174- Uncle Albert's Mountain-The Beginning (Never Is A Long Time))

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 The skier silently slices his way through the deep soft powder, cutting across the top of Arapahoe Basin's summit. He tucks into a ball and rushes headlong down the mountain. Gathering more speed as the steepness increases and prepares him for the transition as he reaches the steep upgrade that leads along the massive headwall and up to the entrance to Lover’s Leap and the Palavachini. Gathering speed he crosses the Pali and begins his decent down the front-side of the mountain. He is deep into the trees and there is deafening silence except for the whooshing of the snow and occasional clacking of his skis. The bright orange Avalanche Danger signs and ropes closing off the trail become visible and he slides to a halt alongside them. Checking back over his shoulder for a patrolman he reaches down, lifts the rope and slips under.

 

Tom Dillion looks down the trail and sees the skier cut the out of bounds markers. He quickly sets his sights down the trail and lets his skis run downhill and gathers momentum as he rushes headlong toward the figure.

“Hey! Hey! That trail is closed! What the hell do you think you’re up to?” Tom slides to a halt, his skis sliding against the pile of snow gathering against the edges. “You shouldn’t have been in there, the patrol closed it for a reason,” Tom’s indignation at the audacity of the errant skier is apparent in his tone.

“I was going down a ways and going to cut across through the trees back to the Pali.”

“That’s no excuse to cut a closed trail. Wait, Wait I recognize you, Joe the mountain owner warned you off the trail yesterday. You’ve got to get out of there before something bad happens. It’s not worth it, trust me, I was in a slide once and you have no control over nature. It will take you and the entire mountainside along with the trees down. You need to get out of there and you need to do it now.”

 

The skier mumbles something unintelligible, slides under the ropes and slowly starts away. Tom turns and heads back down the hill, not looking back. Seeing Tom disappear the skier turns ducks back under the Out of Bounds rope and signs and skied off down the hill. He cut across an open snowfield and turns quickly along the trees of Lover’s Leap. Silently above him a large fracture appeares in the hillside several hundred yards back. An enormous slab breaks free and a wall of snow starts moving toward the unaware figure. Laughing out loud over his stroke of good fortune and newfound powder stash, he slips silently in and out of the Aspen trees as if they were racing gates. Carrying more speed than would be safe in the thickening pines he careens haphazardly back out into the open field. Suddenly he feels a wet stinging on the back of his neck and sees the snow rising up around his legs and thighs. Too late, he realizes he is in a massive avalanche and is overcome by the large wall of snow boulders and slabs. Both of his legs snap and he is tossed dangerously down the grade. The safety avalanche airbag inflates and he rises to the top of the snow as it carries him careening down the slope. It begins to settle and harden like cement around him. He has fallen hundreds of feet and can hardly see the ribbon of macadam that is Route Six as it heads up to A-Basin’s parking lot and up and over the Divide. Slowly agonizingly he claws, scratches and pulls his way along the trail until he is fifty feet from the roadside. Looking down the road he sees a car driving up the hill. He lets out a guttural scream and in desperation raises his arm in an attempt to signal for help. The car drives by unaware of the urgent need of the skier.

172-Life Works Itself Out

   My original vision for my collection of short stories, novel, and screenplay along with my blogs was to assemble a cross section of Americana using the Ski mountains of North America, National Forests, and American Topics as a background, and make them available to the people of other countries. The collection could then be published in conjunction with the Winter Olympics which are held every four years. The 2026 Winter Olympics are going to be held in Milan-Cortina in Italy. Cortina is the Pearl of the Dolomites befitting for the Mountain Pearl. It is also the climbing and skiing Mecca of the world. There will be 3500 Olympic and Para-olympic athletes from 93 Countries. The Olympic Logo can be obtained through the Olympic Organizing Committee and used to market the book as a promotion it can also be a part of the Olympians swag bags.The book can then be published in a multitude of languages. Since the Olympics are held every four years in seems to me that the work would be able to published in perpetuity. I believe my vision to be solid and commercially marketable.
 
   The 2030 Winter Olympics could possibly be awarded to Salt Lake City , Utah, will see the publication of the history of Arapahoe Basin in Colorado followed by or in conjunction with a screen play of the same topic. It will open up all of America to Publication. (Great Right!) The history of my blog seems to show and is trending in Singapore, Russia, Romania, France, Hong Kong, Turkey, United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. It shows a desire on the part of people in other countries to know more about American Mountains.

The Demand for my stories and blogs have motivated me to move The Lure of the Mountain King and My other blogs to book form quicker. A trilogy has emerged unexpectedly and it must be addressed. If you take into account the self-published poems there are four books. I suppose some of the other work would be considered chap books and would make for passing them out preferable to a volume.The Lure, In Search of the Mountain Pearl and Of Mountains and Men is posted but needs rewriting. I would appreciated input about the writing and how to improve it. Please feel free to follow and post your thoughts as they are very important to me. My goal is to reach the Olympics and to bring my quest for Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness to the world through Americana and freedoms that only we as Americans can Know. Help if you can! Look under (My Pages.)

