No broken bones but one big smile!

Colorado was a FANTASTIC vacation! I must admit, I was a tad bit nervous, and very grouchy at first, but I got the hang of it! Our vacation began Friday 2/6 when we left College Station about 9:45pm - We had Diane, Craig, Lauren and Anthony in one vehicle then me, Bret and John Brown in our car. We headed to Ft. Worth (I slept while they drove) to get Morgan and then we were off to Springtown to switch cars and to pick up Mallory and Rusty. So total, we had 10 people piled into two vehicles. We left Springtown the first time about 2:00am, then we realized John Brown forgot his wallet in our car so we turned around, went back, and left Springtown for the second time about 2:30am. We were on our way to Pagosa Springs! At about 4:30am, out side of Wichita Falls, the front left tire on the suburban we were driving blew out. Talk about a wake up call! It was so loud. Luckily A) Bret was driving and handled the whole situation like a pro and B) we had several strapping men to change the tire while all the girls hung out in Diane and Craig's truck taking pictures, eating cookies and laughing at Morgan (who got attacked by a piece of the tire - it latched on to her pants, refused to let go and ended up ripping a hole in them - Sounds awful but it was down right HILARIOUS. She thought it was a giant animal!)

First picture of the trip with Morgan and I at a good 2:00am!

Tire blow out!

Safety first when it comes to my man! Check out that orange triangle!

Once the tire was fixed we were back on the road again!! We stopped in Amarillo at Whataburger for breakfast, again in Santa Fe, NM at Burger King for lunch and then about 3:00pm we arrived in Pagosa Springs! It was so nice to finally be there. I do not do well with car rides so I was glad to stretch my legs and see some snow!!

The beauty of NM - LARGE DIET COKES!

Mallory and Rusty and how they stayed the entire trip!

The view driving into Pagosa Springs - Beautiful!

Standing out on the lake in front of the house when we first got to the Cabin!

Our first day at Wolf Creek was Sunday - I was not at all prepared. For the cold, yes, for the skiing part, no. Within the first 5 minutes of having my skis on, I skied under a orange mesh fence because I didn't know how to stop... Strike One. Then, I was put on a ski lift and taken up the mountain. The whole way up the ski lift I was crying like a little girl and having a panic attack... Strike Two. Then, once at the top of the lift, I refused to go down. I had NO idea how to ski, stop, turn, ANYTHING. It turned into a very large crying, screaming, panicking fit that resulted in me taking off my skis and walking, yes walking, down the mountain... Strike Three, I was out of there! Note to anyone going to ski for the first time: Do NOT let someone convince you that going up to a green and just doing it is the best way to learn. IT. IS. NOT.

Heading up to Wolf Creek for the first day of sking (aka Kate's death)

Bret and I decked out in the ski shop and ready to go!

After this panic attack of all proportions, it was lunch time! Wolf Creek has a lodge that we used to get food and to relax some. Then I realized A) they have a bar where I quickly got some Spiced Hot Wine from to calm my nerves and B) there is a BUNNY SLOPE! That bunny slope was my saving grace for skiing - up to this point I had already screamed "I hate skiing" about 20 times (my poor husband...).

Lunch time outside the lodge on the picnic table

Shortly after these pictures, the snow began and did not stop!

Time for Spiced Wine and Spiked Hot Chocolate!

After lunch, Diane and I went over to the bunny slope to help me practice - Thank goodness for Diane! I did a little better on the mountain. The one time going down a few interesting things happened. A) the photographer on the slope obviously thought we were lesbians because she made us take pictures in interesting poses (back to back, on your stomachs, cheek to cheek...) and B) a ski instructor felt sorry for me and was giving me a short little lesson right there on the spot! This turned out to mine and Diane's advantage because she then took the two of us into the "Wolf Pup" building (for wolf pups 10 and under only) and gave us from hot chocolate and recommended an instructor for private lessons - Yes, I really was that bad.

Diane was still thirsty...

Some serious snow covered hair at the end of the day!

By the time all of this was over and done with it was time to go home, cook Frito pies and relax! So in conclusion, day one sucked for Kate.

Dinner Time!

