It's Thursday. Might as well be the weekend. I mean come on, let's get on with it already...

Given my half-unpacked from last weekend, half-packed for this weekend state of disarray, I don't have much today, but here's a few tidbits you may be interested in:

Traveling in Newfoundland and Labrador
If you missed the great Portland Trails annual meeting last week and Dick Anderson's program on the IAT, well, you've got another shot. Tonight at 7 PM at the monthly Traveler's Club at the Maine Audubon Gilsand Farm Center in Falmouth. It's a terrific show!

17th Annual National Toboggan Championships
The Camden Snow Bowl is hosting this wild event this coming weekend. Register your own toboggan team and join in the competition or just come to watch. It's a hoot! And maybe get in a little skiing on the quaint trails of the Snow Bowl.

"After a long day hunting, there's nothing like wrapping your paw around a cold bottle of beer"
Yup, beer for dogs. Who woulda thunk it? A 'Kwispelbier' made with beef extract and malt. Yummers! I'd prefer a pale ale myself. But then I'm not a dog. Not that kind anyway.

Studying climate change
It's good to know somebody is looking into why we don't seem to get much snow these days.

Extreme snowboarding anyone?
Cool. Looks pretty doable, eh?

Rubbing antlers with the high-brow deer
Now that's a ski shack, wouldn't you say! I think I could make do there...

Snow reports A-OK at Maine's ski areas
Despite the dearth of snowfall this winter Maine's ski areas are making do pretty well. Conditions for this weekend are promising, so pick your favorite slopes and get on out there! And we might even pick up some of the natural stuff out of this Friday storm. Wouldn't that be a bonus!

Shawnee Peak happenings
Friday night up in Bridgton Shawnee Peak is holding its Moolight Charity Challenge, while Saturday is the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge, a great day of racing for the whole family. It's all good fun for good causes.

The Big Chill & skiing at Burke Mountain, Vermont
That's the weekend's plan for this boy. A weekend luau of sorts with college friends (our 20-somethingth "Big Chill" event in a row) in Lancaster NH, complete with limitless amounts of food, music, laughs and a hot tub. And a day's fine skiing at one of my favorite areas, Burke Mountain in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. I might even pop into Wildcat on the ride home Sunday afternoon for a few runs down the steeps.

Finally, an aside...
I was sadly reminded this week of how precious every day of this life is. A dear friend and former colleague of mine in California lost his 26 year old son, a tragedy no parent should have to face. My heart goes out to him and his family. Folks, just a reminder: Every day is a gift, for there is no guarantee of a tomorrow. For ourselves and those we love and care about. Get up each day and live it, fully, consciously, with spirit. Know that life is the best game in town. Be happy. Be loving. And make sure those close to you know how you feel.

What's going on this weekend with you, my Trail Head friends?