   I am not sure how to accomplish this and am hoping to gain in put or support from others to help promote my work. Until then I hope that you are enjoying this journey as much as I.

Ball Of Confusion- The Temptations

163; Uncle Albert's Mountain,(The Lure); Chapter XXX; Providence Shows Its Hand

      The weeks flew by as weeks often do. The way that time always seems to move toward an unwelcome event. No matter how hard you try to savor the remaining days. It’s a fact of human nature that cannot be reversed. If you want something, on the other hand, it never seems to arrive.

     Tom had been waiting everyday for the mail to arrive. Joe’s last chance was riding on the efficiency of the United States Postal Service.

     “Neither rain nor sleet, nor snow can keep them from their appointed rounds. It was one scary thought,” he reflected.

     It was twelve noon and there didn’t seem to be anyone at the mountain. Yesterday was the final day of the season for the Basin. A wooden sign with a red lettering was stuck in the mud of the parking lot, a prelude to the Mud Season to come, it read CLOSED.

     Joe was on his way into town. The papers were to be signed at two P.M. that day to transfer ownership as quickly as possible, or risk going into default. Keystone’s Parent Company was quite agreeable to sign at a moment's notice. They had been poised to strike for a long time. Now that the Mountain Crown was about to be put on their heads, they were more than happy to accommodate Joe’s wishes.

     Tom sat down on the steps and crossed his arms over his knees. He looked at his watch and it was twelve-fifteen.

     “Come on Jake,” he said, tapping his hiking boots impatiently.

     Right on cue the mail truck came into view. Jake sped up the highway and pulled into the empty lot. He came to a halt in front of the stairs. Sliding out, he pulled a large bundle of letters from his sack.

      “Nothing but bills today, I’m afraid.”

     Tom slumped like the wind had been knocked from him. Jake knew that he had been waiting for an important letter from back East.

     “Damn I thought he would come through.” Tom shuffled through the pile. He was hoping he had missed something. Jake climbed back into the truck and drove away. Tom tossed the envelopes carelessly on to the steps. Defeated, he sat down. He desperately wanted to save the day for Joe, to rush in triumphantly just as they were about to sign the papers and declare victory. It was the image he had focused on in his mind. If you can see something happen and believe in it strongly, it will come true. It was the way Tom lived his life. He believed in everything he did.

     A white station wagon pulled off the road and into the lot, it stopped by the sign. He took no notice of it and stood up to stretch his legs. The car started forward and stopped next to him. He walked down the stairs to see what the driver wanted.

     “I’m looking for Tom Dillon,” the man stuck his head out the window.

     “You found him.”

The man reached over the seat and grabbed a large manila envelope. He handed it to Tom.

     “Sign here,” he said.

     Tom signed the paper on the clipboard and took the envelope.

     “This is it! This is it!,” he danced up and down. “Thanks, Thanks,” he pumped the man’s hand.

     “Anytime,” he smiled, shaking his head as he drove away.

     Tom’s hands trembled with excitement as he ripped open the folder. He had to be sure it was the right thing. There it was in black and white, the most beautiful document he had ever seen.

     He ran to the road and stuck out his thumb.

     “It looks like the Calvary is coming to the rescue, after all.”

Hanuman Prayer, Krishna Das

162; Uncle Albert's Mountain,(The Lure;) Chapter XXIX; April- Joe Receives Bad News

     The end of April was a deadline for Joe, there was still an abundance of snow in the Rocky Mountains, but it signaled a decline. If he could have just lasted to May, he would have been able to keep the Basin another year.

     Joe’s luck had just run out, in the mail today, he found the final blow. The letter read: In regards to excessive claims, increased liability, and questionable practices, we no longer consider you an acceptable risk and are formally notifying you of the cancellation of this insurance policy

     The United States Forest Service would not allow him to operate without insurance. He had one week to cease operations.

     “They finally won,” he said to himself. If he couldn’t sell tickets, he couldn’t pay his mortgage. If he can't pay his mortgage, he loses it all. Either way, they win. Joe closed his eyes, hoping that when he opened them, this nightmare would be over. It was over, but it wasn’t a dream, his fears had come true. All hope was lost. His life dreams would be gone with the melting spring snows.

     He rose from his desk, and walked out of the office, and stood at the base of the mountain. She was the only solace he had left in his life, at least for another week. He would spend the week, amidst her magnificent glory, like he did when he had first come to her. When times were simple, and the future looked cheerful and bright.

     He walked along the front of the Lodge and toward the lift. It was a beautiful day outside. The sun was warm and radiating through the clear blue sky. The silence disturbed only by the hum of the engines of the lifts, carrying the happy skiers up through the carved trails.

     “Hey Joe! What’s up?” Tom yelled. He had his skis over his shoulder, his boots squeaking on the snow as he made his way across the lot.

