Photo comp - Jealousy

I pulled into the parking lot near the ski area with my 1981 diesel puttering to a stop.  A few girls sauntered by wearing their skittled colored clothing that matched their snowboards and skis. Their season passes flapping in the wind and ponytails bouncing as they giggled on by. 

I stepped out of my station wagon and wished I had gotten my hair cut last week. Just, there was this great deal on beacons and so my hair will have to wait until next month. I thought when I had a grown up job I would be able to buy the stuff I would need for all of my crazy habits.

I pulled on my hat - from the second hand store, my scarf - army issued hammy down, a fleece from REI clearance rack so well used it was changing colors, and boots that I have no idea how old they are because I bought them from a fellow on craigslist. Then I shoved all of my extras into a pack that I got in junior high for my first backpacking trip. I was proud of my skis though. I got them used but they were just what I wanted perfect for almost any thing.

My jealousy for those girls at the ski area stayed with me as I huff and puffed up the climb. They had time for makeup and their clothes matched! Then my pack’s buckle broke around the waist and I had to tie it. My ski socks were dirty and so my thick hiking socks were rubbing my heal raw. Why did I take that “grown up job”?

Then I was there, at the top, looking at the wilderness around me. Across the valley I saw that ski area I left behind looking so small in comparison to the vastness around me. As I ate my smashed sandwich a thankfulness washed over me. How lucky was I to find such great deals on my stuff? Who cares out here that my ski poles are taken out of a cheap set of snow shoes? I even took off my hat to show off my terrible hair to all the pine trees. All of a sudden I was so proud to be in an amazing place away from the lifts. As I made my first turn in untouched snow and my jealousy vanished. 

These pictures are to commemorate the things I am most proud of, my fourteen year old pack, snow shoe poles (at least they are adjustable), and my totally kick ass skis.