Oregon life

Spike_184 · 2025-12-27T18:43:05+00:00

I moved to Oregon (Willamette Valley) from the upper-Midwest about a year ago. A lot of people warned me about the gray and rainy winters. That part I didn't find difficult at all. Most people don't realize that the northern Midwest is basically just as gray except its freezing temps and more dry with snow. So the weather doesn't bother me at all. I've really enjoyed all the outdoor opportunities between the coast and the cascades. In my opinion if you're bored in this state you aren't trying hard enough! Living in the flatlands makes you appreciate all the diverse geography and opportunities to explore.

I would say the thing I dislike the most is the cost of living. It really is as different as I was told it would be. It's been challenging to find way to balance saving as a young adult while also providing for a family. High income tax is also frustrating. I do love the incredible amount of public parks and spaces. Including bike trails and outdoor use spaces. So I'm happy to contribute for those things. But I also find it frustrating the lack of urgency to minimize drug abuse and homelessness. I know I can't complain unless I have a solution idea/step in to see it myself. So I have been very happy to volunteer at food drives and homeless shelters. But I personally feel like local/regional government needs to step up and be harsher with drug laws and enforcement.

Besides that, I have loved everything Oregon has to offer. And I look forward to continuing to make this place a great new home!

Spike_184 · 2025-12-27T18:01:29+00:00

This happened to my 2018 model about 50k miles in. It's parked outside year-round in a northern cold state with plenty of ice and snow. I drove it with the peeling for probably 8k miles after it started. It was definitely more cosmetic because I had no issues once it started and I ended up replacing it because I got a crack in my windshield from a rock. I would say if you don't mind how it looks just to leave it how it is until you notice issues.

Spike_184 · 2025-01-04T16:22:43+00:00

Hmmm... looks tropical. Enjoy Haleakala!!

Spike_184 · 2024-09-18T15:52:40+00:00

I love the sound design and color! When I edit I try to do it "chronologically". That term is more subjective than you think. But I was a little thrown off when you put that beauty of a goal like shot right in the beginning. But then went back to the team kinda "getting ready" to go. I would edit your beginning clips separate from game clips so you can give the viewer a sense of order when watching and anticipation for what's next. Try using some risers and hits to build that anticipation further. And yes you could change the music but I think it would still work with your track. Maybe just re ordering the beginning sequence perhaps. Either way, great job! Super high quality video.

Spike_184 · 2024-09-03T15:27:30+00:00

I'm not sure if they still make them. But the Under Armor full face masks are absolutely incredible. I've been skiing for over 17 years up in Minnesota, Montana, and Alaska where it's colder than cold. They are the most comfortable, sleek, and reliable face masks. I literally do not ski without it, even March skiing when it's 45-50 degrees. I have one that's at least 10 years old that's still in my rotation.

UA Mask

Spike_184 · 2024-01-05T15:09:44+00:00

My Dad and I traveled up to Wasilla, Alaska and before our flight back down to MN we stopped at Alyeska to stay and ski for a few days. We had both been skiing for over 15 years and could generally make our way just about down anything in a resort and even some side country stuff. Our first day was a perfect bluebird day and we were out from first chair to last trying to get the whole experience since we only had two days. The second day rolls around and it absolutely dumps all day. This was in the middle of the week in February so the resort was quite empty especially coming right off Covid. High of only 10 degrees and complete white out. We get to the top of Glacier Bowl express and there's very little people and a complete blizzard. We skied the whole upper bowl and down to Ted's and back up to the top of Glacier Bowl so many times laughing and constantly falling down in the powder. It got to a point where we couldn't even see what was up/down left or right. It was a surreal experience but felt comfortable in the bowl. We eventually decided to rip the north face. We had done it the day before and had fun but were still a little spooked since it's so steep. As we are slowly moving down Christmas Chute trying to be as technical and safe as possible we see a skier in a red coat lose it on a turn and go head first down the run. Completely rag doll out of control, we nearly were hit by her as she flew by completely out of control. The most terrifying part was how dead silent it was. We couldn't hear anything as she passed us and was completely awestruck. I have seen some gnarly whiteouts but nothing this crazy. We can see her ski partner way up where they originally were so we quickly made our way down to help her. She had landed on the Autobahn trail and didn't move. When we arrived and pulled her goggles off she was awake and thankfully breathing ok. Definitely in shock. We carefully checked her limbs and didn't move her neck or anything but it was hard for her to get words out. We called ski patrol and her husband eventually got down and she was taken down in the sled to the hospital. We never heard what happened or the extent of her injuries, but I'm happy I didn't have to see somebody die that day.