     “How’s Toby doing today,” his face was upturned toward the Summit.

     “A lot better. He told me, it wasn’t your fault. You shouldn’t feel bad.”

     “How can I not feel bad? If I wasn’t so foolish to think I could beat the Senator, at his expansion game, none of this would have happened,”

     “It’s not foolish to fight for something you believe. It’s cowardice to not. I never took you for a coward, Joe. Tom could feel a different air about Joe. He was speaking slower and softer than he had ever spoken before. Tom could sense, something was up. Joe was hiding something.

     “What happened?”

     “ Happened! They cancelled my insurance,” He raised his finger. “One week”

     The two men stared directly at one another. They were looking for a sign, the least little ray of hope. Joe was the first to break eye contact. The mountain was all he had, all he had ever wanted. How could he just leave? He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

     “Let’s ski,” he finally said.

     “You go ahead, Joe. I’ve got a couple of things, I just remembered, I have to take care of.” Tom turned and started back to the Lodge.

     “I’ll see you later,” he yelled over his shoulder.

     Joe slowly picked up his skis and made his way toward the lift. He placed the skis gently on the ground. Lifting one leg at a time, he scraped the packed snow from the bottom of his boots and stepped firmly into the bindings.

     “Hi, Boss,” Sally, the lift operator said, as he skied up to the chair. It was as if he was the only one there. He didn’t hear her. Joe just gazed up the hill, his face void of all expression.

     “I wonder what’s wrong with him,” she thought, “It looks like he lost his best friend.”

White Bird' It's A Beautiful Day

161;Uncle Albert's Mountain,( The Lure;) Chapter XXVIII; Jilly and the Moose Jaw

   Sara was never late for work, but this time was an exception, she had been down to see Toby. She had heard about the explosion on the local news, and she was already on her way to the Jaw but had to find out if he was going to be alright. By the time she made it back, she was an hour late. Jilly was sitting at the bar.

     “Did you hear what happened to Toby?”

 She slid her empty glass forward to be filled.

     “I certainly hope he is going to live.

Sara froze in her tracks, not believing her ears. Jilly had never paid any attention to Toby, whatsoever. Now she was talking like they were best of friends.

     “I just came from the hospital. He’s going to be alright.”

     “If you had bothered to go or at least called, you would know.” Sara thought seriously of knocking her from the stool. She just couldn’t bring herself to do it.

 She had been tense and on the edge, since she split with Tom and didn’t like her job any more to begin with. Jilly’s self serving attitude just made matters worse.

     “You should have gone down to see him,” she compromised.

     “I know,’Jilly said playing with her hair,” but I have just had so much on my mind lately.”

     “Toby’s laying in the hospital, for Christsake, and you’re sitting here drinking, with a lot on your little mind.”

     “Sara Stop it! You’re going to ruin my good news. Congratulate me!” Jilly smiled broadly.

 Sara stood silently for a moment, hoping she wasn’t going to say, what she thought, she was going to say.

     “I’m engaged!” Jilly held out her hand, adorned with a large diamond. “Isn’t it absolutely gorgeous,” she watched it sparkle as she turned it from side to side.

 Sara was trying desperately to hold back her tears. All she could do, was think about Tom, and the life they would never know.

     “I’m happy for you,” she said, half-heartedly. She looked down and busied herself by washing a few glasses. She hoped she wouldn’t see the tears in her eyes.

     “And that’s not all,” Jilly continued excitedly,” The best is yet to come.”

She turned off the water faucet and wiped her hands completely dry. She walked back over and leaned impatiently on the bar, looking directly at Jilly, tapping her fingers on the bar. She didn’t say a word.

     “Guess who’s running the Basin, from now on,” she raised her head and smiled proudly.

Sara didn’t move. She didn’t twitch a muscle, frozen in indecision. What if anything was she going to do?”

    “I can either totally ignore her,” she said to herself, “or I can kill her.”

A moment passed. Sara took a long deep breath, and lunged over the top of the bar, knocking Jilly off her stool. She reached down and grabbed her by the hair and her shirt. She yanked her to her feet, dragged her to the door, and threw her out.

     Everyone at the bar applauded as the door slammed behind her. Each and everyone had all wanted to do the very same thing, at least a hundred times before. It was good to finally see her get what she deserved. Sara was not in the mood to be patted on the back. She ran from the room crying, wanting to be left alone. She had never exploded like that before, and didn’t know what was going on. Her life was in shambles, chaos, and nothing made any sense anymore. She was finding out what it was like to pretend you're content with your life, when you just can’t pretend anymore.

Driving-Everything But The Girl

Aristotle Say's : Stay At Task ,Only Five More Chapters,.

Remember: The Lure of the Mountain King, and Appaloosa Lake are Labors of Love, Rome Was Not Built In One Day! 

