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Jack
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Beautiful Weather in Woodfords
Today was truly Spring. We got into the low 70's here. I am setting here in my office looking up the canyon with my window open. I nice cool breeze is coming in the window. This is such a beautiful place to live and visit.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Kirkwood Snow Report March 30, 2011 at 2:24 PM
March 30, 2011 at 2:24 PM
Sunny
Current Temp
44
Wind
21
NNW
Today's Forecast
Another beautiful day at Kirkwood. Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. East northeast wind between 13 and 16 mph, with gusts up to 24 mph. A perfect spring skiing day with incredible snow conditions.Snow Stats
| Last 24 Hours | 0" |
| Last 48 Hours | 0" |
| Storm Total | 0" |
| Last 7 Days | 110-149" |
| Seasonal Total Range | 692-713" |
| Base Depth | 230-273" |
The data for this real-time snow and weather report is obtained directly from the snow weather plots at Kirkwood Mountain Resort and the surrounding areas. Snow totals and snow accumulation are consistently 15 to 20% more than reported as a result of wind, micro squalls and snow loading. Weather patterns at Kirkwood Mountain Resort are exceedingly difficult to predict – when venturing into the mountain, be prepared for rapid, dramatic weather changes.
Surface Conditions
There are still a few powder stashes out there from all of the snow that we had over the weekend. North aspects will have the best snow. We have buttery smooth skiing and riding, with great grooming. With warm temperatures and no wind, we have ideal spring skiing conditions.Road Conditions: Open
| Hwy. 88 via Tahoe: | Open. |
| Hwy. 88 via Jackson: | Open. |
Lift Operations
| Lift | Status | Groomed Runs | |
| #1 SnowKirk |  | Scheduled | |
| #2 Caples Crest |  | Scheduled | |
| #3 Iron Horse | | Scheduled | |
| #4 Sunrise |  | Scheduled | |
| #5 Solitude | | Scheduled | |
| #6 Cornice Express | | Scheduled | |
| #7 TC Express | | Scheduled | |
| #8 Slide Mountain | | Scheduled | |
| #9 Bunny | | Scheduled | |
| #10 Wagon Wheel |  | Scheduled | |
| #11 The Reut | | Scheduled | |
| #14 Vista | | Scheduled | |
| #15 Covered Wagon | | Scheduled |
*Lift operation is dependent on weather conditions and snow safety and therefore subject to change at any time.
High Angle Grooming
Happiness Is, Sentinel, ZacharyOpen Bowls
Happiness Is, Sunrise, Thunder Saddle, Devil's Draw, Palisades, Wagon Wheel, Eagle Bowl, SentinelExpedition: Kirkwood
Expedition:Kirkwood brings you Powder Cat Tours - Tahoe's only resort based cat skiing operation! Our Powder Cat Tours operate in two areas: Martin Point and Red Cliffs. Expedition Guides and Patrollers lead groups to the freshest turns on these four run sessions. Avalanche beacons, probes and backpacks are provided, however, guests are encouraged to bring own gear if they have it. Open to advanced to expert skiers and riders.Parks & Pipes
| K2 Stomping Grounds (Chair 5) | Scheduled |
| Burton Progression Park (Chair 7) | Scheduled |
| Burton Adventure Land (Chair 9) | Scheduled |
| Skier/Boarder X Course (Chair 5) | Scheduled |
| Halfpipe (Chair 7) | Scheduled |
Slide Mountain Tubing Hill Closed
Open weekends from noon to 5:00pm. Tickets can be purchased from the High Alpine Adventure Center (across from the General Store - Red Cliffs)Timber Creek Learning Center Open
Tahoe Learning Center at Timber Creek is open. All Learn to Ski and Burton Learn to Ride programs operate out of this location. All facilities at Timber Creek are available including rentals, retail, lessons and food and beverage.Mountain Village Open
Monte Wolfes is open daily 8am - 4 pm. Bub’s is open from 3pm. Off The Wall Bar will be open for lunch and Dinner. Kirkwood Mountain Sports, K2 Demo Center, Village Center Rentals and Season Pass Office open daily.Kirkwood Cross Country & Snowshoe Center Open
Kirkwood Cross Country is open with 60 kilometers of machine groom track. Lessons are at 10:30 and 1:30 daily. The XC Center's Spring sale is now on - come in for discounts on snowshoes, ski packages and clothing!Special Events & Remarks
Spring Passes and 2011/12 Passes are now on sale!! AND did you hear that we're going to be open 'til MAY 1st!! Yes, extended season and great value right now, get the rest of the season for just $169/$99 after April 1st or EVEN LESS when you secure your 2011/12 Pass. Plus get your 2011/12 Pass by May 1st and get next year's pass at this year's rate!!Tickets & Passes
| Ticket | Full | 1/2 Day |
| Adult 19+ | 76 | 60 |
| Junior 13-18 | 60 | 49 |
| Child 6-12 | 19 | NA |
| Child under 5 | 9 | NA |
| Senior 65-69 | 49 | 39 |
| Senior 70+ | 19 | NA |
*Lift ticket prices are dependent on lift status, weather conditions and snow safety and therefore subject to change.
