Ah, A Moving Ski Vacation.

And so I have returned from, quite possibly, the best trip to Colorado yet.

Thursday: It began in earnest with the loading of a 26 foot Penske truck. Those that came to assist in the packing of boxes of every size, too many chairs, rugs (how many rugs again?), and even a BBQ grill. Friday afternoon, we continued. I cannot believe we fit everything. The garage was still full of furniture when we were almost full. I was amazed that we fit what we fit in that truck.

After packing for a day and a half, we drove north Friday night to Dad's. Driving the big yellow truck was easier than I thought it would be. It was, actually, fun. Even towing a car behind on a carrier and being as big as it was; fun. Cruise control worked great; for Sister, however, making it work didn't happen until Kansas.

Saturday: Dad's house came with more packing. The highly synchronized dance of a 26 foot truck with car carrier, car, truck, car, and 20' trailer was a sight to see. I'm sure the neighbors were staring. Moving the trailer into the garage because of the rain really worked well. Packing 1.5 pickup truck loads into that truck afer it was already stacked full was another feat. Only about a truckload this July follows them from Texas.

Sunday: The rest of the 1,200 mile trek was mostly uneventful less the backing and scraping of the car trailer at Grandma's House; the weighing of the truck and car carrier in Wichita (yes, the $8 was well worth it); and following the truck thru Denver traffic. Successful we were after 20 hours of drivetime. Arrival at Public Storage on Sims Road Monday afternoon was a relief in itself.

Tuesday: Unload of a 26'x7.5'x7.5' truck only takes 5 hours if you try to fit into a 10'x20'x8' storage unit and and extra truck with a camper shell. 4 peeps working with a short lunch break makes 5 hours possible.

Wednesday: Fun begins! Can't go to Colorado without skiing for 6 days continuously, can we? I think not.

Ski Day 1 (Wed): Breckenridge. First lift ride I met Larry who has a 3/2/2/ house for buy or rent. Oops. Half a mil to buy, $2000 to rent a bit steep. Pretty though. Ok skiing; need some more snow.

Ski Day 2 (Thurs): Copper Mountain. Today, I met my friend Steve and his son Chris. I learned lots from Steve; he gave me the confidence to 'get out of back seat' and ski more comfortably. I increased my ability for bumps in the areas of quanitity and speed without a break. Thanks Steve.

Ski Day 3 (Fri): Copper again. Not as fun as yesterday with Steve and Chris, but meeting people on the lifts are always a blast. However, this day started with a Longhorn fan in the parking lot. We chatted for a bit; then he kept chatting. Evidently I should have hopped back in the car and drove to Wolf Creek immediately because he was a meterologist and his job was to predict snow and Wolf Creek was gonna get it today. Ended up riding the bus with him, too. Shut up Longhorn fan and go to Wolf Creek yourself.

Ski Day 4 (Sat): Winter Park. Met my friends Judine and Jim EARLY. It was ok, though; Jim brought homemade breakfast tacos. And led us down the best runs on Mary Jane. We skied in Powder all day long. Even more confidence today in powdered bumps. An Excllent day. Jim and Judine- Thanks for allowing me to tag along. Maybe the best day skiing for me ever.

Ski Day 5 (Sun): Drove to Steamboat from Winter park last night. In search of the same conditions as Saturday; powder in between trees, few tracks, few skiers. Success! Morningside fits my specs today. Quite similar to the condions we were sking Saturday.

Ski Day 6 (Mon): Steamboat brought me the best 5" or so in recent memory. And I returned to Morningside to blaze new trails all morning. In the afternoon, Ms. Ski Patrol told me, "Have you tried East Face? It's a bit of a hike in places, but should be some nice powder back there." Well, it was very nice, and almost a foot of powder when I came out of the trees and found the 'flat.' I must still have purpose on this earth, because God sure missed a good cardiovascular emergency opportunity to take me. Must have been a 500 foot flat spot in a foot of powder. I survived the flat to later in the day do a face-first slide for about a hundred feet right below the lift. I got a sitting ovation from the lift-riders, as I gave a good show. At least it was soft.

Tuesday I left Sister, returned to Texas, and it was hard. Maybe because I felt I was leaving her there; maybe because I don't know when I will see her or the kiddos again. It has been nice having them close. Or, maybe it is that I really do hope that plans are made to visit Texas again before it's too late.

All in all, a great trip. Friends, family, and memorable experiences all around with both.