Actually, it kinda IS about the destination...

Happy Spring!!!

Ernesto & I are just home from a fabulous spring break...

  Thursday the plan was to be on the road by 6:00 am for our 12+ hour road trip to Breckenridge, CO.  Of course we overslept so it was more like 8:30.  But, oh well it was vacation after all.  We decided to take the scenic route rather than the more direct but crowded & boring Interstates.   This led us through lots of pretty scenery particularly as we got in to the Rockies.  Coming in from the south we passed through miles of farms tucked in to gorgeous mountain vistas.

"The Scenic Route"

 Ernesto's coworker, Jennifer, has a connection in Breckenridge for lodging.  So we were hooked up with a sweet one bedroom ski in/ski out condo. We arrived in town @ dusk & once we picked up our keys we headed out on foot to find something to eat.  This was spring break week after all, so the town was bustling.  Lots of places looked good but seemed full.  One place, Relish, was on Jennifer's recommended list but couldn't seat us for over an hour.  Instead we made a reservation for Saturday night & continued on until we found what turned out to be an excellent BBQ joint.  They had a special platter with several kinds of delicious meat specialties (sorry, vegan friends) plus a beet salad that was plenty filling for both of us to split.  Especially once we added in a blonde brownie sundae concoction!!!  After that we hopped back in the car & drove the few blocks to our condo.  

Our comfy home away from home

  The unit turned out to be perfection.  We were on the 4th floor so had a great view of the mountains.  Everything we needed was efficiently tucked into the space.  The king size Temperpedic mattress in the bedroom had us rethinking our set up at home!  And we had a full kitchen which was great even though we didn't plan on making much more than coffee.  

  

  Friday morning we got up & hit the slopes early.  Breckenridge is part of the Vail group of ski areas & we have a pass through them that rewards you so it turned out we got one free day of skiing!!  We each loaded our passes for three days.  Even though we were there for four full days we knew we might want to snowshoe one of those days.  The weather was gorgeous.  It got up in the mid 40's & we actually got hot.  The mountain was huge!  Breckenridge is composed of 4 peaks & a 5th is being developed this summer.  I was skiing great even though I hadn't been very physically active through the winter.  

  We broke for lunch on the mountain.  It was delish but EXPENSIVE! 

Here's what $32 gets you 

 After this first day we figured out the true beauty of ski in/ski out.  The rest of the week we would go out at night for big dinners, bring home left-overs & ski in for lunch @ home.  LOVED LOVED LOVED this!!!  Also, we were able to come in & leave off some of our warmer gear & finish the day out in lighter weight clothing.  The condos also had two hot tubs, one indoor, one out. 

 So we took advantage of this every day!!!  The only thing that could have made it better is if we'd had our dogs.  (Only owners can have animals @ the condo).

This crepe place always had a line out to the sidewalk

  The next day was COLD & snowy.  We bundled back up in our heavy gear & headed out to do a mountain tour w/one of the volunteer guides.  I had done one similar in Beaver Creek a few years back.  If you are ever skiing somewhere that offers this it is a great way to get a lay of the land.  Friday I wound up in an ocean of moguls, which I suck at & had to remove my skis to get down (Oh the shame!!  If my best ski buddy, Jantha had seen this she would have been so embarrassed for me!!) So my hope was (correctly) once I'd had the tour that wouldn't happen again.  The majority of Breckenridge is expert (black) runs.  Although many of them were more of what I consider blue (intermediate).  Every place is different.  Taos' blue runs seem more like blacks.  I am most comfortable on a wide open "groomer" & that is what Breckenridge had LOTS of!  So it was great skiing all week.  There is an entire upper mountain that we never got to because I wanted to go up when we had better visibility & that never really happened again the rest of the week.  The lifts closed @ 4 & the weather really seemed to whip up around three.  One day it was pelting tiny ice needles in our faces & you couldn't see the terrain you were skiing at all.  The light was really flat & you just had to go by "feel".

