Utah Ski Trip 2015 - 8th Wedding Anniversary

Feb 06 - Friday - Kids and Mindy off to school as usual. Ran 3 miles. Left house near 4pm to fly out to SLC, Utah. Better process, especially with all of our luggage. Dropped Mindy, kids and luggage at terminal and then went to park car. Met them about 5 minutes later at skycab. Enjoyed lunch/dinner at Donato's in the CMH airport before flight. Met John at Donato's. He was heading to Park City too, and is from Portland, Oregon. Talked lots of skiing. Arrived in Chicago on time ( a little early). Gate for SLC just a few gates down. Arrived in SLC about 20 minutes early after a very bumpy flight. In fact, it was so turbulent that Mindy became ill but didn't throw-up.  Mindy rented a luggage cart which made transport to Thrifty rental van easier than last year. Arrived at PC condo near midnight. David, Anita, Glenn already in bed, though David got up to briefly greet. Enjoyed a beer before heading off to bed - same bedroom as last year.

Feb 07 - Up near 7am. After coffee and a stretch I headed out for a run. Saturday - Skied PC. Anita dropped at Town Lift. Despite a 100% chance of rain and temps in the 40s/50s, it was a bluebird ski day. Not sure how that happens. Warm but comfy upper mountain.

Feb 08 - Sunday - Up near 7am. After coffee and a stretch I headed out for a run. Gone for about 30 minutes. Probably less than three miles but by far a tougher workout than my flat trail at home. Couple the uphill into town with 6000' elevation. I was tuckered to the core. Had to stop a couple of times to catch my breath. Skied PC again. This time dropped at Main plaza. Another warm bluebird day, almost too warm lower mountain. Much better upper. Great time. David skied only till 245pm. Had dinner plans with Anita and PC fiends. Jacob and Bella went back with David. Mindy, Glenn and I skied till days end. Great time. Skied fast and furious! Mindy prepared chicken noodle casserole for dinner.

Feb 09 - Monday - Up near 7am. After coffee and a stretch I headed out for a run. But this wasn't just any run. Nope, this one date marked the 18th anniversary of my running streak. Mindy commemorated the event with a greeting card while I reflected on the event with another run, of course. 6570 days in a row running.

Skied the Canyons. Drove the minivan and parked in lower lot taking the Cabriolet lift from the parking lot up to the main park. Cool! Meanwhile, Glenn was sporting cold symptoms. Stayed back at the condo. Warm but still expecting snow on the mountain. Snow upper, wet snow mid-mountain, sleet/rain on lower mountain. We took the conditions in stride. Upper mountain really fun - snowy. Most of us got wet. David was probably the least prepared attire wise. Soaked through to his base layer. Took two breaks - one at outdoor barbecue (excellent!) and then CloudDine lodge atop Dream Catcher lift. Snowed all day and hard at times. Unfortunately, lower mountain sleet and rain. Thinking it was Monday when Anita headed into SLC to visit the Mormon temple.

Ski apres' - dinner reservations at Silver, an Old Town PC restaurant. Decent food, excellent service. We had a really nice time. Before dinner, Mindy and I frequented Woodbury Jeweler where I bought her snowflake necklace last February. While doing a complimentary cleaning, they noticed that the amethyst was chipped. Replaced it free of charge. Thanks! Looked at the matching ear rings. Very pricey!! Also looked at another diamond snowflake necklace with a moving diamond. Cool! Mindy really liked it. In fact, she said she liked it the best! We also checked out some customer jewelry made from meteorites.

Feb 10 - Tuesday - Up near 7am. After coffee and a stretch I headed out for a run. Return to the Canyons. Weather forecast calling for partly sunny skies. IN reality we got mostly cloudy with much cooler temps. Skiing was awesome! Canyons got the most snow of the all the local parks overnight and were bragging about 5 fresh inches. Upper mountain was incredible and nothing but fresh powder.  The clouds kept the lower mountain a little stiff early on. Did get a little sloppy late in the day, but my Sick Day's were the perfect ski for the snow. Enjoyed it very much. Jacob and I paired off late in the day. He talked me into a couple blacks mogully runs under a lift and in the trees. Oh boy! Kicked my ass. Not only that, but he boarded off in a hurry. I was worn out by the time we hooked up again. Good skiing!!! Everybody enjoyed day two at Canyons. Mindy and i headed to Smith's to pick-up steaks and fixins for her final meal in PC. Bought 6 thick ribeyes. Grilled them at the condo on essentially the same grill as mine rebranded. Made salad and baked potatoes too. David, Glenn and I discussed Wednesday ski plans. Since Jacob was taking a day off, David offered that the three of us ski  Deer Valley (no boarders).

Feb 11 - Wednesday - Up near 7am. After coffee and a stretch I headed out for a run. Mindy and Bella heading home after four fun-filled days skiing PC and Canyons. Just the three big boys skiing. Jacob opted to take a day off and rest. Hugs and kisses for Mindy. Teared up saying goodbye. Left the minivan so Anita could drive Mindy and Bella to the airport. David, in turn, drove us to Deer Valley and he also paid for the lift tickets. Thanks David! Another bluebird ski day with temps in the mid 40s. Excellent groomers and plenty of soft snow up top. Breath taking views from atop Mt. Baldy. Skied a very steep and fast black that we all enjoyed. As usual, we all three left it all out there on the mountain. Skied to the day's very end. In fact, we ended the day on that same black run on Mt. Baldy. Pulled a rope across the run just as we snuck by. Closed after us. Fun skiing end of day. It's like we had the park to ourselves. As for crowds, I don't think we waited more than one group deep all day long. Nice skiing, and probably the best day of the week up to that point. Mindy would've loved it. :( I treated for dinner, buying pizzas and the Pasta & Noodle company. Bought Mindy that gyrating diamond necklace for our anniversary. Also picked up some purple ear rings from a local artisan's shop which would be hear Valentine's gift.

