Lee’s Vail

What a blessing to be able to ski again this year with the Elmer’s. We all had a good time and the skiing condition were very good overall. Rod did a good job running the trip for us this year. Most of us enjoyed the condos arrangement, and we got to spend more time with each other. One night our group made a spaghetti dinner. We have to give Debbie credit for the good sauce she made. Also we had a steak night in which Karen bought, because she had a car to go get them at Safeway. Craig grilled the steaks to our likening. Everybody chipped in and we had a wonderful meal. We even had ice cream for desert-butter pecan.

Unfortunately there are always some mishaps which happen on any ski trip. I always pray that nobody will get hurt. Sorry to hear that Fred broke his rib early in the week. The rumor is that a young lady snow boarder chased him down, and gave him a big smack. Not on the lips, but to the side. Ouch!!! Fred is tough, and he continues to ski and smile the next day. What a surprise, he even was at our last ski meeting.

Another rumor has it that Lowell took up flying. Sure has been quite about the landing. In a big bowl, thank God there was enough snow to soften the fall. At least he didn’t fall in a tree well this year

I also got my one pole caught by the strap to the chair when I got off the chair lift. I pulled really hard but it didn’t budge so I let go. It went down the lift stuck on the chair. The operator called down to notify them that the pole was coming down on the chair. So I waited about ten minutes, and the operator told me it was on the way up on chair number 55. Low and behold Kim and Bob were in that chair. Thanks again for helping me out.

When we went to Beaver Creek on Friday, one of the lifts that I was going up stopped for at least ten minutes. I got out my water bottle for a drink and started to eat a granola bar that I had in my jacket. Next thing I noticed that this bird that looked like a blue jay landed on the tip of my skis. So I broke off a little piece of the bar and laid it on my palm of my hand. I stretched my arm out about a foot from my body. The bird flew up on my hand and landed on it. The bird seemed to no fear of me and ate the piece. Then I noticed another bird on my ski tips. So I fed that one also. I told the couple next to me that I bring my pet birds with me when I ski. Sure had fun feeding at least 4-5 birds.

I’m already looking forward to our next year trip with a great bunch of people.

Lee Wirth

Vail 2006

As always it's great to hang with the Elmers for a week every year! Pat and I drove out through various snow storms and saw the sun for the first time in 29days. That was a nice start. Having our friends and cousins come out to greet us on arrival was great, too. Vail is big. No - Huge!! Even though it wasn't our first time there, it just astounds us at the size of the place. Especially standing on top and looking over the bowls and into Blue Sky Basin and realizing there is all that to SKI!! Phew! We tried to cover it all, but I know there

are places we never saw and places we saw too many times. Of course, the views from the top are exquisitely breathtaking.

One of the best times in the week was our condo steak party. Loved those grills! The eight of us all pitched in and cooked/cleaned/partied and had a ball. Personally we both liked the condo thing. It was a nice change from the hotel feel and seemed to bring us more together. We had great condo mates!! Great accommodations, too, although the 1/4 mile hike to the lifts and the hot tub was not so great.

The snow was pretty nice all week. We were even graced with some fresh! Not quite the bottomless powder that is always advertised, but enough to give that floaty, confectioners sugar feel a few times. As usual, we skied pretty hard - or so we thought - until we hooked up with Stuart. Dang, I can't even keep up now let alone hope to rock like he does when I'm 78! "Uncle Stu, we're tired!!" Thanks for your patience, man. Betty - glad you could join us! See you next year, Mary!

There was only one thing we'd change: Jon - we missed you! But - Craig did get to be the fastest guy in the club for once, so there was an upside. Heal up quick! Ski, ski, ski!!!

Thanks to Rod for stepping up to lead the trip. Nice job. Enjoyed

the "awards" nite, too. Looking forward to next year!!

Peace to you all!!

Karen and Pat