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Everyday the boxes come. Sometimes a single box the size of a shoebox. Other days we get 60 of 'em, 3 foot square on one truck. Then more trucks come. Some with gloves, some with goggles, some with skis (you can recognize those boxes pretty quick). We are loading up the store with merchandise for the upcoming season. It plays like a movie preview in my mind. This is a preview that better look good. This is what will be playing on my only channel for the next eight months. "Oh yeah" is a common term as we remember the items we ordered when we get a glimpse of the merchandise. Most of it we saw briefly months ago as we made our purchasing decisions. Since then they have become names without faces in our computer and on purchase orders, confirmations, and now packing lists. John, Martin, my daughters and I have been toiling away getting enough boxes to wear out a child on Christmas day.
Not all of us are partaking of the influx management however. Some of us have other things going on. Brian is still based in Oregon fighting wildfires with his hotshot crew. I could barely breath as I read the names of the unfortunate victims of the helicopter crash in which a number of firefighters died. I know he had been working near Chester recently but don't know day to day where he will be working, so I was worried that he may have been involved. I went to the detailed version of the AP report to get the 411. All victims were from Oregon I read...gulp, all were in there 20's and 30's...gulp again. Only a few survivors...names are...deap breath. Brian was not on the list so that's good but it is still such a tradgedy. Brian is to be commended for taking on a job that serves the people but is riddled with danger in so many ways. It will be great to have him back in the bay area when the fire season ends. I would imagine his parents will be happy to have him back at the ski shop too!
Erle is also missing out on the preseason prep but he is doing things a bit less dangerous. I recently got this emsil from him.
Hi Greg,
greetings from Argentina!!! THe snow is incredible - it has snowed everyday we have been here except for yesterday and yeaterday the powder was awesome.Willie says THANKS for the poles!This trip is incredible - you may have to try this next summer!By the way, the Watea 84s are perfect for this.
Best Regards to all.
Erle
I would imagine that Erle is having more fun right now than any of us. He is with his son Willie and his best friend in the Andies skiing great powder. Backcountry skiing in Argentina next summer sounds great. Anyone else up for a little road trip?
