up for their afternoon session. My second Bloody Mary is gone.



More beer appears on our table. I buy a green afro seeing this is St. Patrick's weekend and we dance on the outdoor deck to the live band as they rip into Earth Wind and Fire's "September". There's no sitting down as Kool and the Gang's "Ladies Night" and burn baby burn "Disco Inferno" come next back to back. Awesome!! My son Dylan is embarrassed as any 15 year old would be but we got him up and dancing at one point.





I had a great time! Molly had to drive home. I love her. :)

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