Home Sweet Home after a 11hour and 45 minute drive

We arrived home at 9:30 and the guys unloaded the truck and Janie started putting the kitchen items away. Laundry was started and before bedtime, we had 2 loads done and another ready for dryer in the morning. Drake headed out after putting his stuff away and a quick shower but was home before midnight. TV for Dad, Janie and Logan and then to bed after Drake got home.

Heading East

Oh...what a great week and now we are heading home. The boys loaded the truck and we hit the road at 8:15 am after a quick breakfast of our favorite muffins Janie made along with some OJ and milk . We made one quick restroom stop east of Denver and then stopped for lunch in Limon, Colorado along with everyone else heading east. After Jeff finished filling the truck up with gas and the line at Subway was still very long, we made the decision it would be quicker to go to Arby's....wrong. The line was even longer but what the heck.

Hot tub and leftovers

and oh , did the hot tub feel good!! Everyone except Logan joined in our last hot tub outing and then over to the Clemow unit for leftovers and grilled brauts. Jeff and Jim enjoyed a cigar while waiting for the charcoal to heat up while the rest of us got cleaned up and leftovers on the bar. We made a HUGE batch of nachos with taco meat and tons of cheese but it was devoured so quickly, you would have thought we had not eaten in days which is so far from the truth..... We finally kicked the Whiteheads out around 10:30 so we could finish packing and call it a night.

Janie's Picture Day...

and the boys did not put up too much of a fuss. Great pictures were taken on the mountain and quite a bit of video taping also. Logan decided he wanted to video tape and was skiing and video taping at the same time...will be interesting how that turns out.

We went in for a quick lunch and then out for our last afternoon of skiing. Logan and Jeff wore Janie out on the black runs so she headed out on her own. She then met up with Drake and Michael and the rest of the Whiteheads. Michael was shirtless and yes, believe it or not, Mr. All Skinned Up On The Back decided to ski again without his shirt. At least this time he did not fall but guess who did? Yes, Michael but since it was in the afternoon and the snow was soft, he had just red marks and no real open wounds like Drake had from his Tuesday escapade. We all meet up and came down the hill together around 4:30.

Day 4 - All Healthy

We all decided to take a little longer to get out today, so the snow would be a little less icy. Ok a whole 30 minutes. Not a big difference. Drake and Michael took off for thier adventure. Drake with his new goggles he procured last night.

Thank you Janie for your negotiating skills and saving almost $40 on the goggles. Drake is one stylish skier.

After a great morning we came in for some Basketball (NCAA March Madness) and tacos. Drake came in to change to lighter clothing, but at least long sleeve sweatshirt. He is learning.

At 1:30 Logan, Jeff and Janie headed back out to get in their afternoon skiing. We joined up with the Whiteheads (minus Drake and Michael) and rode up the Gondola. Then a quick run down to the Storm Peak lift. Then we went down the backside (Morningside). Up the lift and then chose to go down the black run through the trees. It wasn't that tough.....well Jeff caught a tip and went airborne. Skis in the air (yes saw blue ski), skis hit snow and come off, then yes more blue ski. Then a slide down the mountain. Jeff lost his mojo for the rest of the afternoon, but we successfully went down the moguls by Chute 1 and then the long run down the entire mountain. Drake survived with his back a little sore and Logan had an outstanding day.

A little snack and off to the hot tub. After soothing our bodies in the hot tube, Janie and Kristy made a hot swiss dip for an appetizer to enjoy while watching basketball games. Logan and Janie made a great spaghetti dinner with garlic bread and Kristy made wonderful salad. Kristy, Sarah and Logan hit the hot tub after dinner and then came back at 9:00 for lemon cake and a couple of games left, right and center. Jim won the first game and we are thankful Drake made a come back on the second game and claimed a win for the Clemow family.

Dog Sled Trip

A pickup truck loaded with many husky dogs greeted Logan, Janie, Kristy, Karen and Sarah a little after 8:00 am. Tara, our guide and driver, transported us about 15 miles south of Steamboat to a beautiful lake. When we arrived, there were many other dogs already there barking and happy to see us. We had a special treat of two little, six week old puppies, Toad and Frog that we got to hold. They were so sweet and we were thinking about snuggling them home in our coat pockets! Our tour had three sleds going out for the morning. Logan and Janie were in one sled, Karen, Kristy and Sarah were in one and another group in the other sled. As the Whithead sled was about to leave, their lead dog broke away from the pack and as he broke away and took off running, the other dogs went totally silent. Now, if you have never been dog sledding, you can hardly hear a thing as you are getting ready to leave as the dogs are so excited and barking as loud as they can. The dogs knew that someone was in trouble for sure!!! They got another lead dog and shortly joined the rest of us. The dog that broke away had the time of his life by running with us but not having to pull a sled. Our trip started out across a frozen pond and then headed out into the surrounding areas. On the way back, Logan got to mush our sled which he really enjoyed. Hot chocolate and cookies were served as we got to hang around and have some fun with the dogs after our sled ride.