Reality Say's: Don't Be Fooled, The Real Work Is Just About To Begin. It is the Culmination of a lifetime in the mountains. Finishing the Screenplay, Appaloosa Lake, Waltzing with Rahda, Rewriting and Chapter Extension. It is like, standing at the top of an Incredibly Steep Ski Slope, your knees are knocking, your heart is pounding, your hands are shaking, but you will never get down, if you don't jump into the chute.

160; Uncle Albert's Mountain,(The Lure;) Chapter XXVII; Toby is Alive

       Tom winced in pain from the antiseptic smell of the Summit County Hospital. They had been waiting for an hour, an hour too long. He hated hospitals. They were absolutely necessary, but he stayed away from them as much as possible. Ever since he had been a young man, his first memories were of their lonely corridors. He despised that antiseptic smell, the terribly clean sterile smell. He had spent a week in the Albany Medical Center, being treated for Rheumatic Fever, and he never forgot those long poking and probing days and endless dreary, scary nights. All he wanted to do was go home, they wouldn’t let him so he wept. He was weeping now, but this time for his best friend, laying with tubes and casts protruding from his mangled body.

     Toby was lying with his eyes closed in the far bed by the window. There were ten beds in the room. Three others were filled with the main disease of ski towns: BROKEN BONES. Tom and Joe walked quietly up to the bed. Tobey opened his eyes and weakly smiled.

     “Hi guys,” he whispered.

     “Hey Tobe,” Tom sat on the edge of the bed, and took his hand. “I know this is a dumb question, but how do you feel?”

Joe walked around and sat on the other side, watching the two men talk.

     “I’m lucky they tell me, tho, I don’t feel that lucky right now.”

     “We’re all just happy you’re alive,” Tom tightened his grip on Toby’s hand. He looked down at his helpless friend, wishing there was something he could do to ease the pain.

     “What happened anyway?”

     “Lance, he blew number three, to get back at me for selling out. They're taking him to Denver, for Psych evaluation, and then probably jail. I should have seen it all coming. I saw the signs, the short answers, the quick temper. He had that look in his eyes. The same distant look you get when you’re gazing across a ridge after a battle wondering where the future lies. I’m just sorry you were hurt, you get some sleep now son. We’ll be back tomorrow.”

     “I’m gonna go for a walk, Joe. You go on.”

     “Are you sure/”

     “Yeah.”

     “He’ll be O.K.”

     “I know, I’ll see you back at the Basin.”

     Tom started walking as Joe pulled out of the parking lot, His eyes were teary and blurred as he tried to focus on the pavement, he kicked maliciously at the chunks of snow lining the pavement. One hell of a way to wind up a season, he thought. He stuffed his hands into his denim pockets, as he made his way through the familiar town of Dillon. Something inside of him was dead, it had died with the news of the sale of his dream mountain, and he didn’t know if he would ever really feel alive again. He took no notice of, what he thought of as, a ghost town, around him.

     He began to run. A slow jog at first, and then faster and faster until perspiration started to soaked his skin. His legs began to ache as he passed the Moose Jaw, the Corinthian Hills, Keystone Village and headed up, the pass, toward the Basin. When the grade began to rise, he felt like death was only ten steps away. He kept running, and running until the grade steepened sharply. He fell into a snowbank on the side of the road, gripping his stomach, as he laid back and closed his eyes. A few minutes had passed, and the worst was over. He opened his eyes and stared up at the cloud- covered sky. An angry front was steadily making its way up the valley and looked like it would strangle the mountain. It was blocking the sun from the highest peaks. His breathing slowed down and returned to normal, he took one last deep breath. The tears came, he let them gladly flow, to cleanse his system of the pain and disappointment he had held for so long.

Over The Hills And Far Away, Led Zeppelin

I always wished for time to write when I was working on the ranch. 

Be Careful What You Wish For!

I am being advised not to leave my house, no excuses not to write.

 Thank You Lord for keeping me safe from the rain and hurricanes, and teaching me what hell would be like, if I wasn't a good man.

159; Uncle Albert's Mountain,(The Lure;) Chapter XXVI; March-Tom's Return

     

     It had been several weeks since Tom had left the Basin. Toby was on the mountain skiing the headwall. It was a black diamond trail with a steep pitch that left absolutely no room for any error. He was feeling a winning attitude in his heart for his sport. The thrill of the speed, the rush of the wind, the glimmer and sparkle of the ivory crystals in his eyes, he was warmed by the intensity of the sun at twelve thousand feet in elevation. He felt at one with himself and the world around him. It was this inner piece that kept him coming back to the mountain year after year. Not knowing why, he simply felt good, it was great to let go and float through the endless ecstasy of powder.

     Rushing down the steep grade of the cornice above the headwall, he knew Coach and Tom were right. There was something magical, primal about the mountain, it was a humbling mentor and lover. The serenity and silence disturbed only by the deafening roar of unstable powder in the backcountry. He hit the bottom of the transition, compressed and shot up the steep slope that would drop him over into the front-side. Skirting the evergreens alongside the trails he could catch Grizzly Road to International and the Lodge.

