Friday - Last Day of Skiing

As noted the day started early with the snow plow coming through to clear off the 5" of snow we got overnight. Janie got up and made eggs, bacon and pancakes. That was a very nice treat and got the day off to a good start.

Bill C. sent a text they were on their way to get setup up for skiing. We plan to hook up at some point during the day. Only

Sara and her friend Katie are skiing. Katie Carlsen planned to hang out at their condo for the day.

What a beautiful day with fresh powder, 17 degrees and bright clear blue ski! No sign of wind either. After a half hour of pulling ourselves together we headed to the mountain. You could tell the crowd would be a little bigger by the line into the parking lot. We stopped at a red light and Janie was able to capture the Copper Mountain sign.

Logan and Jackson were kind enough to hang with Dad for an hour or so, while Janie found her way from the wrong bus stop to get her new goggles she was planning to buy. The three of us tore up the runs until we ran into Janie. Then we headed together up the mountain and into Copper Bowl. There we tried some Black runs, powder and of course the wonderful scenery. We all voted not our thing and headed back to the top to head down for lunch. Janie was able to get a lot of photos of us this morning, some shown here.

I tried to track Bill Carlsen and the girls down to join us for lunch, but they were struggling a bit with one friend whose skiing skills were not up to par. We elected to catch up for dinner at their place instead. So we ate our lunch and the boys took off to find other friends they knew were there. Janie and I ventured off to the east side of the mountain where the terrain is steeper and with the fresh powder now peppered with growing moguls from all the skiers following the same path. This was a little more work and Jeff's back started to feel the bumps. So a quick trip up the Super Bee 6 person lift to the top and a work your way across the mountain. After a couple of hours of skiing and only 15 minutes left, the vote was call it a day and wait for the boys. Well 100 feet from the bottom, Jeff caught a tip in some mush (yes 45 degrees this afternoon) and did a face plant. Well a shoulder plant (wearing ice as I'm writing this blog), so the great day had one bad bump.

When the boys arrived, we headed quickly for the car and then to the rental to drop off gear so we could get back to the condo to watch the KU basketball game. We took quick showers and had a little snack before half time. Then headed to Silverthorne (just down the hill a bit) and hooked up with Bill and the girls (Katie, Sara Carlsen and her friend Katie). We were treated to Fish Tacos (homemade) and the balance of the game. The kids played ping pong and Jeff and Bill caught up on the action.

Around 8:00 one of Bill's friends (family) arrived to spend the weekend. Kurt is one of Bill's friends from HS, whom Jeff met 10 years ago on a guys boating adventure and later golf trips. The adults talked and the kids did the same until Janie reminded everyone we still needed to pack and leave in the a.m. I think you can picture that effort and in the morning loading the truck. :)

So this is the end of the blog other than any last minute notes from the 10 hour trek home with a stop in Salina to visit Clea, Janie's mom who had an out patient surgery today. Then home to unpack and have one day before we all go back to the grind of work and school. Drake was unable to join us all week, but we kept him in our thoughts. This was our 9th ski trip as a family, just a bummer that Drake could not join us.

Thursday - Skiing Day

One last note from Wednesday. Janie and Cooper hanging out in bed. Cooper has enjoyed his long walks and is a sleepy dog. It was a sad morning for Janie with both Sara and Cooper leaving to go back to Denver.

This morning we are starting with cloudy skies and forecast for snow this morning. Supposed to be windy this afternoon, so will be colder even though supposed to get into the 40's. Sara and Cooper are going to head back to Denver this morning after we head out to the slopes. Hoping to get out of here in an hour or so after breakfast and stretching. We headed to the slopes, parked, got to the shuttle, and after a quick get organized headed up on American Eagle lift.

Skiing was very interesting today. The runs were very icy or

crusty depending on your point of view. The morning was Janie and I by ourselves. We covered quite a bit of the mountain and did our best to stay warm on the lifts with the 20-30 mile an hour wind. It snowed most of the day, but very light and tiny flakes. Overcast and wind was just the call for the day.

