One's Craft

Take me back… Back to the beginning

For this post, I remember a time when life felt simpler for me. I recall driving back from a tough session at China Peak. The storm had just cleared, leaving the entire resort blanketed in powder. I was with my buddy, Nap, and we had met up with an old acquaintance from college days, Adamsom.

The resort was breathtaking: clear skies, shining sun, and perfectly groomed lines. The snowboarding conditions were flawless. I remember carving through the powder with speed—my favorite kind of riding. There’s nothing quite like the way the snow sprays around you as you carve, kissing every icy curve with your board. At one point, we all met up for a break in the parking lot. We popped open our trunks, and each of us had a beer to share. That’s when I discovered Firefall, a red lager by Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company.

The beer complemented the day perfectly, and I remember being captivated by the can’s artwork. It depicted Yosemite’s famous natural phenomenon that happens just 13 days a year: during sunset, the sun’s rays hit one of Yosemite’s waterfalls just right, making it glow like lava cascading down 3,000 feet of snowy majesty. Looking at that illustration, I thought to myself, “One day, I’m going to see that for real.”

We continued our long and thrilling session across China Peak’s powdery terrain, and it was totally worth it. By the time we packed up, I was ready to drive back and nurse my sore muscles. But first, we had to navigate the winding, snow-covered roads leading down the mountain—a nerve-racking challenge that lived up to its reputation.

However, amid the tension came a moment of serenity. As we drove, the sun began to set, painting the skies in shades of purple. The entire landscape seemed to glow. After a while, we passed some trees, and suddenly, a stunning valley and lake came into view. I had to pull over.

That moment by the lake was profound. It was a time of reflection—a moment when the lake seemed to reveal something more, something deeper about life.