SNOWY MCCALL WELCOMES INDIANS TO PLAYLAND

Editor's Note: I am posting Srijat Mishra's blog of his reflections on his experiences in Idaho. Unfortunately, the pictures that accompanied his blog I cannot place in his presentation.. You can read Srijat's blog and see his pictures for yourself at http://unmuddlings.blogspot.com.





ABUNDANT SNOW IN MCCALL...WE DON'T WANT TO LEAVE!
April 20th onwards we are used sweat and heat in bold and large fonts – it starts getting ‘summer-ily’ uncomfortable, aint it?. But here we go! Its not sultry weather to be wary of, its time get protected of the cold and time to enjoy the abundant snow and the slopes of McCall. Hurray!!

By the time we left McCall, everyone was crying for more. Junta was prepared to junk the rest of the GSE and settle down at picturesque Ski-ing resort. We really couldn’t have asked for more.

Again some awesome people, great affection that we received. Our hosts took the special care to see us comfortable – at times almost making us a bit embarrassed. Special and Uma and everyone else connected directly and indirectly to this trip. Each one of us, has taken away special memories from our short 2-3 days stay [Apr 22 afternoon to Apr 25 morn] at this small town of under 5000 people.

THE ENTIRE TOWN IS PAINTED IN SNOW, PARTIES AND FUN!
It was the first time in my life that I saw so much of snow at one time. Literally the entire town was painted snow-white. Fields, roof-tops, entire lake, the mountains, camping grounds and almost everything else – except probably human beings. The association between snow and McCall has become inextricably inter-wined. So much that, next time when someone says ‘snow’, I will probably say McCall.

We participated in a host of activities, as in Boise. We did a bit of serious talking – when Richard gave a wonderful overview of Frontier Communications, or when the Forest officer gave us an informative dope on managing the forest and the challenges; we also went to the office of the Schools Superintendent [of McCall and nearby areas] – who took us to the local school and to whom I will write back in due course. We also went to the Salmon hatchery at Riggins and got our school biology lessons refreshed on the life-cycle and nuggets of a Salmon’s life.

And we played too – and that, not too badly I suppose. On day one, after a pizza dinner, which turned out to be just a looseer, we all went down to The Batchelor’s to have a majestic view of the lake – which was all snow; and rounded it up with knowing all our different hosts better, amidst music and bantering. The day two evening [after the morning at Riggins] was with The Bates’. James, who is the president of the McCall Rotary Club, hosted a fun party which got all the few dozen feet in the room tapping and half the number of hips swinging. That’s when we did the GSE 3260 team’s presentation.

YES, WE WENT SKIING AND DIPPED IN A HOT SPRING
The crescendo, touched further upwards in day three – when the entire gang went ski-ing. We were tutored by Tim at the gentler part of the Brundage slopes. In about an hours time, we got to handle the ski’s enough to go down the slopes unescorted. It was a few hours of thrill – going down the slopes, taking the ropeway upwards and going down again. In the process, trying to better the art form with every extra essay. Once we got tired, we also used the longer ropeways to go all the way up to the top of the mountain and had a glimpse of heaven – in the form of ‘The Eternal Sea of Snowy Mountain Peaks’. In addition, thanks to Richard, we all got a helluva of a ride in the Snowmobile [mind you, this can ride upto 130 kmph and can be both scary and fun – depending upon fibre of your heart]. Need to mention, the tailgading courtesy Kevin was most welcome after the 'busy' morning.

That party didn’t stop there, the two seniors of the group, Dave and Ed drove us down to the hot springs for a refreshing warm water bath and lots of basketball shooting from within the water. To round up the day, Anil and Dipti teamed up to cooked rice, tomato chutney and paneer for Dr Ed, Alok, the cooks and I – which I am happy that Dr Ed relished the food too.

During the middle of all that activity, Alok managed to go to his gym, Pradip had a nice exposure to Indian Yoga and mediation, Thanks to Irwin, Dipti had a lovely time enjoying the scenic beauty from The Bacherlor’s. Anil and I went over to see Dr Ed’s camp at the rim of the lake. Dr Ed hosted Anil and I. He and Dave [Hanson] were fatherly figures during the trip. We cannot thank them enough. Dr Ed took all care to see us comfortable at home. Dave took extra pains to co-ordinate the trip to perfection. My/Our special thanks to them.

GUESS WHAT?  ON OUR LAST MORNING, IT SNOWED!!
On the last morning, we had a lovely lunch and another round of hearty laughter at the Pancakes. As a poetic gesture, nature contrived to snow that morning. And we didn’t lose the opportunity of some photo ops at McCall and during the drive to Nampa. Worth adding, that it might have just been a cosmic connivance that snow persisted till April end this year at McCall – to give us this memorable experience. Every year the lake starts to melt earlier and the ski slopes close by Apr 20 and every person in McCall and the neighbouring areas is waiting for the long winter to get over and they slide into the summer games mood.