Janie and I went in for an early lunch, met up with part of the Keller's and then slowly all dropped in for lunch. Logan spent the morning with his friends and John Keller with Mark his brother. Mark is what I would call an excellent skier. He paid Logan a huge complement by saying he was a very good skier and was able to keep up. Wow! Logan has a pulled muscle in his right chest causing him some pain, so we had to get him some Tylenol at the gift shop. Jeff ate the Gyro that Sara had the previous day and Janie had the Chili. Logan of course Pizza. Dad and Logan got in a few rounds of online scrabble to boot! :) One thing about the food is its good. Another thing about the food is the expense. You almost make up for the cost of a ski in and ski out if you don't bring your own food to the slopes. Oh well its a vacation!

We then all headed out for the afternoon that was a mix of hard packed, nice (mid mountain) and bunched at the bottom. Janie and Dad came across the boys a few times and once we got the what are you doing call. In an attempt to go up the Rendevoux lift to the top lower peak, we ended up on the Sierra that takes you to the right peak and pretty much all black runs. Add a very steady 40 mile hour wind and low visibility and you have one heck of an adventure. Yes, this was Dad's blunder getting in the wrong lift line. At the top the wind was so strong you had to work to not get blown over the edge as we worked our way down the ridge line blue run. Get off that and in double diamond black bowl with moguls.....ugh! Janie being the trooper wanted to capture the picture of Jeff trying to not get blown over the edge.

Around 3:15 Janie decided to head in and Dad made a few more runs on his own. Of course she needed to find her annual Christmas ornaments for the tree.

Jeff arrived to find the Kellers, but no Janie a

nd boys. Janie came up with her purchase and the boys, well we had to wait and darn the luck enjoy a live band and a lot of St. Patrick day celebrators in the bar (Jack's). They were dancing on the bar, and doing Ski Shots...sorry no picture, but envision 4 people on the bar holding a ski with 4 shot glasses and on the count of three down the hatch in unison.

The boys of course were some of the very last to come down the mountain (note very few skiis in the racks, normally totally full !!) and we then headed to the shuttle for our trek home. On the way home Jeff connected with Bill Carlsen who is out with his two girls and a friend to invite them over for left overs. Bill brought corned beef with him to CO and said sure if he can bring that along.

As we came back into Frisco, we pulled over to capture the sign. We need to get the Copper sign tomorrow on the way in I'm sure. Janie likes the pictures for the scrap books she does for the boys.

Janie got everything ready and when the Carlsen clan arrived we dug into leftovers and corn beef to celebrate St. Patrick's Da. Yum Yum!

Our dinner conversation was a lot of fun. Katie Carlsen has had some adventures that made us all laugh. Also, good to remind the kids parents are well connected. The girls gave Janie some Facebook lessons and the boys watched BB. Jackson Keller arrived to hand with us the rest of the trip. The girls went shopping and BB on TV in front of the fire was enjoyed. When the girls got back we all had Smores and continued to laugh and enjoy the company. The Carlsen's headed out about 10 and we all crashed for the night.

Around 6 a.m. the snow blow came through. We got 5 inches of snow over night, which will make the skiing better today with a bright blue ski!!

Wednesday - Day Off

Wednesday the traditional day off from skiing is starting with a bright blue ski and everyone slow to get up. Sara took Cooper out and went back to bed. Logan is hanging out in his bed watching cartoons and Sports Center, while Janie makes a hearty breakfast of scramble eggs, fried new potatoes and bacon. OH Yea!

Logan headed off to Copper Mountain where Logan tubed with Jackson and his buddies. They had a blast.

Sara and Janie headed off to go shopping. Dad stayed home with Cooper and did some wor

k work to keep things moving and caught up on email. Also, took Cooper for a walk and enjoyed the 40 degree sunny weather in the mountains. Got to walk off some of the soreness from skiing. Tomorrow is forecast for snow and rain depending on elevation. Should be interesting, but make Friday an awesome day of skiing.