Snow Mobile Adventure

Jeff, Drake, Jim and Michael headed down on the shuttle to catch the bus up to Rabbit Ear pass. 13 jammed into the van and we headed up the mountain. Routt National Forest is where Rabbit Ear pass is located and we ended up at the cabin with the smell of pine coming from the wood burning stove.

We did the check in routine, bathroom break and then met our guide Ben from GA. He came out to find a job in November and plans to stay through the summer....job could be a factor. He was a lot of fun and our group of 8 headed out on the trail.

We all voted to stay out for our 4 hour trip and eat our trail lunch at the end. That worked out great. We hit a meadow about 7 miles out and drove at 50+ miles an hour around and around. Did some jumps and then more trails on the way back. One stop was a look out where they actually jump snow mobiles, skis and snow boards. 30+ foot drop off. Something to see. We could see Rabit Ears, Wyoming and the other mountains around Denver. Not a bad view.

All in all a great adventure for the father son trip.

Day Off

Wednesday is day off from Skiing and opportunity to try other winter activities. Drake was able get a good night sleep and his back looked a lot better this morning. Janie, Karen, Logan, Kristy and Sara all headed out early for a dog sledding adventure (see separate post).

Jeff, Drake, Jim and Michael all headed out a little later for a snowmobile adventure (see separate post).

After everyone made it back some napped, some hot tubbed and some simply vegged out. Another beautiful day in Steamboat. It is hard to be sitting next to a mountain covered in snow when the temperature outside is almost 60 degrees.

The adults headed downtown for an evening out, while the kids cooked pizzas and spent more time at the hot tub. Rumor has it the pizza was cooked by the girls with the cardboard making the first versions not ediable. Drake and Logan made one down in our condo and the boys were good to go.

The adults made it to the Yaht Club down on the river and after a 45 minute wait sat for dinner. The meal was slow to arrive (kitchen was overwhelmed with the last serving), but it was worth the wait. A couple bottles of wine and some wonderful bread together with great food over looking the river below the ski jump facility. Yes this is where they do their big jumps on those big skis.

All to bed and a great night sleep. Another day down and only two to go before the long drive home.

Day 3 - Drake's Crash and Burn

Well Day 3 started of with a normal start. They skiing was good and everyone was in good shape. Unseasonable warm weather has everyone enjoying the outside. Hot tub, pool, deck, skiing.... Drake and Michael could not resist the no shirt routine again. However this time Drake bit the dust (ice) and got one hell of a road rash. He came in a full of adrenaline and one bloody back and arms.

He cleaned up and spent the afternoon inside recovering. Suffice it to say he was not a happy camper. He did get to feeling well enough to help Michael make chili for everyone.

That night we watched the fireworks and moutain parade with 150 some skiers coming down the mountain at night with flares.

Like every other night we have been hitting the sack pretty early. No big parties so far.

Skiing Day 2 - Boys have warn us out

Day 2 of skiing started wiith a bright blue sky as a wake up call with scrambled eggs and bacon. Then off to the slopes with the boys. Drake was wanting to take it a little easier, so we were off to tackle the moutain. All of us are getting good enough that the well groomed runs, while a little crusty, were pure speed runs. Then as the crowds started to gather we shifted across the mountain. Here is where our ability to tackle black runs go the best of Dad. Half way down Rolex, Jeff miss judged a Janie turn and to avoid a full speed collison bit the hill. Slid 30 plus yards down the mountain and surprisingly no pain. After a few more runs and Drake's jumps we called it quits for lunch.



A wonderful hot ham sandwich with last nights leftover ham put us all into a relaxed trance. Dad's legs were noodles, so he opted to avoid the afternoon skiing. Janie went out for a few brief runs. At 4:30 Drake came in without his shirt on. He and Michael had started at the peak and skiied the whole mountain without shirts. Yes, spring skiing at its best. Dad and Janie spent the afternoon sunning on the deck and napping.



Logan came in last (second day in a row) after skiing the whole mountain with Kristy. We learned of his crash going down Chute 1. The map says for experts skiers only. This is a run that Drake and Michael have been down a few times. Suffice it to say he bounced head or heels many times down the mountain loosing his skis. No injuries other then a little pride. Janie and I will not even give it a try despite the council from Karen and Jim that we could do it. Karen has been skiing her entire life, so her advice needs to always be taken with a word of wisdom. No!!



