Friday = No Work

So I'd had several long days recently about 8 am to 9 pm so after work on Thursday Hoov (the boss) and I rode down the mountain together. Hoov put it best when he said "Hell of a commute home." I think that was his way of trying to get me to stay in Colorado and not take the fireman position in Des Moines. (Sidenote: if you don't already know I am applying for the position again in Des Moines, hope it works this time.) After that comment, Hoov told me I should go ahead and take Friday off.

Well what a day it was. I had every intention of waking up early, but I saw the clock just after 6 and decided to sleep a little longer. Since I slept in I didn't go cross-country skiing, but I did finish the crossword, 2 cups of coffee, an omlet, and 3 chapters in The Hobbit.  Afterwards I drove into Dillon to check my mail and buy change for the Adventure Point.

By this time it was noon and the snow was coming down even harder - time to go ski.  Loaded up the 30 pounds of change in my bag and head up the mountain.  Dropped off the change and proceeded to North Peak and then figured why not head to the Outback.  Found some great tree runs there (The Grizz, Bridger, Bushwacker, and Coyote Capper to name the best)  and stayed for about 3 hours.  Made my last run and Ski Patrol came up behind me, I didn't think I was doing anything wrong.  Recognized Levi and we skiied out together, they were just doing there sweep to close The Outback and North Peak for the day.  Cool guy, he let me ski with him while he did his sweep so I could get more runs in.

A shot of The Grizz.

Me dropping in on Bridger.  It was snowing out, and getting colder.

A shot of a great line (down the center, ease left, then a quick right around the second big tree) on Bushwacker.

And when I got home I open the mail I got today: 2 Christmas letters and 2 packages.  One package said I can't open until Christmas, I reluctantly abided by Leon's directions.  The second said nothing of the sort, Grandma didn't want me to wait for this:

Homemade mashed-potato candy and peanut clusters.  I indulged immediately.

I have Saturday off as well and plan to do lots of cross country skiing and perhaps some hiking.  Don't know if I'll downhill ski at all since it is the weekend and most likely ridiculously crowded.  I have 3 Snowbike lessons (all back to back) on Sunday.  Now all you Iowa snow bikers will get some pictures of how we do it out in Colorado.  The guy who taught me is 67 years old, goes faster than me, can do 360's, and I think has about the best retirement I've seen.

That's all for now, time to shower.