When strange and mysterious things happen I'm not one to look to the alignment of celestial planets for answers, but I will tell you that I am having a hard time coming up with explanations for some of the very odd things that are happening in the ski industry. Things so far fetched that the answers must lie in the galaxy of our heavenly universe. Where else could you possibly find an explanation for building a roller coaster on the famed Red Dog ski run at Squaw Valley USA? Why on earth would Black Diamond enter into an acquisition of Peeps?

Lots of bizarre happenings are taking shape at Squaw Valley, Squawllywood is taking on a whole new meaning. First a gargantuan 126,000 square foot, indoor water slide/park is in the new Squaw Valley master plan, that plan now includes a roller coaster type ride to be called The Timberline Twister.

We have all come to expect strange and controversial things from Squaw Valley but why would Black Diamond, a true mountaineering company, bring the manufacturer of Peeps into its fold? Yes, Mr. Coffee now owns Volkl, K2, and Marker but BD and Peeps???

I know that Black Diamond is attempting to strengthen the company's portfolio of life dependant products and Peeps, those colorful sugar coated marshmallow chickies and bunnies, do have an extraordinary shelf life. Maybe that's it...if stranded in the wild biting the ears of a Peeps bunny could provide enough of a sugar rush to energize weary legs and get you back to civilization.

I was so perplexed by all of this that I decided to strap on my backpack and head for the high country. If the thin mountain air didn't clear my head enough to come up with the answers I most certainly would be close enough to the stars to gain spiritual insight. Then it came to me, let's face it, wearing an inflatable water toy around your waist or strapping yourself into the Timberline Twister is a much safer thrill than flinging yourself down the Rock Garden. Squaw Valley is providing a safe though simulated mountan adventure. I was touched by another celestial insight; Black Diamond did not purchase Peeps, they purchased PIEPS, the manufacturer of avalanche beacons, now that makes sense.