Friday Feb. 5

Once again we start our day with the core class led by all participants and also some weights. The weather is really nice about 35 so we decide to go snowshoeing instead of skiing. I assume we are going somewhere in the car so I bundle all up and plop myself in the car only to find out that we are going to the meadow right by the house. We go up and down rolling hills and after 4 miles and 1 hour 45 minutes we are truly done with this event.

Boomer and Jill treat us to dinner at www CacheCache.com for my first birthday dinner celebration. The food and service could be the best in Aspen. Pictured here is my very first birthday present I hope he can fit in the car for the rest of our travels.

Thursday Feb, 4
This is not the best photo I have ever taken but just a preview of how much fun we are having. The day started with group directed core work out at the house then up to the mountain to Aspen Highlands for a really fun day of skiing. It has been about 4 years since my legs could move down the mountain like they have in the past week. I am so excited to be back on the snow. These 2 new knees are the best decision I have ever made. Before we started our trip we bought a new camera recommended by Larry Kraus. The Cannon Power Shot SX200 IS it shoots short video. On the mountain we took turns shooting video of each of us skiing, the quality was great and of course we looked like pros. Once again I need to thank Jerry for his instructions and Bob for purchasing these great new skis. Tonight we are having a famous salmon dinner prepared by Jill.

We left Vail in the morning and said good bye to our friends Kathy and Jerry to return for my 60th birthday party in Vail on March. 13. The drive from Avon to Aspen is a very nice 1 1/2 hour drive through some nice canyons along the river.

Upon arriving at Boomer and Jills we are greeted by them and their guests that are leaving to head back to Akron. We were introduced to their guests Lisa and Tom Cousineau, not being a football follower I had no idea he was a celebrety.

The picture is Jill and I at the pizza place for dinner. The day was our least physical on this entire trip. Starting to snow alittle hopefully there will be new snow on the mountain.

Tuesday Feb 3

We decided to take the day off skiing and do some other less adventours things. The morning started with a moderate 2 1/2 mile up to Beaver Creek to get some coffee, read the paper and BREEZE by some really great looking shops.
The decision was made that we would do 2 separate field trips, Kathy and I and Bob and Jerry great decision. A visitor to the Avon, Edwards area would never realize that there are some of the best consignment shops around. That being said Kathy and I start our journey. I would list the shops can don't have enough space to describe how unique each one was. The Nest and Threads in Avon, Thrift Store in Edwards, Treasures in Eagle Vail, Holy Teledo, Minturn, Ritzy Recall in Eagle Vail. You guessed it we went to all of them and had a great time and found some really good bargains. Being on the fixed income I was able to get some real fines for a nominal amount of money.
I mentioned Jerry and Bob die their own trip well here it is. The car wash was the first stop then to Camp Hale between Redcliffe & Leadville where the US military did mountain training in the 40's. They wrapped it up by stopping by Ski COOper not Copper and then on to the Turntable in Minturn to visit Darla. Sadly enough she was not in but the "Paine" left her a note.
On the horizon Bob is looking at doing the hut to hut skiing or Hiking out here stay tuned.
We are know packing to head to Aspen for our next few days.

Monday Feb. 1

The skiing is not so good out here they really are in need of snow. On Monday we got a late start and had a great day. We drove over to Frisco, Co about 25 minutes from Vail to have breakfast at the Log Cabin before heading to Brek to ski. Kathy dropped and picked us up 3 hours later, what would we do without her? It was cold and really really windy on the mountain but we managed to have 3 hours of enjoyable skiing. Jerry is a great teacher and very patient with an older student who hasn't skied in along time. The new skis seem to be bringing me back to what it used to feel like to cruise down the mountain. After a few hours of skiing remember I am not in the best of shape,. we headed to town to view the snow sculptures. From the picture you can't really get the magnitude of how large they really are.
This is Kathy, Jerry and Bob in front of one of the completed sculptures.
We arrived back at the lodge to attend a wine and cheese party and listen to some local people tell us about the activities in the area. At the end of a long day grilled cheese sandwiches, cocktails and of course watching the silly series of the Bachelor. Just a side note Jerry and Bob did not watch the Bachelor.

Sunday Jan. 31
Avon is 5 miles from Vail village so the means of transportation are the bus system for $1 or parking the car in Vail for $25. The buses work great it takes 2 of them and you end up right in Vail village. I have not had skis for several years so we always go to Buzz's to rent demos for the amount of days I will be skiing. Buzz's ski shop was having a sale and a pair of brand new K2 Burning love skis fell right into my arms. I own brand new skis at almost 60 years old, strange time to take up the sport again but I will be skiing this year more than I have in the past years.
Apres ski we went to the Red Lion, Pepis and then stopped for dinner at the George. Our friends Kathy and Jerry came to meet us there for the best value dinner I have ever had, crab legs and a sirloin steak for $15 the best buy in Vail the food was fabulous. Kathy and Jerry are staying at the same lodge so we didn't have to take the bus back to our place it is just a short car ride and we were all back home. .

Saturday January 30,
The entire day on Saturday was spent looking at the great scenery in Nebraska, miles and miles of rolling hills and nothing around. We arrived at Avon just outside of Vail where we will be staying for the next few days. The place we are staying is the www.Christielodge.com the accommodations are very nice it is called a suite and has a little kitchen, fireplace and separate bedroom with 2 TVs. We will be meeting up with friends Kathy and Jerry here at the lodge.