On the Mountain

Most of you know my #1 passion is skiing. Nothing excites me more than flying down the slopes on a clear, sunny Colorado day. So, I'm just thrilled because I'm back in Summit County, CO for several weeks.

In my younger days, I did it all -- tree skiing, the bumps and double-black diamond runs -- with my brothers, sisters and friends. We'd be the first ones on the lifts at 8:30 a.m., the last ones off the mountain, then rush home, clean up, and off to hit the bars and dance all night. I have so many wonderful memories of skiing in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and all over Europe with them.

This year has been a little tougher on me after having had my left knee operated on a year ago and not skiing at all last season. My left knee just hasn't felt quite right nor stable enough for the past year, but I just had to figure out a way to get back on the mountain. So, now I'm skiing with a brace on my left leg. That first run was nerve racking as I was so scared to make the first turn down the slope as it had been 2 years since I skied and I'm dealing with a brace and breaking in new boots! I survived not only the first run but on day 2 I took my first fall of the season and suffered only a jammed thumb.

I'm just so happy to be back on the mountain, though now I arrive about 10:30 and am lucky to last 4 hours. And while I might hit a Happy Hour, no more all night partying for me.

What did you love doing?

Have you given it up just because you've gotten older?

WHY?

Maybe it's time to dust off those tap shoes or start playing tennis again.

I guarantee you that once the passion returns you'll feel much younger!

Below is one of my favorite mountain shots taken in Bachelor Gulch.

Snow Birds Wanted!!

I've had my home on the market for 6 weeks now and feel like I'm living in a museum as I've got to constantly keep it "show ready"!

I could have sold it at least 3 times but then usually the husband asks "Honey, where's the steps to the basement?"

I don't have a basement and never realized it was such a big deal as I get along fine without one.

I keep hearing things like - "I can't give up that antique bed as my mother was born in it." or "Where will I put the boxes of my kid's schoolwork?" And it doesn't even matter that those kids are now in their 40s!

It's been extremely frustrating as I can fix or offer a discount for almost any other problem area, but I can't dig a basement so I need your help!

At 1240 sq ft, my home is considered small nowadays, which to me is ridiculous as the first home we bought when I got married was only 1100 st ft and that was plenty of room for 2 people. BUT, we've all gotten accustomed to McMansions that would house 8 people (even though there's just 2 or 3 in the family) and most people don't want to downsize even in retirement.

So, if you live in Florida, Arizona or anywhere else that's just too damn hot in the summer or have a friend who'd like to live in a beautiful, Active Adult Community in Colorado, please check out my listing! (I'd even sell it fully furnished!) It's a HOA maintained villa in Heritage Todd Creek with gorgeous views of the golf course and mountains! It's the perfect home for a single person or snow bird couple!http://www.cohomefinder.com/p/80602/1050701.htm

Salida, CO

Salida, Colorado is rapidly becoming a hot retirement spot for active Boomers!

It’s a quaint town nestled in the midst of 3 breathtaking mountain ranges, with activities for the most adventurous souls…whitewater rafting, spectacular hiking, mountain biking, and fly fishing.

If you're more culturally minded, Salida has it all with 10 art galleries and a small theater group. I recently went there for the annual Riverside Fine Arts Festival. It was a fun event, with more than 100 artists. What I liked best was the wide variety of art ranging from jewelry to outdoor garden sculptures with most of the art very reasonably priced.

Salida, located just 3 hours from Denver, is great for a weekend getaway. The drive alone is worth the trip…with the scenic views of the Arkansas River and mountains.

For info on upcoming events:

http://www.salidachamber.org/events.html

For retirement info on Salida: http://www.retirenet.com/location/overview/24-colorado/1-active-lifestyles?city=81201-salida

Summer Concerts

I love summer concerts! It's just so much fun sitting outside with friends and listening to my favorite acts blasting out their greatest hits.

Recently, I went to see the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at the Hudson Gardens which is a beautiful outdoor setting in Littleton, CO. A picnic dinner and stroll through the gardens is a great way to spend a Sunday evening. Weekly concerts showcase either local acts or well-known goldie-oldie ones like the Dirt Band.

It was a great show! I loved it when they did one of my favorites "Mr. Bojangles". They played for 2 hours with no opening act or breaks...so they definitely pleased the sold-out crowd!

MAKE A WISH

Last year when doing my state income taxes, I came up with a wild idea for the Colorado Make a Wish (MAW) Foundation -- why not get MAW put on the back of the Colorado tax return where a taxpayer can designate part of their refund for a charity?

I called the Director of Development about it and she thought it was a great idea because it was a new way to get contributions for the Make a Wish kids.

I got the ball rolling by contacting my State Representative last spring. She generously offered to help and after many meetings and hearings, it's actually happening! I'm so happy to report that the Bill will be signed next week by Governor Ritter. It's just so exciting for me because it proves the power that just one idea can have. It also demonstrates an alternate way that a person can contribute to their favorite charity because not all retirees have disposable income to give.