     Heading down International out of the corner of his eye, he caught a flash of  sunlight down in the parking lot. He was several hundred yards above it and could see people milling about. From the direction of the flash, he noticed the unmistakeable and familiar black cowboy hat bobbing up and down from the far left of the parking lot toward the lodge. It was Tom's silver dollar centerpiece.

     Toby started through the pines that dotted the lower slope. Gathering momentum he would shoot through the trees and come up on the lower end of the lot. The trail would lead Toby to the lower moguls and the number three lift station. Approaching the station, he looked up to see Lance, far off to the right, standing waving his arms in the air. He was motioning Toby to go back. Toby stopped abruptly, next to the number three station.

     “Go Back! Go Back!” was the last thing Toby heard before the explosion and the enveloping blackness.

     Lance was the first to reach him, followed by Tom and a few seconds later, Joe.

     “Don’t be dead! Don’t be dead! Please! Please! Please! Don’t be Dead,” he sat cradling Toby’s blood stained head and torso. Toby’s legs were sticking out from his body at odd angles. A bone protruded from the calf of his right leg. His left arm was pinned grotesquely behind his upper torso. Lance rested his head against Toby’s, his body convulsed with sobs. Toby’s skis were scattered twenty feet away along with debris from the building that once was the number three lift station. Smoke was rising as pieces of burning wood melted the snow where it had fallen.

     “Get Away!” Joe commanded, throwing Lance to the side. He had come running to join Tom at the sound of the explosion.

     “He’s barely breathing. Call an ambulance! Joe straddled Toby and began performing CPR. “Toby, Hold On! Come On Son! Just Hold On! Joe looked at Toby, and then back at Lance.

     “What the hell is going on here Lance?”

Tom dropped his pack and lunged at Lance grabbing him by his jacket.

     “You did this? Didn’t Ya! Didn’t Ya Lance?” He screamed at him, hitting him, over and over. Lance staggered backwards and made no attempt to defend him-self.

Several onlookers grabbed Tom and pulled him away. Lance stood there just staring at Toby. Tom broke free from his restraint and confronted Lance again.

     “You did this! You did this! How could you?”

     “No!” Lance held his jaw.

     “What?” Tom cried.

     “Joe did this! He sold out to the Senator” Lance was backing up, pointing and shaking his finger, hysterically at Joe. “It’s all your fault you sold out to the multi-nationals, you sold out the country!” Lance was raving, and crying wildly as the ambulance pulled into the parking lot.

     “Jesus! What happened here?” The attendant asked the crowd.

     No one answered as the medics took over CPR and Toby’s vitals. The mountain silence was deafening as they worked to get him on the backboard and load him on the stretcher and start for the Unimog.

     “Is he going to be alright? Will he live? Tom questioned.

Joe and Tom both watched as the medics worked on Toby frantically. Tom looked into Joe’s eyes as the door was closing and they could see the medic shake his head back and forth.

   The crowd stood back to allow the Summit County Sheriff’s Patrol access to the scene.

     “It’s Lance, Burt, over there, it was him” Joe pointed.

Lance stood looking at the ground as Burt walked over and pulled his arms behind him and began reading him his rights.

     Tom stood motionless, and in deep shock. “This is insanity. What is the mountain and the Senator doing to all of us? They have us at each other’s throats. Violence is never the answer. It’s killing us. It doesn’t have to be this way. It doesn’t have to happen. If I hadn’t left, none of this would have happened. What have I done?”

     Joe reached over and put his arm around Tom. Everything they both believed in was driving away in the ambulance. Life, their lives as they knew them, would never be the same, when the Basin, like Toby was gone. They would have many loves in their lives and many losses, none would ever rival the great love and immeasurable loss they would know for this Majestic Basin.

From The Beginning; Greg Lake

157; Uncle Albert's Mountain,(The Lure, )Chapter XXIV; Tom's Sojourn

  

     It's always further than it looks. It's always taller than it looks. And it's always harder than it looks.  Reinhold Messner- The first man in History to climb all fourteen eight-thoudsanders without oxygen. My life at the Limit (Legends and Lore)

      The Colorado ranch houses flashed past Tom’s eyes in a colored blur as he gazed out the window. The golden sun burned brightly and dipped into the white fields. Across the expanse of the snowbound wooden wind -breaks the evening sky was illuminated by a full silver grey moon, the darkness stealing, silently, stubbornly over the northwestern peaks. He closed his eyes, his head resting wearily against the window in an effort to sleep. It was no use, his mind was spinning and reeling in an endless succession of feelings. He seemed to be in the middle of everyone’s problems, and full of his own insecurities.

     “Everyone wants a piece of something from me,” he lamented to himself. He tapped his boney fingers on the arm-rest. “I got nothing more to give.”

     He stared through his reflection in the tinted glass. It was starring back through him. He was watching his own thoughts as they formed in his mind and boiled to the surface.

     “If only I could see the whole picture, I might find the answer.”