Janie and Jeff spent a few hours in the hot tub and heated pool, then a BBQ brisket dinner with the boys. It is amazing how hungry you are after a full day of skiing. Ok for some of us it is a good reason too eat even after only a half day.



Day Three tomorrow is supposed to be a repeat of today (warmer then normal) and plenty of sun screen to keep us from looking like we were on a beach all day. I actually got a tan on my arms today sitting on the deck.

End of the First Day

Oh how you should stop when you should stop, but the pressure to keep up with the youngest in the clan (Logan) is always too much. A few too many runs have my legs all rubery. Logan of course could keep on going. Drake and the tough crew came in before us, but I give them slack with the runs they do.

Janie called it quits a few runs early and will probably be the one at the end still going.

Tonight we'll be hosting the Whiteheads for a ham dinner. Logan, Sarah and Kristy made a cherry dump cake for dessert. Then I'm sure we'll all crash.

First Day of Skiing

Drake and Jeff headed out first to get lift ticket vouchers exchanged for tickets. And then, time to hit the slopes. All ski gear is in a locker down where we head out to ski. Boots were put on and ready for hitting the slopes and boy, did we hit the slopes. Right out our door, the path was straight down and very narrow. Janie followed Drake and missed the quick right turn and hit a jump and wiped out, ouch! Janie was sure Jeff would do the same thing and had her camera ready and yes, Jeff did the same thing and wiped out, what a great picture she got!

Drake knew he wasn't going to put up with us so he headed out to the top to hook up with Michael Whitehead. They spent the morning on the left side of the mountain in the meadows and back bowl. Storm Peak Express is the lift of choice for these crazy dudes. The runs they were skiing are all black and double diamond black runs.

Logan, Jeff and Janie headed out to catch Christy Express to mid-mountain. Then we headed down to Thunderhead Express and crossed over to the right side of the mountain. More groomed long runs versus the neck breaking short black runs Drake was running. The ski is bright blue with wisps of white clouds. The valley is still covered in snow, although the warm weather has started the spring thaw a month early.

Normal snow fall for the year (last year was a record, when we were here with Grandma Paula). The mountain is still with a 60" base, so plenty of groomed snow to scream down the mountain. Logan is in full stride with his skiing and Janie is enjoying the warm weather. It is supposed to hit 50 at the base. Sun planned for the entire week. The runs are a little icy in spots, but by the end of the day will be a little slushy at the base. Spring skiing.

Thank god for sunscreen. The thin air and sun is quite the burn factor. Remember uncle David! Skiing with bibs only when you were younger and still under 40. Yes happy birthday for David this month (March 11th). The big 40.

Lunch is Beer Brauts and Macaroni and Cheese. A little rest and I'm sure we'll make a few more runs this afternoon......

Dinner with Whiteheads

started with cheese, sausage, chips and salsa. Dinner was pork chops, corn and pasta, yum! After dinner Drake and Michael headed to hot tube and Sara, Kristy and Logan shortly followed. The adults enjoyed good conversation and then as Janie was getting Jim a glass of water, a bottle of red wine fell off the top of the refrigerator. What a waste of good wine and what a mess!! We met back up with the kids at our condo and sent the Whitehead kids back to their unit. We hit the beds around 10:30.

769miles

Drake brought his Chemistry book to get extra credit...so we made a quick stop at the state line to capture the effort.

We have arrived. Jeff, our hero, drove the whole way and we arrived safe and sound. We made one quick stop for gas and lunch at Subway in Idaho Springs. We arrived around 3:00 and checked into Storm Meadows Club B Condominium, Unit 410.

Our unit is amazing with a huge granite counter about eight feet long and a wonderful kitchen. It has every pot, pan, cooking gadget and baking ware that anyone could ask for in a kitchen. The boys have a room with two twin beds that open up from the living room. The master bedroom has two queen beds and we have a pullout queen in the living room.
We have picked up our skis and made a quick trip to the grocery store. We have enough food to last at least two weeks and the Whiteheads have invited us over to dinner tonight. No dieting this week!!!!!

Oh vacations!!!!!

Again, we are on our way...

after rousing the boys to finally get up (Drake wanted to be on the road at 5:00 am, right) we hit the road at 8:00 a.m. We all had breakfast and enjoyed except Jeff with his not so good eggs. Jeff and Drake got gas for $1.99 a gallon while waiting for Logan and Janie. It is a beautiful sunny day and 20 degrees.

We are on our way.....

packed, excited and our first stop after heading west was Blockbuster.....yes, we must have 9 movies to watch. We hit the interstate around 5:30, stopped in Junction City at Taco Bell for a yummy fast food stop and arrived in Hays at 9:45. Boys were wound up as usual and we finally went to bed at 11:30.