We were invited to the Ballard's home on Christmas Eve to join in with their family traditions. Another family from our ward was also there and after eating dinner and playing a couple of Christmas games we re-enacted out the nativity with full costumes (no tea towels around the head, oh no!!) script and carols. Rick & I were Joseph and Mary, Tom was one of the wise men and Sarah was the star shining brightly. For this she had to shine a torch light on a silver star above us (Mary & Joseph) at the appropriate time! After which, we had dessert. This was a lovely evening with new friends and their children. We not only enjoyed their kindness and gifts, we received advice on snow fields and all the snow clothing we needed, since clearly you shouldn't go to the snow just rugged up!! At home again, we were able to skype and talk to Michael, Karlie, Nathan, Chloe, Zayla & Deb and her family. That was really nice, as well as to talk to Nanna, and my sister and parents in Perth. (Such a contrast, 39C in Perth!)
So Christmas morning was spent opening our small presents to each other, sharing our traditional Christmas breakfast (complete with summer fruits found in Australia but came mostly from Central America!) and then headed out to Copper Mountain. We had booked a 12 noon session on the Tubing Hill. Copper Mountain was about 1 hr 10mins away and it was a lovely drive into the Rocky Mtns and very exciting as we first glimpsed some snow and then became surrounded by this white world. It is so spectacular, white against the vast blue expanse of the sky with blankets of fir trees seemingly draped down the mountain sides with white caps of snow dotting their branches. Very beautiful. On arriving and finding the 'free' car park, we were joined immediately with other car loads, the car park filled amazingly quickly as snow enthusiasts made a beeline for the shuttles that take you out to the resort. Recently, there has been heavy snowfalls on the Rocky's leaving the Colorado plain dry and mild. Snowfalls have been up to 10ft, well over 2m. This you have to understand, was a very exciting moment for us, but especially for Tom & Sarah who have never seen this white stuff before!! We arrived at the entrance to the hill 30mins early, and just decided to wait and watch. But when an attendant came, Rick & Tom persuaded him to let us start early, given that we were from Australia, never seen snow before and it was Christmas!! So we had 90 mins on the hill flying down each of the four tracks in tubes that were a bit like tyre tubes but with a bottom and handles. It was amazingly fun, exhilarating and very exhausting!! Voted 'the best Christmas ever!' by Tom & Sarah! I experienced great speed, spins, motion sickness, and sidesplitting fun as we were hurtled down the runs (each varying in speed) by very enthusiastic attendants. We went down as singles on our own or doubled, or all four, linked together by hands or feet in various positions ie, backwards, on stomachs, forwards facing in, as a train and so on. Wow! often being on the end, I recieved all the 'spray' from the snow arriving at the bottom breathless, giddy and exhilarated! (Actually, not at all Grandma behaviour!!) This was incredible fun, and has given us all a taste of the snow.
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| Passing through a 2 mile tunnel on the I-70 on the way to Copper Mountain |
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| Emerging from the tunnel to face a white white world!! |
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| First time in the snow!! |
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| Sarah and Rick at the top of the slope. (She loves her Dad!) |
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| Michelle on the 'escalator' having a ride back up the slope |
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| Tom and Sarah at the top of the run. (The small 'ginger bread houses' in the background) |
After the tubing hill we went for a wander around the resort and found 'fields' of untouched snow. It was so beautiful. It looked like fields of white pavlova. Leaving the paths, you think you could just walk over it. No, mistake! Trying to walk on it only found yourself sinking into soft white 'powder' up to your thighs, an incredible experience! We all had a lot of fun trying, then falling into and wrestling in the snow. Its very cold and very wet actually! Nice to eat though, like a slushy without the flavour! We are very ready to have a go at snowboarding and skiing next! Christmas lunch consisted of a grilled chicken burger each and some root beer from the resort 'diner'!!
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| Amazing icicles. The chalets look like actual gingerbread houses from the slope! |
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| Tom sunk thigh deep in 'powder' snow |
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| Sarah also having fun! Unfortunately the camera battery went flat after this shot :( |
We arrived back in Denver with an hour to get cleaned up before going to Jan Luse's home for Christmas Dinner. She is the coordinator for the exchanges here in Denver and has actually had 2 exchanges in Adelaide. It was great meeting her family and talking with people who actually knew not only where Adelaide is but who also went to Magill PS!! Jan taught at Para Hills and Lockleys and lived in Magill and Cheltenham. (Small world!) We had a lovely evening.
This was a lovely day despite being so far from our children, grandchildren and family which we miss. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR !!
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