Beautiful Weather in Woodfords
Spring is back. We were in the mid 60's today with close to 70 by Friday. Some rain called for on Saturday but nothing big and now snow. Come on up to beautiful Alpine County
Monday, March 28, 2011
The Vietnam War Version of Before You Go - Before You Go
The Story Behind "Before You Go" In the early morning hours of a summer evening in 2002, Dr. Sam Bierstock was returning from a cross-country trip. Better known as "Dr. Sam" to millions of people, the doctor had just performed an engagement with his band, "Dr. Sam & the Managed Care Blues Band ®". A professional musician and entertainer as well as a physician, Dr. Sam had been entertaining and making political commentary using satire, great music and humor since 1996 when he formed "Dr. Sam and The Managed Care Blues Band". With performances in more than forty states, and many thousands of CDs sold, Dr. Sam had been taking on managed care and it's impact on healthcare in the United States with such riotous tunes as "You Picked A Fine Time To Leave Me Blue Shield", "You're One Hip Mama ('Cause They Won't Pay For Two)", and many others. His music with a message and good-natured humorous commentary had been featured nationally on CNN, National Public Radio, People Magazine, USA Today and many other national forums. On this particular evening, Dr. Sam was tired. He had parted with his band members and was headed home from a cross-country gig that had returned him to his home base in Florida at 1 AM. After retrieving his car from the parking lot, he handed his parking ticket to the elderly man in the collection booth. Retrieving his change, Dr. Sam wished the attendant a good evening. He was somewhat startled when he received an unexpected angry and resentful reply. " I took two bullets for this country," the attendant responded, "and look what I am doing now!" Uncertain as to how to respond initially, Dr. Sam pocketed his change, rolled up his window and began to drive off. The time that it took to drive ten or fifteen feet from the toll booth was enough for him to digest what had just happened. With no one behind him, Dr. Sam backed up, rolled down his window and addressed the elderly attendant. "Sir", he said, " I have had a wonderful life in this country, and I want to thank you sincerely for what you did to preserve our way of life in this country." Saying nothing in response, the man began to cry. As he drove home in those early morning hours, Dr. Sam was haunted by what had just occurred. As a 'Baby Boomer" his early years of life were within a decade of the end of the Second World War. His step-father had been wounded in Italy, and other family members had served in the armed forces. Distant relatives had perished in the holocaust. What would have happened, he thought, if we had lost World War Two to Hitler and his Nazi henchmen? He realized that not only would our entire way of life and system of freedom been destroyed, his parents and grandparent would have been killed, he would never have been born and his children would not exist. The same fate would have been met by virtually all other members of minorities, many religious groups, and the disabled. The personal freedoms that we take so much for granted would have disappeared. "How", he thought, "do you thank someone enough for the existence of your children, and for all of the freedoms and opportunities that we all take so much for granted?" The next morning, Dr. Sam wrote the lyrics to "Before You Go". The lyrics came easily to him since they came so much from the heart. The challenge then came in setting them to music. For months he struggled with finding just the right musical genre. Should it be a patriotic song resounding with majesty, or a country tune? He had consulted several well known and successful professional song writers who felt that his lyrics were more of a "poem" than song lyrics and suggested that he re-work them. But what he had written was what he felt, so he resisted a change in wording. He sent the lyrics to fellow musicians, and to authors of film scores. No one seemed to take interest or express a willingness to tackle the lyrics and the message. During the summer of 2005, Dr. Sam was on his way to yet another gig with his band. The band had a new keyboard player, John Melnick. Classically trained as a pianist, and a seasoned singer and entertainer, John was on his first road trip with the band with scheduled stops in Philadelphia and Scottsdale. Walking through one of the airports, Dr. Sam casually mentioned to John that he had been struggling with putting some lyrics to music and couldn't seem to find the right fit. "Let me take a shot at it," john offered. The result was "Before You Go" With the music provided by John Melnick, Dr. Sam went into the studio with John and his production team, John Catalano and Newell Bate. With Andy Russell on drums, John Catalano on guitar and bass, Dr. Sam on harmonica, and John Melnick providing both keyboard and vocals, and Peter White harmonizing, "Before you Go" became a reality at last. Feeling that they had produced a very high quality "demo" recording, Dr. Sam and John began "shopping" the song in an effort to interest a well-known celebrity singer, certain that a highly recognizable and popular singer would assure that their message of thanks would be spread more quickly if it was recorded by someone of national stature as a recording artist. As negotiations continued, time continued to pass. Acutely aware that the veterans of World War Two were being lost to age and time at a rate of 1,000 to 2,000 per day, they made the decision to release their recording for free listening on the Internet, in the hope that the message would be spread by those who heard their tune and forwarded it on to others. To enhance the impact of the song, Dr. Sam created a visual presentation to accompany the display of his lyrics, attempting to include as many of the branches of service of the armed forces, the allies, both sexes, and as many ethnic groups as possible in order to fortify a recognition of all who had done so much to preserve our way of life - and our very lives. Within one week, "Before You Go" was being downloaded at a rate of 400 to 500 downloads per day. By the end of the first six weeks, downloads totaled more than 450,000 peaking at 50,000 per day at one point. Emails began to pour in, with profound expressions of gratitude for the recognition extended to World War Two veterans by the song - not just from veterans of that war themselves, but from veterans of all of the wars since, people in active service, and especially from the sons, daughters and grandchildren of the veterans of World War Two. As can be seen by reading page after page of excerpts to follow, these notes contained a common thread. Sons and daughters told of their parents and grandparents never talking about what they had seen or experienced during the war. Just as "Before You Go" expressed; "You never boasted, bragged or asked For adulation for your past You did the job you knew was right And quietly you cry at night." Our thanks go to all of those who have listened to 'Before you Go" at www.beforeyougo.us, and passed it on to friends, family, radio and television stations, printed media, religious groups and organizations of all types. Dr. Sam's and John Melnick's goal from the beginning has been to get this message to every surviving veteran of World War Two while we still have them, to their families and to their descendants. "Before You Go" has had its own life, thanks to all of you who have helped to spread this message of thanks.
The snow is melting in Woodfords
The snow is melting quickly at our elevation. By Friday it will be 67 degrees. Come on up and stay with us at our guest house for a beautiful weekend at Woodfords, CA. Close to Kirkwood, Hope Valley and Markleeville.
Here is the 10 day forecast for Markleeville. 67 degrees by Friday.
|  |
Printable Forecast
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Road Conditions March 26, 8:00 AM
SR 88
[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA & SIERRA NEVADA]
CHAINS OR SNOW TIRES ARE REQUIRED FROM PINE GROVE TO 3.7 MI EAST OF
PINE GROVE (AMADOR CO)
CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW
TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM 3.7 MI EAST OF PINE GROVE (AMADOR CO) TO
5 MI WEST OF PICKETTS JCT (ALPINE CO)
US 50
[IN THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA]
CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW
TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM 3 MI EAST OF PLACERVILLE TO MEYERS (EL DORADO CO)
[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA & SIERRA NEVADA]
CHAINS OR SNOW TIRES ARE REQUIRED FROM PINE GROVE TO 3.7 MI EAST OF
PINE GROVE (AMADOR CO)
CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW
TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM 3.7 MI EAST OF PINE GROVE (AMADOR CO) TO
5 MI WEST OF PICKETTS JCT (ALPINE CO)
US 50
[IN THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA]
CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW
TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM 3 MI EAST OF PLACERVILLE TO MEYERS (EL DORADO CO)
Kirkwood Snow Report March 26, 2011 at 7:44 AM
Kirkwood Snow Report March 26, 2011 at 7:44 AM
Heavy Snow
Current Temp
16
Wind
28
NNW
Today's Forecast
Snow. High near 31. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 17 and 26 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. We've recieved 3-5" through the night and expect daytime snow accumulation of another 3-5".Snow Stats
| Last 24 Hours | 16-20" |
| Last 48 Hours | 55-61" |
| Storm Total | 134-148" |
| Last 7 Days | 156-174" |
| Seasonal Total Range | 674-698" |
| Base Depth | 226- 271" |
The data for this real-time snow and weather report is obtained directly from the snow weather plots at Kirkwood Mountain Resort and the surrounding areas. Snow totals and snow accumulation are consistently 15 to 20% more than reported as a result of wind, micro squalls and snow loading. Weather patterns at Kirkwood Mountain Resort are exceedingly difficult to predict – when venturing into the mountain, be prepared for rapid, dramatic weather changes.