Right now, check the back of your state tax return!

Is there a section for charitable contributions? If so, and your favorite charity isn't there, then why not make that one call?

If you'd like to volunteer for the Make a Wish chapter in your area, go to: http://www.wish.org/

Baby Showers

Are you looking for a new opportunity to volunteer your time and talent?

Then how about hosting a baby shower for needy babies born at your local general hospital?

Several of us here at Heritage Todd Creek participated today in a baby shower hosted by Colorado's First Lady Jeanne Ritter for babies born at the Denver Health Hospital. Our group made a beautiful assortment of baby blankets and hats. Since we started "knitting for newborns" we have made more than 90 blankets.

What was so exciting about today's event is that volunteers there ranged from Girl Scouts to retirees! Several large corporations even participated -- donating everything from diapers to car seats. We were so moved by today's event that our Red Hat Chapter is going to host a baby shower. Especially in today's economy this is a wonderful way to help those in need!

Is Vail #1?

It was in 1957 that Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton, two enterprising skiers, first discovered the majestic mountain location that became Vail.

Since the Vail Resort opened in December 1962, it has continually set the 'gold' standard for terrain, luxury accommodations, apres-ski activities and a base village that offers every imaginable amenity.

http://vail.snow.com/vail.history.asp

The front face of the mountain alone is bigger than many other Colorado resorts. Add to that the expansive back bowls and at over 5,000 acres, Vail offers a winter wonderland for all levels of skiers!


But, at 97 bucks a day lift tickets are outrageously expensive! No problem for us though as we had the Colorado Pass, which gave us 10 days of skiing at either Vail or Beaver Creek. It was so much fun to ski Vail as my sister Paula had never been there before. She loved the wide open trails!


While there are some very expensive restaurants in Vail Village, we found a reasonably priced one on the mountain. Located at 11,000 feet at the top of Chairs 3 and 7 is the Wildwood Smokehouse which offers luncheon fare ranging from chicken and wild rice soup to barbecue pork along with breathtaking views of the Gore Range.

So, is Vail #1? Well, that depends on who you ask since some surveys rank it as #1 while others rate Deer Valley in Utah as #1.

It doesn't really matter, because if you get to ski either one you'll have a memorable vacation experience!

Night Skiing at Keystone

The Keystone Ski Resort is the home to Colorado's largest night time skiing experience.

You can enjoy the long groomed runs on Dercum Mountain and the Terrain Park until 8:30 pm.

My sister Paula and her husband, Ken, tried it one night last week and while they found it to be a unique, fun experience, it's also dangerous. It's very hard to see with the shadows cast from the floodlights and the skiers have to dodge the large number of boarders jumping several feet in the air.

The best part of night skiing -- you can use your same day ticket to ski at night. Currently, night skiing is available from Wednesday to Sunday; but check the website as the days will change closer to the end of the season!

Paula came up with a great idea -- if you plan to try night skiing, wear a reflective, fluorescent vest so the other skiers can clearly see you.

Snow Conditions

For all Colorado Skiers and those who wish they were here - check out the Colorado Snow Report website: http://www.onthesnow.com/colorado/skireport.html

It's really cool, because in one place you can find out which resort has had new snow, how much and the best overall mountain conditions.

5 Days

You know that good exhausted feeling you get after doing something you love -- well, that's how I feel right now! I just spent 5 days skiing the slopes at 3 different resorts here in Summit County (Colorado) and it was so much fun.

For me the best day was Thursday at A-Basin. In the mid-1940s, when skiing had little appeal, a group of pioneers cut down trees, put up a rope tow and a local legend was born.
Arapahoe Basin opened in December of 1946 with a daily lift ticket costing only $1.25! (a daily pass is now 65 bucks!)

Last season, A-Basin opened the Montezuma Bowl. That 400 acre expansion increased the ski area's terrain by 80%.

The weather Gods fully cooperated on Thursday and we had a perfect day skiing the Montezuma Bowl. I hate to admit it, but you have to be a little crazy to make that first turn down the slope at the top of the Montezuma Bowl as here's what those warning signs above say:

• Caution - Hidden and unmarked obstacles
• Thin and Variable Snow Conditions - Ski with Care
• Rescue from this area is difficult and time consuming - Please Ski Responsibly

We were all a little nervous as none of us had skied the Bowl, so we had no idea where it led or what to expect. After reading the signs, we stood there for awhile; debated about whether we should do it; but then we jumped in on the Columbine Run and had a great time schussing down thru the Bowl.

It's truly breathtaking scenery back there and what many skiers love about the experience is the peaceful feeling one get's from gliding down the mountain among the trees.

Skiing

I had a fabulous day on the mountain -- no wind, sunny, in the 40s and wide-open groomed runs. It just doesn't get much better than that unless there were a few inches of fresh powder!

I'm so blessed - I'm spending 5 weeks skiing in Colorado, sharing a condo with my sister, Paula and her husband, Ken.

