Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Rocky Mountain Winter Fun

So here is the latest from the mad-dash around the West. Our most recent show-stop took us to beautiful Avon, Colorado. We performed up in Beaver Creek at the Vilar Performing Arts Center. And from arrival to departure, our trip to Avon was almost exactly 24 hours. So what do you do when you have 24 hours in a city - and that includes 2 school matinees? You jump into the fun, headfirst! And let it roll.

Here are Eric and I...letting the good times ROLL in Beaver Creek.

A sculpture in BC that I LOVE! Hahahaha. Repentance. That's funny. (Notice the arrow in the bears butt.)

The storm clouds start rolling in.

Eric and I sit and wait for our lift ride to begin. Probably be in a couple of weeks....

Another favorite statue.

Upon our arrival, most of us did our own thing, but ended up meeting up at Beaver Creek for shopping, dinner and some wacky fun. Eric and I hopped on the free Avon shuttle - that promised to take us up to a second shuttle bus that would deliver us to BC. Love that it was free...but we got a little bugged while we were enroute, because the shuttle keeps circling back all over Avon. We kept driving past Office Depot like every 3 minutes. It was so weird. But we finally arrived at our destination about 25 minutes after the adventure started. We found postcards, snapped some photos, ate some amazing pizza at the Blue Moose Pizza place, and strapped on some skates and threw some triple toe loops on the outdoor skating rink...all before the sleety-rains started. We were joined by the girls at the Blue Moose and on the rink - and good times ensued.

A quick look down at the Rink of Wonders.

Eric starts his warm up routine while the girls get strapped into their skates.

More of the girls getting laced up.

Eric and Roe skate off the ice after their pairs short program. They look happy with their performance.

Roe gets ready to throw a triple flip triple lutz during her free skate.

Everyone brought their OWN flair to the ice last night....

GROUP SHOT!

Our shows today were good. We all made it through - even though pretty much EVERYONE was sucking for air throughout the shows. I guess hopping around stage at 8,000+ feet in elevation will do that to you.
Our drive to Greeley after our shows today took a very dramatic turn - in the form of a major winter storm. The roads were icy...the traffic moved at a snails pace up and down the mountain...but the scenery was breathtaking and quite amazing. And we had a LOT of time to look at it all, too...because at the end of the day, we were traveling a little under 15 mph. NO JOKE. Traffic was so slow and so bad that we didn't even make it to our final destination in Greeley. We found a hotel in Idaho Springs, Colorado - which is 70 miles East of Avon - and 90 miles from Greeley. But luckily, it only took us 5 hours to get here. Truth. And it was a long 5 hours/70 miles. Movies were watched.....bladders were tested....TO THE MAXXXXX...and in the end, we were blessed with safe travels and arrival at our luxurious hotel with RIVER VIEW rooms. And since we are supposed to have a show tomorrow night in Greeley...we'll figure out in the early a.m. what our game plan is.

Snow shots from Idaho Springs.

More snow. That's all there REALLY is to report.....

Oh yeah - did I mention that the trucks that carry the show aren't with us? They are about 50 miles back...because the storm is a little harder on Ryder trucks and big hills. So they are holed up in a LaQuinta in with an OLD CHICAGO attached to it. Lucky dogs. Tomorrow is going to be nothing short of interesting.
Check back in to see what happens in the end.
Ciao!
G
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CASE OF THE UNFORTUNATES
This amazing shot comes to us from the fabric section of the Walmart in Avon, CO. It took some skills and covert ops to get the end prodcut....but it was worth it.
What do I personally think about this sweather? I think it's GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR-EAT!

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow, Matt. What an adventure!!! You know, I just figured out a real problem with blogging: Now your mom knows EXACTLY what you're doing. I'm sure that makes her sleep better at night, especially after this past post. ;-)

Thanks for the reminder than winter is coming.
- MN Cousin

Wed Oct 18, 07:17:00 AM EDT  
Blogger MAnderson said...

Hey Cousin Jeff....it's true...BUT luckily, Priscilla is pretty chill with it all. I think she's come to expect pretty much anything from my adventures....
ALSO luckily, the sun is out today...so hopefully we'll make it to our destination.
Later.
G

Wed Oct 18, 10:47:00 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just want to know if it is as cold as souix falls, SD or detroit lakes, MN....here in wv for my sister's wedding and may enjoy some hillbilly hotdogs, you jealous matt

Wed Oct 18, 11:39:00 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Be careful, her sweater might actually eat you...

Sat Oct 21, 12:46:00 PM EDT  

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