Project 365 - February 1-6

February 1 - Surprise gift of Gigi's Cupcakes given to our office from Engineering.  The presentation of the cupcakes is amazing.   I just read on the website how the company began on faith.

 February 1 - BRR it's cold outside

 February 2 - Same as above - awfully cold

 February 3 - In spite of the freezing temperatures, the fountain by the gym continues to run.

 February 3- In the afternoon I found out that Mom's flight was canceled and she couldn't come for our ski weekend.   I was sad.  Then I came home and found an unexpected gift of Racine Kringle from my Grandma.  It helped make the day a little better. 

 February 4 - Skiing at Keystone with friends, then headed to Avon where I had a reservation at the Westin Riverfront Resort.  It's a beautiful property, and I would definitely stay there again (even if I am partial to the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek)

February 5 - Powder weekend.  One of my favorite things about Beaver Creek (in addition to the chocolate chip cookies and s'mores) is the magic carpet to the Strawberry Park Express, just in case walking is too much effort.

 February 6 - I had a "studio suite" at the hotel.   It had a lot of great features, including the 'Heavenly Shower' with double shower heads.

February 6 - Fluffy powder at Beaver Creek.  View with the sun peeking out. 

Project 365 - January 22nd & 23rd

January 22 - This is the third year that our 'young adults' group has been given the opportunity to use a very nice home in Breck for our annual ski weekend.   There's plenty of beds for everyone and we can walk to the skier shuttle.  Saturday was a killer powder day.   I skied through the trees in 'fluffy' snow with the help of a friend.   I only hit (a love tap) one tree and had to take off my ski to stand up....in almost waist deep powder.   After skiing, this was the view from the hot tub.   It's hard to deny that life is good in moments like these.

January 23 - This is the black run that I did at Breck.  The weekend before with the youth, I looked at this run...then went down the catwalk to Northstar about 3 times before just trying it.  It's great to see my skills improve year over year.

January 23 - Crazy Icicles

January 23 - The village of Breckenridge at night.   It's so pretty.  On Friday night I went to dinner at Empire Burger with friends and it reminded me that Breck is a real town, not just a ski resort.   Of course this view was followed by a hazmat incident that closed I-70, so we took the 'scenic' drive on 285 instead.

Project 365 - January 14-16th

January 14 - Warm fire upon arrival in Breckenridge. 

January 15 - Second ski day of the season, excellent day on the mountain with the youth followed by the hot tub, dinner and learning to play Halo 3 on Xbox and Star Wars on Wii.  I have no skill in either game.

January 15 - View from base of Peak 7

January 16 - Signs like these exist for a reason.   Our giant snow tube blob almost mowed down children who didn't heed this sign.

January 16 - First time sledding in a long time.

January 16 - Going to Tanzania countdown via paper chain.  My sister had the weekend to herself and this was one of her many projects.

Day One

Day one of a new decade.   After panicking on December 1 that I only had a month to get done anything I needed to in the past decade, it's nice to start new.  At the beginning of last year I actually put together a list of goals.   Shockingly, some of them actually actualized.  And others (more exercise) will need to be added to this year's list.   My sister's facebook post put it succinctly "The first couple hours (or days) aside, I am going to make smart choices in 2010!" 

"Smart choices" are different for each person, it may be eating more vegetables or eating less ice cream.  It may be going out and being more social, or staying in and being less.  It may be the year of the 'staycation' or the vacation.    My day one was sleeping in and skiing.   Both things that are good for me and that I don't get to do often enough.   Even better, I was paid to do it. 

Snow (continued)

Mom came to visit over the weekend for our annual ski weekend. Spring skiing can be hit or miss, but this year it was definitely a hit, with powder all weekend. You'd think it was January rather than April when you looked at the conditions. The scenery in Vail and Breckenridge was beautiful, and to spend the weekend playing in the snow was the best!

CCE

Last night, I had another CCE "Colorado Cultural Experience." This my 3rd time living in a state with a lot of ski enthusiasts (WI and NV being the others). However, this is the first place where I've heard my friends talk about Warren Miller. Every year Warren Miller Entertainment releases a new ski/ride movie. Known for great footage, scenery and music, many people consider this event the start of the winter season. I went with a group of 10 or so friends to see Children of Winter. The theater was packed, they were raffling off great prizes, and everyone who attends gets a free lift ticket or BOGO for Copper/Winter Park. If you click on the graphic, you'll see where else the movie is showing and the trailers. Not surprising that most of the showings are in the Rocky Mountains, West Coast, Upper Midwest and Northeast. There was 1 showing in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and 2 in Houston, TX. If you live in Georgia, Louisiana or South Carolina....sorry, no movie for you!

Now all we need is more snow...