A Day of Skiing with Achieve Tahoe with my friend Siddhu
Showing posts with label Achieve Tahoe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Achieve Tahoe. Show all posts
A Kayaking I Go
To say that I am fascinated with water is an understatement. Given a choice, I would live right by an ocean beach or a lake front, where I could see the water all day long.
Water sports just seem so much more fun than land sports. So when I was asked if I wanted to try Kayaking, I was all agog. My family had been kayaking in Kauai, and rafting on the American River and Rogue River, but I was always a passenger and not an active participant. The DSA instructors had been great with teaching me to ski last winter and this time, they were going to teach me to paddle a kayak.
Water sports just seem so much more fun than land sports. So when I was asked if I wanted to try Kayaking, I was all agog. My family had been kayaking in Kauai, and rafting on the American River and Rogue River, but I was always a passenger and not an active participant. The DSA instructors had been great with teaching me to ski last winter and this time, they were going to teach me to paddle a kayak.
Day 1 - Donner Lake
Day 1 was at the north end of Donner Lake. I was recruited to carry not one but 2 kayaks from the parking lot to the beach along with Michael Hunter. I did have to keep putting down the kayaks a number of times as i had never done this before and the handles do chaff your hands after a bit. In my case, it was more like dropping the kayak, rather than setting them down gently, given my impulsive body, but hopefully i will improve with practice.
Gary and Michael were my main instructors for the 3 hour lesson. Its always a bit of a challenge trying to teach someone with my combo of strengths and challenges, a task that requires a good deal of motor organization. So while i perfectly understood Michael's instruction to hold up the paddle with my elbows at 90 degree angle, when it came to the actual motor implementation of this seemingly simple instruction, i was at sea. I could visually imagine my arms up there in that 90 degree, but outwardly, i was restoring to my default stimming behavior, especially when the motor muscles cannot figure out what to do. And there was plenty to stim on as i was surrounded by some gorgeous scenery.
There were other issues as well. I could not hold the paddle properly for instance and kept dropping it. It is one long black handle, with pink paddles at either end, so where exactly does one put one's hands. It would slide and one side would become longer than the other. Michael first tried to put some kind of fat grip one one side so that i would have a guide at least for one hand. But the issue with the grip is that its feels a little mismatched in addition to becoming loose. So while one side had a place marker, the other hand did not, so that hand kept sliding all over the place, But the absolutely great thing about the DSA instructors is that they keep trying different things rather than give up. Michael came up with the idea of using 2 rubber tire strips and fastening them on the paddles with plastic tie downs. Now there were 2 grips in which to slide my fingers and grip the paddle. There was less need then for me to worry about how and where to grip the paddles, which helped with the organization. Of course my sensory system still found loopholes on which to stim on - one of the strips was slightly twisted and i kept trying to fix that - a totally unnecessary activity on my part.
We had to figure out how to get me to paddle. Finally we figured out that we could do a left-right and 1-2 verbal instruction to help me keep the rhythm. Voila, the kayak was moving under my own steam without any physical help. The left side of the paddle went into the water, pushed back the water, followed by the same action on the right. i imagined a giant turtle swimming by me - it lifted one big flipper, pushed the water, then lifted its other flipper to do the same. Then it flipped over on its back and did the same. all the while the turtle wagged its tiny tail, saying "how can this not be fun?"
There I was, paddling to the chant of Gary's 1-2. Now that's progress! I was totally totally thrilled. Though all that paddling was tiring, i was kayaking on my own steam on an absolutely beautiful lake. What more can one ask for? I can only get better with practice. I have to learn things like steering rather than just propelling the kayak forward etc. At the end of the current lesson, i had to paddle my kayak back to shore and drag my kayak up on the beach as well. The team and nature all cheered for me. Dad gave my effort and performance an A+ and I was promised a dinner at a restaurant of my choice when i got back.
Day 2 - Lake Tahoe
Day 2 began at the Tahoe Vista Recreation Area on the north shore of the Lake Tahoe. I had been boating with my cousin bro Arjun, 2 summers back on Lake Tahoe. We had gone all the way to Emerald Bay from the south shore. Lake Tahoe is absolutely massive and equally awesome, The waters start from a light green near the shore to a ocean blue as its depth increases. When you are in well in the middle of the lake, it almost feels like you are on an ocean, with its choppy waves, except you can see the distant mountainous shore all around. In the bright sun, the far shores turn a mysterious gray blue. Marina from DSA, lives right by the lake - OMG, how fantastic is that! - to see such views night and day, all year long.
I was pretty tired after the previous day's activity as well.
I was surrounded by beauty, I was afloat on beauty. All I had to do was stretch out my hand, and i was touching beauty. The sun rays pierced the water, turning it into a rainbow spectrum. The wind added its caress and expressed itself as waves that lapped at the kayak. The water responded with a sigh that was deep blue; total bliss and contentment.
