It's Getting A Little Better....

After a couple more weeks of racing and shooting, both seem to be getting a little better.

I was able to shave a half second off my time from last week despite a tender ankle from a nice spill on a practice run. Still doesn't put me anywhere near the top racers, but it's something to work with.

My photos of the racing seem to be coming out a bit better as well after finding a couple of spots with a little more light.

My goal is to improve at both the racing and the shooting a little each week, we'll see how it goes.

Ashe Varsity Squads Win Fourth Straight at Home

The Husky's mens and ladies varsity teams continued their complete domination of opponents with wins over the Alleghany Trojans. Ashe men's team only led by 10 points at halftime, but then outscored Alleghany 27-7 in the third quarter to go on to a 69-37 trampling of the Trojans. PG Daniel Waln (left) scored six points in the win.

The Lady Huskies scored twenty-four second quarter points to take a 31-9 halftime lead, then went on to dispatch Alleghany 55-30. Kim McNeil (right) scored a game-high 18 points.

Sophomore forward Caitlin Elliot (25) put up seven points in the win.


Tavin Holman (10) scored six for the Huskies.

Dustin Hamm (45) came off the bench to score eight points and give Tommy Spagnolo much needed rest.

Senior Guard Larken Mikeal (right) gave the Lady Huskies a spark off the bench with her defensive play.

Hot Drinks and Cool Music

Bohemia Coffee House in downtown West Jefferson hosted world renowned musicians Ashley Broder(left foreground) and Jamie Laval (left background) for a live set Sunday afternoon.

Bohemia, West Jefferson's original coffee house/art gallery, presents live local music on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. Special musical events take place a couple of times a month.







Art greets Bohemia's visitors and lines the walls of the lounging area.














Bohemia owners Ken and Janet Brashear provide an eclectic blend of drinks, art and music.

Huskies Roll!

Ashe's Varsity Boys and Girls trampled over East Wilkes last in endowment games at ACHS.

The Lady Huskies won easily 56-43. Shelly Barker (left) scored 12 points and Kelly Hudler (below) scored 15.

The Boys absolutely crushed the Eagles, leading 40-11 at halftime.

Tatum Lemly (left) led Ashe with 15 points and spent most of the second half on the bench as the reserves played mop-up duty in the 73-38 rout.

And I Thought Ski Racing Was Tough...

It has nothing on trying to photograph ski racing...night ski racing!

Last night was the first race of the season in the adult ski league at Sugar Mountain. My job (when not racing) is to get some shots for Sam Calhoun at High Country Press to use during his weekly article on the event (after he sees some of the shots I got last night, that may not be my job for long). I will have to say my first time doing this was a very good learning experience, and I think by the time all the racing was over I finally figured out a setting that will work. Anyway, I promise to do better next week.

Oh, lest I forget the whole purpose of my partici- pation in the racing league, both of my runs were thirty-two point something seconds. So that leaves lots of room for improvement...in both my skiing and shooting.

Husky Boys Win at N. Surry, Girls Get Routed

Ashe County basketball squads traveled to North Surry for a MVC match-up on Friday night. Ashe's boys continued their dominant season with a twelve point 62-50 win. Tommy Spagnolo (left) scored 17 points and Daniel Waln added 16 of his own to help the Huskies improve to 8-1 (2-1 conf. play), with their only loss of the season coming at home to conference foe Starmount.

The Lady Huskies didn't fare so well, falling 48-29. Kim McNeil led Ashe County with nine points, Freshman Mallory Clay (right) came off the bench to score four points in the loss. Ashe moves to 6-3 overall, 2-1 in conference play.

Let It Snow!

This guy was one of only a few people I saw out at The Shoppes at Shadowline as I drove through this afternoon.

Winter weather seems to have finally arrived! Near zero temps, 25mph winds and snow accumulation anywhere from a dusting to a few inches has fallen on most of the High Country and more is on the way tonight.

Not a moment too soon either, I've got my skis waxed and ready to hit Sugar tomorrow night! Hopefully the temperature will at least stay in the double digits.

This is how many of the secondary roads looked in Boone all day.

*All photos taken from the Subaru because, well, it was too flippin' cold and I forgot my hat at home.