  Our last day we decided to snowshoe.  Breckenridge also has a Nordic Center so we drove over to check out their trails.  Incidentally, this was the only time we used our car.  Not only were the slopes just out the back door, but the rest of town was walking distance from the front.  The Nordic Center caters to cross country skiing & snowshoeing.  We could see the gorgeous drawing and actual construction of the new & improved center that's being built.  The current facility is in a funky old building.  I've never tried cross country but it's next on my list.  It's also quite a bit more affordable that alpine.  A lift ticket runs an average of $100 a day while a trail pass is only $20.  So skipping that last day on the slopes helped keep our trip on budget :)

Drawing of the new Nordic Center

New Nordic Center in Progress

  Snowshoeing is basically hiking in the snow.  The shoes help keep your feet from sinking under the snow.  I found some for cheap on Overstock.  A little too cheap maybe.  They just didn't feel as substantial as those we have rented in the past.  They did the job though & we will keep them until they wear out & then invest is more solid equipment.

One of the more primitive "Huts"

  The forest was a breathtaking winter wonderland.  We only saw two other groups of people all day.  We followed a trail to one of the "huts" for a picnic.  The one we went to had been relocated & was over 100 years old.  It was a one room log cabin with a little stove available if you wanted.  There was a table covered with candles presumably if you were there at night.  Although there weren't any beds I guess you could sleep there if you wanted & had a sleeping bag.  I don't think anyone would show up to tell you to leave.  Although passes are required we never saw anyone to show them to.  I guess we could have just gone up on our own & maybe paid a fine if we were caught?  Anyway, I like supporting the trails & $20 hardly seemed like we were being gouged.

Inside the "Hallelujah Hut"

  So that was our week.  It was a grueling 13 hour drive home.  In this instance it was definitely about the destination rather than the journey.  And spring was waiting @ for us at OUR destination! :D

Holiday Recap

A summary of the last couple of months;

  October-Haloween, the kick off of the holidays.   I had seen some cool images online of great day-of-the-dead make-up.  Wal-Mart of all places, had some make-up that is basically water color.  It dries & isn't messy like the old grease paint.  We had a couple of nights of activities so we got to trot this look out more than once :)

   November- The plan was to go to Los Angeles this year to see Morrissey w/Iggy Pop over Thanksgiving.  Visions of punk-rock nirvana and a Disneyland excursion danced in my head.  The universe had other plans.  Morrissey's mom was hospitalized & the show rescheduled.  So we decided to stay home & be w/family.  For the first time we delivered meals for Other Options, a local food pantry that provides meals for those dealing w/HIV/AIDS.  Sooooo gratifying!!  Because of the last minute change of plans we were a small group at Mom's for the meal but it was a lovely day nonetheless.

Mom & Brad delivering meals

  December-I don't know why but I just wasn't as fired up as I normally get to deck the halls this year.  But we drug out the "Christmess" & over the course of a few days the house was ready for the holidays.  One neat new bit of inspiration, Ernesto painted a Christmas mural over the mantle.  He designed it so that we could remove the painting that normally lives there but leave the frame so it gives the illusion of a framed painting.  Then when the holidays were over the painting could go back in & the mural would be hidden until next year.  

Ernesto's X-Mas Mural

   We rented our same casita as last year in Santa Fe for the week of Christmas.   I love the idea of insuring snow for the big day by heading to the mountains of New Mexico.  This allows for Christmas day skiing!!  As it got closer we began feverishly scanning the mountain weather reports in vain.  No snow in sight.   Sadly Miles' work schedule prevented him from joining us this year.  Our big gift to him, new ski jacket, pants & a helmet began to look like the gift of the magi.  Oh well.  There would be other ski trips...

  So off we went December 22.  Snow was forecast for Christmas Eve so that was welcome news!  We decided since the slopes weren't in great shape yet we'd try snowshoeing.  We rented the shoes & dropped our skis off for a wax @ the ski shop.  The 23rd we drove up to one of the trail heads & spent a beautiful crisp clear winter day traipsing up & down the mountain.  You don't see near as many people when you get off the beaten path.  We could see the trails of others but didn't see another soul the entire day.  We could see the tracks of animals too; deer, rabbits.  And the bare aspen soaring up to the bluest skies was breathtaking.  We carried some snacks & had a picnic on a downed tree trunk.  I had a little mishap with a "nature break" as I tried to cantilever my backside down the mountain.  I narrowly avoided frostbitten privates, LOL!!

