City to Mountain Update

My time in the city was busy and productive.

I spent time with Grandchildren.

I took long walks in the sunshine.

I had an appointment with DR Hottie for my annual Cardiac Stress Test (this is my second one since the heart attack in January 2010). 

Joking with me, he instructed the physiologist monitoring the treadmill, "Show her no mercy because she argues with me." Of course, I never argue. I just discuss (and perhaps sometimes debate). He also told me that the treadmill always wins. This is probably true because the nature of the test is that your heart rate is taken to a stress level of at least 85% of maximum which for me is around 138 beats per minute. Both the grade and the speed of the treadmill are adjusted periodically (while blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen level are monitored) until you reach the stress level which you then hold until DR Hottie says you've done enough. When he said I could quit, I didn't beg him to run another few minutes! 

However, I passed with excellent results. He tells me I have better endurance and stamina than some of the NFL players he tests. When I rolled my eyes at this, he said that though they're tremendous athletes and big, muscular guys, they sometimes have problems on the treadmill stress test. I left the cardiologist's office feeling very pleased with myself. Of course, since my visit with DR Hottie, I've been telling everyone in my family, all my friends, and now you that my heart is so strong I could play in the NFL.

Last but not least, I got back to the mountains just in time for two days of snow.
I've been skiing fresh powder.

I have a big smile on my face.
I hope this week is going well for you, too. 

Finding My Focus

I came to Denver yesterday for a DR appointment
I heard the wind rattling the windowpanes in the night.

When I woke this morning, a wet snow clung like foam to all surfaces.

My only sojourn outside was to shovel the front walk.

I was disappointed that the city streets and sidewalks were so sloppy. I'm having my stress test with the Cardiologist on Monday. I hoped to run today to practice for my time on the treadmill.

The house is silent when I'm alone. Sometimes, I comment on something I've read and realize my husband isn't here to answer. We don't have TV in the city, so there's no background babble. I like interludes of solitude and quiet. 

This is an old chest I have sitting right inside the front door.

I practiced focusing on different aspects of it.

It's dilapidated.

Paint is chipped.

Drawer pulls are loose.

Nothing fits together as it should.

I love its look. It has character.

In late afternoon, I lit the candles and tried focus again. 

It's harder than I imagined to focus on a flickering candle flame.

 (Much easier to make the fruit the focus.) 

I ate dinner alone by candlelight.
Now, I'm going to read until bedtime. Maybe I'll stay up late into the night. (Or more likely, I'll be asleep by 10!)
Tomorrow is a new day, perhaps calling for a different focus. 

My World of Friends

On a cold, windy morning, four intrepid women bundled into layers. 

We strapped on snowshoes to explore the wilderness behind my house.

Helen, Joan, and Julie

My good friend Helen is often my companion on the trails.

Joan and Julie, visiting Summit County, CO, from the Upper Peninsula of MI, joined us.

Our mutual friend, Mary, grew up in the UP. She first introduced us to Julie and Joan several years ago.

Julie with her Mom, Joan

Joan is 81 years young. 

Joan, Julie, Helen

She broke trail for us on the way home!

Back at the house, we called Mary (who is in NZ for 4 months) on FaceTime.
We chatted and laughed on separate continents while I made lunch.

The world seems smaller than when I was young!
I'm grateful for good friends and for the technology that keeps us in touch.
Friends are an important part of my world.

Please pay a visit to:

Our World Tuesday

PS I want to be just as strong and positive as Joan when I "grow up!"

Hiking Boreas Pass in Winter - Skywatch

Each dawn brings new adventures.

On a cold day midweek, I hiked the trail on Boreas Pass, a former railroad bed.
Normally, the trail is covered in deep snow in winter and is accessible only by snowshoes or touring skis.
However, because of our low snow accumulation, I could walk the packed trail in running shoes.

As the landscape opens, there are expansive views of western mountains.

Peaks 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the Breckenridge Ski Area are a part of the Tenmile Range.
The ski area is busy with tourists because of the upcoming Presidents' Weekend.
Also, many European families are visiting this week.



The Tenmile Range links with the Mosquito Range.
My house is located above 10,000' just off Peak 10, in about the middle of this photo.

Goose Pasture Tarn, a small lake created by a dam, is iced and covered with snow.
The Mosquito Range, continuing to the south, has several peaks over 14,000'.

Rugged cliffs rise to meet the blue sky with neon green and orange algae coloring the rocks.

Alone on the trail, I watch storm clouds gather and hope for snow.
I feel lucky to have such an expansive wilderness as my own personal playground.
Skywatch Friday

Reasons to Celebrate!

We spent the last week celebrating!

We went down the mountain to attend Jack's First Grade Program about America.
As you can see, he was a STAR!

We learned that Amanda (3rd Grade) won first place
for her Botany Science Fair Project.
She'll go on to compete at the next level.

Amanda, Neve, Hyun-Jung, Caden, Gregg, Bob, Jim, & Jack skiing at Breckenridge

Eleven of us gathered at the Breckenridge house over the weekend for Ben & Amanda's 9th Birthday.

Handsome Ben was our very first Grandchild, born 1 minute before his sister.
Like his Pop Pop & Daddy, he's an avid biker.
He' s working toward his black belt in Tai Kwon Do.

Sweet Amanda loves to read and learn.
She's ripping down the steeps and through the moguls on her skis.
Horseback riding is her passion.

Barb with Jim, Jack, Ben, & Amanda last May on Mother's Day

Unfortunately, Ben came down with the flu and by Saturday afternoon, his family had to leave for home to get him lower in altitude. (Today, Amanda woke up sick, too. Twins share everything!) We're definitely not celebrating getting sick! In fact, Grammy & Pop Pop have been disinfecting the house and taking extra vitamins, hoping to avert catching the flu bug.

Happy 9th Birthday, Ben & Amanda!
Your Family loves you!

PS It's snowing today in Breckenridge - another reason to celebrate!

Where Is the SNOW?

The sun is shining. Trees put their (snowless) heads together in the lemony light and wonder if someone got the months mixed up. Last week's storm hit the Front Range and Denver with feet of snow, while Breckenridge got an inch.

Beaver Run Lift, Peak 9, Breckenridge Ski Area

The ski area can't make any more snow. The water contract with  the Forest Service ended in January. The cats still groom the lower-mountain trails, hoping to retain the snow we have. But, on steeper and more difficult terrain, the skiing is sketchy. It's necessary to watch constantly for rocks and other obstacles. Skier numbers are down 43%.

Rabbit tracks (possibly a  relative of Lucinda)

I can still exercise on the packed trails behind my house in running shoes. I read the signs in the snow to see which animals are most active. Coyote females in estrus are leaving bloody calling cards. Moose and deer easily navigate through the lower snowpack to paw for grasses. Rabbits and squirrels scamper around rather than hunkering in their burrows. Typically, our mountain temperatures warm slightly through February/March, so even if we get big spring snowstorms, they melt more quickly. A dry winter means more danger from summer forest fires.

I'm finding aspen leaves in the snow. Perhaps they've been stuck on the trees until recent wind storms knocked them down. Fallen leaves in February make it seem like the  seasons are playing a trick.

However, it's still winter, and I'm not giving up hope for a major snowfall.

I'm exhausting myself doing the Snow Dance!