One of my fans emailed me last week when I mentioned on this blog that I was going to be spending some time in Whistler.  The guy sounded nice, he works in Vancouver and has a house in Whistler.  We emailed back and forth for a week or so – snow updates etc. and then he mentioned that he was having a party with a bunch of friends (lots of gay friends but not just gay only) at his house and he’d love it if I could make it.

The Friday before the party I thought I’d drive past and see where the house is and I was blown away – it is an amazing house on Summit Lane (for those of you who know Whistler).  It is kinda on the Blackcomb side, not quite ski-in, ski-out….. you have to walk out the front door and cross the street.

I was a little nervous that maybe the ‘Party’ was just a ruse but after catching the bus from Creekside to Whistler I walked up to Summit Lane and there were a bunch of cars out the front and it was obvious that it wasn’t a ruse to get me to his house.  I was greatful that I had seen the house and had ironed and worn my best clothes (which is a button up shirt and jeans – c’mon I’m not going to any job interviews on this trip).  If I had worn my snowboarding pants I would definitely been under dressed.

And of course – I was wearing speedos under my jeans….. my black ADIDAS ones (just too this photo…. yes I have washed them since the party).

I didn’t get my asian wings last night but it was still a good night – I wonder if I’ll ever get my asian wings.

Had dinner in town which was nice, ate at a pub called the Wicklow – was a nice place and I’m getting my head around tipping again which is always a good thing.

Well, I’m off for Whistler today.  The weather is fine so I should have too much trouble on the road up (what do they call it – I haven’t been up there since they redid it all for the Winter Olympics).  There is snow in the forecast for early next week – whooohooo!!!!

Some more cute asian guys in tiny speedos for you guys to feast your eyes on.

I had a nice day at my friends beach house – which is absolutely gorgeous!!!  I’ll post some pics of it when I unpack and find the cable for my camera.

This morning I drove up to Vancouver and I’m sitting at a friends place in the suburbs somewhere (I have no idea where I am in relation to the CBD).  I’m told that we are heading out tonight into the city for dinner and a few drinks which should be great – Vancouver is such an awesome city!!!

I’m told there is a big asian community in Vancouver so you never know guys…. I might get my asian wings.

Well guys, I’ve bought a car yesterday afternoon – it is an old Dodge Durango and I love it!!!

With a car ready to roll I’m going to start my road trip tomorrow and start heading north.  My friends in Oregon are out of down (they have a house in Palm Springs and headed down there after New Years) so pretty much my destination is Vancouver.  MapQuest tells me it is only a 16hr drive (950miles/1500kms).  That is the direct route but I think I’m going to try and hug the coastline as much as I can – will probably double the distance but I’m not in any super rush.

I’m going to start out super early and pretty much just see how far I get before sunset – anyone have a recommendation on a little beachside town about a days drive north of San Fran?

Here is a pic of my new baby – 5.9L V8 sounds very nice too……

It has been a hell of a roller coaster ride over the last month or so.

I haven’t spoken much about my travels or travel plans but the lease on my home on the Central NSW Coast was coming up for renewal and with the Evil Speedo Corporation suing me I didn’t want to cause any embarrassment to my friends or myself so I thought a road trip was a good idea to both clean my head, keep a low profile and catch up with some old friends and meet some new ones.

Part 1: San Francisco
I’ve got some really good friends who live in San Fran.  They have one of those beautful old 3 story homes right in the middle of the city which they’ve spent the last 5yrs fixing up and it is gorgeous.  The wife half of the couple is recently pregnant for the first time and they were more than happy to rent on of their many spare rooms to me for a month or so.  I love San Francisco as a city and hanging out with these guys makes me feel like a local.  I’ll stay here until after Xmas/New Years before picking up a car and driving north.

Part 2: Road Trip
This is going to be huge and a hell of a lot of fun.  I’ll buy a car in San Fran and head north. I’ve got some friends in Portland, Oregon who I’ll swing by and say hello – maybe get a couple of days snowboarding Mt. Hood.   Then I’ll stop in Washington State and get a few days snowboarding Mt. Bachelor (which gets the most snow of anywhere on the planet) and Stevens Pass (where some friends have a cabin).

From Seatle I’ll head into Canada. I have spent some time in Canada (2 winters) and I have too many mates to catch up with.  Hopefully I’ll board at Whistler then head east to the Okanagan where I spent those 2 winters.  Hopefully I’ll be able to spend a couple of weeks up here before crossing the Canadian Rockies and driving to Banff.  I love Banff and could easily live there year round.  Not sure how much boarding I’ll get in Banff but it will be good to catch up with some Aussie mates who are there for the winter.

After Banff I’ll head back to the US.  I don’t know as many folks in this area but getting to ride some of the Montana resorts like Whitefish or Big Sky would be great but I’m not sure if that will work out.

Then, I’ll arrive at Kips place in Breckenridge.

Part 3: Breckenridge
Each year I try to get over and see Kip in Breck.  He and his sister live in a great house right in town and Breck is an awesome town and an awesome mountain.

I don’t think I’ll get down to Breck until the end of January or even Febuary.

It is great when I get to stay with Kip – we get a bunch of work done and we get to party pretty hard.  As well as some pretty hot jacuzzi sessions.  My plan is to stay in Breck until spring break and then head to Vegas.

Part 4: Back to San Fran
This is a drive that I’ve wanted to do for years but never had the chance.  Mainly just Vegas, Grand Canyon and then through Yosemite National Park back to San Fran is the plan.

A week in Vegas (maybe) over spring break sounds like it could be fun.

Part 5: What next?
I have no idea what I’ll do when I get back to San Fran but I’m sure something will pop up.