What the Hell was I Thinking?

Playing at Monarch

2010-02-13T09:21:00.001-07:00

Lill Miss Pow Pow

Hers and His

Reason Number 1. Enough Said.

2010-02-13T09:19:00.001-07:00

Going up

Yummy

More Snow Dogs!

2010-02-13T09:16:00.001-07:00

Snow Dog!

Fracture on a 30 degree slope

Loveland Ski Area is.....

2009-10-07T09:54:00.002-06:00

OPEN!

Let the shenanigans begin

www.skiloveland.com

Happy October!

2009-10-02T08:13:00.000-06:00

This just makes me smile!

Are You Serious?

2009-09-30T13:01:00.005-06:00

Here are two of many reasons why I don't like New York:

First, the Yankees. Enough said.

Second, this:

The Empire State Building in red to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Communist takeover of China......

WTF?

These are the Owners:

Empire State Building Associates, a general partnership of 2500 investors headed by Peter L. Malkin, Esq. and Mrs. Harry B. Helmsley, holds the master lease and controls the building until 2076.

www.esbnyc.com

Evolution of a Patio

2009-09-27T16:30:00.003-06:00

We increased the usable space at Newton St. in the form of a patio this weekend. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been researching the cost of installing a patio in the back yard. During this time I swayed from doing it myself to having it installed. After doing a detailed cost benefit analysis it was decided that we would have the patio installed. One of the deciding factors in this determination of this route is the fact that I don not have any masonry skills, and we would like a patio that will last us a long time. We also found a company that would install the patio at a flat rate that was equal to some of the material costs that I found. So we had the guys at Camp Stone Co. supply the rock and install the patio. After all is said and done, we are very happy with the final product.

The before.....

During Construction.....

The Final Product....

Smiles all around in the little's home tonight.

The guys from Camp Stone Co. did a great job. They are good people, they have great quality stone, and put together a quality patio. I am very happy with our decision, and look forward to many moons on the new slab.

Woooooooooooooooo!

2009-09-21T15:03:00.001-06:00

Loveland fired up the guns today! Snow making is on like donkey kong!

More Cool Bumper Stickers...

2009-09-11T08:09:00.000-06:00

http://shop.wnd.com/store/subDept.asp?subdepartment_id=254&start=1

2009-09-11T08:00:00.002-06:00

IMPORTANT UPDATE!!!!!

2009-08-24T11:44:00.002-06:00

Here is some very important information!

Loveland Ski area has their countdown clock at 30 days until snow making begins!!!

WERD!!!!

http://www.skiloveland.com/default.aspx

Dont Rock The Boat?

2009-08-04T07:44:00.004-06:00

"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."

I quoted this directly from the White House website. Now there are a lot of people actually reading the proposed bills being drafted by the House, and Senate, and I have heard a number of intelligent people on both sides of the political isle say that this proposed plan will eliminate private competition. Why wouldn't the White House want you to know that???..... And when you talk about it, they want to know. So please feel free to turn my blog into the "flag czar" I always wanted to be on a list! That's bullshit in my humble opinion.

Next they are going to ask us to turn in overweight people to fat@whitehouse.gov

This is absolutely rediculous, so,

email complaints to: flag@whitehouse.gov

(I hope they have a good spam filter)

Off Season Stinks!

2009-08-04T07:36:00.002-06:00

Once it starts snowing, I will quit with the political posts, but until then, its on like Donkey Kong!

Hope for an early start to the ski season.......

Big Brother didnt like that one.....

2009-08-04T07:32:00.004-06:00

UPDATED:

Ha, the peeps at the White House didn't like seeing their boy's feet held to the fire.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/25779.html

Regardless of the time frame, Obama wants to eliminate private health care, and that's just not right. I want to have a choice in the matter.

Here is the Govies response to the vid.... HA! Squirm Baby Squirm!

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Facts-Are-Stubborn-Things/

Please Explain.....

2009-08-04T07:16:00.007-06:00

Now, what makes you think that a government which cannot successfully run a "cash for clunkers" program can run a successful health care program? On top of that, the government wants to eliminate the competition.......why?

This just doesn't seem right.

Here is the link, see for your self....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-bY92mcOdk

What goes around comes around....

2009-08-04T07:06:00.004-06:00

Now I know all my left leaning friends probably do not appreciate the fact that someone has defaced the prez in such a manner, however I must remind them that Vanity Fair was the first to publish the joker satire.

Now, both these guys are clowns, but my question is, who is the better joker?

Bush the Joker?

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2008/07/bush-as-joker.html

Obama the Joker?

You decide.....

Not Making Friends

2009-08-03T08:46:00.003-06:00

Harsh, even for a political satire!

A Doper's A Doper, so BE GONE!

2009-07-30T11:39:00.002-06:00

Ya Big Papi that means you! Your on my team and makes it sting even more...
I dont care who you are or who you play for, if you cheat you should be banned from the sport. So, GET OFF MY TEAM! and go join the other cheat in LA.

Maybe the New Yorker got it right?

2009-07-24T08:32:00.002-06:00

Cambridge Massachusetts is a lot like Boulder, Colorado in the sense that it is possibly the most liberal city in Massachusetts. Hence the nick name "the peoples republic of Cambridge", which is akin to "the peoples republic of Boulder". It seems to me that when the Prez starts bashing the Po Po in a city which staunchly supports him, it is like slapping yourself in the face. I just don't get it.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/covers/slideshow_blittcovers

Is he really that good?

2009-07-23T15:15:00.002-06:00

Pistol Pete here is just about to wrap up the Tour de France, and questions about his performance are starting to come up.