When Dad got back from his walk with Cooper he and Logan had a sandwich for lunch on the back deck looking out at the mountain stream on the backside of the condo. The wind blowing through the pines and aspen. I swear it would be so cool to spend a week or two up here working and skiing. Must give that some serious thought for the future! Janie and Sara came home from shopping with a few items. Sitting on the back deck getting some sun!

Then as the sun headed behind the trees, Jeff ventured inside to play some Xbox, Logan watched a movie, Sara and Janie worked on Sara's taxes (so much fun).

We went out for Dinner at Toscato an Italian restaurant downtown Frisco. Logan got Fettuccine with Shrimp, Sara plain Fettuccine, Janie a Clam Pasta and Dad the Ocean Perch special. A pretty good bottle of Chianti helped wash it all down (minus Logan). Then Logan finished the dinner off with a chocolate cake and Dad a mint - chocolate gelloto. All Good!

On the way home we made a detour to see if we could get some Green St. Patty day shorts for Logan to wear skiing. No luck so we grabbed a slurpy for Sara at the 7-Eleven and headed back to finish out the evening in front of the fire place. Cooper was excited to see us of course.

As I write this the fire is going with the back door open and still 50 degrees at 9:20 p.m. It will drop over night and then rain and snow tomorrow. Should be interesting skiing.

Another great day relaxing and being away and thanking the stars for our good fortune and wonderful family. Unfortunately Sara and Cooper head back to Denver in the a.m. (Sara has to work tomorrow) and Jackson Keller will be staying the night. His parents leave on Friday, so he gets an extra day of skiing by coming home with us!

Till tomorrow's adventure...Good Night. :)

Tuesday - Skiing

Tuesday morning started off a little slower than Monday. Cooper of course was just as excited to have everyone wake up as yesterday. After a little stretching, breakfast we all made it out of the condo by 9:00 a.m. our planned start time. Sara joined us for our trek to Copper mountain. We were a little worried about Cooper, but he went right into his kennel without a complaint. Today we chose to wear our shoes and carry our boots. The lockers are really close to the lift, so we thought that might be easier. Of course Dad needed to figure out the hard way how to use the lockers costing a few extra coins. Good thing Logan can read with out glasses. :) We hopped on the American Eagle lift to go up with plans to work Sara over to the green runs on the west side of the mountain. After a few jitters getting on and off the lift (10 years since Sara last skied) we slowly headed down the mountain.

Logan was being way cool and hanging with us as we coached Sara down her first run. After a couple of wipe outs, Logan and I were instructed to go ahead and ski down then catch them at the bottom after our next run. So off we raced to the bottom and back up on American Flyer. On the way down we only stopped once, and then no Janie or Sara. Hopped back on the lift and got the call from Janie she was right behind us without Sara. Unfortunately she was done for a while due to anxiety around all the other skiers swooshing by so fast.

Janie, Logan and I skied quite a few runs until Janie decided to head down with Sara. Thank goodness my son brought a granola bar. He as kind enough to split it with his good old Dad, who was starving already. Logan and Dad made a couple more runs down until the lines at the Timberline Lift were getting too long. We cut across the mountain playing chase and finished at Jack's were we found Sara and Janie lounging on the deck (catch the theme for these two!).

We ate our lunch outside on the deck watching the snow cat working the tube for those young and fearless who like to do tricks. Another day of blue ski and sun. Sara enjoyed a Gyro sandwich that Dad plans to get on Thursday. Janie and Jeff enjoyed a pizza, while Logan a Hamburger and fries. It is amazing how hungry you get after a couple of hours of skiing and a light breakfast! Jack's is kind of where we have been hanging for lunch and meeting up with the Keller's. They have been doing this for years. Amazing how you can form a habit over time that is just comfortable.

