Pre-season skiing - Nov 16,17,18

It's the first since arriving here in 2006 that we've been here for the 3 weeks prior to season opening. It's been magnificent and I gather that the snowfalls we've had have not been exceptional. Last four days we've been out either skinning up the mountain on A/T gear or on the golf course with our X- country skis.

Before hearing that the lifts are to open on Ajax a week earlier than scheduled, we each got consent from our respective employers to take off the first two days of the scheduled season - thus a 7 day trip to Oregon - flying to Portland this time - for Thanksgiving with D,K & O, and off tomorrow morning. Back the day after Thanksgiving and the 9 hour D3 shift ( the Snowmass Club ) run the following morning at 6.15. M starts her new job for Ski Co at the concierge desk at the foot of Aspen Mtn under the gondola the same day. All assuming Aspen airport not storm bound. Otherwise it will be an unpleasant drive from DIA in a hired car over Loveland and Vail Passes.

Looking south over to Beige's house

Fortunately someone had earlier broken trail for me - this the link between Green Cabin and Coffee Pot - my normal route to Gwyns. No pancakes today though.

Still 2 weeks to opening and 27" just in last 4 days. Some magnificent powder skiing .  On my own on this day and the mountain virtually to myself. The way it used to be. Reminded me of AWR speaking of "schiing" as he referred to it when talking of doing this on the Pentlands 100 years or so ago. Except not quite like this !

X-country for an hour just before dark on the golf course across the road

M on her "new" ski de fond equipment from Replay Sports. Perfect conditions.

Back on the familiar A/T gear and skins. Lower Green Cabin

Same route as 2 days previously but a few people have had the same idea since

Time to put the skins in the pack ....

and fro M to fit in the first turns of the season down Coffee Pot

Back to Colorado

We drove North through the outskirts of Portland to the historic town of Oregon City ( terminus for the Oregon trail on the Willamette River ( same one that runs through Corvallis ) and then up the Columbia River to Hermiston in NW Oregon close to the confluence of the Snake and the Columbia. where we spent the first night.  Second night in Missoula, MT which we've always wanted to visit , being the home of Adventure Cycling.  From there, south through Idaho to Jackson Hole, WY for the 3rd night ( taking in a nice evening bike ride up to Moose with great views of the Teton Mtns ) completing the 1400 mile trip back to Snowmass the next day. The time spent sitting in the Buick was enhanced greatly by the audio tapes we borrowed from the Aspen Library - particularly the Prof Robert Greenberg CD's on Mozart and Beethoven and the hugely interesting 8 CD set of Jon Franklin's The Wolf in the Parlour - the history of man's symbiotic relationship with the wolf (and therefore dog) a species a quiet 150 million years older than the first recognisable ( in his evolution from an ape ) man!

Stopped to take in all Lewis & Clark trail signs

The very impressive AC headquarters in Missoula, MT where we spent a happy hour with their helpful staff.  Bought complete set of maps from Yorktown , VA to Astoria, OR

Looking over to the Sawtoooth range and National Forest in eastern Idaho

On the Idaho / Wyoming border before heading down to Jackson

The Bridger-teton range and National Forest, WY

We had to take this for Sarah's sake. So sorry we didn't get to see her at her fracking camp

Home sweet home - and just in time it seems. First winter storm at village level. Bodes well for season opening on Nov 27

Cyclocross event in Portland

All 5 of us with D  & K's bikes set off for the hour and half drive to east Portland for one of the big events in the Oregon cyclocross season. We were treated to a feast.  A  real family day with perhaps 1000 people there and a mass of different events. Most impressive.

The kiddies race.  They breed 'em tough in Oregon

A before and after shot .  D & K and their friends Milan, Nicole and Stephanie  BEFORE

A family shot. Granny Moon and Grandad on duty .  The competitors hyping themselves up for a rough ( and certain muddy ) affair

Katy ploughing through  particularly tough sections

Duncan lining up

Very much in contention at this stage (100 metres from start) - furthest on right

Braden ( our other charge ) reunited with Nioole

Still going well on the first lap

Disaster a few minutes later - a flat tire.  But taking it well.

The 'after' shot

The real star of the show

Corvallis, OR

Sadly we could spend only 4 nights with Duncan , Katy and Oliver for a variety of reasons. But it was an action packed 3 days and we got to explore Corvallis mostly on bikes between the thrills of getting to know our youngest grandchild. What a delight.

Duncan & Katy's smart working environment at OSU

Straight out for a hike after D & K got back form work - virtually right from their house

Some minor adjustments before leaving for work at an early hour

Grandad in charge. Going well it seems.

At breakfast at the Gathering Together Farm and beautifully behaved

A typical bike trail on outskirts of town

At the Pumpkin Patch

Selecting your own pumpkin. Spoilt for choice

Helping Granny Moon with her yoga exercises

Trip to Oregon - 1200 odd miles

Dynasaur National Monument,Western Colorado

150 million years ago.  Puts things in perspective a little!

We criss - crossed the Oregon Trail in Idaho and Oregon, following the Snake River for many hundreds of miles

Us in 2015 or 2016 .  East - west trans am cyclists.  We always stop to chat.  They invariably talk of head winds in Wyoming. Help !

 We took 3 days for the drive and thoroughly enjoyed it. So much better than driving across Kansas to Columbus, OH. First night in Vernal, UT  (rough ), and second in the lovely town  of Baker City in eastern Oregon close to the Idaho border.

Reached Corvallis the next day after a gorgeous drive through central Oregon. Lunch in Bend a quaint and historic logging town.  Torrential rain on the Mackenzie Pass and all the way to Corvallis. They did warn us!