A friend said: "Finally Lemond has some one other than Lance to focus on."
Isnt that the truth. If you watched the Giro this spring, does Contador's performance remind you of DiLuca's? It sure looks similar to me. We may never know if he is a doper, but one has to wonder if he is really that good. That in itself is unfortunate.....

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-extends-tour-lead-with-stunning-time-trial-win

Who Is Clougherty Packing?

2009-07-20T14:49:00.002-06:00

The examiner answers this: "Clougherty produce the Farmer John brand: they are also owned by Hormel. Who is it that owns Hormel? That's a slightly more complex question, as it's a series of family trusts that own a near majority of the company. Exactly and precisely how the income from that stake is split amongst the various trusts is more than we're going to find out in just one afternoon.

However, one of the near certain beneficiaries of at least one of these trusts is James Hormel, the ex-Ambassador to Luxembourg under Bill Clinton. That is the same James Hormel that donated an awful lot of money to various Democratic campaign groups in the run up to the last election. Pelosi for Congress, Sestak for Congress and a number of others."

http://www.examiner.com/x-14795-Page-One-Examiner~y2009m7d20-Clougherty-Packing-llc-a-short-lesson-in-how-politics-works

This is just business as usual in American Politics. Change we can believe in, one would say.....

Oh, its not just the Republicans in the pockets of big business....

Pork Barrel Politics, literally!

Your Stimulus Dollars at Work......

2009-07-20T14:48:00.001-06:00

CONTRACTS - RECIPIENT SUMMARY

CLOUGHERTY PACKING, LLC

Clarification of Codes

Award Overview

Agency Name	Department of Agriculture	Project Location	LOS ANGELES
Contract Number	AG3J14120297210	Project Location - State	CA
Funding Amount	$2,531,600	Project Location - Zip Code	90058-1800
Completion Date	2009-09-30	Congressional District	CA-34

Recipient Information (Award)

Recipient Name	CLOUGHERTY PACKING, LLC	Recipient Address	3049 E VERNON AVE
Recipient City	LOS ANGELES	Recipient State	CALIFORNIA
Recipient Zip Code	90058-1800	Congressional District	CALIFORNIA-34

Purchaser Information (Award)

Contracting Office ID	3J14	Contracting Office Name	AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE
Contracting Office Region		TAS Major Program	3509

Contract Information (Award)

Date Signed	2009-05-20	Effective Date	2009-05-20
Current Completion Date	2009-09-30	Ultimate Completion Date	2009-09-30
Award Type	DEFINITIVE CONTRACT	Reason For Modification
Type of Contract Pricing	FIRM FIXED PRICE	Last Date to Order
Funding Agency ID	12F2	Funding Office ID
Funding Office Name		Number of Offers Received	2

Product or Service Information (Award)

Product or Service Code	8905	Product or Service Description	MEAT, POULTRY, AND FISH
Principal NAICS Code	311611	Principal NAICS Description	ANIMAL (EXCEPT POULTRY) SLAUGHTERING

Competition Information (Award)

Extent Competed	FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION	Reason Not Competed
Solicitation Procedures	SEALED BID	Type of Set Aside	NO SET ASIDE USED.
Statutory Exception to Fair Opportunity		Type of Contract Pricing	FIRM FIXED PRICE

Preference Programs (Award)

Business Size Determination

OTHER THAN SMALL BUSINESS

Transactions

Modification Number	Transaction Number	PIID	IDV PIID	Available Amount	Project Location	Signed Date
0	0	AG3J14120297210		$2,531,600	CA	2009-05-20

http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/contracts-recipient-summary&id=12-AG3J14120297210&mode=details&primeid=4

I Respectfully Disagree.......

2009-07-20T08:34:00.003-06:00

This is the update from Bicycle Colorado on Friday July 17:

Update- July 17

Please do not email or call Jefferson County Commissioners at this time. We did not put out a request to contact them as they have been and continue to be in communications with Bike Jeffco and Bicycle Colorado regarding bicycle issues in their county.

http://bicyclecolo.org/page.cfm?PageID=1042

I just don't agree with this, it is our right as citizens to contact elected officials when we disagree with their actions. Again, I say contact them, let them know how you feel, regardless of which side of the argument you are on. Also, contact your local state representative, and state senator and tell them where you stand on these issues.

Remember, Bicycle Colorado is a lobbying group looking out for the interests of cyclists, they do not have a monopoly on the the soap box, they are not the only voice that needs to be heard.

Hep Stop Jefferson County Commishioners!

2009-07-17T08:22:00.002-06:00

Go to BICYCLE COLORADO and find out what you can do to help stop this madness!

http://bicyclecolo.org/page.cfm?pageId=1042

Here we go again!

2009-07-17T07:23:00.010-06:00

Recently a local charity applied for a special use permit in Jefferson County to put on a fundraising bicycle ride in Deer Creek Canyon. Two of the three county comissioners voted against this permit effectively killing it. Now the county commissioners in Jefferson County announced that they are asking for statewide legislation that would let counties ban bicyclists from county roads of their choice. These are the two chief offenders in this latest episode of hillbilly vs. cyclist.

Kathy Hartman: GUILTY

Faye Griffin: GUILTY

So let me see if I am getting this correct. These people want to ban tax payers from using the roads that they pay for? What is it with these podunk politicians? Don't these people have anything better to do with their time? Hello, isn't your county government in a budget deficit? Then why are you going to alienate taxpayers by saying they cannot use the roads that they paid for? Help VOTE these morons out of office.

