Hit the Slopes

Day One on the Mountain. We woke up bright and early (7 am) and geared up for some fun. Of course we didn't actually get out the door until almost 930. We're not so together. Matt, Tony and Jason all smiles at the start of the day...





Our awesome condo.



The view from our driveway.

As you can see it was snowing at the base of the mountain. It had been snowing steadily for a couple of days and there was knee high powder when we got out there. I'd never snowboarded in anything that deep before so I did a lot of falling at first. This first stretch of mountain took me almost 20 minutes to get down



I'm told it kept everyone waiting in the lift line entertained :D I had a couple of awesome falls... some good sommersaults... only one minor injury. I only went about half way up the mountain that first time. This put me in the heart of the clouds and the snow storm. I took a cut through path to get to one of the big runs.



I also wanted to avoid the little kid ski schools. At one point I was following a pair of riders who decided to leave the path and go down the clif. Sure. Why not. Eventually I got to a larger run, but there was little visability.



I got a bit lost, but I did find this sign...



So I didn't feel completely lost :D It turned out I was on a different run then I planned. Only a bit farther and I got home just in time for lunch.



I was so exhausted I decided to spend the rest of the day relaxing in the condo.



The guys went a bit higher...



...but fell just as hard.



Once everyone was home we hit the hot tub and did a little bit of drinking. We spent the big bucks on Canada's finest variety packs. We bought a couple of cheap mixed cases that turned out to be halfway decent.





Andrew played with the fireplace



Matt pretended to be an Iron Chef



While Matt and I worked on enchiladas for dinner we accidently set off the smoke detector. Which set off the house alarm. Which we had no idea how to turn off. It was ok though, because while we all scrambled about trying to fix the problem, Andrew continued to play with the fire place. "Where's the lighter? Has anyone seen my lighter?" "No Drew, open a freaking door and let the smoke out"

After dinner Matt and Tony pelted us with snowballs every time we tried to join them in the hot tub.



So we decided to get them back with the Shovel Sneak Attack!




Ok well that was Day Two. Stay tuned for more updates.

Duck, Duck... Duck?

Why yes, that is a picture of a four-legged duck. My question is why did he name the duck Stumpy?

(picture stolen hotlinked style from CNN)

Say Goodbye

When I loaded the snow day pictures onto my computer I found the pictures from Angie's layover in Chicago. Jess, Eli and I went to Midway Airport to goof around in baggage claim for a couple of hours. Jess even wore her Cedar Falls t-shirt in honor or angie's visit




Then Jess scratched Angie's nose. I'm not entirely sure why. I think I was distracted by the hot pretzel I was snacking on.




This may or may not have led to Angie getting a nose bleed...



According to Angie it happens to her a lot. So I think Jess is pretty much blameless. Too soon it was time to say goodbye.

Go Cross Country Skiing

I had a very ambitious plan to make this into a "choose your own adventure" blog entry. Of course that was back before arts and crafts time ran long. (I had to make signs for the store and apparently it takes longer to apply all that glitter than I remembered from first grade) Instead you'll be getting an average "this is what I did" post. I know, I'm disappointed too.

I woke up today to the wonderful sight of snow! And not just a little flurry. Almost 4 inches of fluffy powdery snow! Once I finished shoveling I couldn't bring myself to go back inside. I love my snow and it was a balmy 29 degrees out so why go inside. What to do? Cross-Country Ski!!!!!! It took me a while to find my boots but soon I was off to the park down the road.



I made a couple of laps. Stopped to take pictures of the playground...



There's something sort of sad about a snow covered Jungle Gym... but peaceful all the same.



My own skis...



The pretty snowy trees...




I had forgotten how tiring it was to break your own trail. I hadn't gone very far and it was only 945 am but I was already tired. I stopped at a local ski shop and they told me about a nearby forest preserve with good trails. Side note: what is it with Illinois and forest preserves? is this something they do other places? how is it any different than a park? I really don't understand.

This park was exactly what I was looking for. Of course having never been there before I had no clue where I was going. So I just picked a trail and was off.



After a couple of "well I guess I'll go this way" turns I found a river.



There were some ducks swimming but they heard me approaching and flew off as I got close.



Following the river I found a bridge...



...and more importantly a trail map.



I'd made a loop of the north trails, about a mile and a half so far. I figured I had enough energy left to explore the southern trails rather than cut across and try to find my car. So I kept following the river.



Eventually I came across a path no one had taken yet...



I couldn't resist. I got to tell you, I was having so much fun. I'm such a geek. There I was alone in the woods with a goofy grin on my face, skiing along.



In retrospect the new path was maybe a bad choice. I think it ended up being the longer way around and I have to admit it was a relief to see a bright yellow spot in the distance.



Was it? Could I have found my way back? YAY it's Buck! Right where I left him....



I'm not sure why the sign said Habitat Restoration. It probably means I shouldn't have left the trail and scared those ducks though. Oh well. So that was my day. How was your monday?

The whole adventure reminded me of my favorite Frost poem: Stopping By the Woods On a Snowy Evening. This was one of those days where it's easy to see how amazing God is.

Ok gang*, I'm in need of a bit of help. Work has been stressing me out and I'm feeling a bit lost. Does anyone have good quiet time readings? I just really need get recentered and don't know where to start. Suggestions?


*Gang refering to the 3 people who actually read this.