Lumberjack Update #7: Spring Break, March 1, and Other Stuff

Hi everyone!

I know, it's been a looooong time since you've gotten to read some news from Tinsley 207, Center Wing North, NAU Campus. Nevertheless, I hope you'll still enjoy these lines and keep reading. Last Sunday the Spring Break came to an end, and there are just six more weeks at NAU. It's about time to get started with the administrative stuff: credit point transfer, university- and other red tape related stuff, and to go about preparing life after my graduate studies. Yes, never forget to work on your resume!

However, the most exciting event since the last update was the Spring Break (March 12 trough 21) and the 2,027 miles to it! After some shopping at Fry's and Safeway we left Flag around 8pm in our rental car (this time with insurance) and headed towards Mammoth, CA. On board: Kathrin, Julien, Marcus and my humble self (driver); length of first stage: 611 miles; time of driving: 9h and 45min; time of arrival: 4:44am; special happenings: none. We had reservations at the Sierra Lodge which is located almost in downtown Mammoth. Check-in was not possible before 3pm, lift ticket pick-up just after 7am. Oh well, after a 1-hour nap in the car (yes it was very comfortable) we went to the Breakfast Club where breakfast was served shortly after 6am to eat sausage, scrambled eggs, and pancakes w/ maple syrup. Then the action was about to start: Changing clothes in the underground parking lot, picking up our 4-day lift passes, getting on the local shuttle bus, and renting the gear at the Ski Surgeon. Shortly after, we hit the slopes... holy molly, just awesome and what a spectacular panoramic view! BTW: pure sun, almost no people out yet, tons of firm/spring snow and okay gear, actually not even the demo package did help much.

On the next day, the second NAU ski & border group arrived in Mammoth: Scott, Mike, John, Paul, Alex and Marios (how many nationalities?). Under steel blue skies we enjoyed riding on black diamonds; of course, I couldn't resist to check out the double black diamonds. You are wondering what the difference is? Double = mogul fields and darn steep (45+ degrees!), and therefore not the slopes for the wanna-be boarders, too bad! Marios, the Cypriot, especially had a hard first time on the board and got to know the slope borderlines (head first), I felt sorry for the hedge! Happy hours after a full of skiing weren't that great, just about the same as in Winter Park. However, our lodge came with an outdoor Jacuzzi—a must and totally relaxing. Night life was more or less nonexistent, but people from NAU know how to party. Go to Vons (Safeway named in California) and buy some chips, vodka, rum and coke! And I promise you won't get disappointed!

After four absolutely super fantastic days of skiing in Mammoth, in an absolute happy mood, and once again not that well rested, we took on the next stage of our tour. Santa Barbara (the other group spent the remaining days in San Fran). The cruise through the Californian mountains—yes there's more to it than just sun, beaches, and a laissez-faire attitude—was chillin'. But without McDonald's, Burger K and Wendy's we wouldn't have made it all the way to S.B. Late that afternoon we dropped Kathrin at the pier (her future boyfriend is gonna pick her up), just to say goodbye and see you later (keep reading).

Via freeway #101 we reached the UCSB campus and a couple minutes on made it to Till's apartment. Finally, the boy Spring Break could take shape. As you all know, March 17 is St. Patrick's Day, and thus green, green, and green again! In the Irish Pub, of course, green beer was served (many thanks to the pitcher sponsors). The next morning started with the first frustration, it was foggy all over! After a short walk over the UCSB campus and a look at Till's working bunker, who was doing his Master's Thesis, we visited the Santa Barbara Mission, which is supposed to be one of the most beautiful, according to the locals! Thereafter we went downtown and later on cruised along the Scenic Drive. There aren't many pics from this, especially you all know what fog looks like.

It was Friday March 19, and the smaller getting crew was awaiting a couple of sunny days in San Diego. However, the way to S.D. was quite a long one, and you wanna make sure you don't freak out because of the stop-and-go traffic through L.A. on I-405; at least there were car pool lanes in place (2+ people). Weather update: no news, still foggy... oummm, doesn't L.A. lay on the Pacific Ocean—I thought so. After getting some gas (unleaded costs about 60 cents more than in Arizona) and my very first In-and-Out Burger visit, we eventually approached the greater San Diego area.