Contact them, tell them how you feel about this, its your right.

The commissioners welcome your comments, questions and suggestions.

E-mail: commish@jeffco.us
U.S. Postal Mail:
100 Jefferson County Pkwy
Golden, CO, 80419
Telephone: 303-271-8525

Are You Serious?

2009-07-16T10:56:00.003-06:00

Wow, KC just signed a career backup who had one promising year as an NFL starter to an absurd contract...

Cassel's deal reportedly is for six years and $63 million, with $28 million guarantees. ESPN reported that Cassel will receive $40.5 million in the first three years of his contract......

See how long it will take Cassel to earn your salery...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/salary/index?athleteId=4328868

Now thats some good stuff!

Oh Man!

2009-07-16T10:40:00.002-06:00

This is bound to peeve some people.....

Interesting debate going on about this one.....

Democrat Security Threat Meter?

2009-07-14T12:58:00.002-06:00

Wanna Play? Too Bad, You already are...

2009-07-14T12:47:00.002-06:00

This was too funny not to post....

Choose Your Caption......

2009-07-10T12:22:00.001-06:00

Obama: Yeah, I'd Tax Dat.....

Fox Stew

2009-07-06T14:53:00.001-06:00

You will need:
1 Fox (city fox preferred), skinned and gutted
Assorted vegetables, to taste
Gravy mix - avoid chicken gravy as the meal will not keep still long enough to eat
Herbs and spices as required, including thyme

Method:
1. Chop meat into cubes
2. Chop vegetables into cubes or slices
3. Prepare gravy and pour into casserole dish
4. Add meat and vegetables
5. Add herbs and/or spices to taste
6. Cook in medium oven for a minimum of 1 hour, the longer the better.
7. Serve with potatoes, bread or dumplings

'Kenny Be' not so kind to Cyclists

2009-06-19T08:50:00.007-06:00

The Westword came out with this little bit in their latest issue. I personally think it is hilarious, however I do understand why cyclists have their panties in a bunch over it. (we are a sensitive bunch) After spending countless hours on the roads in southern Denver, and the foothills, I can say there is a very real problem and a seldom heard about "war" going on between cyclists motorists, and pedestrians. The cyclists take is the roads, and pedestrian paths are for everyone to use, while the motorists take is that the roads are for cars, and the pedestrians feel the ped paths are for walkers and runners only.......

It would take a novel to write about the thought processes occurring within these groups so I will save you the boredom, and state it simply. There are some, and the number is small, sick F*CK's all camps on this one.

Now to the goods. First off, I am a cyclist, and have been a competitive cyclist. I find this piece so funny because it is so true, this is the perfect example of the extreme behavior displayed by those few worst offenders. Which one have you been?

Now if Kenny Be of the Westword would only be fair and call out the worst offenders on the other sides... Who would they be?

DOPERS SUCK!

2009-06-17T07:33:00.002-06:00

Sosa you are a loser and a cheat!

You too have taken part in ruining the legitimacy of our national past time.

Be gone with you, and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

Andrews Glacier

2009-06-15T10:34:00.004-06:00

Nothing beats skiing in mid June!

We just had to work a little harder to get to it....

9.5 mile round trip, great views the whole way out and back.

It was a good day!

I will get pictures from the trip up soon.

Zdawg Cont'd

2009-06-04T14:36:00.008-06:00

To contunue on the subject of my favorite dawg......

The Zdude did go out in style!

He finally had his own yard again, and could still sport a major drool hang!

He got to spend one of his last weekends
in a presidential suite (Roosevelt Room)

at the Brown Palace

And was treated like royalty.

The hotel staff even brought him a pillow and bowl with treats.

(I just wish we had a picture of him on the bed)

Z-DAWG Ruled!

2009-06-04T08:58:00.005-06:00

I'm gonna miss my buddy Zeus. After a brief battle with a very serious, fast and fatal tumor we took off the leash for the last time on Tuesday night. One thing I learned is that it is physically impossible not to smile at a dog with spots. He was a great companion for 11 years, I made it through some tough days with some help from him. He surely will be missed.

Anyone wanna see a dog poop? Anyone? Anyone?

I gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right now!!!!!

Hang'n the Hat

2009-05-12T08:34:00.002-06:00

Home is where you hang your hat, and we just signed our life away for the next 30 years. We have been house hunting for the last month, so skiing and blogging has taken a bit of a back seat lately. We have moved most of our stuff into the new place leaving just our storage unit to be unloaded. Hopefully by this time next year we will be settled.....

DOPERS SUCK!

2009-05-07T10:08:00.002-06:00

Cheat Cheat Never Beat! Manny, you loser! A fifty game suspension isn't enough, be gone with you! I wish MLB would get as serious as Cycling! A guy tests positive in cycling and he gets a 2 year suspension. MLB player gets 50 games?!?, what a joke!....... The integrity of our national pastime is in the toilet.

No More Bird for You

2009-04-27T11:09:00.001-06:00

I formally rescind my bird to you. The French Anti doping authority has come to their senses and decided not to pursue sanctions against the 7 time tour winner.

This one is for you AFLD....

2009-04-11T16:47:00.003-06:00

The French Anti Doping Authority AFLD is up to it again.

Why you gotta go an mess with the man like that?

As in his own words, "Was winning 7 tours really that offensive!?!"

YOU IDIOT!!!!

2009-04-02T08:03:00.003-06:00

As Ren would say.....

I hope Josh McDaniels days are numbered!

