Snowmobiling

Today we took a day off to rest our legs. Besides the last of our snowboard buddies flew out this morning. I for one was burnt out... we were thinking dog sledding and snowmobiling the same day... but the more action packed snowmobiling company didn't offer both. I of course wanted the more progressive class.

So we signed up... and I got to ride my own sled!

They picked us up at the hotel... we were late... but that's okay... we got there none the less. Our class was only 4 people as the rest of our truck load took the family session which is a bit more tame. We started out on a narrow path going slow and windy to get to the practice track... which scared me a bit. I decided I don't like going in a circle turning left at high speeds for fear of flipping over or running into my classmates... yes we were allowed to pass on the left, right or otherwise.

Soon after our instructor thought we handled well enough we headed out to the open bowls in the high terrain. He said we were at about 12K feet. Pretty gnarly! We started out just going fast on these up and down tracked out paths through endless white. Then we were making turns, going up steep paths and back down... circling some turns and found ourselves in the bowls where we climbed the wall faces a few times to circle back down. It was just scary enough to be exciting but still feel safe! It was a great experience and I noticeably enjoyed the speed. I also seemed to like to tailgate. What can I say... I drive like a NYer!

Check out the pics - they are amazing!

Riding Log: Day 7 (Breckenridge)

It was our friends last day in town so we decided to keep it easy at Breck. The morning started out with some box head runs on the greens... and unfortunately Paul and I had a bickering match. I know I know... only married a few days and already pissed at each other.





Anyways... Andy worked his magic on me and convinced me to come back out for the rest of the day... and said that he was glad I did a few times... because as always we have a great time riding together. He's truly my favorite riding buddy.

We headed way up to the peak (12,840 feet above sea level) for some mask pictures... it was freezing!!!! And then rode the bowl down... until we had jello legs. We ran into our group for lunch and got our grub on at the bottom of Peak 8. Soon after we hot lapped peak and and headed back to 9 for some park laps. I took some pics but decided I was tired and done for the day. I handed my camera to Andy and Eric who continued to take pictures for a few more runs... they met Jerry, Nelson, Me, Car & Bonnie back at the bar where we got a few pitchers... and called it a night at the hill.





After getting dressed and purdied up we headed to a restaurant Relish for some fabulous eats on their last night in CO. Good times were definitely had by all and the food... MMMMMMMMM.

Riding Log: Day 6 (Vail)

So … finally… we were at Vail. My favorite resort due to it’s vast bowls and variety of terrain… but… my legs were shot from the day before, my ego was shot because of my Rome Blue, and my emotions were shot when I was taken into terrain I wasn’t handling as well as I know I could… and then my knee was shot when I fell… and my foot was facing – BEHIND ME.

A quick cry later… I felt a bit better and we began our decent into the back bowl… through some unmarked gated area. It wasn’t bad… it was steep, it was soft, it had trees, it had traverse… then it had a gully… and I chose the lesser of the two inclines which had me fallowing Andy. Before I knew it we were needing to pass this awkward ravine… which Andy did barely… and I did … not at all.

I found myself more than 1/2 where there but on my butt. I knew there was no traversing out at that angle… so I unstrapped ready to hike it to my brother-in-law. And that’s when hell started. The snow gave underfoot and I was sliding down. It was only about 10-12 feet but … the hike up felt impossible. A Combination of the dry snow and thin air had me struggling. I managed to use my board as an ice pick and make foot holes. I was within about a hands length from Andy… when I slid down again. I was running out of terrain to climb. An ice face sat under all this dry snow. Finally Andy began to climb down… making foot holes for me… and I started my way up… (a third time) make foot holes as well. I finally managed to get high enough to hand him my board and climb the rest of the way up. My emotions were so nuts at that moment… I almost began to full on cry. Just with relief. Andy understood and did an amazing job keeping me calm… taking deep breaths, helping me collect myself and finding our way down… which we finally did. Paul had already headed down… God forbid he wait and see if I’m okay… but Jerry stayed and was laughing… but in a way that suggested he was kinda worried for a sec. All was well in the world… except me… who felt like a 80 year old smoker unable to catch her breath.

After a few runs we broke for lunch where I stuffed my face with a burger and fries… Paul got antsy and disappeared a la snowboard nazi and the rest of us lapped Avanti chair. It’s a mellow blue run but people still seemed to have issue. No matter, we made the best of it… and then headed down our ice faced mogulful blacks down to the base where Paul was waiting beer in hand.

After scouting out the troops… we took some photos, piled into the good ole cars and headed back to Breck for a shower and some Moose playing antics! Good times were had by all… and left over bake ziti was consumed.


"See, the thing about snowboarding is it's not only the speed, and exhilaration; its finding who you are with the people you are with."

Riding Log: Day 5 (Breckenridge)

Day 2 was a no noob day. It started off slowly with more family goodbyes. We were on the hill by around 10 and definitely made some turn son the moguls. Eric had twisted his ankle the day before so we were minus him + Car who isn’t as strong a rider. We tested ourselves on some moguls on peak 9 @ breck. I was on my Rome Blue and boy was I not loving it. I immediately opted to strap into Paul’s evo and let my blue sit in the locker all day. It was probably a bad choice… letting myself feel defeated after only 1 run, but it was really my 1st day and I wanted to keep up. Car was borrowing my SMF and well… I did what I did.
We headed to peak 8 to hit the bowl… but we had some complications when Car took too long, and we made her head back to peak 9 for lighter terrain… then Andy dropped a glove that took most of the day to find. It ended up just Jerry and I.
We rode the bowl to base twice… it was freezing and our legs felt like jello. We’d literally stop after a few trails just to give our quads a quick 45 second break before continuing on. We kept on and finally caught back up with Andy and Paul who … found his glove.
But… at that point… the day was close to done. A few more runs on peak 9 … pictures of the boys in the park… and I needed to quit… so Jerry & I headed to the bar where we grabbed a pitcher with Bonnie and waiting for the rest of the troops to arrive.
The most memorable part of the day was definitely the sphincter puckering steeps and endless bowls coupled with harsh winds, insane temperatures, and endless sees of white due to white out conditions. But we concurred it!

