One night in Bangkok - take 1.

Well after 30+ hours of travel, heading through Seattle, then jumping the pond to Tokyo, we arrived in Bangkok around midnight and crashed in the airport hotel for a night. 

Now, we sit in the airport, awaiting our Sri  Lanka Airlines flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, we arrive too late to get the only train into the hill country (10 hour trip) so instead we will grab a taxi for a nice, "short" 6 hour ride to Ella. The driving in Sri Lanka is notoriously chaotic and with hilly, curvy roads for SIX HOURS, I'm sure to be a nauseous mess by the time we get to our small homestay in the hills.  But all in the name of travel, right?

The most interesting thing we found so far is this orange-pineapple-banana soft drink in Bangkok. I'm not sure where the toxic waste green color comes from (certainly not from oranges, pineapples or bananas), but they've coordinated their soda can nicely with the contents. 

I take that back. The most interesting thing we've seen was the all glass shower stall toilet booth in the hotel room. But Tom wouldn't let me take a picture of him in there, I can't imagine why. But, in all honesty, you should thank him for that. 

-----

I am actually amending this log entry. I take it back, THE most interesting thing we've seen so far has just been upgraded to this. A woman with a stuffed cat ON HER HEAD. No additional words needed. 

Minnie, warm weather and TRAVEL!

Well, not much to report on this end lately. We've been enjoying some awesomely warm weather in Colorado. This has not boded well for skiing, but very well for running. So that's what I've been doing!  

In sad news, we had to say goodbye to one of our chickens, Minnie. She fought long and hard but her crop/GI issues got her in the end. Minnie, you were a good chicken, and flock leader, I'm not exactly sure what'll happen with the flock politics now that they are leaderless. 

All four, Minnie in back.

Minnie and I.

In other news, we are leaving for a nice long vacation soon - check back for stories of Sri Lanka with some Bangkok mixed in!  WE CANNOT WAIT, I'm happiest when we are either off in some far flung land, or getting ready to be.  So, I'm happy. :)

Same ol' same ol'

Well, it seems I keep posting snow photos...but it's been a great season so far in Colorado!  And, well, we love the snow. Back in Cincinnati, most people viewed it as a nuisance, something to tolerate until spring rolls around. I've always loved it and now that we live in a state that celebrates it, I couldn't be happier!  So...snow photos...

 

Tom and I headed for Steamboat Springs this past weekend and they got lots of powder while we were there, which was fantastic!  We arrived Friday night and five inches of their famous champagne powder fell that night. We had a most excellent dinner at Bistro CV, I personally think they should be in the top 5 restaurants on TripAdvisor, but they come in at 15/144 currently. With two sommeliers on staff, it was elegant without being pretentious, the dishes had complex flavors, well thought out, but simply done. Perfect. 

The next day was warm and humid, an oddity for the Colorado mountains. About midday the clouds rolled in and visibility at the top deteriorated quickly, but that didn't stop us from taking some fun tree runs:

I spotted this sign near a lift and thought it was original, and very true. 

Now, the next night the big storm hit and dumped about a foot on the town and ski area. We had a wonderful dinner at an Italian restaurant: Mazzolas right on Lincoln in downtown Steamboat. Yummy!

Sunday brought amazing conditions and tons more powder. We played in and out of trees for a few hours until we had to go check out. :(

View from the top of the Pony Expess lift. This area has tons of black diamond runs with trees, moguls and just tons of fun, especially on a powder day. 

 Just outside of the ski area boundary, Tom taking a break in the aspens. 

Two weeks of winter...

Just some highlights from the past couple of weeks...

 

We headed to Ohio to help at my parents house, cleaning and general maintenance. Tom was set loose on the roof/gutters/trees. He had fun. 

We caught the first chair at the base of Mary Jane - we've NEVER done that in all of our years skiing, it was...anticlimactic.  But fresh tracks are always nice.

We also caught the sun coming over Vasquez Ridge:

 

 

Spent a day in the trees (honing my skills for backcountry skiing to begin later this winter!):

 

Minnie.  Oh, Minnie.  She isn’t long for this earth – she’s been battling crop issues for some time now and the vet said it likely won’t be long.  She is my only “Easter Egger” and current flock leader, I’m not sure what the others will do without her…I guess elect a new leader.  But, we’re trying some meds as a last ditch effort, but her prognosis isn’t good.  She’s a good chicken.  During a visit to the vet. 

 

In other news, we’re headed to Steamboat (aka “the boat”) this weekend for some downhill fun with friends.  It is supposed to DUMP while we are there, hopefully they don't closer Rabbit Ears pass on Sunday or we'll be stuck (oh darn).  Ellie is coming along for the ride! 

 

 

Everyday things...

Our winter has been sailing right along as expected - ski, hike, run, hang out with pets, work, repeat. 

We did decide to mix it up and try a smaller ski area that's covered by our pass this year - Eldora. It's a tiny, laid back place just east of Boulder. We weren't impressed. Crowded, less than mediocre snow and really slow lifts. There's definitely more "charm" at the smaller resorts/areas, but we learned to ski at places like these back in the Midwest and, well, we were underwhelmed. So, back to our current favorite ski area, Winter Park. We managed to avoid the crowds by keeping mostly to Vasquez Ridge and the trees in the Parsenn Bowl. 

I accidentally deleted the tree skiing photos from today. Boo...  But here are some random ones from the past couple of weeks. 

Pictures from a hike with Ellie:

Fritz just before he fake-charged Dottie and Dolly in the yard. They weren't impressed. 

And in very exciting other news, we are all booked for our 10th anniversary trip to Sri Lanka!  18 days of exploring this large island country just off the coast of India (with two nights in Bangkok, Thailand as a stopover).  Hiking, temple exploring, windsurfing and beach time await us in SL, along with lots of curry and other awesome food. We. Can't. Wait. 

Snow, Holidays and Pets

Well, the holidays are (almost) over.  Soon, I’ll have my husband back (he’s in sales and works his b*tt off this time of year).  I don’t know how he does it.  Even with him working, we’ve managed to have a bit of fun – we went skiing on Christmas Day at our favorite place – Winter Park/Mary Jane - it was gorgeous up in the Parsenn bowl (and on the way down through the trees and powder):

Tom at the top

On “Forever Eva”, my favorite run – nothing but powder, great for a leg workout!

 

In other news, our annual Christmas Bash was excellent and a lot of fun.  This year, thanks to a good snowfall before the party, Tom got creative and decided to make what he called “Frosty’s Wake”.  Nice.

 

Some other random pet photos…

This is how Ellie Mae asks for a walk:

 

This is what happens after all her babies get a bath in the washer – dry time!  She carries them around constantly, which is very cute, but it makes for dirty babies.  :)

 

Fritz prefers fresh snow to a warm bed – ON ANY DAY.  Weird cat.

Winter is here.

It's been all about snow here in Colorado lately, and that's A-OK with us. lots of snowy walks, ski days and general snow fun. With summer arriving a bit later than normal this year, I wasn't quite ready for the snow to fly. Or at least I didn't think I was. But it seems I just love hiking, skiing, yes driving and just all sorts of playing in the snow. Welcome winter, I'm looking forward to the next few cold, snowy months!!

One of many snowy walks

Dalłas and Tom on the slow lift up the backside of Mary Jane

More beauty from the top