Now I am a big Pats and Broncos guy. I grew up with the Pats, and have adopted the Donkeys as my team since living in the mile high city. I was really excited about the hiring of Josh McDaniels, it looked like a breath of fresh air in to a team that had the 2nd ranked offence, but failed to make the playoffs last year due to injuries and a very poor defense. It looked like as if just adding a couple key components on defence and we would be back in business right?

Apparently I don't know as much about football as I thought. Seems that a 25 year old, 3rd year, pro bowl quarterback poised to do some good things as an NFL quarterback isn't good enough for this genius. He'd rather put a career back up who had one good season running a high powered offence under center here in Denver. Fortunately that didn't happen, and as a result of that debacle he has alienated the pro bowl quarter back he does have. I am obviously missing something here, you have in Cutler a guy who is 13-1 when his defence holds the opponents to under 20 points, who has made the pro bowl in his 3rd year, and who is widely considered one of the top 5 quarterbacks in the league; and you want to replace him with a back up? I don't get it! Well McD is now poised to have no quarter back and a shitty defence. I knew the firing of Mike Shanahan was supposed to be a change in direction, I don't think anyone thought the team would be going backwards at this point in time.

A 32 year old guy, no matter how smart, well educated, or seemingly experience, is not ready to run an established National Football League Team. I look forward to loudly booing Josh McDaniels along with 75,000 other fans in Mile High Stadium, er Invesco Field on opening day this year. Go back to Boston you IDIOT!

James Peak....Almost

2009-03-03T08:19:00.003-07:00

We headed out to St. Mary's Glacier/James Peak Wilderness Area in an attempt to ski James. However after an 1 1/2 hours of sand/snow blasting from sustained high winds in our faces, pegging our fun meters to zero, we decided to call it a day and revisit James in the spring.

Skiing to the base of the glacier sucked at best, the wind scour was horrible, and the wind really loaded up the base of the glacier raising the potential for avalanche in the steeper areas toward the bottom. We tiptoed our way out and made it home by 11am. That's just the way it goes some days, so see ya in April James!

Butler Gulch

2009-02-27T08:21:00.000-07:00

View Larger Map

BC in Butler Gulch

2009-02-27T08:15:00.002-07:00

101 things I love about Colorado.....

2009-02-25T12:29:00.001-07:00

#27 Urban wildlife

101 things I love about Colorado.....

2009-02-25T09:27:00.001-07:00

#48 Got out on the cruisers last night. 65 deg. in February is not to bad if you ask me.

What is it?

2009-02-25T09:17:00.001-07:00

Modern Art on exhibit on the pedestrian walkway in the area of 15th and platte . Not quite sure what it is, Cynthia says water baloons, i say those red hotdog. Either way I like the demon horse out at DIA, this is just strange. If anyone out there knows what this is supposed to be let me know!

Random thoughts on ego....

2009-02-20T08:56:00.003-07:00

Have you ever been a part of an organization, work environment, group or team that thinks, as a whole, they are more important than they really are? If you didn't think, look, act or perform in a certain manner when interacting with the members of the organization, you were shunned, or worse your character was assassinated when you were not present. I often wonder how ego's running rampant such as this, come about? I have suffered from this ailment from time an again, however often times I am brought back down to earth by an event, or some other type or form of awakening. I have found that, while ego feeding can seem to feel good on the surface, it doesn't really make me feel good inside. There are a number of things that I can do which make me feel happy on the inside. Sometimes I am aware of what I need to do, other times I am not. I don't always do what I need to do, and do so willingly. Happiness a journey, a continuous sign curve, it takes experience, awareness, and time. I don't have much of the first, some of the second and plenty of the third. I think I might be ok, if I stay out of my own way. What makes your heart sing?

Weekend Pic's Continued

2009-02-16T21:03:00.003-07:00

Mrs. Little at work.

Mrs. Little admiring her work.

And finishing the job, its a tough job tracking up this nice snow, but someone has to do it.

The short poke out of the valley back to the car.

Weekend Pic's Continued

2009-02-16T21:01:00.001-07:00

Mount Trelease (the back side of Loveland Basin Chair 8)

The north and east aspects were fairly windloaded from the overnight snow, and high winds.

The saddle near the center of the photo is a nice access point to Dry Gulch from Loveland Basin (Chair 8) when the gates are open.

Human power skiing has great rewards

Dork on Snow

Weekend Pic's Continued

2009-02-16T21:00:00.001-07:00

One of the many reasons we love our public lands!!!

We had the south side of the gulch all to our self.

Skin tracks into Dry Gulch were already set for us! Sweet deal, not that I dont enjoy a good workout ;)

The Citadel, waiting till spring for us.

The little lady work'n the skin tracks.

Weekend Pictures

2009-02-16T20:54:00.002-07:00

Loveland Pass, just southeast of Loveland Basin Ski Area...

Setting skin tracks.

Working our way UP

Lots of fun out here, and great snow to play in. Beautiful views all around

This was our playground for the day! And we had it all to our self this morning.

Head Monster 95 OB & Dynafit Comfort TLT

2009-02-16T10:28:00.001-07:00

Put the touring gear to the test this weekend. We hit dry gulch and loveland pass to get use to the feel. Now its time to get the legs ready for the spring tours and big mountains.