Feb 12 - Thursday - Up near 645am. After coffee and a stretch I headed out for a run. Off to Snowbird. We left the condo near 830am. I was very happy that Jacob was up at 815am as agreed. According to Google navi Snowbird was a 39 mile drive and 50 minutes away. Pretty much dead on. It was another bluebird day so little cottonwood canyon weather wasn't a concern. Parked in the Gadzoom parking lot -one down from the tram lot. Right away, other skiers offered a lift ticket for $60 cash after one in their party crushed a knee. Glenn went for it. Saved himself $35. Long story short, Snowbird was everything folks have told me it is. It offers a little bit of everything: steeps, bowls, chutes and groomers.  We did it all, too! Rode the world famous tram after lunch. We all pushed ourselves, skiing trails out of our comfort zones. I was very happy for that. Jacob boarded everything.  His confidence is really coming around. The views are some of the best anywhere. Forgot how much tighter the views are in the canyon as opposed to PC where the views are vast. Drive back home was equally pleasant. Anita spent her day in SLC taking in among other things the Great Salt Lake. Lots of cool stories. Relaxing evening in teh hot tub and enjoying leftovers - steak fajitas. David and Anita headed into Old Town PC for sushi.

Feb 13 - Friday - Warm morning in PC. sunny in 50s ... again. Walk town. Check out of condo/home by 11am. Walk town. Lunch at 5 Guys. Fly home from PC. TSA not happy with me for having water bottle in backpack. Depart PC at 405pm MT. Through Chicago. Arrive home Friday night near midnight. Mindy, Bella picked Jacob and I up at airport. Felt cold - about 25 degrees. Stop at Wendy's on way home. Single combo for me.

Feb 14 - Saturday - cloudy early warmest part of day. 7 degrees at night. unpack from trip. Jim picks up kids mid afternoon. Mindy me go to CBC for Valentine's dinner. Gifted me yaktrax. Gifted her ear rings from PC and snowbird t-shirt.

Feb 15 - Sunday - cold sunny - zero early AM warmed to 10 degrees. ex-Father-in-law Al, heart attack, prognosis grim, Ashley called. Called Kelly.

Feb 16 - Monday - President's Day - kept boys over night Sunday and all day Monday - sunny 1 degrees at run time - warmed to 11 degrees- snow late evening fluffy and slippery - bad roads! Order Landon's guitar (b-day gift). Annual performance review/raise/bonus.

Feb 17 - Tuesday - sunny -3 degrees warming to 18 thru the day - work at home. kids no school - presidents holiday extended. g-boyz no school weather. Lindsey asked if we could keep. Yes. Al doing much better. Fluid off lungs.

Feb 18 - Wednesday - 18 degrees early AM though temps dropping all day. Worked across town. Mindy and I visited Al at Mt Caramel Hospital after work. Looked and sounded good. Going home Thursday if all goes well. Left hospital at 7pm for Land Grant brewpub. Temps dropping like a rock. Enjoyed a couple beer as well as OH burgers and chips. Talked with brewer and OH owner. Met Mallory and Ed, a couple sitting at the bar.

Feb  19 Thursday -8 degrees early AM along with stiff winds. Mindy and kids no school. Worked from home.

Feb 20 - Friday - 11 degrees early AM. Mindy and kids no school. Worked from home. Time Warner service call near 3pm. Alfred was our service tech. He's been there 24 years now.  We talked a lot. He did a super job. Replaced both boxes and numerous fittings. Was there until 530pm. Took Bella to Chiller near 7pm. Jacob's girlfriend, Alex came over and went to dinner with us at Rusty Bucket, Dublin. Met Jodie & Larry there too.

Feb 21 - Saturday - Cold morning (10 degrees, up to mid 30s late afternoon) Snow storm! 6-8" through the day. Temps close to 30 degrees. Met with Ashley and Steven to discuss wedding plans. Mindy took copious notes. Celebrated birthdays for Lindsey, Ashley, and Landon. Gifted Landon a guitar. Landon, Rocky, and Ashley spent the night. Islander, Evan stayed over too. Dad made the party as well.

Feb 22 - Sunday - Warmer temps. Got up to 40 degrees. Kids at the house past noon. Ashley and Lindsey arrived separately. Lindey came over to cut hair: Jacob, Bella and me. Didn't stay for dinner - homemade chicken and noodles.

Feb 23 - Monday - 8th Anniversary - cold. Lindey cleaning house. Work at office. Arrived at 945am. Worked straight through until 5pm. 10 degrees at commute time. Mindy and I exchanged anniversary cards, gifts. Gave her card and gyrating diamond necklace. She loves it. My card included a love letter. She gifted me a new ski helmet which has yet to arrive. Dinner at Barley's with Mindy and kids. Home near 830pm. Tried unsuccessfully to upload all Jacob's contacts, photos, videos to VZ storage prior to activating his new iphone 5c. Read prior to bed - 930-10p.