We talked through Sara's fears and got her to go up with us after lunch. This time we made it over to the green runs and Logan headed off with his friend Jackson. Of course they covered most of the mountain again in one afternoon. Little buggers! We later heard Jackson and his Dad had done the same in the morning. Logan has already decided that is what he wants to do Thursday. We'll see after he wakes up with sore muscles.

Sara made it all the way to the Timberline lift with a big smile. She really got her groove back. So we made two more funs until Sara and Janie decided sitting in the sunning chairs by the lift would be a good thing. Jeff headed back up for a solo run down the blue runs (nobody on the hill). Then another run and the final trip down for Sara to the Jack's. Janie and Jeff headed back up American Eagle and made two three complete runs down the mountain. What a wonderful day on the slopes.

We found Logan and the Keller's inside hanging. After a quick change of clothes and confirmation of meet time for dinner, we all headed back to the condo to clean up. Cooper's tail was a wagging when we all arrived and was so excited for Grandma Janie to take him on a walk. Dad couldn't get anyone to join him in the hot tub, so he headed over on his own. After stepping into ice cold water in the outside tub, Dad headed inside. Nothing beats 30 minutes in the hot tub with an ice cold beer. The club house had a nice shower, so Dad took advantage while everyone else used up the condo hot water. After some quite time we took Sara's ski gear back to the rental (she has to head back to Denver on Thursday and wants to hang with us on our day off from skiing tomorrow) then headed to the Boat House for dinner. The Keller's met us and we grabbed two tables next to each other and had a great time eating some really good food. Logan a burger, Sara and Janie a Garlic and Mushroom gourmet pizza and two appetizers and Dad had bacon wrapped meatloaf.

Jackson came home with us to play Xbox with Logan, while the rest of us hung out in front of the fireplace watching an old Julia Roberts movie "Your Best Friends Wedding".

The boys came out for Smores (third night in a row) and finished the movie with us, kind of a crappy ending really. After running Jackson home we all crashed for the night.

Another great day in CO!!!!!

Monday - First day of Skiing

Monday 6:30 a.m. and I'm the only one up. Time to stretch and prepare for a day on the slopes. Cooper and Logan were next up followed by Janie. After a light breakfast the three of us headed to Copper around 9:15 a.m. We parked in the public parking, hopped the shuttle for a quick ride and then headed to the first lift....OK we had to stop for Jeff and Janie to take a potty break! :)

Jeff was nervous with his bad back, but with the back brace quickly got in the groove. Great blue ski with sun and runs that were groomed to perfection.


On one run at the top of the mountain the Life Flight landed right next to us. Of course you think some poor sole is really hurt. They let out two handlers and two dogs (rescue crew). After picking up two Ski Patrol ,they took off right over our heads (20'). Way cool! Turns out just a training exercise. Whew!




After three hours of skiing we headed in Jack's for lunch and met up with Logan's friend Jackson and his family. No picture, but Logan downed two huge pieces of pizza.

Logan, Jackson and his cousin (plus friend from KC) headed out to conquer the mountain. Janie and Jeff hooked up with the Keller's

to head back to the top of the mountain. After another hour and
half of skiing Janie and Jeff called time out and headed to the terrace for a cold beer and watch folks come down the mountain.

After an hour of hanging and the boys coming in from covering the entire mountain we packed up for the trek home. When we got home Sara was making lasagna to go in the oven!! She had a rough day by first locking herself out of the condo with Cooper and not coat, etc. Thank goodness she found an employee to let her in. She then went shopping and got to the check out to find no wallet. What a bummer. Janie and Sara headed out to get her ski rental for tomorrow, and then we dug into the fresh out of the oven lasagna when they got home, Logan said it was the best he has ever eaten, YUUMMMM!!!


Sara and Janie headed out to Dillon to do a little shopping while Dad and Logan took showers. Jeff then took Cooper for a long walk in a snow shower. Wonderful! Smores by the fire and another day down on the record books.