Always Get A 2nd Opinion.........or 3rd

2009-02-10T14:40:00.006-07:00

So I initially went to the knee doctor a couple of weeks ago to get clarification on some knee pain I had been experiencing for the last couple of months. I had in initial consult with a doc who I will refer to as doc g-wiz, in the orthopedic unit. After my meeting and some leg pulling (literally) doc g-wiz was ready to send me on my merry way with a pat on the back and a hand full of Tylenol. I had to persuade this dude to take an MRI to see what was going on. He gave in, and scheduled me for the imaging. After the MRI, a week passes and I push to get some insight on the results of the imaging. I finally get a call from doc g-wiz and was promptly informed that my left knee was missing some vital parts. My reply was, how could I be without an ACL and have no instability issues with my leg? Doc g-wiz replied~ g-wiz I don't know, lets get a real knee doc to look'y see. The real knee doc had some more good news. I believe it went something like this...... Son, you dun fuck'd up your knee. Apparently somewhere along the line, I went Bo-Jackson on myself, and I'm now standing on a degenerative knee. Who'd a thunk it, I should have taken the Tylenol and shut up.

Degenerative Knee......YIKES!

2009-02-09T12:12:00.001-07:00

Degenerative Knee......YIKES!

Whats up doc!?!?

2009-02-09T08:58:00.001-07:00

MRI results........ Survey says? Waiting to see the doc, thank goodness for mobile blogging to pass the time. Oh and they shouldnt leave me in a room by myself for to long....

Excalibur!

2009-02-02T10:18:00.000-07:00

The cake suffered from falsely representing itself as the low cal/fat model (does one even exist?). Heed the warning, and dont make the girl mad on her birthday....Or Else! (btw the cake was awesome)

Fat Free -Low Cal Birthday Wishes....

2009-02-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

The PV's ordered this wicked awesome icecream birthday cake for c-lou. Fourtunately for everyone it was the low-cal, fat free Cynthin version. who woulda thunk there was such a thing? But there you have it, clear as the word across the top of the cake! Once the word is out on these sucka's every one will want some good ol low cal creamy goodness.

Birthday Turns for Everyone!

2009-02-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was C-Lou's birthday so we made some birthday turns at Keystone. But first we had to make sure every one could ride the chairs with the big kids........

Freshness at noon?

2009-01-26T22:24:00.000-07:00

After I dropped the girl off at the airport Sunday morning, I went home took a nap, then headed up to Loveland.
Who would have thunk it, I found freshies still available for the taking off the ridge, and it was noon!
My line was almost solo in the center before the face got gang skied by these dudes who followed me out.
Just one more reason to avoid the resorts and support your local family run mountain.
Pssst, don't tell anyone about our little secret, ok?

Finally, the last of the Slack Country Trip Pics

2009-01-26T21:55:00.003-07:00

All smiles now that the hiking is done...

We had freshies all around!!!! Can you make out the girls biff mark?

Wicked big smiles when you have untracked pow in the bowls and glades all to your self.

Yummy!

More Pics from our Slack Country Trip

2009-01-26T21:54:00.002-07:00

The warm weather also brought out the kite'ers..... I was so amazed by the air this dude caught that I forgot to start taking pictures until he was almost down.

This guy had the smoothest landing..... You can tell what the atmosphere is like in the BC, just check out the top left corner of the pic.

Here is another perspective of the face from my first picture in the previous post. As you can see it is definately steeper than 35 degrees.....

Loveland Ski Patrol were blasting an area called wild child with some descent results. If you look hard enough you can see the crown lines toward the lower right center of the picture. This happens to have the same aspect as the steep slope in the photo above. More reason to bypass the steep stuff, it will be there in the spring when things have really settled down

Pics from our Slack Country Trip

2009-01-26T21:50:00.002-07:00

CAIC posted an all yellow danger rose, which lead to the skiing of steep lines.

We chose a longer hike to some slightly mellower lines...

Mid-winter boot pack was set, and traffic was like I-70 during rush hour....

The sunny sky and warm temperature lured all types of peeps into the BC. This dude was sporting Wranglers new soft shell jeans, they provide no warmth, or wind protection. These soft shells utilize aquasorb ultra cotton materials which collect and hold moisture close to the body, the manufacturer gurantees hypothermia when the weather turns foul.

Love Bird!

2009-01-22T10:19:00.003-07:00

Last weekend totally rocked! We got a break from the wind and cold on the divide and were treated to a blue bird sky both Saturday and Sunday.

Cyn took this video Sunday while we were goofing around in bounds at Loveland. As you can see it was beautiful day, bright sunny, and minimal wind (by loveland standards).

With an all yellow Av'y rose, Cyn and I hit the pass on Saturday for the first time this year. We took a 2 mile hike along the divide and dropped in for a little pow wow in an area called the mine dumps. In fairly moderate to low angle terrain things were settled in very nicely. I managed to get a little pop in the snow pack while weighting it during a quick traverse to a safe zone. Probably not the best idea I had all day, but luckily there were no cracks or consequences. We are still avoiding the super steep stuff, as the snow pack contains trigger points that could have major consequences. I personally dont want to wake that sleeping dragon. I will post some pictures up of our little journey soon. Until then....Peace!

New Dew!

2009-01-12T17:48:00.001-07:00

Sorry ladies I am taken.

How low can you go?

2009-01-10T21:13:00.001-07:00

limbo is in full effect

Winter Sucks Party 2009

2009-01-10T15:38:00.000-07:00

Pre party setup at the Big's. Winter has been tough in New England this year so our friends decided to celebrate........

This part of the world runs on DD

2009-01-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

Butter Nut Crunch......Mmmmmmm

Double D!

2009-01-08T15:02:00.001-07:00

We gotta get the goods when back in the homeland.

2009-01-08T07:47:00.000-07:00

Nebraski sunrise

2009-01-08T06:20:00.001-07:00

Next stop Nebraski!