With that thought, his Uncle’s words flooded to his thoughts. “Everyone has their own answers Tom, and you’ve got to search to find your own happiness.”

     Tom knew that until he found his, he would always be a lonely drifter. A rolling tumbleweed, always bouncing, always shifting, never stable. He took off his hat and laid it on the seat next to him. Running his fingers through his matted hair, he thought of Sara. He found that he was continually thinking of Sara. Tom had been wrong to say those awful things to her, things, he could never take back, she was the warmest loving person he had ever known. It seemed as if his own insecurities had driven him to go out of his way to alienate her. He feared he had lost her for good, and was dying inside without her. She had given him more than he ever knew that he wanted, never feeling that close to a woman before. In the short time they were together, they had become intimate lovers, and close friends. How easy it would be to give his life to her, what little he had to give…. he had just lost everything without her.

      The mountains were his life. How could he throw away the only true meaning he had ever found, the only serenity his heart had ever known? All his life he had risen above the everyday tedious routine. He had observed all the mediocrity all around him. Somewhere out beyond the, “work until you have enough to retire, world.” His grandparents had done that, and died before they had a chance to enjoy it. There was more than just jobs, more than just pensions, more than golf at the country club on the weekend. True freedom lies not in getting all you can, but in giving all you can away.

     He drifted o . ff into that half conscious world, the world between sleep and waking. Images floated in and out of his mind. Sara, Toby, Davis, Joe, The Senator, rose up into his thoughts, they haunted him as his own past did. He felt like he had deserted his own family, the real family that had deserted him so long ago. He never knew the true story because he was afraid to ask, afraid that it had been his fault.

     “Come on son, hey son, let’s go, it’s the end of the line,” the driver shook Tom. He took a breath and grabbed his hat and knapsack. He groggily made his way down the isle toward the front of the bus, thinking about his friends. Good friends, he never knew meant so much to him…… until now

The Tide Rushes In, The Moody Blues

155;Uncle Albert's Mountain,( The Lure;) Chapter XXII; The Olympic Training

 

 

Before you act, you have freedom, but after you act, the effect of that action will follow you whether you like it or not. That is the law of Karma. You are a free agent, but once you perform a certain act, you will reap the results of that act.

Paramahansa Yogananda, SRF Lessons

 

 

      Tom had spent the last three weeks on the mountain with Toby. He was helping him set up a training program. Giving him confidence and motivation to train harder, ever harder as the trials grew nearer. Toby’s heart was in the right place, he was lacking the timing and style. Running the courses had to be routine, repetition would lead to speed. Tom realized this and tried to motivate him to face his toughest challenges. The Olympics were not just another NASTAR Race. They were a series of steps, any of which, if you stumble, you’ve lost. No second chances, no excuses. After running the courses, they would run  trails on the Basin, a daunting challenge. Finishing up on the East Wall of Lenawee Mountain where there were no trails, only wide open endless powder turns.

 

     "The highest lift operated mountain in North America, a gold medal at the Olympics,” he’d yell over and over. He was trying to fill his heart and soul with the spirit of the mountain itself. He spoke of Joe and the years of hard work and toil he had put in to own the mountain, trying to make him see the results of dreams, grandiose dreams, dreams that can be if you have the desire to reach and grab for the rings.

     “They’re not going to just give you that medal, you have to earn it! Simply wanting it is not good enough. You have to desire it with every fiber of your being. It’s all you can focus on, nothing else can matter or exist. GOLDEN DREAMS! GOLDEN DREAMS! OLYMPIC GOLD!”

     Tom was relentless with Toby, but he knew Toby needed him. Now more than ever, the sheer spectacle of the rock spires looming high above the rest of the world, left them both in awe Toby needed the push, his skiing was getting really good. Tom knew he had a definite place and shot at the Olympics. All the effort and hard work was for him. Tom would talk of himself and his own reservations about life.

     “At least you know what you want,” he’d say. “You have a single vision, you can see it. TO BE THE BEST OF THE BEST! THE CRÈME De La CRÈME! No one can ever take that away from you. Don’t take it away from yourself! Hold on to your dreams, Tobe. It’s always just your dreams, hold on to them as if they were your child, your only child”

 

     The days were hard and long, the nights short and sleepless. Every waking hour he spent either skiing or discussing the various conditions. They spent days on the courses of Keystone, Copper and Breckenridge, covering all aspects of the different pitched slopes. The angle and texture of the snow the sun made on the downside of the moguls was extremely important. Where the shadows fell on the courses determined where the hidden ice would lay. A single slip would cost precious seconds. Vertical drop, base elevation, they all came into play. They found some hard pack groomed ice at Keystone down the road. Luckily the weather stayed dry and cold, Toby could spend more time running drilling on the hard pack cover.

 

       Tom enjoyed these days spent with Toby. They gave him a chance to get away from all the questions that had been stirring through his mind. The mountains themselves were the only stability left in Tom’s shifting world. No longer did Tom see things as “Black and White.” There were feelings in his heart, thoughts in his mind he had never had before. He was beginning to let other people in his heart and life. They were helping to shape his destiny. They were letting him into their worlds. He was finally beginning to grow up.

