Moving Day

Moved from Steamboat to Breckenridge today to meet the group from church. It has been a beautiful day with temps in the high 20's and lots of sunshine. The drive down (about 100 miles) was through the mountains along Colorado State Route #9 and the 30 inches or so of snow from this weeks storm lay undisturbed on the mountains, the road had lots of snow and ice but had been dragged and cinders laid down so the driving was not bad. I had to stop several times and take some pictures and enjoy God's creation. Arrived in Breckenridge about noon and did a bit of grocery shopping for tonight and Sat breakfast. I am cooking tonight and had to start early, ( I brought most of the meal from home, frozen so everyone should survive my cooking). We are staying at the Gold Point Condos which have a great view of the ski slopes and is on the free bus route, may not move the truck the entire week.

I have talked to everyone, Frank and Eugenia are about an hour from arriving and Phillip, Brenda and Bill are about 30 min out.

Have not heard the local weather forcast, but if its anything like today this should be a great week.

Bill

BrendaPhillip

Another day on the Slopes

Self portraits are always so much fun, snow was heavy today (WED 28 Jan) and the temps were -3 with a wind chill of -19.

Visibility was poor, even when the snow let up. But no lift lines and the slopes were never crowded.

I must admit I have to stop often to find out if I still have toes and get a cop of coffee, I took this shot from the lodge, looking over the ski area.

The base area is really built up with condos and shopping areas, but no WAL-Marts and a cup of coffee is only $2.70 what a bargain. I take the gondola up in the morning and only see the base area when I ski down in the evening.

Steamboat has a great mountain and good signage so you don't become lost.

Lots of nice long runs and not a lot of folks, wonder if that is because the wind chill was -19 ??

This is in front of the condo, the flag does not really show the total wind picture, of what in store up on the mountain. A bus picks up at the door and drops us at the ski area and runs about every 20 min. I have not driven the truck since I arrive. Had to move the truck last night so they could clear the parking lot and it did not want to crank, recon the - temps had something to do with that.

View from my condo window.

Front entry to condo

These were quarters at Ft Rileywhere I stopped last Thursday night.

Steamboat Springs Rocks

Spend Thursday night at Ft Riley, stayed in the old horse barns (they have been converted)
Had time to visit the Custer House ( quarters that General Custer stayed in when he was assigned to Ft Riley in 1865). The last active Cav unit was here at Ft Riley and was not deactivated until after WW1. Ft Riley was established in 1853 and was very active in the Planes Wars and the Indian uprisings. Currently home to the Big ed 1 (First Mechanized Infantry Division). Located on I-70, I recommend you stop by and visit if you are in the area, there are several museums including the First Territorial Capitol which is on Ft Riley.
Arrived at Steamboat after a rough trip, took me 4 hours to drive the last 100 miles, snow and bad fog cut visibility to about 200 ft. I am settled in and ready for skiing.



First full day of skiing, snowed 10 inches last night so everything was fresh powder, even trails they had groomed. Almost like Spring skiing, the temp today was 35 with no wind, and with the powder I had on too many clothes. The CONDO runs a shuttle to the lifts which are about a mile from the condo and the base area is really developed (High End). Lots of high speed lifts and a gondola that speeds you to mid-mountain. There are lots of blue slopes and groomed blacks, so this should be a great week. I have taken some pictures and will try to post them later tonight. This computer is in ther lobby( no wireless internet).
More Later
Larry

January 21st-Ski Season.
I depart tonight for Steamboat Springs for my annual ski vacation, (thanks to my wife). I plan to drive to Ft Riley, Kansas and spend Thursday night then on to Steamboat to check in Friday. 780 miles Harvest to Ft Riley but all Interstate hiways so should take about 13/14 hours driving time then an additional 9 into Steamboat, so plan to post again Friday night.