2009-01-05T10:35:00.001-07:00

The Land of Enchantment!

Trying out mobile blogging!

2009-01-05T10:24:00.001-07:00

Trying out mobile blogging!

Jackson Hole

2008-12-29T13:21:00.004-07:00

Avalanche, possibly from control work took out part of the Bridger restaurant today, only two days after another in-bound avalanche claimed the life of a skier. Early reports said 2 people, employees of the resort, had been caught in the slide. Later reports conclude that all have been found and accounted for. Thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved.

Stuff is sliding all over the place, so be safe out there everyone.

http://www.jhunderground.com/2008/12/29/headwall-slides-at-jackson-hole-resort/

Supprise Pow at Loveland

2008-12-28T17:41:00.004-07:00

We woke to a sub par ski report this am. It came in the form of 2" of new
snow with very high winds. We arrived at the parking lot to find that most
of the snow in Summit County had blown into Loveland Basin, making for a nice
little supprise Pow Wow!

Cyn is getting her groove in the pow this winter. There have been a lot
of smiles the last couple of weeks, as it looks like making turns in real
snow has clicked for her.

More Pic's from the Weekend.....

2008-12-18T07:47:00.006-07:00

E of Lee&E Company, and a dork ruining a perfectly good picture in the background....

L to R~ Cyn, Me, PV, and E of the Lee&E Company

Midget Wrestling errrrr.... Male Bonding, um, well, you get the point....

Lee of Lee&E Company, and Cindy Lou

Lee and the worlds biggest Tangerine

You will never lose these two, never!

I absolutely love this picture!

The Little's

Always Wear Protection

2008-12-17T08:11:00.003-07:00

Scuba Cyn says, "Always wear your beacon in the bowls!"

Old School!

2008-12-17T07:54:00.005-07:00

Some peeps from the college years made a little trip to Ski Country USA for some early season turns. I was a little concerned about the snow pack on thanksgiving, but mother nature cooperated and dumped a whole bunch of the white stuff for their arrival. We hit the Land of Love on Friday, afterwards they headed up to their abode for the weekend located in the Evil Empire, no not the Yankees, the other Evil Empire (Vail Resorts). Cyn, PV and I made the venture up to the EE on Saturday. After signing away the rights to our first born, we found some nice pow to play in. There was plenty of fun, and male bonding in various inappropriate manners through out the weekend.

Lee, one of the nicest guys in the world, and one of the biggest clowns!

Y'all know the little in pink....

Our knuckle draggers for the weekend....

Mrs Core, and PV. Its always awesome to get out on the mountain with Cyn and PV, you will never lose them unless they are buried by a couple feet of snow. I like to refer to them as the lolly pop kids. (FYI PV is a little too). The camera wouldn't take a picture with a bright orange, and bright pink coat in the lens.

Back Bowls at vail......

Exhibit B

2008-12-15T14:18:00.002-07:00

Report Courtsey of The Aspen Times:

VAIL, Colo. — A skier was caught in an in-bounds avalanche in Vail Mountain’s Blue Sky Basin on Sunday.

The skier was buried to his waist but was unhurt, said Scott Toepfer of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

The slide occurred Sunday morning on the Lover’s Leap trail, which drops from a cornice below the Skyline Express Lift. The avalanche ran for 150 vertical feet and was 100 to 150 feet wide. It was about 3 feet deep and slid to the ground, Toepfer said.

Vail had reported 12 inches of new snow Sunday morning, and snow continued to fall on the mountain during the day.

Blue Sky Basin opened for the season Saturday, and patrollers had been conducting avalanche control with explosives there for the last four days, Toepfer said.

“At about 9 a.m., they shot that same slope that failed,” he said.

The slide was reported at 10:51 a.m. Vail Mountain closed Blue Sky Basin for the remainder of the day after the slide.

“Vail Ski Patrol will continue to conduct avalanche reduction in the area and throughout Vail Mountain and expects to reopen Blue Sky Basin on Monday, Dec. 15,” Vail Resorts said in a statement.

The Forest Service, which owns Vail Mountain, will review the incident, said Snow Ranger Don Dressler.

There’s always a risk of avalanche on steep slopes, even if the snow has been compacted by skiers and ski patrol has thrown explosives at it, Toepfer said. Colorado’s snowpack also has several weak layers in it now that make it prone to avalanches, he said.

“When I look at this particular incident, what I see is that anything over 30 degrees has the potential to slide, no matter what’s been going on in the past,” Toepfer said.
The black-diamond Lover’s Leap is 35 degrees at its steepest.

Toepfer, a longtime former Vail ski patroller who has skied Vail since its first season in 1962, said he can only recall one other time when a skier was caught in an avalanche in-bounds on Vail Mountain. A skier was caught on Rasputin’s Revenge in Siberia Bowl two or three years after the terrain opened in 1988, Toepfer said.

In Utah on Sunday, a woman died after getting caught in an avalanche at Snowbird ski resort.

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20081215/NEWS/812159867/1002/NONE&parentprofile=1058&title=Vail%20skier%20caught%20in%20in-bounds%20avalanche

In Bounds- Out of Danger?