 

     The sharp white peaks thrusting up boldly around him were like old friends to him. He had spent countless days and years with nothing on his mind but their beauty and honesty. They were a timeless vision, always changing, yet always remaining the same. The mountains have always been and always will be. Tom felt lucky to be able to share a small part of their history.

    Toby was becoming increasingly irritable. He rarely said a word as Tom tried to push him harder to make every second count. Timing every run as if it was life or death. Tom yelled at each mistake, telling him if he wanted to claim gold, he would have to work harder. Toby reacted but was beginning to falter. He was angry and fed up with skiing, stopwatches and Tom.

     “Forget it!” Toby yelled, “I’m through for the day. I can’t take you riding me anymore.”

     “I simply said…”

     “I know what you said. You said it yesterday and you said it the day before. I’m sick of it Tom. I’m sick of it all.”

     “You can’t expect to…”

     “I don’t expect anything. I don’t even know why I’m doing this anymore. You do nothing but criticize my every move. You’re a royal pain in the ass.”

     “I’m only doing it for you.”

     “You’re doing this because you love it. You love being in control. You’ve never had anything, and think you can take my dreams and make them your own.”

     “Bull crap! You’re pissed off because you can’t take the pressure. You’re a lazy whining, God damned baby.”

     “Piss Off Tom!”

     Toby whirled around and took off down the mountain, leaving Tom wondering what had just happened.

     “I can’t believe this, every time I turn around, I get kicked in the ass. Well no more.”

 

     He turned and started tucking down the headwall toward the Pallivacini, his speed increasing as he sped along the hanging cornice that had formed above the bowl. Not knowing what he was going to do next, first David, Then Sara and now Toby. Why couldn’t they take him for what he was, without asking for everything? He never took any more than he could give. Everyone had to have it their own way. All or nothing at all, wasn’t that the motto. No one is ever satisfied with what they have. He was disillusioned with it all.

     “I’ve got to get out of here,’ he said, feeling there was nothing left to fight for. At the last second he turned, and flew off the top of the cornice catching incredible air. Tom landed with his tips slightly crossed at break- neck speed. It caused him to go head over skis and begin tumbling down the steep slope. Every time he came up he feared he would break his neck on the next roll as he drove his head deep into the endless powder. On one of the upright rolls, Tom threw his weight to his left and landed on his shoulder. It drove it in to the snow and arrested his fall. His skis had not come off, and he stood shakily his knees weak his breath coming in spurts and gasps. He was utterly exhausted and weak, Tom thought of Joe’s struggle to keep the Basin and his friends and the confusion in his life. In utter exasperation, he cried out, ”Is their no justice in this world?” Almost immediately he heard an answer a voice that said, “Be a Teacher!” Confused, he looked around to see where the voice had come from. There was nothing but silence in the vast natural mountainous bowl. He dusted himself off and turned his skis downhill and pushed hard with his poles. Determined to see what his destiny was, now that he had cheated death. A half a century would pass before Tom would fully comprehend what the edict in the wilderness truly meant.

Gayatri Mantra, Deva Premal and Miten

154; Uncle Albert's Mountain,(The Lure;) Chapter XXI; Sara and Tom

   Sara sat nervously tapping her nails on the end table. She was confused. Tom had called and told her he’d be a little late tonight. It had given her a chance to work out a few last minute questions she had about her relationship.

     “I could easily see spending the rest of my life with him,” she said to herself. “He’s everything I’ve always wanted in a man. If he could just learn to settle down, how can I love someone who might be here one minute and climbing and skiing the French Alps the next?”

 

     Reaching up, she pulled a few strands of her hair, noticing some split ends that would have to be trimmed. Crossing her legs, she shifted her weight on the couch and glanced at the clock. He’s not the kind that likes demands made on him. She knew that but she just had to voice them. She wasn’t getting any younger and wanted desperately to know where her life was going to go.

 

     A family had always been her only dream. Two, maybe three children, and a nine to five husband, picnics on weekends, It really wasn’t too much to ask. Maybe Tom wants that also, maybe he just was never in love enough before to commit himself. They had many intimate late night talks about their feelings for each other, and had discussed their past failures. They understood each other’s desires and needs. Their basic personalities were perfect. Not once had a conflict arisen that wasn’t resolved equitably between them. Their love making was more than she had ever hoped for. He was a lover that was gentle, a man, but still her little boy. She could be herself holding nothing back, not hiding even the smallest fantasy from him. The night she cried in his arms, she knew she loved him. Sara needed all of him.

 

     “Sara,” she heard him call as he tapped lightly on her door. She went to the door and opened it.

     “Hi baby,” he smiled, “Sorry I’m late.”

     “Hi, “ she walked to Tom and gave him a hug.