Today we skied Keystone, tomorrow Breckenridge; and next week, it'll be Vail and Beaver Creek too. Vail Resorts offers the best deal for skiers with their Colorado Pass - only $449.00 and it covers 5 resorts with just a few restrictions (http://www.coloradopass.com/).

My friend, Don, is enjoying his retirement because he's fulfilled his life-long dream of living on a ranch in Texas. His passion is riding and he gets to ride every day.

My wish for you is to find something you're passionate about because to truly succeed at retirement, you've got to find a sport or hobby that you love. How else will you fill all those spare hours since you're no longer working? If you're still looking for your passion, I strongly encourage you to talk to your friends about their interests, visit your local Senior Center or check out classes at your local Junior College.

So what are you passionate about? I'd love to hear from you about your favorite sport or hobby. Just add a comment below or send me an email to Retired.Rosie@gmail.com

The Brown Palace

Retirees are always looking for a fun afternoon outing, so after our book club discussion of the “Murder at the Brown Palace”, we decided to take a tour of the historic Hotel located in Downtown Denver. The Hotel is an impressive site, triangular in shape and the exterior is a deep red hue from the Colorado granite and Arizona sandstone. The Brown Palace was built by Henry Cordes Brown. He was quite the entrepreneur, purchasing several acres of land and then donating a part of it for the state capitol building. With the Country’s first 8 story atrium, the Hotel was considered an architectural feat for that era.

While the Brown Palace is known world-wide for treating their guests like royalty, it’s a hit with local Denverites for their afternoon High Teas, with tasty scones, delicious pastries and delicate tea sandwiches.

A highlight of the tour was to see the area where the “Murder” took place, but the famous “Marble Bar” is no longer there, having been removed during a remodel.

We ended our tour with a visit to one of their executive suites that was so huge it looked bigger than my home. I was thrilled to see it because at $1650 a night that’s the only way I ever would!

My Love Affair

It's not what you think! Today I had planned on writing about Egypt, but it snowed here last night which made think about my passion -- skiing! I've been skiing since my first trip to Chestnut Mountain Lodge in Galena Illinois in 1969; so in January 2009 I will celebrate my 40th anniversary. I fell in love with skiing on that first trip, even though we had many mishaps, the weather was freezing and I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I just knew that I loved being on the mountain and the joy of flying down the slope; well,it was the most incredibly free feeling. Then in January 1970 I skied in Winter Park Colorado and that hooked me forever. I vowed that someday I would live in Colorado and have since 1999.
Skiing has brought so much adventure and joy to my life. In 1988, I accepted a job in Heidelberg but my heartfelt reason for that major life change at age 40 was so that I could ski Europe. I was scared as I had never lived anywhere but St. Louis. I joined the ski club which was a great way to meet new friends. I'll never forget my first trip to Club Med in St. Moritz Switzerland (pictured above). What a thrill -- skiing in one of the most exclusive resorts in the world! Every weekend was a new adventure - skiing in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria and France! Skiing also brought out my altruistic side as starting in 1986 I became very involved with the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park Colorado. It brought true joy to my heart to be able to help out the kids both physically and financially. So what's skiing got to do with retirement --- plenty!! It's a challenging sport that will keep you in great physical shape, it's a fun way to meet new people and staying physically fit helps you mentally. Skiing is so popular with Boomers that we even have our own club -- the Over the Hill Gang! http://www.skibumnews.com/OTHG.htm

Oh, I've been married, divorced, several other long term relationships, but no passion has lasted as long as my love affair with skiing! Try it --- you might fall in love too.

Save a Heart - YOURS!

Like most people, I tend to gain weight during the holiday season and with it right around the corner, I'm trying to get a head start on exercising.......and there's nothing better than walking. It's a gorgeous, brisk Fall day here in Colorado, perfect for walking, and I just finished 3 miles.

No matter what size or shape your currently in, everyone can get out and take a walk. It's especially good for us retirees because it not only increases your physical activity and improves your health, but gets you out of the house. A brisk walk increases your heart rate, strengthens your heart and increases blood circulation through your body and reduces body fat. Remember to consult your doctor and have a checkup before beginning any type of exercise program especially if you've been inactive for awhile. If you've been lax in exercising, then be sure to start out slowly, perhaps walking just a mile to start, gradually increase your pace, and always cool down at the end. It helps to have an exercise buddy because then you're committed to doing it and more fun to have someone with you along the trail, so invite a friend or neighbor to join you.

It pays to have the best equipment -- so invest in good walking shoes and buy a pedometer to keep track of your steps. Try to walk at least 10,000 total steps a day (about 5 miles). Wear the pedometer all day and set realistic goals for yourself --- like taking 1,000 more steps a day until you gradually increase to walking at least 10,000 steps daily on a routine basis. It's your heart - so protect it with a daily exercise program.....and walking is the best way to start. For additional info on heart health from the American Heart Association, visit their website --
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3040237
(NOTE: The above is meant to motivate you, not meant to be medical advice.)