The First Turns!

Here we are today in Breckenridge, two thousand feet higher in elevation then we have been on any of our hikes so far.  The air is definetly thinner, and breathing is a little harder, but there is snow here, and that my friends, is what really matters!  We're staying with our friends Ariel and Dale (fellow Vermonters) at their quaint little mountain cabin outside of town. 

Today Ari brought us up a little slope on National Forest Land. Meassuring between 15-20 degrees it was mellow with no avi danger and it was so much fun! The snow was a little more solid and corny down low, and got lighter and deeper the higher up we went.  We rose about 500 feet in 1.5 miles to intersect with the Ski Area's nordic trails.  As we looked at the mountains that surrounded us we were able to make out a couple other adventurers making turns way up high on one of the snowfields above treeline, someday that will be us, but for now we are happy with any snow we can sink our edges into. It was a happy first snow day, that is for sure!

Happy Thanksgiving and long weekend!

We arrived in sunny Colorado the night before Turkey Day, and spent the long weekend with cousins from Denver and Colorado Springs.  Our holiday started with an intense game of Settlers of Catan, which Hannah and Caroline kicked butt in!     

Then on The Day of Thanks, we ate great food and played penny poker with a table of fun folks.  All of the winnings from the game were donated to non profit organizations. This little neighborhood where we spent Thansgiving had a plethera of Mule Deer who just hung out in the front yards, which was very neat.

On Friday we avoided all shopping centers and celebrated "buy nothing day" with a 7 mile hike along the Section 16 trail outside of Colorado Springs, this was the begining of our high altitude training.  We continued our training with a 2 mile hike around Red Rocks and a 6 mile hike in the forested mountains of Evergreen. 

First Night

We stopped just outside Buffalo for some gas and a yummy quinoa and cheese (gluten free mac & cheese)!  Then hitched on our driving saddles again, listened to the Patriots game and then found an Applebees to watch the rest of the first half.  We were really close to Snow Trails ski area.  Hope to try to get a run in on the way back. 

Ended up doing 784 miles before we climbed into bed, sleeping at a community college near Springfield, Ohio.

The trip so Far

We left Smuggs and found ourselves on the road to Maine for a send off party and to build our bed in the van.  Thank you Jeremiah for the frame and Dickie and Marc for the foam mat.  

We saw a few friends, said "we love you."  It was great to see everyone, especially the babes and we look forward tothe chance to see how much they change over the next 6 months.

We trimmed our skins for the splits and started handing out many of our canned goods so we can lessen the weight in the van and hope for better mileage than 18mpg.

Then granola was made in New Hampshire while Hannah and I fell into a Yahtzee and Boggle binge.

Now we have been in MA for 12 days.Another send off party with lots friends and family.  Said goodbye to our Jinx, although he enjoyed traveling, he will like having the space to roam at Karen and Johns home.  Here in MA, no snow, few adventures, and have been waiting for a new transmission to be put into the van and finalizing all our financial needs for the winter.  

The few adventures did prove worth the stay as we have been loaned some avalanche beacons a probe and a shovel!  Now we can venture into the researching of Avi classes for early December in Colorado! 

Tomorrow morning we start the long drive to the Rocky Mountains, hoping to be in the Springs by thursday so we can celebrate the Most Thankful Day with family.

Granola Factory

We spent the day preparing breakfast for the next 5 months! Thanks Adam and Megan for great great day of granola, yatzee and boggle!

And they're off!

Goodbye yellow house. Hello road. 
We left Jeffersonville at 7pm this evening, dog and cat in tow with a ton of dried and canned foods and a little camping gear.  Tonight we settle down in North Conway, NH with the incredible Geoff, Beth and Emma.
 
Over the next week we will be floating around NH, ME and MA to give our love (and homemade pickles) to family and friends.  We will also be building a bed in the back of the van and other such logistical projects. 

Hopefully (weather cooperating) we will also post our first trip report of Mt. Washington!