July 03, 2009Big Town Kid

Big town kid, small town life

I can't imagine anything more amazing than a weekend in a small, picturesque town surrounded by tall, lush mountains, and that indistinguishable odour of 'non-city.' Mornings at the local bakery stuffing delicious pastries and coffee past your broad smile, waiting for the sun to warm enough for the inevitable discussion of what outdoor activity(ies) you and your buddies should partake in that day.

Afternoons under the restless sun, blood, sweat and/or tears stinging your eyes as you zip through the wooded single track, carve a sensual line across the fall line, push past that last bolt into the unknown, or doing whatever it is you do that gets your heart racing and your fingertips sweating just envisaging it.

And finally the evenings where you can capitulate with friends about the aforementioned ephemeral moments of the glorious day, embellish truths (read: lie), idolize your awesome prowess, and do everything else campfires were made for. The smores and beer don't hurt either.

I have been lucky enough to do this in some spectacular towns and villages across the globe. However the joys spent in these places have always been had with the (often sad, but normal) realization that shortly you will be back in “real” life with incessant honking, unnatural odors, and a dreaded schedule. But I must admit that that realization was somewhat comforting. I mean honestly, is life really worth living without high-speed internet, professional baristas, cineplexes, and strip malls? Anyone?

I recently had to answer that very question (tears and comfort foods may have been involved) when I recently moved to Tremblant to run our new Altitude Sports store. This is the story of that move- a big town kid with a small town life. Will that once friendly sun burn his skin? Will that fresh air slowly choke him into depression? Will those mountains cast a shadow across his newfound life? Well obviously the answer is no to those questions, but I hear drama leaves people wanting more…