2008-12-15T12:13:00.003-07:00

This weekend Cyn and I played in the snow at Vail, and Loveland. With a ton of new snow an extremely sensitive snow pack any venture up to the top of Loveland Pass for some side country skiing would have been foolish. With 11 inches of new snow Sunday morning we donned our transceivers in bounds at Loveland, as we normally do. Even though the ski patrols at resorts in Colorado do an incredible job at avalanche control work, and rescue preparation it never hurts to help them find you if and accident does occur on their turf. We typically do ski on the terrain that would have the potential of sliding if the conditions were perfect like what happened at Snow Bird on Sunday of this past weekend. The reports say an inbounds skier was caught in an avalanche on hike to terrain known as the eye of the needle on Mt. Baldy. Apparently the woman was buried for an hour before being rescued alive, however she later died of complications. There is no guarantee that if this person would have lived through the avalanche even if she had been wearing a transceiver, but it may not have taken responders an hour to locate her. This tragic event just reinforces my decision to wear my transceiver in bounds.

See the full article here:
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11232264

Road Trip?

2008-12-09T19:56:00.006-07:00

A couple of peeps threw out the idea of hitting Big Sky in Febuary. Since most of the guys are coming out from the east coast, and we are already just down the street Cyn and I are thinking about making a little road trip out of it. Given the gas prices these days, we thought about doing a little somthing like this...

View Larger Map

Poing A: Home
Point B: Big Sky Montana
Point C: Jackson Wyoming
Point D: Home

Round trip distance 1440 miles
Average miles per tank in the Jetta 350
Cost of a tank of gas at $1.50/gal $20

This would have been totaly out of the question last year......

Like Attracts Like

2008-12-08T08:01:00.002-07:00

If any of you have ever questioned this theory, here is your proof.....

Weekend Shenanigans

2008-12-08T07:27:00.004-07:00

Decided to goof around with my phone video recorder this weekend, the resolution on the video isn't that great, but you can get the point.

As you can see the little lady is getting into a groove, and her comfort level is rising every time she heads out. Before you know it she will be shredding up the super steep terrain like the pro's.

I only wish the phone had more than 15 seconds of record time.

Smoooooooth, like buttah baby.....

Thank god the ski manufacturers have been turning the tips of the ski tails up. This would never have happened on the old straight planks we used to ski on.

Man if we ever purchased a higher quality video camera this would be dangerously fun.

POWWOW!

2008-12-01T09:02:00.005-07:00

Well the snow gods had spoke, and we were listening! Loveland ski area got pounded with 51" of snow over the holiday weekend, and it looks like its just starting to taper out this morning. Cyn and I made it up and back both days this weekend, and by noon on Sunday I was out of turns, completely spent. I guess knee to waist deep pow will do that to ya.

Ironically we were totally out of the "snow know" on Saturday morning. We helped some friends out in the morning, and mosied up to the ski are in the afternoon to find this:

By late Saturday afternoon the storm was still going strong really piling up.

The pass was closed all weekend, with no immediate opening in sight. We were putting together our Sunday game plan on our drive home. CAIC was predicting another 12" overnight into Sunday.

We hit the road super early Sunday morning, as to avoid the ensuing mayhem known as the I-70 rush hour. We accomplished our objective and avoided the total ciaos that did inevitably occur. We were not the only peeps with the foresight to get ahead of the traffic. Big bird (cyn's yellow focus) was the last car in the front row at the ski area.

After a stress free drive, and leisurely breakfast we headed out to the lift line to wait for first chair. With 20" of new stuff overnight the mood was excellent all around, and the cattle call at the drop of the rope was fairly mellow. People have been know to be trampled to death while traveling through the maze of disaster in an attempt to get to the first chair on a pow day. With the occasional cow moooo, and goat call, we made it through with out any incident, and all the acres of freshies awaited us at the top.

By the end of the day it was double dimple smiles all around. Cyn is really starting to rip up the deep stuff with a year of Colorado pow under her belt, I think the days of the pink poof might be a thing of the past ;) What a truly amazing Thanksgiving weekend.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

2008-12-01T08:28:00.004-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, hope your holiday was a great one. Cyn and I spent our T-day with my bud PV from CT, another transplant from the east coast. We hit up <3 land for some turns in the morning and chow'd down in the evening to some football.....what a day! I truly am grateful for all that has been going on in my life, for all the wonderful people, and places I am surrounded by, it has been quite a ride. Thank you!

Roll Back Failure ~Eskimo Lift~Winter Park 1990

2008-11-17T14:18:00.005-07:00

I'm glad I wasn't one of those Barrels!!!!

Check out skilifs.org or

http://www.skilifts.org/chairlift_facts_eskimoliftdestruction.htm

Deuling Banjos

2008-10-14T15:12:00.003-06:00

Loveland opens @ 8:30am

A-Basin opens @ 8:30am

Who will pull the trigger first?

Wicked Cool

2008-10-14T14:09:00.002-06:00

Avalanche Awareness....

2008-10-13T08:36:00.003-06:00

Or unawareness in this case!

That will make you think....

Oh man!

2008-10-13T08:28:00.002-06:00

On a pucker scale of 1 to 10, that would have probably been an 8....

Here's a montage of face plants for your enjoyment!

2008-10-13T08:19:00.004-06:00

I couldn't just bag on the boarder crowd.......

Natural selection at its best!!!!!

Boom! Time to get pumped for snow!

2008-10-13T08:09:00.004-06:00

The first guy doing his impersonation of a lawn dart is awesome!

Something about watching snow boarders eat it is entertaining to me. Sorry Guys!

ZEUS '08

2008-10-08T11:24:00.006-06:00

Well, after watching the first two presidential debates I have decided I am going to vote for the dog for president. He has many of the same qualities as our presidential candidates, and some which separate him from the pack ;) The following are some of the qualities that I think add to his appeal.

I should mention first and foremost that he has spots!

He would be a wise leader. Having 10 yrs of progressive experience in life.

