I’m here in Keystone, CO enjoying a romantic evening with… myself . Ok, romantic might not be the right word, but relaxing is. it’s been snowing here for the past few hours and earlier today, when I was on the slopes, I was greeted with some powder from the snow we got late yesterday. Although, all isn’t rosy depending on the view. My day on the slopes lasted one run from the top of the Summit Express / River Run Gondola. I took the Schoolmarm run down, which is a green (easy) run. I managed to stay upright the whole way down taking a quick breather somewhere in the middle. When I got to the bottom, my legs were shaking and my knees were iffy. My knees didn’t necessarily hurt, but they didn’t feel great. I ended the day after that one run. I’m not sure if my knees are really causing me problems or if it’s all in my head. I guess it’s not easy getting over two knee surgeries, each requiring months of rehab. It gets old and the idea of doing it again just doesn’t seem worth it. I’m not even sure I enjoy skiing anymore because I’m nervous and cautious the whole time. I might go one more time before I leave Monday, but I’ve already made a decision not to get a yearly ski pass next year. It’s just not worth it.

There is good news. Yesterday, after I got to Keystone, I went on a short 1.5 hr. snowshoe hike at the Peru Creek trail. This was the first time I went snowshoeing on my own. Last year I only went a couple of times on a guided tour provided by the Keystone Nordic Center. I must say, snowshoeing isn’t so bad. It really is like hiking… just with big things attached to your boots. It was fun, and a little scary, being out in the wilderness. Every once in a while I would look around to make sure there were no wild animals chasing me. I’m going to take another stab at snowshoeing tomorrow, this time going on a longer hike somewhere between 2-3 hrs.

And one more thing. Joker, what makes you think I’ve actually been shaving lately. I’m pretty sure I qualify as a pseudo mountain man at the moment. Ok, that’s not totally true. I haven’t shaved in about a month, but I do take out the clippers to trim it down just enough to keep the ladies away. They’re all over me once I tell them I’m unemployed .