Not Your Child's Snow Day

Heading to bed last evening, we were open to whatever weather nature would throw at us today.  We were both teachers.  We've been thrown up on, hugged by children while burying their heads in places that would make a normal person blush, and had our ages estimated well over the real number.  What could nature possibly do to compete with 2nd and 3rd graders to block us from fun on the mountain today?  How about 0 degrees, with random 25 mph gusts as a chaser?  We opted to find an elementary school that could abuse two old retired teachers, rather than taunt the mountain.  What it really boiled down to was some good old cabin fever.

Our wake up call came in the form of heavy equipment clearing the snow
from the road and parking lots outside our place.

Miki, the early riser she is, was the one to learn of and then share the weather outlook for the day.  Once that was conveyed, I rolled over and began practicing proper skiing form and technique in my mind for tomorrow.  Visualizing is an integral part of any successful athlete.  She chose to document my work ethic in action.

No, it had not snowed in our bed, that is my winter skin color and the remote
served as a weapon after the first photo was taken.

Hanging out in the condo for twenty-four hours didn't seem like too big of a deal.  That lasted until about 11:00 am.  Miki thought it would be good to visit the Habitat for Humanity Restore store in Silverthorne we saw on our way in.  Since Miki started volunteering at ours back home a few weeks ago, she has big plans for them!  To town we headed.

This was between white-outs as we headed to town from Copper Mountain.
The closest we have been to seeing the sun for what seems like weeks.

We hit the Restore and a favorite coffee shop of Miki's and then headed back for round two of cabin fever.

I have a feeling that this will be the first of many documented photos of
Restores we encounter on future travels.

Miki, with locally supported coffee in hand.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig.  The ski runs are almost visible as we get close to our covered parking below the condo.  The parking itself was premo, as they actually have a heater above the ramp that takes you down under the condo complex that keeps any ice and snow from making the incline unsafe (way cool).  

Foxpine Inn...our condo.  Our room is behind the middle pines just right
of center.

Miki made a wonderful stir fry lunch.  Then while she drew, I pretended to be an Alaskan State Trooper as I watched drama after drama unfold on the National Geographic Channel (of which I don't have at home thank goodness, cause the Alaskan State Trooper Academy in Sitka, is taking applications I'm sure). 

As the sun began to set (I am only assuming it was setting because of its past history since we haven't seen it in awhile) we set our sites on town again.  Because, if its Wednesday, there must be BINGO at the Elks Lodge in Silverthorne.  Being repeat players (that's right... players), we knew that a little snow wouldn't inhibit mountain bingo aficionados from a 6:30 start.  Plus we have our winning reputation to uphold.  To not disappoint and keep our winning streak alive, we had to give it a shot.

"Icy Roads" (glowing on the left) signage does not deter true bingo goers.

Our reward for risking life and limb... have you met Mr. Lincoln?
Took it on a diamond bingo pattern, but had to split it with another good bingo.

We returned home safe and sound to a big bowl of buttered popcorn and the ending of "Lords of War," again...on the National Geographic Channel...I have got to start collecting civil war guns, WWII Jeeps, and Samurai swords.

The weather for tomorrow?  We are expecting the worst and hoping for a little better than that.



My Zen from the Road:  The Elk's Lodge in Silverthorne, CO on a cold and snowy night, gathered 13 BINGO minded souls.  Each one appeared to be on the other end of the spectrum from the next.  Yet we laughed, some shared stories (others just listened), and some won a little cash.  You never know where your next fun will come from.