First time in many years I have had the opportunity to ski Steamboat but know it will be great. This years ski adventure will be 23-30 Jan @ Steamboat 30 -6 Feb at Breckenridge ( A bunch of folks I have skied with for the past several years) then back to Steamboat 6-14 Feb. I will return to Alabama about the 16th and do some chores then drive out to Wolf Creek (Southern CO) 13-21 March and meet the Grankids, ( Travis family, Murray&Jana and Judith) for some great spring skiing. Wolf Creek usually has lots of snow even late March, they have had over 200 inches so far this season. I am blessed with the good health that alows me to enjoy skiing and a understanding wife that puts up with me. Below are some photos from last years trip, 1 week in Breckenridge and 6 weeks in Utah.

Frank, Phillip, Eugenia & Bill

All these folks will be returning again this year. Eugenia deserves all the credit, she plans the trip every year and we have a great time, there will be 10 of us at Breckenridge.

Cold weather call for lots of clothing, not sure who these fo0lks are.

I expect lots of snow, last year we had fresh snow almost daily, the drive from CO to Utah was snowing all the way.

Murray and myself in the back then Jana, George and Bill, we had agreat time skiing at "The Canyons" at Park City.

Must finish packing and loading the truck, one guy should not have this much stuff for 3 weeks.

Vail Ski Trip 2007

Ski season is upon us and sad to say Barry Vines will not be skiing with us this year. Barry passed away 31 Dec. We will think of him often and remember the good times and his fondness for skiing. Among his many friends was the ski group from church and I had the honor of joining this great group of folks a few years back. Today's blog will be in memory of Barry and the past few years ski trips.

Lots of photos taken at lunch stop. We may be the older generation but still remember enough that we seldom miss a chance to eat. Barry Vines, red ski suit, white hair, big smile--you will be missed.

Barry and Phillip at the last decision point on the downhill run to home. Phillip always had to ask, which way do you guys want to go--knowing that Barry and I would bow to pressure and follow him down one more black diamond. The good news was that it was a single black diamond and Phillip assured us it was short---RIGHT!

One of my favorite photos, Vail slopes in the background, lightly snowing, skiing with friends and enjoying Gods Creation. The beauty allows you to almost forget you can't feel your toes. Barry, Phillip and Bill, all better skiers than myself, never failed to take the black trails that allowed you to improve your skiing ability--if it didn't kill you.

Good shot of Barry about to fall over his own skis. Friends never allow you to forget your last fall, and for old folks that have trouble remembering what day it is, the spectacular fall from last years ski trip is as fresh as this mornings coffee--and WILL be talked about until you have another fall that out shines it. For non skiers--Falls come in three variations, (1) Fall (everyone starts laughing immediately) (2) Face Plant (everyone waits until they can see no broken bones-then laughs), (3) Yard Sale (skis, ski poles, goggles and sometimes the safety helmet is spread across the trail for 50 yards and the skier looks as if they were run over by the snow cat) as everyone helps to gather your gear and determines you will live, the comparison starts with last years yard sale-then the laughter begins. Friends that profess to love you will, without being ask, point you out and tell total strangers about your yard sale adventure.

Thanks to this great lady, the annual ski trip goes smoothly. Eugenia plans, selects, directs, collects the money and tells us where to be on a given date,- she has dealt with kids before. Frank, the other half of this dynamic duo--not sure what Frank does to help out but we can't have Eugenia without Frank.

Barry always had a great smile for everyone and displayed a Christian attitude, lunch times were a great time of fellowship.

Alpine skiing is great, but sometimes you have to poll to get across flat ground. Barry loved down hill and speed, standing still was for breaks, and polling will check out the condition of your arms, which were not in great shape usually.

Barry, Bill and Phillip, waiting on me again. Note the lift lines in the background. We were blessed with great snow and short lift lines

Barry and Bill enjoy lunch outside in the sunshine.

I have been blessed knowing and skiing with this group, especially Barry Vines, who I am proud to have called friend. He will be missed.