Red Rocks

Red Rocks

Monday, March 12, 2007

Vacation. At least that's what I'll tell the people at work.

But the truth is, taking three boys to the slopes is very hard work, (not to mention not cheap), and the weather has actually been too nice. We boarded at Bridger Bowl on Friday and it was a tad slushy by midafternoon. The green runs worked pretty well for the little guys, and the big dog and I rode to the top and came down some (truly) double black diamond moguls, albeit some parts of it on my ass. We ran into some people we know from Home (600 miles but you stand in line with your old neighbors) and had a pretty good day.

Saturday was even warmer so we skipped the slopes and drove through Paradise Valley in search of a Jimmy Buffett quality cheeseburger, and ended up going into Yellowstone for a few hours. The highlight, not counting Will's Gastrointestinal problems, was a stop at the Boiling River. The Mom and a couple of boys hiked to a site where a hot spring dumps into the Gardiner River, and there enjoyed an hour of swim/splashing in the river on March 10th. We're talking The Montana/Wyoming border at 6000 ft. on March 10th. Bragging rights guaranteed.

Needless to say, the wildlife was plentiful- Elk and Bison by the herd, some Pronghorn, and a fair number of Mule deer along the way. We found some great places we'd like to camp in the summer, and on the way back to Livingston (Saturday Night) we stopped at the Chico Hot Springs for a nice long hot soak in the mineral waters and a "beverage" or two.

Sunday- no real choice but to drive the hour to Big Sky. The higher elevation and cooler temps made for much better quality snow conditions. The little guys rode the gondola and boarded down a long green run (Mr. K?) for those who've been there. I'm pretty sure they made 5-6 runs, including two trips in the afternoon by themselves. BIG HEADS. Meanwhile, the big dog takes yours truly as high as you can go short of the tram to the summit, and I board down another double black diamond set'o'moguls (yes, some parts on my ass) and then all the way to the bottom of the hill. Burn, baby, burn.

When I ran out to get some fast food, Luke came with me and announced "This has been a really great vacation, but there's one thing I don't like about Livingston. They have too many of those old cowboy buildings."

Which pretty much sums it up.

Long drive home tomorrow, then work Tuesday. When's my next day off???