1. Flight from SLC to MCI (that's the Kansas City airport, for those of you who have avoided the armpit of America, you lucky dogs!), Thursday, Dec. 16th -- This was a pretty lack-luster affair. Though, I did get to go through the stupid TSA scanners when I went through security. When my mom picked me up, I told her about it. Her response: "Porn star." That was definitely the highlight of the car ride.
2. Stop at Cracker Barrel, Independence, MO, still Thursday -- Suddenly, Christmas flight pick up stop at Cracker Barrel has become a tradition. I don't think we can abandon it now. Just for the record, I had chicken'n'dumplin's, and the stupid peg game on the table said I was slower than average (and we're talking slower mental state, not actual speed. This is a southern border state, and we use technical terminology like that.)
3. Stop at home. Yep, still Thursday. -- :)
4. Driving to and from Old Navy on Sunday, Dec. 19th, Monday, Dec. 20th, and Tuesday, Dec. 21st -- The first two hours on the first day were good. After that, it was like that one burny hot place we all know about. Probably mostly due to the fact that I don't believe I've been on my feet for five straight hours since ... the last time I worked in August. Literally, I don't believe I've done it. How pathetic is that? Needless to say, my body ached like the dickens. (What does that phrase even mean?)
5. Driving from Jefferson City, MO to Colby, KS, Wednesday, Dec. 22nd -- An 8 hour drive commencing at 5 p.m. Not the way the Cardon clan usually rolls, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Something about it being dark and staying dark the whole time made it feel like time wasn't actually moving, and really made the trip feel short.
6. Driving from Colby, KS to Colorado Springs, CO, Thursday, Dec. 23rd -- A four hour drive to the Springs, which started off with the worst continental breakfast I think I've ever had. Too bad I don't think a Hyatt Place would touch Colby, KS with a 50 foot pole, because I love their cinnamon rolls.
7. Driving from Colorado Springs, CO to Crested Butte, CO, still Thursday -- This four hour drive commenced approximately 15 minutes after the last 4 hour drive ended, so we might as well lump them together and call them an 8 hour drive, because that's what it felt like.
8. Stop at CRESTED BUTTE, CO, Thursday, Dec. 23rd thru Monday, Dec. 27th -- (That link is just to the same cruddy video I made of the cabin) "WE WON!!! WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!" That's the quote of the trip. Also, "Are you gonna compromise your integrity over this?" A few points about this stop:
- The cabin held 21 people over the course of our stay.
- Delicious food, all day, every day.
- Ski-in/Ski-out. You can't imagine how great it is to ride on groomed trail (which was off the resort property) straight to your cabin with a hot lunch waiting for you. Like soup. Much different from trekking to the parking lot and chowing on a cold sandwich while sitting in the back of a car, and hating having to take off your gloves. We have been spoiled, and Brian Head 2011 won't settle for much less, only in highly favorable and compensatory circumstances. We're currently scoping places that sleep up to 45 people. Boyfriend applications now being accepted. :P Hahaha.
- Miraculously, we had perfect weather. They got 60 inches in the 72 hours leading up to our arrival, driving weather was perfect, and Friday and Saturday (our ski days) were cloudless, and edging up on 40 degrees-so warm, you could have left your gloves in your pockets. On Sunday, when we weren't on the mountain, it was overcast. It was like they planned it just for us. Driving back was, again, excellent weather.
- The dumbwaiter. It wasn't even that useful, for our short stay anyhow. It was just cool that we had one! :)
- The delicious king-sized bed I slept on. Admittedly, with my sister. But it was like she wasn't even there. And besides some really crazy dreams, it was some of the best sleep I ever did get.
- When I was chilled to the bone after my post-boarding nap, I hit up the steam shower. It was boiling, wonderful hot up in there, but it felt SO good. After that ....
- ... I took a regular shower. With double shower heads. While still taking in the remnant steam from my steam shower. I might have left both on at the same time, but I might have melted from all the heat.
- On the first day, my back hurt really badly from all the time I'd spent in the car. So I took a bath in the jetted tub under 20+ foot ceilings. Yummy.
- I boarded better than I've ever boarded in my life, which is kind of a big deal since I only get to go like one or two days a year, and I've only been doing it for like 5 years. And I learned some dang good life-lessons on my second day (to which Heather can testify!)
- I got to spend time with some of my favorite people, and had my semi-annual dating pep talk with Sis. N! Haha. How I do so look forward to our chats ...
- Had a great Ben Barnes dream. I blame/credit this on the multifarious BB postings on Rachel's tumblr. Keep 'em coming, gf. You ROCK. :)
- I finished The Book Thief. It was good. But I wouldn't recommend purchasing it. Your local library is the place to go. Plus it was super slow, and I questioned whether or not it was worth my effort until like the last 10 pages. So maybe it wasn't really worth it after all. Idk.
- Got a taste of Celestial Seasoning's herbal tea, Roastaroma flavor. I think I found a new favorite, though I'd hardly call it a "tea." Definitely more of a coffee experience. Yum.
- ... I don't really have too much more to say about it, except that it was AMAZING and I LOVED it. Definitely one of the top 5 vacations of my life because it was just so perfect.
- Oh, and did I mention, we had the most beautiful view? It was seriously lovely. On the day we got in, a big fluffy cloud had settled in the valley, and we got to look down on it from our cozy cabin up on the slopes.
- I love my life. Really.
9. Drive from Crested Butte, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, Monday, Dec. 27th -- I love staying with the Norton family. Sis. N made an amazing authentic Italian dinner, and I got to hang out with my amigo that I literally hadn't seen in a year. Crazy! Doesn't feel like it could be that long, but I guess that's how it is now, ya know?
10. Drive from Colorado Springs, CO to Jefferson City, MO, Tuesday, Dec. 28th -- I did not love this car ride. By the time we hit Kansas City, my back was aching and I was so sick of being in the car that I was practically beside myself. My bed, however, welcomed me back with open arms, and I think I slept in until 11 on Wednesday morning. Love my life :)
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