The Saga Continues with the Traveling Coffee Cup 2.07.11 - 2.13.11

I am nearly 'down to my last drop' this week, but it was worth every moment.  The Winter Dew Tour Championships combined with climbing to elevations upward of 9,000ft to marvel at the spectacular views of Utah's Wasatch Mountains, made my time spent at Snowbasin Ski Resort in Huntsville a 'brew to remember'.  Perfect weather conditions with bright sun and not a cloud in the sky made 'blueberries' every day, which really was the 'cherry topping' on a great week.  For those of you who have never been to the Sun Valley's Snowbasin resort, you are truly missing out on one of Utah's 'best kept secrets'.  This picturesque gem established in the 1940's came from humble beginnings with just two rope tows that lifted local powder-hungry skiers up Becker Hill.  What started as a local skier's delight, soon evolved into a seasonal lure for skiers and snowboarders from all around the world.  This 'best kept secret' was up in 2002 when Snowbasin Resort hit the pro circuit after hosting the men's and women's Downhill, Super G, Combined, and Paralymipc winter events. 

Snowbasin is a part of the Sinclair Corporation family of companies, which also includes the Grand America, Little America Hotels, Westgate Plaza, and Sun Valley Resort.  So cool!  I've been told that the owner actually hand-selected all of the materials utilized within the restaurants around the mountain, some of which traveled across the globe to get here. Enjoy the photos below and be sure to put Snowbasin on your bucket list of places to visit!

 

Welcome to the Needles Lodge. I'm just here relaxing by the fire. 

You won't find a more peaceful place.

 

My view from the lodge. Truly a slice of Heaven.

 

Another look down the mountain from the Needles Lodge.

 

Here's where you get off from the Gondola to enter the Needles Lodge.

 Felt like getting some fresh air and sunshine.

Just checking over the map to see where I'm going to journey to next.

 

I'm hoping we don't need to utilize this today.

This is one of the several magnificent chandeliers on the resort.

 A closer look at the detail of the chandelier.

 This perfect setting to kick back and enjoy some delicious cuisine.....AH- MAZING!!!

 

The next series of pictures are definitely worth seeing in person.  Everyone 

knows that Snowbasin has absolutely the nicest restrooms you'll ever

visit at any ski resort.  They're wonderfully decorated, very private and always clean. 

It has been said that this might be one of the swankiest bathrooms you'll ever use. 

A look into the main vanity area of the woman's bathroom in the Needles Lodge.

 Another view of the vanity area.

The hallway of private bathrooms.  Notice that the doors go all the way to the  floor.

 

Part of the decor as you enter the restroom in the Needles Lodge.

 

A fancy light fixture in the restroom.

Time to head back down to Main Medical.  I'm loving the view from the Gondola.

To follow, pictures of us running the venues and some of the action that happened up on the hill over the course of the week.  For more current, up-to-date information, please follow us on twitter @WMICorp and "Like" us on Facebook - WMICorp.

A Philosophical Moment with the Traveling Coffee Cup 2-3-11

I do believe more Americans need to spend more time understanding cultures and people around the world instead of always isolating themselves in their bubble of USA superiority.  I am not "knocking" us; just pointing out the awareness that many around the world share in many values and quality beliefs that we do.  A criticism would be is this; I think we as Americans, since we have it so good, often forget simple basic understandings and we get hung up on impressing those around us or "keeping up with the Jones". 

As I travel the world, I am more and more aware of how many people out there are happier than we are with a lot less luxuries than we have every day.  They do share similar and identical problems as we do, I just believe their priorities regarding those problems are different.

Example 1:  Why most of our children as well as ourselves stay inside and/or work on the weekend with the exception of working on improving our houses, many Europeans spend time with family and friends in the local parks.  The local city parks are filled with life during these times with people socializing, playing around, and having a good time while still resting.

Example 2: Most South Africans and many Africans I have met and know, are filled with laughter, socialize with each other and are very courteous even when they don't know each other.  It is very common for some one to offer assistance to someone lifting their bag in the overhead compartment of a plane; how often do you see that in the USA?  I fly all the time around the world and I only see that consistently with South Africans, as well as, others from Africa.  This is not to exclude others around the world, this is just an example of an observation I have made.

I am not "bashing" anyone from the USA or anywhere else, I am guilty of many things including not being courteous, but it is refreshing to see this trait and without being judgmental but with individuals that do not seem to have completely adopted "keeping up with the Jones" and express they are more content with where they are by their joy and laughter.

Know one but God can truly know a person and know if they are happy, content, or not or how "driven" or what motivates them or not;  I just don't see individuals who have a lot of material goods come across happy unless they have a quality and good strong family around them.

As for this coffee mug, although I do fall short of the cabinet often, I have the best coffee bean partner that one could ask for and am surrounded by our two wonderful kiddy cups (now teen cups), as well as, the best puppies one could have. This keeps me happy!  "My cup truly does overflow-ith."

The Saga of the Traveling Coffee Cup 2-1-11

In case you have missed out on the very beginning of this story, here's a quick re-cap.  I have come to be known for always having a cup of coffee in my hand.  The coffee cup has even been used to describe how I handle the trauma situations that we deal with out on tour.  It's been said that, "you'll always know who Rick is, just look for the big guy with a cup of coffee in his hand...."  Further, what people in the industry have really picked up on and now use as a way to describe how emergency medicine / event medicine should be done is as follows, "Rick always has his coffee in hand.  You'll see a trauma happen and Rick will get on his radio and direct traffic while holding onto his cup of coffee.  When something really bad has happened though, it's the one time that you'll see Rick set his coffee cup down calmly, head out on the scene, direct traffic and get things handled.  Once the situation has been taken care of, he'll return back to his cup of coffee and pick it back up as if nothing had ever happened."  So, we thought it would be fun to create a story-line from the coffee cup's perspective that takes you around the world with me to all of the events that we cover and the business that I conduct globally.  I hope you enjoy!

The Saga of the Traveling Coffee Cup 2-1-11

Today, I come to you from Cape Town, South Africa.  I'm out here on business as expected; not for an event this time but actually meetings.  Things thus far are going great!  We've had a full day of meetings and now we're heading out to dinner, then more meetings for me.  Enjoy the pics below of the beautiful area I'm staying at....everyone should visit this place at some point!

 This is where I'm staying.

 Inside the Canal Mall.

Hooray, a new friend! 

The food court inside the Canal Mall. 

The cup is overwhelmed with the very impressive food court in the Canal Mall. 

Stage - entertainment area in the Canal Mall. 

Just another view of the impressive food court. 

Enjoying the beautiful day outside my hotel. 

Hanging by the pool at my hotel before I have to go to meetings. 

Some of the locals here in Cape Town, SA.

Well folks, that's a wrap for today....I hope that you all have enjoyed.  Stay tuned for more info and fun to come.....