KTEX2011 Coda

Waking up this morning at Steve's condo; I reflect back on the trip and look forward to getting home tonight with minimal drama. It was great to be together with friends. You can't control the weather; but you can adapt to it. There is something a lot like water-skiing in the calm solitude of riding the lift alone; and then having essentially the mountain to yourself to challenge your ability. The new G3 Mass Transits are the shit (thank you Peter and JoAnn!); but they really scream for deeper powder than we had most of the week. ... Had an indulgent dinner last night with Cyndi and Steve at Allreds, will get Steve's "limo" to KTEX/DEN/BOS/Home !

The Crowds of Telluride

KTEX2011 Part7

After eight days on the mountain, I've run out of superlatives.

KTEX2011 Part6

Tuesday was the "day of (lift) nine", tape to tape, and not a muscle in my body not blissfully sore. Dinner at 221 with Kurt, Steve, and Cyndi. After coffee from smiling Sara at the `Bean, time to do it again. ... Wednesday evening, exhausted! Dinner at Llama-Pescado. ... Thursday morning arrives, the sun is out and Sara is still smiling.

Soft top of Nine

Sara and Shep

KTEX2011 Part5

We had a wonderful breakfast at the New Sheridan. After Air Blue left, things settled in and we went back to basics. I spent the day entirely on 9, doing my "physical therapy".  I skied alone, Juliana singing in my headphones, "there's no ever after, there's only in between." Somehow that made my full-seeming life seem fuller; and each turn even more wonderfully in-the-now.

Aprés Ski Health Drink at X Cafe

KTEX2011 Part4

Today was exciting. Up early for first tracks down 9, then over to Revelation Bowl, lunch at Alpino Vino with Blue and Louise, then out in search of more powder. While skiing down a nice run called "Confidence" I managed to tweak my bipartite patella; kind of ironic, you know, the confidence bit. Skied back to the gondola almost entirely on my left ski; which was actually a fun drill, if it was not of necessity. No big drama; and it hasn't swollen much more than it often does with summertime double water-ski sets. Lesson learned: "Whining Causes Avalanches!" Dinner tonight upstairs at La Marmotte will work just fine as as a situation-appropriate analgesic.

Long Line at Lift 8

Roughing it in Telluride

Alpino Vino Hostess

KTEX2011 Part3

The snow came with the dawn on Saturday. Not a blizzard, but what would be four or five inches on the mountain before the day was through. Dinner at Excelsior, a loud group we were, then early to bed in anticipation of the Sunday morning freshies'.

Saturday Morning

Saturday Day

KTEX2011 Beyond the Skiing

Chris would often remind me that the Aprés-skiing is just as important as the skiing. He was right.

Tamara and Cindy

Clara and Chrissie

Josh and Shep

Moon over West Columbia Ave.

KTEX2011 Part2

Day two featured Josh coming up with a great many euphemisms for the hard pack conditions. "I can see that this mountain has lots of great terrain", he said. On more than one occasion we would look over a snowpack and exclaim "I can't believe it's not powder!" Hongas tonight for dinner. Snow looking imminent.

Part of the Tribe on 5 at the top of Henry's

KTEX2011 Part1

Arrival was a bit of a drama; but it all worked out fine. BOS/DEN no problem; but Great Lakes Air made what must have been a business decision to fly us to Cortez instead. Bags lost. Happy accident of going to Cortez was the deluxe ride to Telluride from this cool kid from Alaska, while chatting up a storm with KOTO DJ Amy. Got to Chez Cyndi's, then slowly made rendezvous with Steve, Cyndi, Josh, Cindy, Tamara, and thankfully, my luggage. Dinner at Cosmo. Restless first-night at 8700 feet. Still felt crispy Thursday morning. Breakfast at the Steaming Bean helped terrifically. On the mountain Thursday, the snow was a little firm, not thin; and the wind was howling, but the smiles were ear to ear. Blue, Louise, Clara, and Chrissie arrived KTEX as we landed at Chair X. Dinner at the New Sheridan in the exclusive (and quiet) back room. Now we just need the pow'.

Shep, well bundled up, on Lookout