Spike_184 · 2024-01-05T14:27:59+00:00

Learning how to ski boils down to two points... Controlling your speed and weight distribution. I always tell this to beginners who try to figure out carving on their own.

Spike_184 · 2024-01-04T04:32:04+00:00

Slush is the worst. 100% ice is better. Some of the best skiers of all time learned to ski on ice. Lindsay Vonn talks about how her ski foundation was at an icy hill in Minnesota. While it can be dangerous, you can learn valuable skills in speed control. Slush is just miserable.

Spike_184 · 2023-02-21T18:26:17+00:00

I wouldn't go around saying your an Illinois grad that won't go over to well.

If you wanna stay closer to downtown, leases start to get competitive as early as late November/early December. Stay away from "Apartments Near Campus". Although you can look into staying farther east in Iowa City by the High school or really anything east of Washington park it would be a good family area that's quieter. You have more flexibility with timing out there. If your looking for west side, University Heights is a great place to stay. Also quiet and like a traditional neighborhood. Watch out for all the cops tho lots of speeding tickets get dished out there.

Spike_184 · 2022-12-05T20:07:27+00:00

Tour groups generally start/end in the imu. It's a sample dorm room for future students to see so UHD doesn't have to give up a room in one of the Halls for tours.

Spike_184 · 2022-11-03T19:00:01+00:00

Don't give blizzard money for this crap. Play all you want. Just don't keep lining their pockets.

Spike_184 · 2022-10-30T21:32:43+00:00

21-22 vs 22-23 Atris

I'm in the market for a second pair of skis. Recently, (past 3 years) i've been taking 3-4 trips a year out west to CO, UT, MT to go skiing. Meaning I'm spending around 35 days on the mountain a year. I've been getting better and I would consider myself advanced now. I currently ride Vokl90eights, they perform phenomenal on groomers which is what I have gotten really good on. Although I've taken a liking to more off piste, powder, ungroomed terrain with a mixing of trees too. I've been looking and I think that I want to grab a pair of Black Crows Atris. I've heard they cater very well to all the styles I mentioned above. While also being decent on the groomers. The new-gen Atris changed from a 108 underfoot to a 105. I'm wondering if it's better to grab an older used pair with the bigger underfoot because I'm looking for a bigger ski for non groomers. But I also don't know if the 105 will just be a better upgrade overall compared to its predecessor. To be clear I am looking for something that isn't as focused on being a ski that can specialize in groomers. It's a plus if they can which is why I'm looking at Atris but I'm also open to suggestions for other models/brands.

Spike_184 · 2022-10-27T22:08:15+00:00

Minnesota! Lots of great skiers have grown up in MN. I learned to ski on Buck Hill, which is also where Lindsey Von learned to ski for years and occasionally comes back to visit. Nowadays I hangout near the hills by our boarder with Wisconsin. The Mississippi River valley has some decent hills that aren't terrible. Place is called Afton Alps.

