March 1 - 31, 2003

Saturday, March 1, 2003                                                                Breckenridge, CO

The final snowfall measurements for February totaled over five feet in Breckenridge. 

Sunday, March 2 – Tuesday, March 11, 2003                            Breckenridge, CO

The weather turned warm and the snow conditions began to deteriorate, and at the same time the mountains began to receive the annual influx of Spring Break skiers.  We adjusted our spoiled expectations to the diminished ski standards now present, but still managed to enjoy ourselves.

Wednesday, March 12 – Thursday, March 13, 2003                Denver, CO

We got an early start and drove into Denver so that Christine could attend a conference on Distance Learning.  We enjoyed meeting a friend for dinner Wednesday.  Chris was in Denver on business from Indiana.  We met him at the Wynkoop Brewery for a fine meal of elk medallions and handcrafted cask conditioned beer.

Christine kept busy with her conference until Friday afternoon while I knocked out a few errands.

Friday, March 14 – Sunday, March 16, 2003                            Breckenridge, CO

We returned to the mountains and enjoyed a quiet weekend.

By Christine: I really enjoyed the past few days.  I was exhausted by Friday from always being "on" and trying to make as many contacts as possible, but it was fun to be around people all working in distance learning.  I really learned a lot from the conference.  Another item of note was that it was in the 70's every day we were in Denver.  A nice few days of warm weather before we head back into the snow.

These are all views in different directions of the Dillon reservoir.  This reservoir is very low right now but I still provides some nice views.

Monday, March 17, 2003                                                                Breckenridge, CO

I ticked off my 40^th day of skiing this season.  All the news is about a massive spring storm moving up from the gulf.  Denver is bracing for several feet of snow, but the mountains are welcoming the onslaught.

Tuesday, March 18, 2003                                                                Breckenridge, CO

I arose early anxious to ski freshies.  Breckenridge registered about a foot of fresh snow overnight.  I was out the door at 7:30 and in the lift line with 200 other eager powder skiers at 8:15.  Most of the people in line with me were locals that are always ready to break their routine in order to ski fresh powder.  It was amusing to watch the mob rush the chairlift at 8:30.  The workers that scan lift passes didn’t even try to stop the mob.  Everyone got on the lift without having to show a pass.  Apparently this is normal behavior on big snow days.

I was one of the first 40 people on top of Peak 10 and got to ski a few heavenly unmarked runs.  Untouched powder is a treat that is hard to describe, but the appreciation can be habit-forming.

Wednesday, March 19, 2003                                                    Breckenridge, CO

I awoke to another fresh foot of overnight snowfall.  I left at 7:30 again and enjoyed a repeat of yesterday.  Today I was one of the first 20 people on the top of Peak 10.

Thursday, March 20, 2003                                                                Breckenridge, CO

I decided to give my legs a rest today.  Christine and I took the bus into town to walk around and do some shopping.  I-70 was still closed today to and from Denver, and the alternate route on US 285 was also closed.  Several avalanches had caused these road closures.  This stranded a lot of Spring-Breakers and travelers that needed to get back to Denver to catch flights.  Denver Airport however, has been closed since Tuesday.  We felt very lucky that we had no reason to go anywhere.  We are content to stay right here and enjoy the snow.

Friday, March 21, 2003                                                                      Breckenridge, CO

We awoke to nearly another foot of fresh snow.  Christine and I went out together and enjoyed the quiet mountain.  I-70 reopened giving anxious travelers a chance to get out of the mountains.  The ski area was nearly empty today since most of the locals had used up their off days on Tuesday and Wednesday, and all the visitors seemed to be fleeing the area.  But none of the skiers trying to get to the mountains have been able to get here yet.  We really enjoyed the light skier presence on the runs today.

Saturday, March 22 – Sunday, March 23, 2003                            Breckenridge, CO

We spent another quiet weekend doing our normal shopping and such.  We enjoyed dinner over at the new house of our RV neighbor, George on Saturday.  He bought a permanent residence in nearby Silverthorne and invited us over for dinner.  He’s offered to help Christine get access to some of his contacts with regards to her job search.

Monday, March 24, 2003                                                                Breckenridge, CO

We left early and drove into Denver for a career fair there.  It was a brief stay, but we were glad to head back to Breckenridge early with heavy snow again falling in Denver.

By Christine: On our way to Denver and back we were able to view the humbling wreckage from the avalanches and the big storm.  It is quite amazing how wide the strip of torn trees and bushes was and how much debris came down and covered the highway.

Tuesday, March 25 – Thursday, March 27, 2003                            Breckenridge, CO

 I skied each day and took a lesson on Wednesday.  We had several more powder days.  This spring snowfall has been called “epic.”  We had a nice potluck dinner Wednesday at the RV resort.  Christine and I skied Thursday with Brad, one of our neighbors—actually close to us in age.

Friday, March 28, 2003                                                                      Breckenridge, CO

I skied at Breckenridge today and took my final lesson of the season.  Christine joined Curt and Brad for a day of skiing at Keystone.  We regrouped this evening with Brad’s friend, Abby, visiting from San Diego.  We drove into Dillon and ate at Pug Ryan’s Brewery.  The Rocky Mountain Trout Almondine that I had enjoyed so many times last year was a disappointment tonight.  The trout was served swimming in butter last year, but this year’s presentation was dry.

After dinner we walked over to a nearby pool hall and played several games of team pool.  Everyone played good pool, Christine and I were the weaker players.  It was a fun evening out with our new friends.

It was a beautiful morning and I wanted to take some pictures to show you how much snow we still had and the beautiful views we have.

Saturday, March 29, 2003                                                                Breckenridge, CO

Christine and I ran through our normal routine of shopping today.

Sunday, March 30, 2003                                                                Breckenridge, CO

Christine dressed up and went with Curt, Brad and Abby to ski Breck today.  I stayed behind and spent the day attacking my taxes.  I finally got it all completed.  I joined the four of them for dinner at a pizza joint in Breckenridge.

Monday, March 31, 2003                                                                Breckenridge, CO

Christine and I joined Curt, Brad and Abby for a day of skiing at Breck.  Abby returns to San Diego tomorrow, so this is her last day to play on the mountain.  We all had some fun on a fairly nice day.  We got some down time in before regrouping to have dinner at George’s house.

George grilled up some steak and the six of us enjoyed a lovely evening.  Christine served up freshly baked brownies a la mode for dessert.  It had been a very nice day.

What a day, this was probably our first and only day of spring skiing.  1) Brad in the bumps.  2) Christine skiing and if you look closely that is Abby boarding behind me.

Continue with April 1, 2003...