The sensory systems of the entire group was exhilarated and we all basked in the arms of mother nature. In my case, however this outwardly translates to more stimming. I rocked and made verbal noises. There was so much visual stimulation (of the good kind), but still a lot for my sensory system to process comfortably. I do wish some medical researcher would find some clues that would help reduce the stimming, and soon. I am so tired of this constant, almost involuntary, stimming behavior.
Our route hugged the shore all the way to Crystal Bay, where the casinos are. Looking at the shore from the water is a totally interesting perspective. You pass other boats headed for deeper waters as well as other kayakers. You see people on shore and they look like action figures walking around. You see boat docks and buildings. Tom came all they way on a paddle board with a single oar. That looked interesting. You have to stand the whole time, so I guess a good deal of balance is called for. Maybe if I get better at the kayak, I can learn paddle board too in the future.
Thanks DSA for taking the time to teach me.
I have to agree with my friend the turtle and say, "How can this not be too much fun?"
I have to agree with my friend the turtle and say, "How can this not be too much fun?"
A Hand at Skiing
I wondered….
Fresh snow under naked toes
Dream-like feeling that only snow knows
Oh Yes..!
scrunch of puff-balls
A delightful sensation I cannot fake
crystals, hexagonal lattice
hydrogen bonds shatter under
crunch...
Oh No...!
its COLD
Despite my perceived relish, I must confess
Definitely
Naked toes in snow are not the best
....no naked toes...
Skiing...
For that, I will be back...
A Hand at Skiing
Skiing has totally got to be the most fun sport (after jet ski!) and I just looove it. I’ve been asked to try it for a couple of years now, but my fear of falling kept me back. My impressions had been built up by the those guys zooming down near vertical slopes so I had made up my mind that such activities belonged strictly in the realm of TV watching and Winter Olympics.
Last winter, however, I was bulldozed into skiing, My cousin Arjun had tried at Thanksgiving and he reported that though falling was inevitable, it was super fun. Janna told me I was confusing the black diamond slope with the beginner slopes which were relatively user friendly. In Dec 2011, my parents had taken me to the Heavenly Ski Resort, as part of a Tahoe trip, and made me watch some of the beginners learning. I was given a parade of examples of other kids who’s tried and were enjoying it. Willy nilly, it became clear that I would end up on those ski slopes. But it was still with some trepidation that i agreed to give it a try. It was already March 2013, the end of the ski season, so the weather was warmer. But maybe that was better for this nervous nube. A day trip was planned to Tahoe and Alpine Meadows Ski Slopes where DSA held lessons.
Ski rentals were the agenda after checking in at the DSA office at Alpine Meadows. How on earth was I going to manage all these apparatus was the thought in my mind. Motor planning has been a weak point, which attempts at coordinating those bollywood dance steps had so aptly demonstrated, so how was I going to coordinate these elongated extensions, in addition to coordinating my hands and feet. Ski boots are HEAVY and very difficult to put on. Walking with those heavy boots was, well, difficult but then I found, they were not so bad as well. I often do have a body-space disconnect, and the heavy ski boots were kind of grounding for me, which felt good. On the other hand, stiff as they are, ski boots are not the most comfortable of footwear, so i was very conscious of the weighty things that hung around my ankles. To add to it all, I was told that I need to carry my skis too. Wasn’t I already carrying around 2-3 pounds at my ankles? Now I had to carry around 2-3 pounds on my shoulders too!
I had 2 instructors and they took me onto the snow. They helped put the skis on and we did some warm up exercises for some time. I had to learn what to do with the elongations attached to my feet. How do I manipulate each foot. Would I even be able to balance? I had fully expected to fall right away and go sliding and gliding all the way to kingdom come. Au Contraire, to my surprise, I was able to balance reasonably well (and I had 2 instructors to help). It kind of felt like the times I’d been roller skating many years ago. Before I knew it, I was being led in the direction of the Subway ski lift. It was good that I was not given time to think, the immediate task was to get me seated on the ski chair. The instructors had the operator slow the chair down, which made it easy for me to get on.
I watched the ground disappear beneath my feet as we rode up the ski chair. Dad and Mom waved and shouted encouragement from below. Cameras clicked busily. The bigger trick is to get off the lift at the other end without falling, it does not slow down there. Dad had talked a lot about falling off at the other end; I most definitely did not look forward to the falling off the lift. There is a little slope where you have to get off, I got up, and viola, landed on my feet. My skis slid the few feet that slope to the plateau, but I was still very much on my feet. Success!
At the top of the Subway Lift and just by the Meadows Lift, is a snow travelator, called a magic carpet and we practiced on it for a while. The slope next to it is very gentle and so you go up the carpet and ski down. I was put through the paces. Confidence grew!
