After a gloriously sunny fall, we were wondering if we'd ever see rain again in San Francisco. In fact yesterday, I was ready to go outside and water my thirty-foot palm tree for the first time, ever. But then around mid-day it began to rain. And rain. And rain. In fact, it's still raining now -- which means good things for Lake Tahoe. Meanwhile, the rest of the United States has already been getting their fair share of snow.

Take for instance, Steamboat Ski & Resort in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Professional photographer Larry Pierce of Larry Pierce Photography gets our "Rugged Elegant Photo Of The Day" recognition after capturing skier Joe Kelly sampling "a taste" of the 47.5 inches of snow that fell at the summit on Monday, November 28th, 2005.

These "epic powder" photos -- released by Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. -- show Joe in chest deep snow.

To further inspire you to go to Colorado, The Best Of Steamboat Springs And The Best Of Copper Mountain was released November 22nd on DVD.

If you still have a VHS player you might want to try Best of Steamboat Springs.

For those enticed to head to Colorado, please explore the Steamboat Ski Resort & Central web site at:

Steamboat.com's November 29th Photo of the Day (above) was taken by Andy Jehn at 9:55am.

West Coast Skiing

Having already made our December ski plans before the holiday, we will be heading to Squaw Valley for our first taste of snow.

Then, after spending Christmas in Portland, Oregon with my sister and family, we will give Mt. Bachelor, in Bend, a try for the first time.

I am especially looking forward to seeing the new Warren Miller movie -- which will be shown on December 21st, 23rd, 28th, 30th and January 1st at Sunriver Resort.

Miller's new 3-DVD "Riders" collection was released October 4th. There's nothing better to get you pumped up to ski than Warren Miller.

Joe Kelly looks like he could be in Miller's movies.

Come to think of it, Storm, Cold Fusion, Ride and Fifty could make a great stocking stuffer.

Seeing this picture of Joe Kelly gets me humming the song we always sing on the chair lift. It's Three Dog Night's hit song Joy to the World from Their Greatest Hits album.

When I was in college at the University of Colorado at Boulder, in addition to Three Dog Nights' lyrics:

Jeremiah was a bull frog Was a good friend of mine I never understood a single word he said But I helped him a-drink his wine And he always had some mighty fine wine

Singin'
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls, now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

If I were the King of the world
Tell you what I'd do
I'd throw away the cars and he bars and the wars
And make sweet love to you

Sing it now
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls, now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

You know I love the ladies
Love to have my fun
I'm a high night flier and a rainbow rider
And a straight-shooting son of a gun
I said a straight shootin son of a gun

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls, now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

...we would sing, "Joy to the snow...All the mogels go now. Joy to the skiers in the deep powder snow. Joy to you and me. Now, I've got my girls singing it with me.

Rock on...

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "deep powder snow" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC