What Are Your Summertime Travels?

March 31, 2010 By

The kids and I are currently in Utah for Spring Break. Jamie will join us at a later time. After all, one of us needs to stay home to work while the rest of us play.

I’m just glad it’s him.

After that, our whirlwind travels will be officially over until summertime.

Mostly because pumpkin season will take over our lives in April.

I’ll admit it: I’m always thinking about the next trip. Now that my kids are bit older and intrepid travelers, this is going to be a banner summer. Some things in the works:

  • A visit to the grandparents in Utah. Salt Lake City, that is. Sweltering Southern Utah is the last place you’ll find this heat-hating Canuck.
  • Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Shockingly, we have never spent time at Glenwood Springs’ famous hot springs. We’re excited to do that and more by checking out the Glenwood Cavern Adventure Park, replete with a Tram, Laser Tag, Cave Tours, 4D Ride Theatre, Thrill Rides and what I’m sure will be my personal favorite: Demon the Bull.
  • Crested Butte, Colorado. During my family’s Tour de Colorado last summer, Crested Butte was our favorite stop. The Crested Butte Music Festival + The Wildflower Festival + the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory’s Nature Camp + the best views in Colorado = an unparalleled Colorado vacation. A repeat performance is definitely in order.
  • Another attempt at camping. The last couple of experiences have not exactly been memorable (read about my nervous breakdown here).

As for the trip I’m most excited about?

My generous mom rented out a beach house for a week in the Outer Banks. My entire family will be coming from all corners of North America for seven glorious days at the beach. Our house has great amenities such as a private swimming pool, game room, basketball, volleyball and much more.

But 18 people (with seven of them under age 6) living under the same roof for seven days?

During hurricane season.

Except for some great blog fodder.

Do you have any fun plans for summer?!

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, Humor, travel, Utah

The Scoreboard of Marriage

March 16, 2010 By

It’s official: I survived five days as a single parent.

I’d even say I thrived as the children and I played at my happy place (R.E.I.), threw rocks into the Platte River, indulged in Little Man Ice Cream, played at the playground, went on daily bike rides, rolled down the hill at Confluence Park, went to a St. Patrick’s Day Parade, saw Planet 51, attended church, made a cake in our Easy-Bake Oven, roller-bladed and picnicked in Washington Park, ate at Cafe Rio, frolicked at drop-in gymnastics and shopped. A lot.

Evidently, I have an aversion to being home when my husband is gone.

Oh wait. I’m always like that.

And where was the Lord of the Gourds? He was in Niagara at a giant pumpkin-growing convention.

Yes, you heard correctly. His people meet annually to discuss, welp growing giant pumpkins.

And evidently other exciting things such as “watching the youngest grower to ever receive an Orange Jacket take her place in history with her NEW WORLD RECORD Pumpkin.”

This is exciting stuff, people.

I encouraged Jamie to go. Mostly because I knew he’d have a blast and partly because I felt guilty about how much I’ve been traveling. We now have a 12-day break before we head back to Utah to visit family and ski Park City Mountain Resort for Spring Break.

That’s a lot of travel, even for a family travel writer.

This is the first time Jamie and I have had back-to-back trips without each other and it’s been tough. While we generally don’t keep score in our marriage, we kind of did this time around.

“Jamie, I think you owe me after leaving me alone for five days with the kids.”
“Are you kidding me? What about the 10 days you were gone for the Olympics?”"
“Your mom was here for eight of those days. On the others, I arranged play dates.”
“And your trip to Park City last week? You were gone for 3.5 days.”
“The kids were in school for part of it, I coordinated two play dates and your sister Lisa took the kids for most of Saturday.”
“That still leaves a lot of hours. You were gone a total of 13.5 days and I was only out of town for five.”

Bottom line is he is probably right but who’s counting?

Oh wait. Evidently, we are.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Jamie, Marriage, pumpkins, travel

Snowmamas Getaway in Park City!

March 11, 2010 By

I’ve had a lot of fun on the slopes with my family this winter but sometimes a girl just needs to have fun. Park City Mountain Resort Marketing Director Krista Parry recruited five moms from various walks of life to contribute to Snowmamas.com and one of our rewards was a getaway weekend.

In style.


And with adrenaline.

(Hanging with The Vacation Gals Jennifer Beth and Kara at Utah Olympic Park. See my previous post about braving that crazy bobsled run).

We went tubing at steep, fast and thrilling Gorgoza Park.


(Picture: Krista, Me, Sugar and Linda as we teetered on the ledge of doom.)

And the snow. Did I mention the snow? On Friday, Park City Mountain Resort received 17 glorious inches of it. That, coupled with my Nordica Hot Rod demo skis made for the best ski day in The History of Amber.

Long and sordid as it is.

(Picture: Me, Krista, Linda and Katja)

There were only two exceptions:

I got separated from the group and encountered expert terrain with thigh-deep snow. Do you know those skiers in the Warren Miller films who effortlessly swoosh down the slopes leaving a spray of sparkling powder in their wake?

I was the very antithesis of that.

And then there was Sugar. I learned very quickly not to stop 10 feet from her because it will result in a roller-derbyesque take-down wherein she called me an unmentionable name.

Hint: it was not at all sweet.

Lest you think the Snowmamas are all work with no play, allow me to dispel these notions. I spent an afternoon brainstorming with some of the greatest minds in social media and family travel including syndicated columnist Eileen Ogintz.

Of course, maybe it’s not considered work if you’re holed up in a gorgeous cabin with food, new friends and fun.

Even if some of them do call you unmentionable names.

Let’s talk Girl Getaways. I’ve already named Park City as mine. Where would yours be?

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Humor, travel Tagged With:

Defying the G-force on the Bobsled’s Position of Death

March 9, 2010 By

I’ve done some crazy things in my life.

I won’t expound upon them because my mother sometimes reads my blog.

Riding in the 4-man bobsled at Utah Olympic Park was the craziest thing I have ever done.

We all know bobsledders go fast—upwards of 90 mph. I was equipped to deal with speed. What I was not prepared for were the excruciating 5 Gs of force weighing down upon me.

To put this into perspective: astronauts only feel 3 Gs during maximum launch and reentry in the Space Shuttle.

It was the first time even my Afro could not defy the forces of gravity.

Some background: I was in Park City last weekend. I have been a part of Park City Mountain Resort’s cutting-edge social media site Snowmamas and my fellow Snowmamas and I congregated for a glorious weekend of skiing, tubing, eating and brainstorming (details in my next post).

Fellow family travel writers The Vacation Gals (Kara, Jennifer and Beth) were also in town. On Saturday afternoon, we toured Utah Olympic Park, which consists of the interactive Alf Engen Ski Museum, the inspiring 2002 Eccles Olympic Winter Games Museum, and a fascinating bus tour of the aerials, ski jump and the combined track venues.

I have done all this before. What motivated me to act as a fourth-wheel was the opportunity to do the bobsled at no charge (a $200 cost).

I figured it would be a roller-coaster on steroids. I did not anticipate it would be like gold medalist Steve Holcomb described as a “minute-long car accident” on one of the fastest tracks in the world.

Jen, Kara and I were assigned to Sled No. 9 and underwent a 30-minute orientation. The room was predominantly filled with chest-thumping, testosterone-oozing men.

And then there was us. But how serendipitous was it that my helmet and sled totally matched my outfit?


In a 4-man bobsled, there is a pilot (driver), positions 2 and 3, and the brakeman in the back. Our instructor Jon described that fourth position as the most aggressive and the one that bears the brunt of the force. For the public ride, the pilot would serve as both driver and brakeman.

You know. Because the person in Position 4 is consumed with a minor thing like not dying.

And who would be insane enough to volunteer for said Position of Death (POD)? Me, of course. Kara and Jennifer gushed gratitude and vowed they would owe me for life. After what I endured on the Comet bobsled, a proper display of indebtedness would be naming their next child after me.

Or, in the very least, their favorite goldfish.

The sled follows 15 curves at speeds only 10 seconds less than the professionals. We were the final competitors. In the public rides, no one does a running start so Jen leisurely entered through the back of the sled, followed by Kara and then me in the POD.

After straddling the person in front of you, the strategy is to shrug your shoulders the entire ride to prevent your head from bobbling around. We used the handles to hold ourselves upright and hang on for dear life.

We were gently pushed off the starting line and that was the final placid moment of our ride. I’m still at a loss for how to describe the sensation of having 5 Gs of force crushing down upon you. It was painful. It was fascinating. It was thrilling. But mostly it was just excruciating.

When I watched bobsledders on TV, I always assumed their head bobbing was due to the velocity but it is more attributed to defying the forces exerted by gravity.

This video is a primer for our ride:

Please excuse the last few seconds of the video that were filmed sideways. In our defense, that was our angle as we barreled down the track.

Upon finally coming to a stop, my first thought was, “That was the most unbelievable experience of my life,” which was followed by “WHY THE CRAP DO BOBSLEDDERS SUBMIT THEMSELVES TO THAT INSANITY DAY IN AND DAY OUT?”

And then all thoughts were overcome by severe throbbing. Dazed, we posed with our cutie pie pilot Jake.

See my smile? I did not mean it.

When I woke up the next morning, I had a severe case of whiplash and could not move my neck and shoulders. The blood vessel in my right eye had burst and I looked like I got my butt kicked by the neighborhood bully.

Which, in reality, I kind of did.

His name is Bob.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Favorite Posts, Humor, travel, Utah

Snowmass: Inspiring Olympic Aspirations in Families

March 3, 2010 By

Aspen has a couple of things working against it: exorbitant prices and a reputation for misbehaving celebrities such as Charlie Sheen and those on VH1’s controversial Secrets of Aspen.

Fortunately, it has even more going for it.

My family visited Snowmass for the first time last weekend. I was eager to try the largest of Aspen Ski Company’s highly acclaimed four resorts but I was also worried I wouldn’t fit in. I don’t own fur and my nails haven’t seen a manicure since those fake nails I wore to my high school graduation.

Turns out, it didn’t matter. I was, after all, at a world-class ski resort.

I just wore gloves the entire time.

The Mountain

If you have kids, there is nothing greater than Snowmass’ 25,000-square-foot Tree House Kid’s Adventure Center. The $17 million facility stands as the first of its kind in the snowsports industry with a host of themed rooms for ages eight weeks and older as well as a climbing gym, teen activities and kids’ retail.

Snowmass is renowned for its ski school and employs hundreds of instructors. We enrolled 3-year-old Bode in the Bears class and 5-year-old Hadley was a Grizzly ($130 for a full day). With only 6 percent of its 3,132 acres classified as “easiest,” Snowmass is an intermediate/advanced mountain. The beginner areas became a war zone as newbies practically battled it out for their place to face-plant. The upper mountain was gloriously devoid of lines and crowds.

My children still had the time of their lives.

Snowmass has prodigious amounts of terrain and snow. But it’s the little things that really set it apart: free hot cider, sunscreen and granola bars atop Elk Camp Meadows. Trail maps conveniently printed on the chairlifts’ safety bar. Free naturalist-guided tours twice a day.

Jamie and I are pretty equal in our skiing ability with the exception that he likes to hit the terrain park. I recently got hit by a snowboarder at a terrain park as I tried to photograph Jamie.

That is about as much as we have in common as it pertains to terrain parks.

We had only been skiing an hour when Jamie spotted one of Snowmass’ three terrain parks and the coercion began. I resisted until I saw a class of 6-year-olds tackle it. I reluctantly relented.

I guess you could say I gave in to kid pressure.

Snowmass has done it right. Instead of just having suicidal 10-foot jumps and rails, this one was rated “medium,” which, in terrain-park-speak means “Easy Enough-For-a-30-Something-Mom-to-Have-Visions-of-Ski-Cross-Olympic-Grandeur-Without-Killing-Herself.”

On the same note, at the end of his lesson, Bode proclaimed, “I skied FAST like Bode Miller!”

Look for us at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

ACES (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies)

Our first experience in Aspen defied all the town’s stereotypes. ACES (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies) is a non-profit 25-acre preserve that offers educational programs and activities about nature, ecology, and the environment. Or, as my daughter Hadley summarized,

“There were some dead animals and others were alive.”

We joined in as a local elementary school made animals tracks of plaster and my kids touched a python snake. We went for a walk on the Forest Trail along a natural spring that fills Hallan Lake, which is maintained by a family of beavers. Even under a blanket of snow, the wetlands dazzled in winter. We visited two non-releasable birds of prey: a 27-year-old golden eagle and gray-horned owl.

In winter, ACES offers showshoe tours in Aspen, Snowmass and Ashcroft. Summer is king for kids and classes include the Little Naturalist, which focuses on different animals each session. Week-long classes are also offered including Exploring Around (ages 5-6) and Wild Exploration (ages 7-8). The summer schedule will be posted in mid-March at aspennature.org.

Snowmass’ Glorious Food

Snowmass Base Village
The Sweet Life is Snowmass’ sweetheart of family dining. Located in the base village, this is THE must-eat-at restaurant for kids. The first floor is a candy store and ice cream parlor on steroids. The top floor is a 1950s-style diner that is every child’s fantasy.

Don’t miss out on the chicken lollipops, 15 varieties of cupcakes (including root beer float and candied lemonade), fried Oreos, funnel cake fries, and a separate menu of nine different S’mores.

On-Mountain
Skiing and riding works up an appetite and Sam’s Smokehouse satisfies. The new 7,800-square-foot barbecue-style smokehouse has stunning views of Garret’s Peak, Mount Daly and the surrounding backcountry with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Try their pulled pork sandwich, smoked chicken, and barbecue glazed citrus shrimp, topped off by organic apple crisp. Just don’t believe your husband when he says “I’ll only have two bites of dessert” because he will invariably polish it off.

His defense? “They were just really big bites.”

Best Splurge
There is something almost surreal about piling into a snowcat (or a “snowkitty” according to my 3-year-old son) and creeping up a steep mountain slope to a cozy cabin encapsulated by winter’s magical snow globe. Elegant Lynn Britt Cabin gives you that kind of experience. Add that to an ever-changing four-course gourmet meal, Rich (a hilarious guitar-strumming, harmonica-playing entertainer) and you have an unforgettable evening.

Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Restaurant
I am remiss we did not have time to go to Woody Creek Tavern because it came highly recommended from multiple sources. Just six miles from Snowmass, this quirky cowboy dive bar/restaurant boasts the best enchiladas and tamales you will ever taste. Though some superstars are regulars, Woody Creek Tavern prides itself as being “anti-establishmentarianism.”

Whatever the heck that means in a celebrity-kissed town that does a stellar job catering to families.

I’m giving away four ski passes to Snowmass at Mile High Mamas! Be sure to enter.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, Humor, travel

Why Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort is a Family-favorite (and worth the drive)

February 2, 2010 By

The only bad thing about Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort is the long haul to get there.

That’s also why it is so great.

Make the seven-hour drive from Denver to Durango’s remote enclave in southwestern Colorado and you’ll feel like you’re in the frosty equivalent of Shangri-La. With 1,325 acres of snow-dusted terrain, the San Juan Mountains are arguably Colorado’s most beautiful range.

I skied Purgatory 10 years ago and my only memory is a jarring wipe-out that had me seeing snow.

And a lot of stars.

Much has changed at this premier family-friendly resort since then. If you look at Purgatory’s marketing materials, there is a common theme: new. The new Purgatory Village base facilities include a new village plaza, gorgeous new Purgatory Lodge, new and improved retail shops and a new mountain Activities Center.

In the same vein, my husband Jamie and I were delighted for our newfound freedom as we dropped 3-year-old Bode and 5-year-old Hadley off in ski school. Hadley attended the full-day classes ($75) while second-timer Bode tore up the slopes in a half-day lesson ($55), finishing off his day being spoiled by the doting staff at Snow Monsters child care.

We spent two days on the slopes and both kids’ skills improved exponentially. Bode was a tucking speed demon, expertly weaving in and out of traffic. Pizza-carving Hadley started to get a bit cocky, mocking the incompetent.

“You know those grown-ups learning to ski on the bunny slope with me?”

“Yes.”

(Chuckling) “They fell. A lot.”

Ski Bunny Mommy

While the kids were in ski school, Jamie and I rented some demo skis. Conditions were epic: a bluebird day, 50 inches snow in the past week and a generous dump of it in the last 24 hours.

From the offset, I rocked the terrain. The snow was superb but I quickly attributed my rockstar status tomy demo skis: Nordica Hot Rods. My turns were seamless, my velocity fast. I floated through fresh powder and my miracle skis made me slightly delusional, giving me confidence to conquer terrain beyond my ability level. I concluded that they treated me better than my high school boyfriend.

My imaginary perfect one.

Jamie hadn’t slept well so he ended his ski day after lunch. Undaunted, I skied alone and found a new beau: Chet’s powder playground. I later raved to Jamie about the moves I put on Chet’s bumps, promising to introduce the real love of my life to it the next day.

Until I discovered Chet’s powder perfection had been groomed and ruined.

Best to just stick with the imaginary boyfriend when it comes to ski runs to avoid disappointment.

Accommodations

There are plenty of affordable lodging options in Durango along Main Avenue. But if you don’t want to make the 25-mile drive to Purgatory, be sure to stay slope-side at the Purgatory Lodge. Completed in December 2008, this luxury ski-in/ski-out property is the anchor of the new Purgatory Village with units ranging in size from 2 to 4 bedrooms. All rooms in Purgatory Lodge have unparalleled views of the ski area and Needles Mountains.

What really sets Purgatory Lodge apart is the Durango Mountain Club. Many resorts have an alpine club but very few do such a stellar job catering to the younger set. When my family was not skiing, we were playing Wii or swimming in the pool with spray jets and a water slide. Other offerings include a hot tub, fitness center, fire pit, cabana bar, board games, pool and an adjacent bar and eating area.

Trimble Spa and Natural Hot Springs

One of my favorite ways to unwind after skiing is to soak my weary muscles. Located just outside of Durango, Trimble Spa and Natural Hot Springs has naturally heated mineral pools, saunas and the area’s largest heated outdoor swimming pool. There is nothing fancy about Trimble but the minerals will still work their magic on you. Just be sure not to ingest the water like my 3-year-old son, after which he sputtered, “Dat was DANGEROUS!”

Consider yourselves warned.

Sleigh Bells Ring

New for this season, Buck’s Livery offers horse-drawn sleigh rides that depart from Purgatory’s base area and climb high above the resort. My family’s best photo opportunities took place as we dashed through the snow to an overlook of the Needles Mountains set afire by Alpenglow. Sleighs depart at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. The cost is $30 per adult and $20 per child. For reservations and information, call 970-385-2110.

Glorious Food

Steamworks Brewing Company

This brewpub just off Main Avenue in Durango is zany, fun and family-friendly. Many restaurants offer crayons in an effort to appease children. Steamworks takes it a step further and distributes sidewalk chalk and encourages budding artists to graffiti the floor. You can’t go wrong with anything you order off their extensive menu but I recommend the Cajun Bowl, where quality bar food meets Cajun with ½ pound of crab, ¼ pound of shrimp, ¼ pound of sausage, 3 new potatoes and 2 cobs of corn.

Purgy’s

Conveniently located in the Purgatory Lodge, this hoppin’ hub offers an omelet station and breakfast burritos in the morning. In the afternoon, you will find live music and their famous burgers and pizza. Purgy’s transforms into an upscale restaurant in the evening. Best of all, Purgy’s is connected to the Durango Mountain Club at Purgatory Lodge. As guests, we were able to eat our filet mignon in the game room while our kids stayed entertained. Talk about the best of both worlds.

Creekside Italian Kitchen

The last thing I want to do after a long drive is cook or go out to eat. Conveniently located on the Plaza level, Creekside Italian Kitchen delivers—literally. We pre-ordered their delicious calzone, pizza, spaghetti, cheese bread, Panini and a dessert pizza my children are still raving about. We devoured our meal from the comfort of our condo.

All in the name of carb-loading before our big ski day, of course.

Best Deal

When you book three nights of lodging at Durango Mountain Resort properties and three days of lift tickets, they’ll throw in a fourth day and night for FREE. Add three days of rentals and ski or snowboard lessons, and you’ll receive a fourth day of rentals and/or lessons also free. Call 800-982-6103 to book the “Buy 3, Get the 4th Free” package. Some restrictions apply; based on availability. Minimum four nights stay required. Price based on four-person occupancy at Tamarron Lodge.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, Humor, skiing, travel Tagged With:

Our bags were packed, we didn’t go

January 14, 2010 By

This post was supposed to be about my family’s adventures in Aspen last weekend.

