In Between

We're back from our road-trip out West and getting ready for our road-trip to the ATL. Our travels took us through Utah, Idaho, a quick stop in Walla, Walla, Washington, with most of our time exploring Oregon. We just loved Portland and could actually see ourselves living there if it wasn't for the grey skies and frequent drizzle factor. Oh, and we like Telluride too much anyway. There are too many favorites about Portland to list, but for Jim, one of them was his daily visit to the legendary Voodoo Doughnuts. www.voodoodoughnuts.com

Powell's Book Store was also definitely a favorite. Stretching several city blocks and housing more than one million books, Jim was in heaven (and purchased more than two dozen used books). The microbrews were especially good, and we had the most unusual and delicious Thai food ever. We also found the people to be super nice. Great city.
One of the least favorite things we did was visiting the laundromat (hey, it was a long road-trip), but Jim was happy with his book!

We did a lot of hiking and even more eating through Oregon. After Portland we travelled through the Willamette Valley, down the coast, spent an overnight in Eugene and finally Bend. Beautiful state. Came home with some hard to find Pinots, and we've dedicated a corner of our basement to be a make-shift wine cellar since a) we don't have a wine cellar, and b) we have NO other room to put it!
So back in Telluride we are, at least for a few days. It's "mud season" here, and we had a major dust storm yesterday that you could feel even inside. This morning, our Jeep was covered in dirt.

Leaving this week to drive to Atlanta to visit our families. While we are not looking forward to being in the car for another 1,900 miles, we are very excited to visit with our loved ones.

Windy, Snowy, and a Boat-load of Beer

So this evening's annual KOTO end of season party was a blast. A complete WINDY blast. With tenting blowing all over (on people, kegs and basically everything), and some snow here and there, it made our night as volunteer bartenders interesting at the very least. Jim and I saw a lot of friends and acquaintances and earned lots of tips for our community radio station, all while listening to two awesome bands. We served New Belgium beer and got to drink some while we served, which is a good thing. Otherwise you are just cold and working.

So if you are wondering how it went not dressing in pink for the themed Pink Flamingo party, it was fine. The folks that did it up stood out, and for good reason. Can't offer my own photos since we knew it was going to be snowy/rainy/windy/ I didn't take our camera. But I'm sure if you check telluridenews.com you can see a bit of our fun street party.

In Transition

Jim and I are getting ready for a big transition. We are leaving the comforts of our winter routine for a largely unplanned road trip next week. This is a welcomed change for both of us, but it is also strange. We both want to travel and explore, and we have a wonderful pet-sitter here for Boomer and Riley, so we're just going to pack up our Jeep and go. Goodbye home-cooked meals and hello Hampton Inns and road food. But really, we are looking forward to it. We are just two home-bodies getting ready to leave our comfort zone. We are heading to Oregon via Idaho and will likely spend time in Portland, Willamette Valley, Eugene, and Bend. We will take lots of photos and perhaps some (dated camera) video.

We've tried to ski some these last few days given that the mountain is closing Sunday. Today was a beautiful day, and with the local kids in school and folks working, the runs were practically empty (less the small handful of Spring break family tourists). Friday we are volunteering for our community radio station (KOTO-FM) as bartenders at the annual end of season street party. The town closes all of Main Street, brings in some great band, a bunch of food, and a few zillion kegs and just rocks. This year the theme is pink flamingos, and there are prizes for best costumes. So a couple of things. First, it's likely going to be snowing, so for Jim and me, costumes will consist of down jackets, wool hats and serious gloves (nothing pink) so we can be as comfortable as we can outside serving beer and wine to our dear friends. But secondly, and certainly more puzzingly, where are people finding the elements to put together a pink flamingo costume here in Telluride where the nearest city is about 90 minutes away?

I think I need to take my camera so I can try to capture what kind of fantastic party animals we have here in our little box canyon.

Finally some snow!

Our mountains are now filled with snow, even though the streets look clear. Photo above is taken from our house looking east. Most of the state just got pounded with snow over the last 36 hours, especially in the Denver area where blizzard conditions produced up to 20 inches in some communities. Highways were closed, and the weather crawl on tv actually said: "Accident Alert: almost everywhere." We had quite a few accidents in our area as well, including an elderly couple who's car spun out on the slick roads and came to a halt partially dangling over a 50 foot drop-off. Too scared to get out even with the help of the rescue team, the car was successfully chained and pulled to safety, passengers still inside. Though we are used to snow and at times heavy snow, a severe storm can still wreak havoc.

We got to walk in our snow storm yesterday morning with the dogs. I should have taken pictures because they looked so funny with snow flakes sticking to them. At first Jim was calling them powdered sugar donuts, but by the end of the walk he said they looked more like snow-cones. They got quite a few looks, smiles and comments.

We will likely ski some this weekend and record the basketball games to watch later. Now that Duke is out, it's not so intense!

Telluride Community Television

That's right, "The Rest of the World Does Not Get Us." We're the country's smallest television station, non-profit, community driven, educational television at its finest! I am TCTV's newest Board member and already up and running at the Telluride Middle and High School teaching television news gathering and production. Our small staff has been cut from full to part-time because of the economy, but you can help. With just a $50 tax deductible donation, you can have one of these cool and comfy long sleeved t-shirts for FREE!
Mail your check payable to TCTV 12 to Susan Lilly PO BOX 1946, Telluride, CO 81435 or email me with any questions.
And don't hate me cuz I'm doin the fundraising thing. I bought the Girl Scout cookies, Boy Scout Popcorn, MS bike sponsor, and on and on. Times are tough. I am an expert at donating my time in lieu of $$$$$$, but if you can do anything, it'd be appreciated.

Thanks from our 2 1/2 person, many volunteer staff at TCTV 12!

VIP Guest

We have a very special guest coming today, our youngest is visiting with her boyfriend through the weekend. Kaitlin definitely qualifies for VIP status! And boyfriend Jamie is pretty cool himself. He'll go boarding with Jim (skiing), and Kaitlin and I will take some walks with the dogs, hang out and meet them for lunch. We are looking forward to spending quality time with them.

Another great weekend!

We had a wonderful meal at Siam's Telluride before we saw Revolutionary Road at the Nugget Theater for Date Night Friday. It was fun to snuggle with Jim during the (bleak, but excellent) movie. We have recliners up in the den that don't allow for any snuggling. Just me and Riley in one recliner and Jim in the other.

Walked 6 miles in alternating snow pellets, sunshine and just strange weather on Saturday morning. Then I somehow filled my day with lots of household chores, cooking and a little Facebook here and there. Don't get me started. I keep finding long ago friends and colleagues (or they find me). Just last night as I was cooking salmon on the indoor grill, stinking up the house I might add, my intern supervisor from WNEV-TV Boston from 1986 found me. Takes time to catch up 23 years.

But I digress. Anyway, we enjoyed a quiet night at home last night, basketball, stinky salmon. Well Jim had a hamburger. He's more of a meat guy. This morning we did the same 6 mile walk in more classic Telluride sunshine. Both times the dogs somehow kicked up mud pellets to their underbellies and needed hosing off. Don't worry, we didn't blast them with our cold water. We took them to our friend's house who has a warm water bath set up just for doggies. Nice.

It's all nice.

We are now looking forward to our visit from our daughter Kaitlin and her boyfriend Jamie from Atlanta. We love company, especially our sweet family.