New Zealand Farewell

On Wednesday, August 20th Cheeseman held the "Accountants vs Lawyers" race and from there we continued into the next week. On Sunday the 31st, my last day in New Zealand, I spent the morning shoveling snow and went for one last ski before heading to the airport. After arriving I had my first experience of mistaken identity as I was sent aside. As it turned out another Travis Clark was on the "no fly" list! Apparently I have an evil alter ego. Later that evening I arrived in Melbourne, Australia and spent the night hanging out with my friend Robbie. He came to pick me up at the airport and, after driving around a bit in Melbourne, we launched it back to Geelong for the night and watched some dinkum Aussie stuff on the tele.

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Snowline Nights

On Monday, August 18th I went to town and sold my motorcycle. The next night I was back up on the mountain in time for the ski weekers' activity night. First, Erin started things out by putting on everyone's clothing and, a little later, people began skits that they had prepared. Some were funny and other just plain silly. At the end of the night everyone tried climbing under a table without touching the floor - a challenge more difficult than it would seem!

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Climbing for Cash

For two days following Wednesday, August 13th I did my duties, including my weekly drive to town, and did as much skiing as I had time for. Finally, on Saturday, I was sent back down to Forest Lodge for one night to look after the Polish Society. That evening the Polish group brought out the booze as they do every year and it wasn't long before I was climbing a wall for $50. Of course, I would of done it for free but, seeing as none of us had any idea how I would accomplish this, I took the bet just for laughs. The wall was not an easy climb at first but, using some ledges that I hadn't previously noticed, I progressed towards the top. Surrounded by a chanting crowd of very merry individuals, I soon found myself at the top of the wall and a nifty $50 richer.

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Pow Pow!

On Sunday, August 10th we returned to the mountain for opening day. The next day we had a blizzard and the following day we had a staff powder day!

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Chamberlains Ford

For the first few days in August I camped out at Chamberlains Ford and used the nearby library in Lincoln to kill some time writing. On Monday, August 4th I woke up with everything covered in ice and so I decided to go back to staying with friends. For the next four days I stayed at Henry's and then went to the Marsh's for two nights before learning that the mountain was finally back open.

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