 That night about 8" of fresh powder fell & they were able to open up more of the terrain on the mountain so we were able to ski Christmas Eve day.  We opted for a half day so we could grocery shop for our Christmas Eve dinner.  Mom & our friends Kay & Becky were also in Santa Fe and our other friend Ron came down from Taos to share the feast.  Our casita is real cozy & has a kiva fireplace.  More snow began falling so it was a picture perfect night.  Mom fixed her incredible roast with all the trimmings and I surprised her by bringing our Christmas china from home.  It actually turned out to be one of my favorite Christmases!  I had an epiphany that I was probably the one with the most regrets about Miles not being with us.  He was fine at home with his friends.

Cozy!

Mom feverishly preparing our feast

  

Christmas day we got on the road at dawn to drive up to Taos to ski with Ron.  I've always been intimidated by the mountain.  I know so many people who have gotten hurt.  & I'm what's known as a cruiser.  I like big wide open groomed runs.  Taos claims to have lots of those but I found it to be a very steep, rough mountain.  I did have a great day & only fell a few times with no injury.  Ernesto was in heaven with Ron.  After lunch I skied on my own so they could go all out.  The sun had moved to the other side of the mountain & it became frigid so I called it a day.

  We decided to check out a place I'd heard of for ages but had never been; Ojo Caliente.  It's about half way between Taos & Santa Fe to the west.  It's a low-slung adobe spa with many outdoor pools piping in mineral water containing various properties for health benefits.  We got there after dark & it was mysterious and gorgeous at night.  They had crackling fires laid in several outdoor fire pits.  We spent as long as we dared in the pools before heading to their excellent restaurant for Christmas Dinner.  It was a prix fixe, 4 course affair & Ernesto ordered a sangria to go with.  When our tab came & it was only $70 I was floored.  Ojo Caliente is a hidden treasure.   They have lodging and massage options so this place definitely warrants further exploration!!

  We had one more day of skiing at Santa Fe & then more spaing (is that a verb?) at Ten Thousand Waves.  Another perfect trip to one of my favorite places on earth!! 

    January-We went to a super fun dinner/drag show New Year's Eve @ the Boom.  We've shared seversl holidays @ this neighborhood caberet & it's always super fun.   Then we were up & at 'em early the next day for our annual brunch.  My mom has hosted this gathering for more years than I can remember.  At some point it outgrew her condo & we moved it over here.  I think we had a turn out of about 45 good friends who look forward to kicking off their year with us.  Mom's got the menu down to a science; ham, jalapeno cheese grits, hot curried fruit & black-eyed peas for good luck.  

This lady knows how to have a good time!

   So here we are on the eve of Valentine's & I've caught up you up with our goings on.  Usually I like to keep my blog breezy & happy.  Sadly we are not in that kind of a mood as we have lost someone near & dear to our hearts; my former husband & father of Miles, Basile Kolliopoulos.  Back in the fall he began having some health concerns that proved to be fatal & mercifully for him, quick.  We are still reeling with his passing.  Thank you to everyone who has asked for Miles.  Our hearts are broken but the love & support of our friends is carrying us through this sad time.

RIP Basile Kolliopoulos
11/1/53-1/28/13

   

Thank God It's Monday!

