Hill Seeking

"Life happens on the hills.  They're opportunities to prove to yourself that you're stronger than you ever imagined.  If you never attempt the ascent, you'll never know the thrill of swooshing down the other side." - Self, 12/11

I skied Elk Run on Outback Mountain!  Its the steepest blue hill I've ever skied.  I did it three times.  And I loved it.  In fact, I'd say that today, January 1, 2012, was the best ski day I've ever had.  As my confidence and skill increase, the ability to let loose and really enjoy grows exponentially.

In fact, I enjoyed skiing so much today, that around 2pm or so, I may have uttered the following sentence, "You know, not in the next year or so, but, now that we live here and I'm going to be doing this for more than one week out of every year or so, I can see myself wanting to ski blacks one day."

Don't hold me to it.

But maybe.

Anyway, it was an overall fabulous start to a new year.  Last night, we enjoyed good company and food and wine at the beautiful Vail home of the grandparents of some of Adina and Calebs' friends (all cousins of course) from school.  This morning, everyone slept until 7 - woohoo! - and we geared up for a day on the slopes with blueberry pancakes, granola, fruit and eggs.  The kids got dressed with a minimal amount of pleading, begging and cajoling; we grabbed our skis out of the lockers; and made our way to Mountain House.

After getting the kids settled in ski school (best invention ever), Larry and I boarded the Peru Express.  I then spent the next five hours on Keystone's gorgeous blue runs.  Minus bathroom, snack and lunch breaks of course.  So. much. fun.  Bright blue sky.  Snow capped mountains.  Lakes.  Evergreens.  My husband.  Fresh air.  Exercise.  Sunshine.

A thought or two about my history with skiing as a metaphor for my work.  A couple of auspicious starts.  A long break.  The opportunity to practice and build slowly.

A big glass of red wine.  The kids had a blast.  Adina loves it too.  "No fear," her teacher says.  Time to go home and hit the hot tub.  

Love. It. Here.  

Pasta for dinner.  Baths.  Story-time.  A few tears (Adina) (exhausted) because I won't read a 5th story.  The shema.  Larry on his laptop trying to find tickets to next week's Steelers game in Denver.  Me typing away on mine.    

Time for some Sleepytime vanilla tea with a shot of whiskey.  

Goodnight.  

-E