Day 2 = MUCH BETTER! When we got up to Wolf Creek my private lesson started ASAP with a man named Craig. Diane decided to take the lessons with me too so it was fun having her there with me! It had started snowing Sunday afternoon and had yet to stop so there was a LOT of powder on the mountain Monday making skiing a little more difficult - plus it was still snowing. So, Diane and I head off to the bunny slope yet again. (this was Diane's first time skiing too but she was automatically 10x's better than I was - She was skiing down the bunny slopes with me for support, God bless her) The hardest part about that bunny slope is walking up the hill to get to the lift. It was SO steep, Bret even had a hard time walking up it on Wednesday! Add 12 inches of fresh powder to an already steep hill you can pretty much for-get-it. Luckily, Diane and I made it to the lift and our lessons began. Craig worked wonders on me - I could finally stop (better than before) and I was even learning how to turn! However, there were two things that happened to me during my lessons of note. The first was I couldn't stop at one point and I skied off into about 4 feet deep of fresh powder. Craig had to help me climb out and I lost a ski in the process. The second was, there was this one part on the slope that every time I tried to turn I would whip around and start skiing down the mountain backwards! This resulted in many, many falls and several bruises that I am still recovering from!

The snow we woke up to - Lots!

After our lessons it was again lunch time! I was a fan of lunch time for three reasons 1) I got to see my husband who is a champion skier so he is usually off on the big scary mountains 2) It gives me time to rest and eat some food and 3) the bar. When lunch was over Mallory, Rusty and I went to the bunny slope for a few more times and then we were done! We went back to the lodge to wait on everyone else and I sat there a little more confident. I did not cry a single time on Monday, that right there was a HUGE improvement!

The groups - Day Two


The boys getting ready to head back out into the cold!

Bret, Craig, John Brown

That night, after we had rested some, we all decided to go out. We grabbed some dinner at the Buffalo Inn and then we were off to Bear Creek for some drinks, pool, music and dancing. We had a LOT of fun that night. Morgan, Diane and I put on a show for the people of Pagosa with our routine to Michael Jackson's, "Beat It." Wish everyone could have witnessed the fun!

Fun at Bear Creek!

Tuesday we all decided to rest - It was still snowing in Pagosa and at Wolf Creek and none of us got take that much powder again. So, we spent the morning cooking breakfast, playing guitar hero, coloring in coloring books and putting a puzzle together. It was very relaxing and nice. About noon, Diane, me, Mallory and Rusty decided to go into town to take pictures and do tourist things. We took pictures of the springs and shopped around in the little stores. That night the boys cooked hot dogs and hamburgers and we all enjoyed how much rest we got!

The joys of having nothing to do!

Diane and I at the Hot Springs in Pagosa

Wednesday was day three on the mountain for us and I rocked it out! When we got there Diane, Bret and I went over to the bunny slope. Bret wanted to see how much I had improved! We went down one side first then I got brave and went down the more steep side of the bunny slope. I did well, didn't fall so I decided it was time to face my fears and head to the grown up mountain. So, the three of us went over to the original lift I went down on Sunday, I rode it up (no tears this time) got off the lift and immediately started following Diane down the hill. I DID IT! I made it all the way down without falling once! After doing that another time, Bret and Diane took me to the VERY tip top of the mountain and I went down again with no problems! I have never been so proud of myself in my entire life!

Good day and Snow!

Getting ready for Round 3!

Then, it was lunch time again - love it! After lunch Diane and I met up with the boys for a few more runs and then I was done for the day. My thighs were killing me, my knees throbbing from an injury on day one and I felt that I had done well enough to last me the rest of the day. It really was fantastic!

John Brown and Morgan

That night our group to a Mexican restaurant called Kipp's Cantina for dinner. This place was the size of a small room and it was very much for locals. It was a lot of fun but I must say, there are some very rude people in Colorado. I think the motto of our trip was "we're not in Texas anymore." But, despite some of the unfriendly people around, we enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. Afterwards we headed over to Pagosa "P" Bar for a while then headed on home. I think we were all pretty exhausted from the day.

The girls at the Cantina!


My love and I getting ready for some Cantina Tacos!

On Thursday everyone went skiing again but Diane and I took a break and headed to Durango for the day for some shopping. We had a really fun time - I got a new purse which I love and then we found these two books stores that I could have spent 1000 hours in, literally. There were SO MANY ROOMS and SO MANY BOOKS. It was all so beautiful. I bought several old books from the 1800's, bought an old copy of Wizard of Oz and a Christmas Carol book. I am in love with all of them!

The most beautiful book store in Durang0 - Or EVER for that matter!



Looking through one of the many rooms - Love at first sight!

That night we all cooked spaghetti together and started packing up to head back to the great state of Texas. We ended up leaving a day earlier than planned because it worked out better for several people.

So, bright and early Friday morning, we loaded up the cars and left Colorado. We stopped in Santa Rosa, NM on the famous Route 66 for lunch and then headed on the Springtown to drop off Mallory and Rusty and to get our car back - Then off to College Station. I believe we rolled in about 2:30am on Valentines morning! All-in-all it was a WONDERFUL trip and I cannot wait until the next time when we get to do it all over again!

Getting some food before crossing into Texas!

We made it home!