Hey Friends,
  I thought weekends were about R & R.  Not THIS weekend apparently!  Here's how it went;

  Saturday morning was the 4th annual OkC Mah Jongg Tournament.  Mah Jongg is a game of skill & luck originally from China & imported to the US in the early part of the last century.  You can read about it here; http://www.nationalmahjonggleague.org/  I've been playing with a group here for a little over ten years now.  This was my year to host the tournament along with my co-host Trent.  Up to Saturday that just meant securing the space, purchasing prizes & sending some emails.  Trent is "techie" so he took care of graphic design & talking me down off the roof when I would get panicked about the details :).  Our players provided an amazing pot-luck lunch. We held the event @ the IAO Gallery  http://iaogallery.org/wordpress/ 

   So, early Saturday Trent, Rod (the original organizer of the event & local Mah Jong GURU!!!) & I arrived at 8:30 to set up.  At 10:00 our players began trickling in for check in & to bring their yummy dishes.  Most of the entrants came out of two of the groups I play in on Mondays.  A few I had only communicated with via email or phone so it was nice to have a face to go with a name.  Ernesto was on hand to substitute in the event we needed an extra player.  You should have seen the look on his face when he was told he wasn't playing.  It was the same look I've seen when he gets hooked on a slot machine in Vegas!

   Play began at 10:30 and there were two rounds then we broke for lunch.  After lunch, one more round then it was time for the awards; beautiful hand made glass plates designed by Tracey Bewley, a local artist. http://www.artfusionstudio.com/  So a big shout out to our winners (for those who value their privacy I use first names only)  Norma from Edmond took first place, our own Marcy (who is coincidentally remodeling her kitchen so won't that plate look nice in her new space?) won second & Norma's daughter Debbie got third.  An honorable mention goes out to Bryan who actually tied for third & the winner was decided by a roll of the dice.  Laura got the coveted "golf award" for the lowest score & won a handy new Mah Jongg bag in which to store her winnings.

  It was a fun day & we walked out the door about 4:30.

Ernesto & some of the cutthroat competition!

  I then went home to lie down for about an hour before getting in costume to march in the Gazette's Halloween Parade.  This is also an annual event locally & one of my favorites!!  This was our second year to march & we were with the Dead Center Film Festival group this year.  Their theme was Fairy Tales gone wrong & we went with a Mexican themed Day of the Dead Catrina look.  I didn't carry a phone or camera :( so here's our only image. (Thank You Bryan!)

  

  We were running late so just had time to find a parking space, locate the parade route & hop in place.  Everyone looked so great both in the parade & the spectators.  Everyone out in their spooky best!!  The most gratifying thing was the look of recognition & appreciative comments from the many Latinos in the crowd.  Afterwards we tucked in the Iguana Lounge for some food to match our costumes.  We actually made it home by 10:30 but it was the end of a LONG DAY.

 But our weekend wasn't over yet!  Sunday evening we invited a group of friends for what is ALSO an annual event; Pumpkin Carving in The Wayback.  This is usually our last harrah of the year.  Once it gets cold we aren't back out there again until Spring.  We fixed a big ole vat of soup, some cider then let the creativity begin...  

  So here it is Monday & I for one am ready for the rest!!!

Tour de Trees, A Win/Win Weekend!!

Hey Friends,

  This weekend has been on my calendar for a bit. Two of my FAVORITE activities combined for Tour de Trees, the bicycling/camping weekend put on by the Oklahoma Bicycling Society.  I met some of the lovely OBS members this summer on Freewheel & have been on some weekend rides here in OkC.  Most notably the Donut and Pre-Donut Rides from Will Rogers Park.  I've loved getting to know people & finding riders who go my pace.  Ernesto is kind enough to scale it back to ride with me but I know it has to kill him as my comfortable pace is about 14 mph.   Ernesto rides anywhere from 18-22 comfortably so it is a testament to his chivalry that he"ll hang with me.  

  Anyhoo, once I joined the group I read about Tour de Trees & knew it was right up our alley.  About 60 or so riders from all over the state gathered at Lake Eufaula State Park for the event.  We loaded up the T@B and Lucy Friday evening & headed out.  It was past dark when we arrived but we had no trouble finding a great spot under a canopy of Oak trees that had full hook-ups & the bonus of being just a few steps from the bathroom.  We got situated in no time & had a hearty dinner of sausages, rice, salad & of course.......QUESADILLAS!!!  

