Feb 23-25 Park City Skiing

Feb 23-25, 2014

Sunday, February 23 is our travel day and my birthday. Kevin flew in one day before us and picked us up  with armful of balloons :)

We skied Park City for the first couple days. Here we are going up the lift through an aspen grove. I love the bright blue sky! 

My skiing buddies, Jarrad, Ryan and Kevin at the peak of McConkey's lift. 

A green parrot on the slopes. For you Lucy... 

Ryan and I in front of that summit view. 

 Another nice view at our MidMountain beer stop. Even though my knees are a little unhappy with me, its WAY better than work!

Feb 2 Ben and Jerry's

Feb 2, 2014

On our way out of town we stopped at Ben & Jerry's, a Vermont Classic. Ice cream on a cold Sunday morning, sure why not?

Time to head to Boston, we've got a Superbowl to watch…a very boring one. Thanks Raj for driving us back to Boston so we can catch our flight home Monday morning. What a nice, relaxing week!

Feb 1 Trapp Family Lodge and Downtown Stowe

Feb 1, 2014

While Ryan and Raj skied the last day, I ventured down the hill to check out the Trapp Family Lodge and downtown Stowe.

Trapp Family Lodge was built by and still owned by the von Trapp family, yes the family The Sound of Music movie is based on. They settled here years ago. I was hoping to see Johannes, the youngest child (in his 70's now), but he was not around. This place reminded me of Potowatomi Inn, where we got married in Indiana.

Trapp Family Lodge has world class cross country skiing and competitions are held here most winter weekends. This one is no different.

Downtown Stowe is quaint and welcoming. I did a little bit of shopping.

Covered bridge walkway.

A pretty old barn.

Jan 31 Arm Wrestling at Vermont Ale House

Jan 31, 2014

As usual we headed down Mountain Road for the evening. Tonight we hit Coslin's Pub at Stowehof Inn and then to Vermont Ale House for a pint.

Stowehof Inn was built in 1949. It has a unique, old school, comfy appeal. This is the lobby sitting area where people were playing games, sitting by fireplaces and just hanging out. Downstairs is the pub where we had awesome happy hour burgers and fondue that was just ok.

Onward to Vermont Ale House because Ryan was eyeing a delicious looking roast beef sandwich the last time we came here, but didn't order it. I guess he is having two dinners tonight. I had dessert. And here is Ryan v Raj in arm wrestling duel.

The battle...

I'm really not sure who won, but it was fun to watch :)

Jan 30 Cross Country Skiing

Jan 30, 2014

After 3 days of downhill skiing, we used our ski passes to explore the nordic skiing center today. We rented gear and cross country skied for a couple hours. It was fun and great exercise, especially for us midwesterners who are used to flat trails…

Since this may be our last sunny day here I was jonesing to get out and take some pics. I haven't brought out the big camera during our downhill ski days (because it is bulky and don't want to risk impaling myself with it if I fall) and I also haven't brought my iPhone (because it has decided lately to shut down anytime the temperature is below freezing, and it hasn't been above freezing). Cross country skiing is a great excuse to capture this beautiful winter day. Here's looking up at the bright blue sky! 

Not sure if you can tell, but this is a fairly steep hill ahead. We watched a 70-something couple get up a hill and figured out how to dig in and do the opposite of "pizza". 

Our halfway point. Ryan yelled "Bear Run" just like he yelled "Stella" on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. I smiled and figured our chances of seeing any wildlife now were slim to none :) 

 Still no falls for Ryan yet, YAY.

Action shot. My fall count at this point is 4! 

Almost done, time for one last huge uphill. The skis are about to come off again. 

This is for Lindsay :) 

Our lunch spot. We've been getting around via the free Mountain Road shuttle, but today we checked out a Mercedes from the hotel for 2 hours to "test drive" our way to lunch. 

Fall Tally:

Ryan 2

Jill 5

How many times we took off our skis to get up a hill:

Ryan 0

Jill 2

Jan 26-29 Stowe, Vermont

Jan 26-29, 2014

Ryan and I traveled to Stowe, Vermont for an emergency medicine conference and to check out east coast skiing. We have been amazed at the small town feel, lack of commercialization and friendliness of the locals.

View of the mountain from our room at Stowe Mountain Lodge after we awoke our first morning. On the first day of skiing the slopes were very cold and windy. The second day was even colder, about 6 degrees, but less windy and the sun came out to play. 

Here is the same view with a little cloud on top. Stowe Resort is home to three peaks, the highest is Mt. Mansfield at 4395 ft. It is the highest point in Vermont.

Jan 22 How Old Am I?

Jan 22, 2014

Thank you to my family for a nice visit, all the hospitality, good company and good food. Aunt Cindy thanks for the 'do! On the road back to Ohio again…while driving I happened to pass by an SUV with two kayaks on top pulling a trailer on I-75. It brought a smile to my face and all those fond memories of our road trip came flooding back.

How old am I? Not too old for my mom to display my artwork on her refrigerator!