How we stayed at the base of Snowmass Mountain and were swept up the mountain in a snowcat sleigh ride to enjoy a gourmet dinner.

And don’t forget about the glorious skiing and how much the children would have relished playing at Snowmass’ infamous Treehouse Kid’s Adventure Center.

Instead, I shall document my week by Facebook posts.

Wednesday

Do you know those days when you love everything about being a parent and can’t get enough of your kids? TODAY WASN’T ONE OF THOSE DAYS.

Thursday

Tip: Do not EVER complain when you’ve had a bad day. Because GUARANTEED the next day can always get worse.


Tomorrow’s trip to Aspen can’t come soon enough.

Friday

Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, it does. I was up all night with puking Bode. Canceled Aspen trip. Officially going into mourning. Trip postponed until late-February, barring yet another disaster.

================

Bode started to feel better on Saturday so we salvaged the weekend by eating dinner at glorious Zengo, going for a long walk along the river and attending a free day at the zoo. I’ve always loved the polar bears but felt a kinship with them when I read their plaque: the females spend most of their adult lives either pregnant or caring for their young.


After the last week I had, I definitely knew the feeling.

The quote of the day was Hadley’s. For a bit of background, the kids are really into the whole Land Before Time series and love learning about dinosaurs and their babies. Hadley’s quote?

“Daddy, that giraffe is sitting on a big EGG!”

It was his scrotum.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Family travel, Humor, travel

The Decade in Review

January 5, 2010 By

2000–We did not die as many predicted. Worked as an account executive at a PR agency in Salt Lake City and moonlighted as a travel writer. Paid $50 to spend the night at the new Salt Lake County jail’s “B&B.” Juggled two fun guys, making up for the dating drought that was my life the previous 2.5 decades.

2001–Landed dream job at Deseret Book Co. Oversaw events at the corporate office and 40 stores. Ate Lion House rolls every day (the best you’ve ever had), ran them off every night on some mountain trail. Worked as the travel editor at Sports Guide for the fourth year and wrote for Utah Outdoors. Traveled most weekends and loved every minute of it.

2002–Laid off when corporate cut one-third of the positions. Went into mourning, regrouped, made life changes and then played. Continued travel writing and branched into radio as a freelancer for Metro Networks. Attended multiple events at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. Connected online with my future husband in July. Broke up with on-again, off-again boyfriend of five years. Met Internet Guy in September. Both men proposed the same week. Fell madly in love with Internet Guy.

2003–Moved to Denver. Married Internet Guy on February 15. Climbed 14ers (14,000-foot peaks), skied, backpacked Southern Utah, loved and laughed. Built a house, moved in with in-laws while it was being finished. Got pregnant. Got sick. Taught early-morning seminary. Got sick again.

2004–Still sick…and now big. Moved into new home April 15. Daughter Hadley born the next month. Beautiful, chubby, colicky and rarely slept. Thought life was over with motherhood. Joined hiking club for moms. Hit the trail a few times a week. Only time Hadley stopped crying. Loved introducing her to the outdoors.

2005–Hadley showing slight improvement. Still a tough, spirited, independent child. Lots of hikes, play dates, library story times and drop-in gymnastics. Started blog at MSN Spaces. Somehow documenting and connecting with online moms helped make sense of the madness. Husband had surgery to remove heart arrhythmia. Went on a cruise. Pregnant with baby No. 2. Had legitimate concerns could give birth to another tough baby. Prayed. A lot.

2006–Sick and big. Baby Bode born. Sweet and slept all the time. Amber rejoiced. Regular hikes and bike rides with both kids in the Chariot. Internet Guy promoted to director position at work. Life as a widow begins.

2007–Adjusted to life with two children. Went on another cruise. Pitched Mile High Mamas idea to both newspapers. Launched with The Denver Post in October. Husband’s pumpkin obsession begins. Started travel writing again. Family vacation to Mexico. Daughter began preschool. Finally saw the light at the end of the newborn tunnel.