Surface Conditions
Powder and skier packed powder. Deep powder conditions throughout the mountain. Even groomed trails will have 3-5" on them.Road Conditions: Open
| Hwy. 88 via Tahoe: | Open. Chain controls in effect |
| Hwy. 88 via Jackson: | Open. Chain Controls in effect |
Lift Operations
| Lift | Status | Groomed Runs | |
| #1 SnowKirk | | Scheduled | Hay Flat, Hay Flat Alt., SnowKirk |
| #2 Caples Crest | | Scheduled | Flying Carpet, Flying Capet Alt. |
| #3 Iron Horse | | Scheduled | Easy Rider, Herringbone |
| #4 Sunrise | | Closed | Easy Road |
| #5 Solitude | | Scheduled | Lower Monte Wolfe, Race Course |
| #6 Cornice Express | | Scheduled | |
| #7 TC Express | | Scheduled | Home Run, Free N Easy, Hole N Wall, Up N Over, Up N Over Alt., Jane's Jaunt, Squirrel Ridge, Sentinel Cutback, Jambi's Jaunt |
| #8 Slide Mountain | | Scheduled | |
| #9 Bunny | | Scheduled | Graduation, Funny Bunny, School Run, Palisade's Runout |
| #10 Wagon Wheel | | Scheduled | Buckboard |
| #11 The Reut | | Scheduled | Wagon Trail, Shortspoke, Conestoga |
| #14 Vista | | Scheduled | |
| #15 Covered Wagon | | Closed |
*Lift operation is dependent on weather conditions and snow safety and therefore subject to change at any time.
High Angle Grooming
ConestogaOpen Bowls
Expedition: Kirkwood
Expedition:Kirkwood brings you Powder Cat Tours - Tahoe's only resort based cat skiing operation! Our Powder Cat Tours operate in two areas: Martin Point and Red Cliffs. Expedition Guides and Patrollers lead groups to the freshest turns on these four run sessions. Avalanche beacons, probes and backpacks are provided, however, guests are encouraged to bring own gear if they have it. Open to advanced to expert skiers and riders.Parks & Pipes
| K2 Stomping Grounds (Chair 5) | Scheduled |
| Burton Progression Park (Chair 7) | Scheduled |
| Burton Adventure Land (Chair 9) | Scheduled |
| Skier/Boarder X Course (Chair 5) | Scheduled |
| Halfpipe (Chair 7) | Scheduled |
Slide Mountain Tubing Hill Closed
Open weekends from noon to 5:00pm. Tickets can be purchased from the High Alpine Adventure Center (across from the General Store - Red Cliffs)Timber Creek Learning Center Open
Tahoe Learning Center at Timber Creek is open. All Learn to Ski and Burton Learn to Ride programs operate out of this location. All facilities at Timber Creek are available including rentals, retail, lessons and food and beverage.Mountain Village Open
Monte Wolfes is open daily 8am - 4 pm. Bub’s is open from 3pm. Off The Wall Bar will be open for lunch and Dinner. Kirkwood Mountain Sports, K2 Demo Center, Village Center Rentals and Season Pass Office open daily.Kirkwood Cross Country & Snowshoe Center Open
Kirkwood Cross Country is open with 60 kilometers of machine groom track. Lessons are at 10:30 and 1:30 daily. The XC Center's Spring sale is now on - come in for discounts on snowshoes, ski packages and clothing!Special Events & Remarks
Spring Passes and 2011/12 Passes are now on sale!! AND did you hear that we're going to be open 'til MAY 1st!! Yes, extended season and great value right now, get the rest of the season for just $169/$99 after April 1st or EVEN LESS when you secure your 2011/12 Pass. Plus get your 2011/12 Pass by May 1st and get next year's pass at this year's rate!!Tickets & Passes
| Ticket | Full | 1/2 Day |
| Adult 19+ | 76 | 60 |
| Junior 13-18 | 60 | 49 |
| Child 6-12 | 19 | NA |
| Child under 5 | 9 | NA |
| Senior 65-69 | 49 | 39 |
| Senior 70+ | 19 | NA |
*Lift ticket prices are dependent on lift status, weather conditions and snow safety and therefore subject to change.
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