29 Nov 2007 - Sunrise

 

16 Nov 2007 Sunset

 

12 Nov 2007 - AC Shoulder Separation

Last Saturday, we went for a bike ride in Leadville with Helen's brother David and our friend Gary. There is a wonderful 12 mile ride around Leadville through some of the mining area with great views of Mt. Massive and Mt. Albert. Gary was a head of me and David and Helen we behind me as we were coasting down the trail back to the car. Helen and David came around a corner and saw me laying on the ground off the edge of the bike bath. Apparently, I was unconscious for about 10 minutes and had trouble understanding what was going on for another 10 minutes. Several people stopped to help and then the Leadville ambulance arrived. They took me to the local emergency room and did a cat-scan on my skull and xray of my shoulder. I had minor concussion and a AC shoulder separation. I still can't remember what happened just prior to my accident and up to 10-15 minutes after but I am recovering and feel pretty good today. I have an appointment with the local doctor and plan to get some therapy recommended. I want to be ready to ski as soon as I can.

09 Nov 2007 - Free Transportation & Free Breakfast

Today I had to go to Breckenridge and pick up my Colorado Ski Pass (Breck, Keystone, A-Basin, and 10 Days at Vail/Beaver Creek). I had purchased it in 2006 at a Silent Auction and was unable to use it last year since we were going to be in the UK in Feb'07. Vail Resorts were kind enough to hold it over until this season but would not issue it until Breckenridge opened today.

I elected to drive over to Silverthorne and catch the Summit Stage to Frisco. You switch in Frisco to get to Breckenridge but it only takes about 40 minutes total and it is free. Since today was opening day at Breckenridge, they had a free pancake breakfast at Peak 9. I had great pancakes while watching the people ski down the only run that was open. They had pretty good coverage on the trail but completely lacking snow on either side.

I then worked (bus) my way over to Peak-8 to pick up my certificate for a passes and then back to the bottom to actually get my pass just in time to catch the bus back to Frisco. In Frisco, I walked over to Safeway to get some groceries and the caught the next bus back to Silverthorne.
With the price of gas, I will probably use the local free transportation more often.

07 Nov 2007 - Bike Ride

We went with our friends, Gary and Melody, to Buena Vista about 30 miles south of Leadville for a bike ride. We rode along the Arkansas River about 21 miles round trip. The skies were clear blue and the temp was about 65. The mountain range has several 14K peaks.

06 Nov 2007 - It's the Law

Last Tuesday, we drove John & Jan back down to their home in Denver. Shortly after we drove base Loveland ski area, we noticed that two police cars had one vehicle pulled over on the right shoulder of the freeway. Slowing down a bit, we continued driving towards Denver until one of the state trooper cars pulled out and chased us down with flashing lights. The officer approached the passenger's side of the car and informed us that he pulled us over for failing to yield to a stationary emergency vehicle. He stated that the law is posted along I-70 and that we should have moved to the left while approaching the two police cars on the highway shoulder. He also told us that two officers were hit (1 died) a couple weeks ago near Denver while stopping vehicles. As the officer was writing the ticket for violation 42-4-705, several cars passed in the lane next to us and the the other state trooper pulled one of the cars over. After getting the ticket (Jan 8'08 appearance date in Georgetown court), we headed to Denver and pulled into the far left lane to "Yield to an stationary emergency vehicle" at least 4 times as the state troopers were running a sting operation on I-70 East.

05 Nov 2007 - John & Jan

Yesterday, Helen and I drove down to Denver and picked up our dear friends, John and Jan Burnett, and brought them back up to the mountains to spend two nights with us. Today, we went to the Dillon Thrift Shop, where they purchased some baby clothes for their great-grand baby due in January.

Afterwards, we stopped by Dillon Lake and had our picnic lunch looking the sparkling lake towards Breckenridge Ski Area.

Tomorrow morning we will take them back to their home in Denver.