He wont just say anything for votes, he will follow through with his promises.

It is physically impossible not to smile at a dalmatian.

He speaks his mind, and doesn't go potty in the house.

He doesn't take crap from anyone! (did I mention he is potty trained)

And finally, he has chose Gus as his running mate.

2008-10-08T10:56:00.003-06:00

I dont know who Im gonna vote for this year. In my honest opinion they are both clowns. This totaly cracked me up though. You'll get it if you watched the debate last night, or heard about it in the media.

Home Opener! Go Donks!

2008-09-15T14:41:00.003-06:00

We were treated to a high scoring, exciting game from start to finish! The crowd was super loud, and man what a way to end the home opener. A long lost bud from the Bean Town area joined Cyn and I for the fun. The Bronco's keep it up and this could make for an exciting season.

Prior to the game we figured we'd need disguises if we were to fool everyone into thinking we were 100 % loyal Broncos fans.

I still wore my red, white, and I know there was some blue somewhere somewhere on my person... for the Patriots

I did my best imitation of a pom pom girl!

Oh man!

2008-09-12T12:04:00.001-06:00

If that doesnt get you excited for winter.......

Where do you fit in?

2008-09-12T10:30:00.003-06:00

The following is an excerpt from Legally Speaking found on Velonews, the topic is road rage, vehicular and cycling:

• Passive-Aggressive road rage: “A passive form of resistance that is expressed by ignoring others or refusing to respond appropriately. The intent of passive-aggressive road rage is to be obstructionist and oppositional.” An example of passive-aggressive road rage would be the driver who steadfastly observes the speed limit in the “fast lane,” despite the speeding drivers immediately behind who are signaling their desire to go faster by tailgating and flashing their lights. In the road rage incidents we witnessed this summer, the Critical Mass riders who refused to let the Seattle driver named “Mark” reverse direction and leave were exhibiting the passive-aggressive form of road rage behavior

• Verbal road rage: “The habit of constantly complaining about the traffic, keeping up a stream of mental or spoken attacks against all drivers, passengers, law enforcement officials, road workers, pedestrians, speed limits, and road signs. Undoubtedly the most common form of road rage, the purpose of verbal road rage is to denounce, ridicule, condemn, or castigate a rule, an engineer, or another driver.”

• Epic road rage: “The habit of fantasizing comic-book roles and extreme punitive measures against another driver, such as chasing, beating up, ramming, dragging, shooting, and killing, sometimes to the point of acting on it.” What most of us think of when we hear the words “road rage,” and thus, what was publicized as road rage in the incidents this summer.

Related to these three types of road rage, Dr. James identifies several types of road rage personality-types:

• Automotive vigilante: “This automotive bully aggresses against other motorists, chosen at random or for some specific reason, with a constant stream of verbal abuse, offensive gestures, and threatening maneuvers with the vehicle, sometimes going to [the] extreme of physical violence. When engaged in a dispute or when confronted by the law, the vigilante motorist will typically deny responsibility and counterattack, feigning victimhood to evade accountability, often with success.” This is the type of road rage many, perhaps most, cyclists have experienced, well before Newsweek discovered “a new type of road rage.” And as we saw this summer, the epic road rage incidents in Brentwood and Kamas both began with the motorist berating the cyclists for being on the road.

• Rushing maniac: “This dysfunctional driving style has two complementary elements. One is an extraordinary need to avoid slowing down. The other is the consequent anger against anyone who causes a slowdown.”

• Aggressive competitor: “Some drivers are so competitive that they need to be in the lead at all times, and feel a sense of loss and rising anxiety if another car passes them.” Now imagine that the “other car” is a bicycle…

• Scofflaw: “A notable feature of the culture of cynicism on the highways is the tendency we have to automatically disregard certain traffic laws, regulations, and signs. We act as if we’re entitled to break regulations whenever we feel like it. Some drivers are compulsively rebellious—for them a stop sign means reduce speed slightly, yield means grab the opportunity when you can, slow means reduce speed only if cops are around, yellow means hurry up and try to make it through, do not pass s for the really weak-hearted, and of course, 35 MPH means 55. We assume we are above the law.” As we can see on any road, this type of road-rager comes in both two-wheel and four-wheel models, and each is the first to point out that the other is a scofflaw.

Find the full article here:

http://www.velonews.com/article/83093/legally-speaking-with-bob-mionske---more-rage

Ha, I think I might be a Rushing Maniac?!?!

Raise Your Hand If Your Excited For Winter!!!

2008-09-12T08:23:00.003-06:00

Loveland Pass had the chain law in effect, and Trail Ridge Road was closed this morning.

A-Basin received a little of the white stuff

As for our cave in the highlands, we just got a good ol soaking rain last night and this morning.....

Be Informed

2008-08-29T09:36:00.002-06:00

Find out where the money supporting your presidential candidates campaign is coming from at www.opensecrets.org

TAX THIS

2008-08-29T07:24:00.003-06:00

Yo all you skiers and boarders out there, Eagle County Commissioners want to tax you like the government. Whoa, they are the government! They want to get ya with a sales tax on lift tickets. I have no problem with this as long as it is on one day tickets and not season passes. I say make the bubba family from tehas on Christmas vacation flip the bill ;) Actually no one should flip the bill, what are they doing up there with all of the tax revenue they are already raking in from property taxes, and the tourist industry? The days of $120 lift tickets are just around the corner, so start getting in shape, and be prepared to find another mode of transport up the mountain. Cyn and I hope to be riding the lifts less this year (as long as the snow pack cooperates).