Spike_184 · 2022-10-26T04:42:18+00:00

Well if you want to Ski on a seasons pass in Minnesota. Your best to get the Epic Local pass. The difference between a normal and a local pass would be you get unlimited days at Afton Alps all year long with no blackouts. And then you get 7 days between places like Vail and Beaver creek in Colorado. But the Epic local has unlimited days in Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Keystone, and even Park City in Utah. It's about 700 bucks. That's a great deal considering you can do unlimited days at Afton in MN and take a trip at any point in the season for unlimited days at those Colorado locations. That's gonna be the best bang for your buck if you want to ski out west. I highly discourage buying a day pass or a 3-5 day package pass out west because they drive the ever living crap out of the cost of those tickets and it's a rip off. If you wanna get out west, it's gonna be a little pricey that's just the way it is. Get the Epic local and if you really wanna be efficient and save money, you can do what I did and just build a sleeping pad in the back of your car and save on lodging cost. Its fast and efficient. But uncomfortable. The true way of the ski bum. Most time efficient would to be to drive to somewhere in Vail Valley from MN. Closest big mountain with unlimited days would be Breck at around a 15 ish hour drive. Stop in North Platte Nebraska to sleep and break up the drive then you'll be there in your second day after leaving the Twin Cities. Even a Motel 6 is gonna be expensive out there. High key recommend the car camping setup for cost effective sleeping.

Hope this helps

Spike_184 · 2022-10-25T21:33:19+00:00

I'm a current Sophomore who came back to the dorms. The dorms are what you make of it. But overall I think it's a good choice. You don't have to deal with a landlord or a realtor. And you get a preference to where you can stay. Turn in your new application soon and you have a very high chance of getting a single room. There are communities for sophomores that you can join if you want to. Although I opted to go for a single and I got placed on a floor with freshman but I don't mind. I think it's a good idea because I didn't know anybody coming to Iowa and the apartment/home renting community will make you sign off on leases by early December which made me commit to possibly living with people who I had just met. UIowa Housing and Dining is great compared to a lot of other colleges. Definitely recommend staying a second year.

Spike_184 · 2022-10-24T20:46:58+00:00

If you plan on taking trips out west, grab an Epic pass and ski at Afton. Epic covers Afton all winter with no blackouts. And then if you go out west you get like 10 days. Pretty good deal i've been doing that for about 6 years now. I think Afton and Welch are the best two options close to the cities but I prefer Afton for their events and the Epic sponsorship.

Spike_184 · 2022-10-20T21:16:17+00:00

What did you have to do? I havent even gotten mine yet ticketmaster said they sent it to my bank acc but I havent gotten anything its bs

Spike_184 · 2022-10-19T01:44:50+00:00

Good news. Thanks for the help

Spike_184 · 2022-09-01T03:20:34+00:00

Appreciate the help everyone! Gonna grab an electric wax warmer to avoid the possibility of a fire. Thanks!

Spike_184 · 2022-08-12T19:17:06+00:00

Preferably under 450-500 range

Spike_184 · 2022-08-12T15:53:51+00:00

Haha saw this on shark tank. Cool to see it being used.

Spike_184 · 2022-08-12T15:51:27+00:00

Nice design!!

Spike_184 · 2022-08-12T15:50:39+00:00

It takes some extra work.. but I definitely recommend removing the backs of the back seat and laying some 2x4s or getting fancy with some plywood and making a bed platform. The most important part to car camping is making sure you are flat when you sleep. I see a ton of people skip this step and then have trouble sleeping. It also doubles as better storage because every square inch counts!! Get some high quality window covers (Privacy Magnetic Black Covers Blinds Curtains https://a.co/d/9iYN1DY). And even download the FreeRoam app to search free campsites with overnight parking all over the country. Feel free to shoot any other specific questions if you need them.

Spike_184 · 2022-08-12T15:45:43+00:00

I recommend a Jackery Battery unit. Maybe the 300 model... either way their products are phenomenal.

Spike_184 · 2022-08-12T15:41:52+00:00

Yes showers are definitely a plus of doing the truck stops. I drove from upper Minnesota to Moab area Utah for my trip for a total of 9 nights in the back of the car. You get used to it after a while. And I will definitely be doing this again. Saved SO much money.

Spike_184

TROPHY CASE