trip,animals, coffee, and classes

Sorry, time definitely got away from me. A very overdue post it is.  My trip over to CO Springs to see Mom was a fun one. We zoomed around doing lots of errands and enjoyed some lunches out and a great sushi dinner out with brother George and Linda. Thanks Mom!

Back on the snowshoe and cross country skiing schedule. Cross country skiing was fun and we continue to improve. Well, ha - we're still on their "green" trails, so a long way to go.

Crested Butte was hopping with people taking advantage of the holiday weekend. After lunch we stopped by the great coffee place, Camp 4 Coffee, to pick up some freshly ground. Won't work in my Kuerig though, regular coffee only.

crazy dog town - of course treats in the coffee place

one hard working resident artist - no painting, no moolah

Now the snowshoeing was a little bit more challenging. We'd had some snow and wind which made a lot of the trail non-existent and very deep. The photos don't quite show it, but some of the trekking was me sinking down over my knees. Extra exercise...

Animals popping out all over. Never know on any given day. One rancher has the first newborn calves we've seen. We counted 25. It's quite early, usually mid - March is the time. Early bird special on the bull visit last summer? And today was the buck with does crossing Main st. in Gunnison. They may have even crossed at the crosswalk.

Ok, I'll be honest, suddenly I am overwhelmed with all my classes, both online and physical.Mid-term test, weekly quizzes, chapter reading, video lectures, and paper to be researched and started for Gunnison country class Hmm...I'll you know what gives. It'd be fine if it wasn't all at the same time.

eager beaver early students - us

Company coming! Tom and Marci arrive Thursday. Cross fingers for no winter weather travel interference...

Winter marches on

Everyone made it back home after leaving here in a blowing snowstorm to drive to Denver and catch their flight. Well, it's still winter. Make a plan and cross fingers. Heather, Jay, Amanda, and Penn - loved having you!

Made it back out to cross country ski, and amazingly after two weeks of not, somehow drastically improved technique - can only give downhill skiing the credit even though they're quite different.

Reward for effort lunch at Ginger Cafe - another Asian restaurant in CB. Fun.

We think we're leaving town tomorrow, Mark to St. Louis and me driving to CO Springs. Same plan that fell through two weeks ago. Been snowing off and on today, but lightly and supposed to be all clear tomorrow. As I said above, still winter and a lot left for us here...

roaming coyote

Ended up a little overwhelmed by my classes this week, in particular genetics. The math is going to kill me, although somehow I'm doing well on the quizzes. I spent too much time having fun with everyone. And, yes, I could walk away from every one of the classes - not in my makeup - crazy I know...

Books read: Instead of a Letter by Diana Athill - great memoir by a longtime British editor who's still going strong (she's 95!), and Rules of Civility by Amor Towles, great fiction set in NY in the 1920's and 30's.

Off to class tonight with our lively professor. I'm rethinking my penchant for sitting in the front row of classrooms - he likes to bop random arms to emphasis a point while lecturing...probably a longtime habit to wake up students - I promise I'm awake and listening!

The swish of skis, good food and drink, and fun company

This week has zoomed by, and sadly, everyone is leaving tomorrow. It was lots of fun and we enjoyed it as much as anyone.

More skiing and this time Penn was with our group for his second day post lessons. He did amazingly well! Amanda had a 90 minute massage, and Jay chilled at the house. Everyone doing what they wanted - happy.

Fox and coyote everywhere. Caught these two late afternoon, pausing in their hunting endeavors.

packed the trail down one more time

Great weather for the entire week. This area at its winter best -sunny piercing blue skies and brilliant white snow.

Heather and Penn

What is it about untouched snow that causes people to want to fall into it..

and it's winter time

On a bad day, we must remember there are clearly worse things...

Mark took this one

Garlic Mikes for a nice dinner out. Good company and yummy food.
Local news, Paradise Cafe has moved into the Forest Queen Hotel, and Heather just found out the entire building where Paradise was, will be the new home of Secret Stash. Wow!

Fun company, Superbowl, races and skiing

Lots of fun going on here. Before company got here Mark and I went to see the famous Alley Loop Nordic races in CB. We saw the start of a lot of the races and the many colorful characters who populate Crested Butte. Not so sure how many were serious racers... Anyway, great excuse for a pretty drive and yummy breakfast (Mcgills). This town knows how to have fun!

Yeah, well...

Heather, Jay, Amanda, and Penn are here all week, and they're making the most of it. Enjoyed their cooking for Superbowl Sunday. Overate, of course. And hurray Ravens!

Skiing happened yesterday with great success. Penn had all day ski lessons and still wants to go back - a true sign of success. Mark, Heather, and I skied and enjoyed the mountain, and Amanda and Jay met up with us for lunch. Gorgeous day.

Class for us last night and a little CB action for the rest of the group. More skiing tomorrow.

Cowboy boots, downhill skiing, margaritas, and baby bear

All told, had about 18 inches over the last few days. Massive wind for two days blew most of our snowshoe trail away (yes, we've already been back out) and our driveway needed plowing again with the blow back in. Winter and then some! Our travel plans were all cancelled, will redo later.

Weather has turned sunny and nice - perfect timing as Heather, Jay and their friends are flying here as I write for a week of snow play. Can't wait to see them!

Big announcement. I, after a lifetime of no interest whatsoever, now own cowboy boots! Ordered online from Country Outfitters after a lot of research, and they weren't supposed to arrive for another few weeks, but voila. Snowy roads aren't really the right environment for them, so I'll have to wait awhile to show off, but aren't they cute!

Actually made it on the slopes for some downhill skiing. Big deal for me, as I've skied once in two years. All went well, just didn't last too long. I'll be out again on Monday with Heather. We are trying to stay in the game of winter sports. You could go stir crazy if you don't....

Secret Stash for lunch (haven't been in quite awhile) and the skiing definitely called for a congratulatory margarita. Whoop, whoop!

Local news - small, year old bear was seen out by Jack's cabin cutoff and captured at Roaring Judy hatchery,. They are NEVER out in the winter, lots of theories abound, but he's in a nice facility to be fed until it's really time to wake up and smell the flowers- which is mid May here.