Riding Log: Day 4 (Breckenridge)

So the wedding is over and riding has begun… and it kinda sucked.

We are in CO and still have obligations (saying bye to family) so we had a late start. In addition, my mother caused some unnecessary drama for the family. That said, we started the day at 12. The kids only lasted a few runs before their frozen fingers and empty stomachs said we needed to stop for lunch… but before lunch, Paul to K & Allie to the tress… which gave me a small heart attach… but they did amazing. We ran into my friend Will who stopped in to say hi. We did a few fast laps and a few noob runs with the rest.

I ended up taking the kids in for food while Paul stayed out with the boys. I wish he… or someone woulda stayed to help me. I mean, it was my 1st day married and I was stuck baby sitting. But hey… that’s my life. Always the dutiful one, I managed to feed the kids. A was feeling down so I took Allie and K back out for some tree runs… and again K had his 2nd melt down of the day. Which had me about ready to melt when I heard his asthma attack coming on full force in the middle of the run.


Ugh it wasn’t pretty. After obliging my mom with what she needed to hear… Paul and I again went our own ways to my dismay. Him to do dinner with his fam and me to do dinner with mine…. He eventually made it to the bar… where I begrudgingly met him (I kinda wanted to go together after a regroup from the stressful day I had).
In any event… the day wasn’t really considered a good riding day for me. More like a baby sitting day… filled with tears, hugs, food buying and stress… but alas… I think everyone else had a blast!

I fought to go to Vail tomorrow… but they didn’t listen. Oh well they be sorry!

Colorado... the whirlwind before the wedding

The welcome bags were packed and with the front desk... some family was here. And there was still so much to do from meetings at the church to meetings with the coordinator to emails from everyone to getting family checked in that weren't so competent to do it themselves to picking up relatives in Denver... to goodness knows what else.

But somewhere... in there... there were nice breakfasts, taking family skiing... or at least checking them in so they can. There were nails and hair and make up. There was shoe shopping. There was hanging out with friends.

Oh there was so much... so much saying hello and thank you for coming. It was pleasant, stressful, and fast... because now... it's over and I can remember almost nothing.

Getting There (The Wedding)

Getting to CO after a month of caring for my Grandma was no easy task. We constantly thought we were forgetting something... but we didn't - fortunately.

We called a minivan cab b/c ... well it was the 2 of us, 2 snowboard bags, 1 large suitcase, 1 medium suitcase, 1 huge wedding dress & 1 tuxedo bag. So yea... minivan for 2 people... we needed it.

Upon arriving @ the airport... I was hit with the realization that it wouldn't just be Paul and I checking in... but his entire family... because well... they can't do anything with out Paul when he's around. He spoils them the same way I spoil my little brother and sisters. But ... they are adults.

So after checking in: myself, Paul, his Mom, Dad, 2 aunts & Abuela... we were at security... ugh... too many people don't speak english, too many people lose their boarding pass, too many people have to pee, and all the while Paul is minding them... not me... carrying this 40 lb dress! I was upset... but I held it in.

Once at the gate they allowed me to hang my dress in 1st class.... no not because they cared about my dress but because they did NOT want me taking up that much overhead space. Ha, well that still worked to my advantage... while they were at it, I had them hang Paul's tux too!

(yes the drive is that cool... you go under a bridge carved out of a mountain that Loveland Ski resort is located on!)

So upon arriving... the heat started to emanate from my brain. I had a schedule to follow... to the hour. It required obtaining our baggage, picking up the car, driving to Breckenridge, getting our marriage license, going grocery shopping, unloading EVERYTHING we brought... but no, Paul wanted me to get the car while he waited with his family and the bags, and he wanted me to run around alone. Oh well I put my foot down... this is MY wedding and I want it MY way... shit I planned the damn thing... and I am no freaking babysitter. Well he felt the heat... and we compromised... he came with me, but we left the bags with his aunts.

At least once we got on the road we were able to separate from them. I needed time with my fiance. I needed time to be alone... to rest my thoughts. I wanted to be stress free. After all... I was making the biggest life changing decision I've made in my life to date!

We got to Breck safely... though the winds were a bit high and headed directly to the County Clerk where we paid our $30, showed our IDs, filled out the paperwork and obtained our Marriage Certificate (not signed) see.... we were excited at that point.


Then we headed to the hotel to check in. After unloaded much of our belongings we headed to Paul's mom's room... they wanted to go grocery shopping WITH US. ugh... well fine! So we went... I bought what I needed for the favors and welcome bags and to much of Paul's dismay... insisted that we get on it immediately... good thing too or we'd have run out of time.

In the end, I opted not to eat with his family and insisted that he and I head to town to shop and do dinner which we did. I had altitude sickness and nursed a beer I didn't end up finishing and ordered a greasy meal I didn't end up eating... but that's ok. We smiled... and ended up... WALKING home.

Yep b/c we missed our shuttle and Paul didn't want to call again. It was cold, I was light headed, and I was sleepy... so I did what I do best... I whined, asked him to undress me, and fell asleep immediately upon feeling the pillow.