The Birth of Edgy II

The day after posting my blog “2017 ~2023…”, I was inspired by Codi (A local ski resort area lift pass checker) to write this next blog called, The birth of Edgy II.   A Snowboarder dressed all in black who made his first appearance on the morning of Jan 4, 2024 at the Purgatory ski resort near Durango, Colorado.  Before telling the events that unfolded on his birthday, I need to give some historical (or should I say, hysterical) background about his brother, Edgy the Elf, who was born at a company Christmas party in Minnesota many, many years ago.  This same person who transforms into a mischievous Elf at Christmas time is also known as “Pat One” (Pat Achenbach) along with his adventurous companion “Pat Two” (myself). Like Dr. Seuss’ Thing One and Thing Two, Pat One and Pat Two are Dr. Seuss’ Swiss versions named Patone and Pattwo, to be pronounced with a French accent.  We dressed up for Halloween one year in costumes similar to Thing One and Thing Two except we painted our skin a devilish dark red, faces stylishly trimmed in black, sporting a rainbow colored afro and matching red and yellow tie dye t-shirts with “Pat 1” and “Pat 2” printed on the front.  We (Patone and Pattwo), along with the rest of “The Fire Pit Crew” started the evening with a visit to the local Haunted House in Northfield, Minnesota and then spent the evening wandering the streets, experiencing wild and crazy adventures together. After departing our separate ways and heading home,  Patone was stopped by a local policeman and was made to walk the, “Line of Shame” on the side of the street after admitting to having responsibly consumed a couple of beers throughout the evening.  He passed the roadside sobriety test and all was well. However, according to Pantone, the policeman didn’t appear to share his humor and or enthusiasm.  Say la vie.  Just one of many P&P Achenbach  and J&P Milan adventures we’ve shared over the years.  Unlike Frosty, our grandson’s resident Elf on the Shelf along with his reindeer companion Rudolf, who visits our house for nightly adventures during the holiday season and reports directly to the big guy in the red suit, Edgy the Elf lives in the Now moment and reports to no-one.  Lets just say that everyone attending those company Christmas parties years ago were fair game to get roasted and toasted by Edgy the Elf. Upon my arrival on the morning of January 4th, 2024 at Purgatory having driven the ASA (Adaptive Sports Association) volunteer shuttle bus, I discovered I’d forgotten my ski jacket at home.  After checking with the ASA staff to see if they needed any additional help with lessons, I was free to enjoy the day as I wished. So I went downstairs, borrowed a black Jacket from the lending closet then headed for the mountain top.  Having received only a few inches of much needed snow the previous night made ski conditions mediocre at best.  Many of the trails on the back side were rock gardens hidden beneath the few inches of freshies awaiting to be revealed to the unsuspecting downhill winter enthusiasts.  I however had one of the most spectacular days of my life as I surfed the trails edges and tree lines seeking out and destroying any remaining untouched “Powder Pockets” while attempting to satisfy my adrenaline addiction.  For my first run I headed to the right toward the Styx trail head , a run laced with generously spaced trees.  Lacking a sufficient base of snow pack, it wasn’t conducive to the health and wellbeing of my snowboard nor my old bones, so I traversed through the trees as I often do to get to the bottom as safely as possible.  Upon arrival and standing in the singles line at the Six Pack (six person chairlift), I was approached by a ski patrol and asked if I had a lift pass.  I said I did and proceeded to show him, at which time he said “Give it to me”!!!  I was a bit shocked by his abrasive response so I asked him why.  He said I was just spotted boarding on a closed and roped off run. I’m easily identified because I’m one of the few Snowboarders that use ski poles while boarding. Last year I met a person at Purg that was also using ski poles (and from this moment forward will be referred to as B-poles) with her snowboard that goes by the nickname Flow, short for Florence. She’s originally from Europe, France, if I remember correctly. I look forward to the possibility of surfing with her sometime in the future.  Given any other day, I would have become very defensive and the conversation would have degraded quickly.  Instead, I was feeling like I was on cloud 8 since spending a sleepless night writing and publishing my first blog in over a year.  So, rather than losing my cool, I remained calm while answering his questions and giving honest, truthful answers.  No, I didn’t travers under any roped off areas. Yes, I agree I’m responsible to be aware of what runs are open and which are closed.  I then began asking my own questions.  I think the final question I asked him quelled the situation, or perhaps it was more of an invite. I told him I’d be happy to go back up with him and give him a tour of the exact route I had just taken if he was interested, at which time he simply shook his head and walked away.  I was so focused on him and our conversation that I didn’t realize that we’d become the center of attention, all eyes and ears were upon us.  In my past life I thrived on being the center of attention.  Not so much these days, quite the opposite in fact.  Unless of course, one of my alter Egos chooses to come out and play.  I spent the remainder of the day mostly in a state of bliss.  I told one woman I shared the chairlift ride to the top with that besides the obvious advantage that ski goggles provide, I’d discovered another benefit, that you can’t see my eyes as they swell up with tears because my heart is bursting with Joy.  Later that morning I would have yet another encounter with not just one ski patrol but two.  Half way down the run called Demon I was exhausted and so I laid down near the edge of the tree line out of harm’s way, motionless, eyes closed and once again leaking tears of joy when I heard a voice asking if I was ok.  I looked up to see two curious and concerned ski patrollers looking at me.  I glanced up  at them, smiled and said not only am I ok, I’ve never felt more happy, alive and exhausted at the same time. My response was rewarded with ear to ear grins.  I thanked them for checking on me and as they both prepared for their departure, the nearest one tapped my ski pole, a skier’s version of a fist bump.  As they skied away, I shouted a loud and boisterous acknowledgement thanking them for their service, then I thanked the Universe for topping off my G.A.S. Tank. Paradoxically family is the most important element for our existence on this planet while at the same time they can be our worst enemy and greatest teachers.  That’s why in addition to our blood family, (or in the case of orphans, unknown family) we search out our tribe, our soul mates, those fellow life traveling partners to help assist us in making this journey called life not only tolerable, but meaningful, Joyful and miraculous.  Without them and their support, life can be lonely and down right intolerable. So having said that, I want to acknowledge “The Fire Pit Crew ”.  These soul mates of mine have had my back in hard times, support when I needed it and have been witnesses of and participants in this fantastic journey. Thank you Pat and Paula, John and Susan, Tony and Deb and most importantly Josie.  Without you my life would be utterly empty and meaningless. Love you guys! x><x