Krabloonik 2/27

We rushed back to the Pokolodi from town on Monday evening as Joe and the lodge were hosting a wine and cheese get together in the lobby. It was quite nice with a fancy yet down home feel to it.

We had decided that we behaved way too well and deserved a nice dinner out complete with wild game.  We chose Krabloonik, the place where we had intended to go dog sledding but didn't.

 Brian drove us over in the van just as the sun was beginning to set. It was a beautiful drive a little further up the mountain from the lodge.

We peered down at the log cabin nestled in the snow on the side of the mountain where we would dine on wild elk, buffalo, trout, lamb and chicken. 

Once inside we could no longer heard the barking dogs. The atmosphere was fantastic; both elegant and cozy while the wait staff was friendly and attentive. It turned out to be the best $100 meal have I ever had. There were less expensive options but the elk was my choice.

Krabloonik offers dogsled rides and either lunch or dinner with the trip. Maybe next time. 

After dinner it was time to begin the packing process one last time.

Academy Awards gala

After a busy day on the ski slopes we convened with the rest of our AARP group in the lobby of the Pokolodi to watch the academy awards. On our first day in town I bought some turkey to make use of the fridge in our room and just in case I got hungry. I did not know where the grocery was and I took the easy way out with a 14.99 pack of turkey, but there was a lot of turkey!

If you are going to have $14.99 turkey then you want some good bread to accompany it, hence the seven dollar loaf of bread.

It seemed like a good idea but I never got hungry. So we decided to prepare some little sandwiches to go along with the other snacks at the Oscar Party. Nothing like having a combo kitchen/bathroom. 

We then dressed for the occasion. Becky wore a black and white loose fitting top with a draped bodice and her new black cowboy boots from the elegant Thrift Shop in Aspen.

I chose a pink wool sweater to cover my Missoni for Target pink turtle neck and accented this with my new lavender ski boots.  To accessorize I wore some gaudy hot pink earrings I located on sale at Belk's and my new large bling ring.

There was a group of about seven ladies from Wisconsin, who ski together weekly, staying in the lodge. They were quite cute and fun to watch. We referred to them as the senior AARP group. They also came to the lobby for a watch party and ordered pizza. 

Most of us managed to stay awake to the end of the show. Darla and I were pleased that The Artist won as we had predicted. It seems odd that so many movies are being remade in 3D and yet a black and white, silent film wins the Oscar!

Becky and I debated going into Aspen where they were having a watch party at a ritzy private club. We felt sure we might see some stars attending but I wouldn't have recognized them anyway and we did not locate a good vantage point from which to gawk!

Snowmass Village, Co

February 22 finally arrived and away we went after a fine evening of visiting, dining, and sleeping in Little Rock so we would have to leave quite so early.

There was not room in my suitcase so I had to wear my hat!

I kept looking out at the clouds from the aisle seat and then all of a sudden this view caught me by surprise.

Five of us arrived at our destination and would soon be joined by two more - girls day out!!!

In no time we were settled into Pokolosi Lodge, our home for the week in Snowmass Village, less than 100 yards from the ski slopes.

We unpacked in a hurry and headed over to Brothers' Grille in the Silvertree Hotel for lunch. Darla, Becky, Sandi, Barbara, Chris and I were quite enthused to be alongside Fanny Hill with a fantastic view of the skiers. It was all new to me as I have never been to a ski resort in the winter.

While we ate we watched the skiers and snowboarders ride up Fanny Hill and then descend right outside our table by the window.

I was impressed with how they could ski right up to the restaurant, park their transportation, and come in  dressed in their skiing regalia. Someday I hope to be able to come to a stop like that and not crack my helmet!

After lunch we spotted the gondola that would take us down the hill to the base village shopping area and away we went.

Back up the hill on the other side of our new home was the Snowmass Mall. I could walk there to shop faster than I can drive to Cornerstone for shopping at home!

At the end of the day we would relax in a somewhat exhausted state in front of the fire in the lobby of the Pokolodi. Employees just couldn't come any nicer. It probably didn't hurt that Sandi's son works there.

Before I turned in each night, I would peer off the balcony to get one last look at the Aspens standing proudly in the snow.

Then each morning, anywhere from 3:15 to 5:15, I would be awakened by the snow removal equipment clearing the parking lot across the street.  Beep, beep, beep as he backed up and scraaaaapppe as he drove forward. The streets are heated and clear themselves. 

Soon it is time to descend to the lobby for a continental breakfast. By 7 am when they open, Becky and I have usually had three pots of coffee and Chris has come from next door to join us.

Then it is time to match our outfit for the day, choose a hat and the matching gloves, and go out to play once we convene in front of the fire.

Some days there is more snow than others but there is always plenty to do.