Tomorrow Sara joins us for a day of skiing and fun!!! Cooper will have to hang by himself at the condo. We are hoping he doesn't bark all day. :)

Frisco

Sara met us at the Homewood Suites and we headed to Frisco. With Sara and Cooper following we trekked along hwy 70 through snow and a lot of moisture on the windshield. Quite a bit of traffic, but nothing to extreme.

After arriving we found the rental office and checked in. Of course we are a bit early and can't get in, so we drove through downtown Frisco and located all the eating establishments that Shane Farley gave us.

From there we found Logan's friend Jackson's condo (just down the road) so they can hook up once we get settled. After that we ventured over to the other side of town to get our groceries for the first couple of days. Unlike Steamboat, the grocery store was not overwhelming with people. Then we headed over to the Subway for a quick lunch. Cooper was good and hung out in the truck the entire time.



We then headed back to the condo, and realized there was no garage, hot tub, etc., so realized still not at the right place. We went across the street and found where we are supposed to be. There is a central club house with heated pool and hot tub. We have a garage, which is great for storing the things we don't need all the time. We are on the third floor with a view of the mountain and creek (hence Creek Crossing Street). There is about 2-3 feet of snow everywhere! You can tell they are having record snow this year. 98" base on the mountain.


The view of from out condo is part of the mountain around Frisco. Today there were pretty high winds and the snow was swirling around like the Matterhorn in Switzerland.

We unloaded the truck and got settled in the condo. We are on the third floor so no one above us to make noise. We have a bedroom with bunk beds for Logan and Sara and a master bedroom upstairs. There is a fireplace with a huge supply of split pine!! The kitchen is well stocked, so no issues with doing any cooking we want to do.

After a little unpacking we headed over to Christy Sports to grab our rental l gear (Dad had to run back to condo to get ski boots). We made it through the rental process quickly and then headed back to the condo. Janie and Sara took a hike with Cooper and Logan and Jeff hung out. Jackson and his family stopped by to pick up their lift tickets (Janie got a great deal through the condo).


We then hauled in some wood and got a fire going.
We played a game of Scrabble (Sara won) and then made a wonderful Pork Loin steak dinner and enjoyed trying some new BBQ sauce. Cooper is exhausted and we all will probably crash soon. Vacations are so good for the soul. We are so fortunate to have this opportunity. The only downside was Drake not being able to join us. I'm sure he would love to be here instead of studying for mid terms. Janie spent some time helping Logan work on his lines for the lead part in the school play, "You Can't Take It With You." S'mores a little later and then Logan and Sara watched a movie. Off to enjoy the fire and the balance of my scotch! Skiing in the morning!

Aquarium - Mexican Lunch - Sara's Bar

Yesterday went by really fast with our visit to the Denver Aquarium and then a stop for lunch at the El Senor Sol - Mexican restaurant across the street from the Aquarium. Really good food and the Margaritas were awesome (just ask Janie).

We then headed to the new Hotel (Hilton Homewood Suites) for nap time. Ah vacations!

Logan and I then watched KU take it to TX before waking up Janie from her extended vacation nap and headed to the Doghouse Bar and Grill where Sara now works.

Logan got to see his first live car accident on the way. We were sitting in the right lane at a stop light with the left lane open. Cars were crossing the intersection when a car ran the red light and just missed the car traveling west, but nailed the car traveling east, then slammed into the car sitting in the turn lane. Ring side seats!!!

Shane Farley (Lisa Clemow's brother) met us there and we ended the day having dinner and watching UConn pull it out against Louisville to win the Big East. Ah March Madness and Ski Vacations. We met Sara's manager and the first round was on them! Great food and when the night crew started piling in we closed up shop and headed home. It is so nice have a DD with you when you've had a few at a bar. Thank you Logan! :)

Hard to believe we lost an hour last night and are sitting at the Homewood Suites breakfast bar. A little later Sara and Cooper will join us for our trek up to Frisco. Forecast is still for great spring weather! Today is the check-in saga and picking up rental gear. Can't wait to start a fire in the condo.