We stayed in Pacific Beach, which is some 20 minutes north of downtown S.D. on the coast, and well-known as THE party location par excellence, especially during Spring Break. And yes, everything turned out as predicted! Luckily, our motel was located just around the corner and two blocks off Garnett Ave. Yes you're right... hours of dancing, flirting, drinking and the like. The next day was Marcus' birthday and as a surprise we met Kathrin and her boyfriend in front of the Sea World. I was the only one who wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo instead—too bad the soak zone and the not that exciting amusement park didn't live up to my expectations. Moreover, just 30 minutes crystal clear sky and the S.D.-intense sun were enough that day get myself sunburned (neck). Lesson learned: go to the Zoo!

The same evening the five of us decided to do some S.D. sightseeing by car. Of course, the Coronado Island and the famous hotel Del Coronado were on the list, too. Because of the darkness, I almost ran a military zone: «Stop, stop, STOP! Where do you wanna go?» «Oumm, just wanna check out the island.»—«Negativ! You turn around... right here, I'll guide you.» «Cool.» In good health and without any military consequences, we enjoyed our last party night at our motel rooms. The next morning, with two hungover guys in the back and a short detour to the Gliderport, sightseeing through La Jolla and along Torrey Pines Road we found ourselves heading back to Phoenix on I-8 and I-10, respectively, before Interstate 17 took us up to Flagstaff and marked the end of my first real American Spring Break.

And now let's turn to another highlight or the 24-hour event that began at midnight on February 29. Tania, Claudi, Kathrin, Carolin, Julia, Patrick, Marcus, Sebastian, Julien, Marco, Fernando and Alberto broke in on me with a Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Cake (as I've mentioned many times before one of my favorite). Of course, my friends didn't forget to bring some bottles of champagne and a gift for me! Wow, thank you all guys, it was just so much fun... . After a really short night with hardly any sleep, I got up at 7am in the morning. Huh, you're wondering why the heck I did that? It's simple: birthday kids get a free lift ticket at the Arizona Sonwbowl—and, of course, I just couldn't leave out this opportunity. Originally, I was supposed to take Fernando's car for this 20-mile trip. However, his car wasn't that great for wintry conditions and in addition (I admit) I didn't feel comfortable driving his old but really cool VW after I made the first few turns. Well, just have a look to fully understand what I'm talking about. In the end, I got Tania's car and made it safely to the Snowbowl. Close to perfect, we did get some 20 inches of fresh power over the weekend. Moreover, the skies cleared up late in the morning, and I enjoyed a wild day of skiing on the deserted slopes at an altitude up to 12,000 feet. Awesome! BWT: I ditched my first class at 1:50pm... who cares, it was my birthday!

For dinner we went to Little Thai Kitchen (another one of my favorite places). Spicy food is just great. No, the one to five scale isn't right, you have to get Thai hot! Around 10pm Tania, Julia, Carolin and my humble self headed downtown to Maloney's Monday Martini Night (three bucks a drink). It doesn't need much of imagination... it was funny, hilarious, silly, and so are the pics! Shortly after midnight we found ourselves happy roaming back to campus—the end of this 24-hour spectacle.

Noteworthy is the one-day trip to Page and the nearby Antelope Canyon. Patrick (the driver), Julia, Claudia, Carolin and I were on the way to Page, and thus to the Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam, which lies about two hours north of Flagstaff. The security check at the entrance of the Dam was insane (well, doesn't make the dam an excellent target for terrorists?), but the 45-minute tour inside the huge concrete dam was great and even priceless. Shortly after, the Indians—we got ripped off, I think you know the term «special offer», huh—took us to the Antelope Canyon. This narrow and tall canyon was absolutely fascinating. Its bizarre rock formations and especially the sun beams that made the rocks appear in magnificent colors—ranging from green, purple, pink and yellow to blue—were really cool. On the canyon walls pictures from animals and even presidents could be seen, just use your imagination. The only unpleasant thing was the weather. Nevertheless, it was worth going on the trip anyway! After some pizza at good old Pizza Hut our last stop was at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, just a mile or so from Page.

Other highlights included various birthdays: Kathrin's (February 4), Pat's (February 24) and Mike's (March 11). Social events: party at Mike's place without Mike. We pretty much hijacked his dorm and abused it to party with 40+ people, most of them we didn't know. Of course, everything was cleaned, put back to its original place, and the door looked before Mr. Lee got back home—and he shouldn't notice anything at all. Then there were the Foosball Tournament at Ean's «Lighthouse», the bowling event on Flag's East side, and last but not least I got my iPod mini. I'll betcha I was the first one on the whole campus!

More pictures can be found in my ImageAlbum—and stay tuned for updates!

All the best to you guys from beautiful Flagstaff.
Andreas

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