Playing in the snow in Colorado

The week - Christmas 2016 and New Years

We have met the children in Tabernash, Colorado to get in some quality family sharing time.  Today, some of us are going skiing at Granby Ranch, a ski hill better suited for beginners.  Since it has been 35 years since I last skied, it was a good choice for me.  In addition, the crowds were smaller.  Dusty is a snow bunny, not a

skier, so she opted to stay at the house and play with baby Rux.

She says he is just too cute to miss playing with.


Those of us who were going to ski, bundled up to withstand the subzero temperatures.

 The runs on the left were mostly easy and intermediate, the one on the right were more challenging.

This is the express lift.  Four people to the top in a hurry. Temp was -10 F.

 This is the view as you get off the chair lift.

And this is me, (Tic).  First time in 35 years on skis.  It came back to me quickly and I had a great day. One advantage to being over 70, was that my all day lift ticket and equipment rental came to $53.00.

With the grandchildren from Myrtle Beach in ski school, I ran away to get in as many runs as my old body could handle.

 Top of the hill (right side of trail map).

 Does it look steep?  Yes, it is steep.

 I had to wait a bit to make sure the path was clear. 

 Last run of the day for me.

 Now it's time for a fierce game of Jokers and Pegs!

And Clemson WINS! 

It is another day to play in the snow, and it is snowing!  Today we ride snowmobiles thru the National Forest trails.

This place provides he snowmobile suites, snow boots and helmets.  You have to bring goggles and gloves.

 Dusty is wearing the red knit stocking cap and is getting all rugged up for the adventure,  we have never done this before.

 The Ski-doos were only three weeks old, so were in primo condition.  Heated hand grips for rider and passenger.

This is our little tour group; Jason, Jennifer, Isabel, Chase, Dusty & Tic.  We are all smiling!

 The staff here were terrific , very helpful, gracious.  We had a two hour rental, and they mapped out a loop that worked out to be two hours on the nose.

This is Jason, Jennifer, Isabel and Chase.  

 It snowed most of our time, which limited visibility to mountain tops or valleys, but was still beautiful.  Would not have traded it.  Can you tell this is us?

Look how high the snow is piled on the fence.

This the most sun we saw.

 OK, so it is an outhouse, but under the circumstance, beautiful.

Just before we got back to the lodge, Hot-shot, Jason, went off the trail.
Probably a 10-12 foot drop into waist deep powder snow.  Fortunately, two men stopped and had shovels and helped him get out.  No one hurt, and no damage.  Another wonderful day playing in the snow.

Friday evening the family went out to dinner.  All of us!

What a fun week it has been!