I got ready for my first downhill skiing. The subway slope is a beginner slope but then I was still only the beginner of beginners. The slope loomed down, my muscles murmured, “it must be a 80 degree slope,” though my rational mind scoffed at that thought, and attempted to correct the degree accordingly. The instructors used a kind of harness which helped me be independent yet kept the instructor in control, should the need arise. It must look funny to the onlookers eye. I felt like a reindeer, who stood next to Santa on the snow. A tie of sorts between my 2 skis kept my skis parallel. The goal was to get me to go down the slope without worrying about skis going awry. Down I flew, the World War 2 flying ace. OMG! It was a total rush! The instructors were on either side of me the entire time. No wonder this sport is so well loved. I got to ride the ski lift and ski down quite a few times for the remainder of the lesson.
I was back 2 weeks later for another lesson. It was March 31st and the ski resort itself was closing down. The crowds had thinned down. I still had the tie which kept my 2 skis parallel like two french fries, but this time there was no harness. Instead I held onto one end of the pole, while the other end was held by the instructor and we skied parallely. So there was even more independence as I zoomed down the Subway slope and rode up the Ski Lift. We practiced on the magic carpet too. Mom was also skiing that day and we crossed each other several times.
There was a light snowfall that day. Snow is not condensed rain as some may think. Rather it forms in the clouds as water vapor condenses around dust particles and falls to the ground. It has its own hexagonal crystal lattice structure - all H2O molecules still. I watched as the snowflakes fell like little cotton puffs on my sleeve as I rode up the ski lift. I could feel the sensation of the steel edges of the skis slicing through the layer of fresh powder snow on the ground as I skied down. It was beautiful. Nature was gracefully exiting winter with a gentle show of snowflakes. This was the way to ski - in gentle snowfall!
I had started off being scared of skiing. Anxiety at start had instead turned to a promise of adventure. Thanks DSA for making it happen.
That was last winter.
This winter I was back with eager anticipation in my eyes. My first lesson was on 12/28/13, then I came for back to back lessons on 1/11 and 1/12/14. For the first 2 lessons, I again had 2 instructors, but for the 3rd one, I was down to one instructor - John. I had no clips on my skis this winter either. One instructor and no clips or harness - that indicates progress. Yeah! The subway slope was closed this winter for lack of snow, so we had to use the Meadows slope and lift, which is the next level. That slope is steeper so the instructors were more hands on with me. We even practiced a tried a few turns, that is harder and will probably take more classes to improve. Pizza (wedges) and French Fries (parallel skis)! In my last lesson with John, I did fall a few times and one time I went tumbling to the side when I was halfway down the Meadows slope. John was trying to make me lean forward and so was skiing backward in front of me and trying to make me do hi-fives so that I would reach out forward with my body while skiing. OMG, He must be really good at skiing, in order to be able to ski backwards. But I feel I am getting better. I look forward to my future classes.
I was actually late for my class on 1/11 with instructors Allie and Carolyn. The weather had turned south and it had started snowing while we were driving to Tahoe. Snow chains or snow tires were mandatory. Soon the snowfall became so thick that traffic crawled to a standstill on 80 West well before Truckee. There was either the need for snow removal or an accident up ahead. Cars were getting thickly coated with snow, the wipers could barely keep up. Dad was getting somewhat worried. Cars were making fresh tracks on the newly fallen snow, the road beneath was barely visible. Most of the traffic was headed for the ski areas. Californians not used to snow, were driving cautiously and very slowly. In the Bay Area, where I live, if it rains even a little bit, the traffic slows tremendously; we just are not used to bad weather.
The ski lesson that day was a first in terms of the weather for me. The sky was overcast with gloomy gray clouds. Snow fell constantly. But this was no gentle snowfall like the one last March. A strong wind whipped the snow around and sent it forcefully to the ground. The wind rocked the Meadows ski lift as we rode up each time. Tops of green trees peeking out through the snow were bent sorrowfully with the wind. Snow was flying around. Gloom made the world around, including the snow, seem light gray. The gray was uniform from from ground to sky. The force of the snowflakes stung my face as I tried to ski. Thermals were a default necessity for such a day. I had not needed them before. I also needed a clava to protect my face. Only my nose was visible between the helmet, goggles and clava. I felt like a masked bandit, totally camouflaged. My gloves, though technically waterproof thinsulate, did get wet from the few falls and I had to get a new pair in between. Though it was wet, windy and cold, it was the winter ski experience. Skiers and snowboarders were falling constantly on the slope that day. Nature was flexing her wilder wings and you have to appreciate all aspects of her personality. My mind extrapolated briefly on what a white-out would be like, and prayed I’m never actually in one; it is best experienced on TV or in a Jack London short story. It must be a million times crazier than this.