We had a big meeting at the Basin. Joe sold the mountain and he finally broke the news to everyone.,” he sighed looking deeply in her eyes.

     “No!,” Sara stepped back., the smile disappearing from her face.

     “Can you believe it? Everything he has worked so hard for is gone. Shuffled across someone’s desk like it was no more than the paper it was printed on.”

 Sara could feel Tom’s bitter disappointment, and she tightly held him in her arms.

     “I feel just like I did when my parents got divorced. The finality of family, separating, the same pain and utter disappointment.”

     “Everyone was family up there,” she knew all of them and how very close they were.

     “The thing that’s tough on me is how casual Joe is about it. He’s just letting it go. Everyone feels betrayed.”

     “Well, he’s naturally the one you are going to blame. I think that when the news settles in, you’ll realize he’s the same man as before. Think of how much he loves the mountain. He gave you the gift of it. I feel it in your heart.”

     “Yeah, I guess you're right. It’s just awfully hard,” he leaned over and gave her a small affectionate kiss. “Thanks babe.”

     “For what?”

     “Just for being there.”

 

     They were deeply in love. When they were together, there was no one else around, no Basin, no problems. No problems except for the one that Sara knew she had to raise tonight. They had reservations at their favorite restaurant tonight, the “Old Dillon Inn.” Tacos, Enchiladas, Tortillas and Dos Equis beer were the house specialties. Tom was not a big eater, but when he did, it was in his style. He loved to cook when he had the time. Sara was overjoyed when he surprised her with a five- course dinner. It had been complete with candles and wine for their first date.

 

     The conversation was light as they made their way across the small town. Tom was driving Sara’s vintage 69 Volkswagen Beetle. He was thinking about Joe’s empty future and felt the same for himself. Sara was seeing a future full of Tom and all her dreams. She was hoping it was true. They pulled into the parking lot to find it was full.

     “Look at this place,” Tyler inched the bug in. “I wouldn’t mind owning a place like this myself.”

     “We could make a fortune,” Sara attempted to spur the conversation on.

     “We’d need a lot of capital up front,” Tom reached for her hand. They walked toward the front door.

     “I’ve got some money saved,” she offered, “maybe we could find some investors. What about Joe? He’ll have a lot after the Basin is gone.”

     Tom fell silent. Sara knew she had said the wrong thing. She immediately changed the subject.

     ‘You could run the kitchen. I’ll handle the bar. Maybe we'll find a place for Jilly.”

     “They laughed as Tom opened the door for her. The restaurant was full, he gave their names to the hostess and they made their way to the bar.

     “At least twenty minutes,” Tom said as he handed Sara a Molson Gold.

     “That’s perfect, the anticipation will raise our pleasure even more.” She gave him a wink knowing he had caught her analogy.

     “Tom would you marry me?” she suddenly said, half hoping he would take her seriously.

 He was silent for a moment.

     “You’re supposed to get down on your knees when you ask that question.”

 She was beginning to enjoy the game so she went on.

     “Please, I love you. We could buy a house and make lots of babies,” she smiled hopefully.

     “And live happily ever after,” he added, not sure that she was kidding anymore.

     “ You’re serious aren’t you?”

When she didn’t reply and looked away he knew she was.

     “Sara,” he said, shaking his head, “Look at me.”

She looked into his eyes.

     “I have nothing to give you. All I own are my mountain memories and the clothes in my backpack, that’s no way to start a life.”

Sara looked down at the floor feeling lost like she was the only one in the room.

     “Don’t lose this one Sara Lyn,” a voice in her head said. “I really love you Tom, anybody else would be second best. I’m not asking for the world Tom, just you.”

 He looked over at the bottles lined up behind the bar searching for an answer. This was all so sudden but he knew it was right.  Never having felt this way about anyone, but marriage, children, a house in the country, those things were not in his plan.

     “I’m just not ready Sara,” he said finally, “you don’t know how hard this is.”

     “I do know how hard this is. Now you look at me, Tom Dillon!“ she snapped with real determination in her voice. “I know you Tom. I know the kind of man you are. No past, no future, just the here and now. That’s fine if it’s what you want out of life. I’m involved and I love you deeply, but I cannot live your life. I’m offering a life with you because I know it’s right.  You do also. I can’t live my life not knowing what will be.”

He felt helpless and reached to take her hand. She pulled away looking around at the other couples having their conversations, wondering if any of them felt as miserable as she did.

     “I’m sorry baby,” he looked at her. He was looking for a sign that she might be softening. She was distant and he felt like he didn’t even know her.

     “Dillon, table for two, Dillon,” the voice over the intercom cracked.

     “I’m not very hungry Tom. I have to go.”

She finished her beer and slid it across the bar.

     “I need my keys,” she held out her hand.

He gave them to her and she turned without a word. He watched her as she made her way through the crowd and out the door. He gestured to the bartender for another beer. Tom felt old for the very first time in his life.

Bhajelo-ji Hanuman, Krishna Das Music, Greatest Hits of the Kali Yuga