  

   We turned in & I read some out of "Wild-From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail"  by Cheryl Strayed.  The book details her coming to terms with her life after her mother's death from cancer, a failed marriage & a relationship that led to heroin use. She sets off on an 1100 mile solo hike to regroup.  http://www.cherylstrayed.com/wild_108676.htm Soon I couldn't hold my eyes open.  It was pretty chilly but we don't really like to use the heater in the T@B, it gets too stuffy.  The perfect solution has been a dual zoned electric blanket.  My side was set on High & Ernesto's Low.  Perfect until I was roasting @ about 4 AM.  But there's nothing like it for taking the chill off!!  I re-set to Low & drifted back off.

  Saturday morning we woke up around 7 & did the coffee routine plus some instant oatmeal.  Then we readied ourselves & the bikes for a 42 mile tour of the area.  We got a baby cart & modified it for Lucy to ride in & to say she is not a fan is putting it mildly.  If you were to come up on Ernesto while he's pulling her you might think he had a wheel in need of some WD-40.  Lucy has a unique squeaky whine that doesn't let up until she is out of the stroller & in your arms.  We keep hoping she'll adapt...  One benefit (at least that's how I see it, Ernesto may feel differently) is the cart plus Lucy adds at least 20 pounds to Ernesto's bike.  This levels the field, so-to-speak in terms of him keeping his pace at my speed :D

Lucy's Cart

  The day turned out gorgeous.  We had a little bit of wind but the ride was lovely.  We made a big loop & wound up in Checotah (hometown of Carrie Underwood) for lunch @ the Katy Cafe.  I had the BLT & Ernesto got a chicken sandwich with some YUMMY sweet potato fries.  We sat on a bench out front w/Lucy & chatted with our fellow riders as they came & went.  The thing I love so much about bike trips is all the interesting folks you meet.   Some of these people were on Freewheel with us & some we were meeting for the first time.  After lunch we hopped on the bikes for the 15 mile ride back to camp.

   We arrived at our site around 1:30 & spent the rest of the afternoon chillaxing & chatting with everyone who stopped by to see the T@B.  In addition to Lucy it is a real magnet for conversation!!  Our neighbors were a retirement age couple who live full time in their RV & travel around state parks designing the park brochures with advertising for area businesses.  I'm going to guess they are in their 70s.  And I was super impressed with their technical skills.  They meet with their contacts & upload everything to the internet & even have a mobile office in their RV.  The brochures are produced annually & they spend about 3 weeks in each area.  Their stay is free as part of their fee.  Pretty sweet way to spend retirement!!  They have been "full timers since 2003.

   In the evening a pot-luck dinner was planned for 6:00.  I had prepared a white chicken chili at home & had it ready to heat in the crock-pot.  The amount of food was obscene!!  Everything looked so good, it was hard to pick just a few things but I get full really quick so I tried to be conservative. Ernesto zeroed in on some jalapeno/venison sausage.  And the desserts....OMG!!!!

The Pot-Luck Smogasbord

   After dinner a group loaded up in a truck to head to the "Haunted Barn" that is open on weekends in October.  I HATE the idea of people jumping out to scare me so I passed.  Ernesto & I returned to our campsite & built a fire.  It was pitch black & the stars were magnificent.  Ernesto looked at me & said, "It's only 7:30."  I could have died!!  I was sure it was at least 9:00 & I was ready to turn in, LOL!!  So we fought the urge & sat & enjoyed the fire.  A little later some of the brave souls who went to the Haunted Barn returned to tell us of their adventure.  We visited some more & were able to hold out until 9:30 before turning in.

Can We Go To Bed Yet?

  Sunday morning there was a 32 mile ride planned.  When we woke up I just couldn't motivate myself to leave our comfy set-up.  If you followed us this summer on our adventure in the Grand Canyon you know my favorite part of the day is coffee in the morning.  We decided to just hang around camp leisurely & enjoy the weather that was absolute perfection!!  I'm going to guess low 70s & a slightly overcast sky.  We had the windows open & there was a heavenly breeze.  We lingered as long as we wanted then loaded up to head for home.  What a delightful weekend!!!

Looks Like We Won't Be Riding Today.

For more info on Tour De Trees visit http://oklahomabicyclesociety.com/annual-tours/tour-de-trees/