The ski resort was packed, and crowds milled around the more advanced lifts. Skiers apparently love this weather. The crazier the snow, the better the ski experience apparently. The slopes were crowded as was the restaurant. I ate nachos after my lesson at the bar area. There were clusters of people gathered around the big screen TV. It was gametime - Saints vs SeaHawks. Bay Area was rooting for the Saints in a big way that day. The Niners would have to face the winners. Drunk and boisterous fans at the bars yelled with disgust at the SeaHawks every move. A SeaHawks win would mean Niners playing them at Seattle. CenturyLink field holds the record for stadium decibel level, which gives them a clear home advantage. It was the first time I’ve seen so many drunk people in one place. It was a study of human behavior under the influence. There were spontaneous bursts of songs; both avid delight and disgust.
We had dinner take out from the China Express restaurant in North Lake Tahoe. We’d eaten there during a summer trip to Tahoe with cuz Arjun. The name of the inn we stayed in, had the word Spa in it, but it was far from a spa, the way its normally thought of. Instead the inn had hotel toiletries with the brand name “spa” in the bathrooms. Really!! Seriously!! Talk about misleading! The walls were so thin, we could hear the conversation next door well into the night. A hotel not to be repeated definitely.
The weather was delightful the next day (1/12/14); I was there for a morning class. The sun was out and it was refracting rainbows through snowdrops on the trees. How could I not plunge into visual stims. I kept stopping to pick up and feel the fresh powder snow. I was wearing gloves, but the way the snow fell in a twinkling shower from my hands was delightful to watch. Oh the trials of autism - it allows us to see and appreciate so many details yet is so disruptive to our motor planning and our activities. Obviously I was going to fall if I tried to bend over to pick up snow, and I did indeed fall a few times. When I rode up the lift, the skis dangled awkwardly on my feet as usual, but when I moved them, the packed snow on them fell in a picturesque shower of powder. So I did it some more and enjoyed the show. The mountains loomed on either side. It was as though the word had been painted a soft white with patches of green and brown peeking through. It was not cold like the previous day; even the snow goggles were hot, just sun glasses and the helmet were enough. The snow gleamed under the bright sunlight, yet the previous day’s snowfall had left a layer of powder that the skis sliced through while skiing. Nature was displaying yet another side to this appreciative fan.
Images and Videos
01/12/14 Photos Videos
01/11/14 Photos Videos
12/28/13 Photos Videos
03/31/13 Photos
03/02/13 Photos Videos
Donner Lake Revisited
I revisited Donner Lake late July and wondered if this visit would live upto last year's visit. [Last visit post] The answer is a resounding Yes. It not only lived upto expectations but beat them.
Jet Ski - my fav activity was tried not once but three times. Nothing like speed for a teen! Its the headiest of sensations. I could do this all day!
I had the lively quite talkative Maria as my companion for the tubing activity. She gave a constant stream of advice on everything from keeping my hands inside to the state of her dog. The tube bumps and thumps on the water as you are pulled by a powerboat around thtre lake. It is quite like trying to ride a bucking horse, except you are quite secure and the chances of falling off are quite slim.
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Donner Lake
Donner Lake
Big blue, bluer and azure! Donner lake, blue gold by sunlight, turns silver by moonlight. A treat lay in store for the youth attending the DS USA event. Promises of chances to experience this magnificent lake at close hand. The 3 mile long lake lies on the edge of the Sierra Nevada Range near the town of Truckee.
The experience was just way way beyond expectations. Ie: I was in seventh heaven cubed. My favorite had to be the Jet Ski ride, which I did 5 times around the lake!! The Jet Ski just cleanly slices through the shimmering wavy sheet-like water and sends out streams of spray on either side. Houses on the other side of the lake - 3/4 mile away - are visible - mere toys to the eye. Little toy people stand on piers and grow lifelike as you get closer to the other shore. The steep turns and the tilts of the Jet Ski provide extra bonus thrills. I first tried Jet Sking during my vacation to the Bahamas laat year with Mom and Dad. The volunteers go faster than Mom and Dad, so this was more fun.
I would love to be able to drive a Jet Ski on my own!
I also tried tubing for the first time. It was fun to be dragged around the lake on the tube, but it was somewhat bumpy, compared to the Jet Ski. But still, not an activity to be missed - so went not once but three times. And of course a leisurely canoe ride was sandwiched there, somewhere in between.
We had spent the night at the Donner Village Resort. From the floating pier in front of our hotel, we watched others out on lake and the changing color of the alpine waters and the surrounding trees as the sun set. It was just delicious to the senses. (Kind of really over stimulating too!)
What a lovely mini-vacation!
Summer 2011 Vacation Travelouges
(A Mini Vacation 7/31/11)
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