CO Update!

I'm back and full of stuff to talk about...

First off, the Colorado trip was amazing! I can't remember loving the mountains that much when I saw them before. On Thursday, I landed at about 6:30 after a terrifying flight from Denver to Colorado Springs. The turbulence was the worst I've ever been in and it was only a 16 min. flight! My head was banging against the window. I was certain the plane was going to shake apart. Well I landed safely, obviously and Andy, Islands and Shawn picked me up from the airport. We drove to the Olympic Training Complex for dinner and almost got killed on the way there because Old Man Dobbins momentarily forgot how to drive; it was truly a sight.

Once we got to the complex in one piece we walked in and there are Olympic Athletes everywhere! The got our dinner from this sweet buffet-style dining area where you can get whatever you want and the food is incredible! Only the best for Olympic Athletes! Thanks to Andy for hooking us up.

After that we watched some basketball and then drove to the hotel to get settled in. After that we headed to Jack Quinn's for some Irish beer and good conversation with friends. We met Andy's intern friend, Lisa, which was cool. We witness quite the bar fight outside the bar next door and quickly got out of there since it was getting out of hand. After that it was back to the hotel to get some sleep. Andy and Lisa crammed into out hotel room because it was too cold to walk the mile home. We gave her the bed and Andy bunked with me and Shawn and Camann got the floor. Lisa enjoys drinking Andy's contacts; kinda weird, but then again, she's from Nebraska. No, I kid.

On Saturday, we got up fairly early and grab this very nice breakfast downstairs in the Hilton lobby, which was not free we found out after gorging ourselves. Oh well. Then it was off to Breckenridge!! The ride was absolutely beautiful, winding in and out of the mountains and valleys with the sun shining bright. I worked the tunes with my iPod and that made the trip even more fun. Just call me Mix Master Mike.

We got to the resort and got settled into our room which was small but a great location! Right downtown. We got some quick lunch at Subway and then went to go CC skiing. I haven't done that since I was 12 or so and I can't ever remembering it being that much fun. It's definitely something I want to start doing more. Although, I suppose it could never be as fun here as in Colorado. The scenery was inspiring and the trails were well groomed and went on for miles and miles. We even did the Black Diamond trails which we conquered! They were basically equivalent to the Black Diamonds at Nordic Mountain. Ridiculous. There were many spills, but by the end we were pros. Definitely something I'd like to do again!

After that we headed back to the resort to shower up and relax until dinner time. Before dinner we went to the Breckenridge Brewery to grab a pint. We had the Vanilla Porter which blew mind mind wide open. It was possibly my favorite beer EVER!! I bought a six pack to bring back to Wisconsin but I realized it is sold here, so whatever. I highly recommend trying it. For dinner we went to Empire Burger, a cool little burger joint that was recommended to us. Afterwards it was back to the resort to relax since we were so tired from skiing and then stopped at the Brewery again for a few more pints and then have some ski instructors mock us from going CC skiing. Boo to them. Then back to the resort for an early night.

The next morning we slept in and got up to eat breakfast but hardly anything was left, not even coffee! So we went to this cool coffee shop and had a good conversation over a good brew. Then we did some shopping and I bought some shirts for Amber and then it was off to CO Springs.

When we got back, we watched the Badgers play and rock Kansas St. Then off to the cool dinner buffet at the complex. Then we played Rock Band which was so cool that I could never own it because my wife would leave me due to lack of attention. No, I kid. But the game, was super cool.

Next it was off to Jack Quinn's again for a pint and we watched this phenomenal guitar player, Cari Dell perform a few songs. She loves Journey!! I requested a song but she didn't know it. Then we went to the bar next door, the Ritz and met some of the other interns that Andy works with and had a great night. Poor Shawn had to wake up at 5 or something because his flight was at 6:30 back to MN. Camann and I left at 12:30 then it was back to reality!

It always great coming home because I get to see Amber! I feel bad not being around for Easter weekend but I'm glad I got home early enough on Sunday to hang with the Rew. Although, I love to travel and visit new places I'm always happy that my home is Madison. I really wouldn't want to live anywhere else at the moment. Although, having mountains in the area would not hurt :-)