2008–Husband loses job. Takes severance package and finished basement. Hired by company that had been actively recruiting him. Makes lots of money as their consultant. His pumpkin obsession continues. Spends every summer night at his parent’s pumpkin patch making out tending to his pumpkin. Final weight: 755 pounds.

2009–Hubby’s consulting gig dries up when main client declared bankruptcy. Starts Pixo Web Design and Strategy. Works hard. Grows pumpkin. Family goes on Tour de Colorado for summer vacation. Tornado wipes out pumpkin patch. Husband mourns. Wife rejoices. Throws Mile High Mamas events while working with various brands. Husband celebrate 10 years of being cancer-free. Daughter starts kindergarten, son in preschool, Mama solo again on the mountain trails. Added kitty Remy to the Crazy Clan. One of five semi-finalists in Microsoft’s Office Winter Games contest.

I started the 2000s alone and ended them surrounded by love. This past decade has been a roller-coaster ride of joys and sorrows. Outlook for 2010 is bright.

What were some of your high and lowlights of the last decade?

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Family, Hadley, Humor, Jamie, Olympics, travel

Loveland Ski Area for Families–Win a Family 4-pack of Tickets!

January 4, 2010 By

The stakes were high for my 3-year-old son Bode’s first time on skis at Loveland Ski Area. The child was, after all, named after World Cup skiing sensation Bode Miller.

Better to live up to that than my namesake Forever Amber, a novel about a 17th-century prostitute.

I had never skied Loveland before and immediately fell in love because of its terrain (93 trails on 1,570 acres), affordability (discount tickets are $52) and proximity (just 53 miles from downtown Denver, directly off I-70).

This is the first year both of my children are old enough to ski so I enrolled them in the Loveland Ski and Ride School in Loveland Valley. A full-day lesson, lift ticket and lunch are $91, a veritable steal compared to other resorts. Enroll your child (or beginner adult) in three classes and they will receive a free season pass to work on their turns all season long.

Children may not start group lessons until they are 4 so we put Bode in a private lesson. He was tired and his check-in process did not go smoothly when he tried to walk around in his awkward ski boots.

I started wondering if we’d need to go with Plan B and put him in the on-site childcare center. While certainly not a bad option, we really wanted to get him on the slopes.

My husband Jamie and I left him there (as all good parents do), promising to check on him after his lesson started. The lift connecting Loveland Valley to the resort was not operating so we hopped on the free shuttle to Loveland Basin where we grabbed some demo skis and hit the slopes for the first time this season.

It was glorious…and a very cold -10 degrees Fahrenheit. We huddled up on the chairlift as we marveled at the sweeping views of the Continental Divide. It was early-season so only about 20% of the terrain was open. We didn’t care and found enough powder stashes off Lifts 1, 2 and 3 to keep us happy. The highest chairlift (Lift 9) soars to 12,900 feet so conditions are sometimes cold and windy but always epic.

After a couple of hours, Jamie and I fearfully rode the shuttle back to Loveland Valley. We weren’t sure what we would find. Bode crumbled up on the snow in tears? Screaming bloody murder? Or maybe he wouldn’t even make it to the slopes.

We were shocked and delighted to find our little Olympic hopeful grinning from ear-to-ear with his private (and utterly delightful) instructor Terry. His earlier discontent was forgotten. He rode the magic carpet like a pro and under Terry’s careful supervision, he skied down the bunny slope by himself.

As he zoomed past us at the record-breaking speed of 0.05-mile per hour, he squealed, “I wike it!” He then pointed to the chairlift and steeper slope behind him. “I want to go dere,” he told his instructor. He spent the rest of the day on the more advanced terrain.

Hadley and Bode claimed lunch was “delicious” with corn dogs, tater tots, apples and cookies, followed by a surprise visit from skiing Santa.


Who was evidently slacking off from his duties that Christmas Eve.

Loveland’s Family-style Eats

If I were to have a tagline for Loveland, it would be “We’re not fancy…we’re about family,” which is exactly how Jamie and I felt while eating lunch at their only lodge. The cafeteria was like a huge reunion as people reconnected while eating hearty sandwiches, Mexican food, savory pastas, homemade soups, made-to-order pizzas and more.

We ate at the Wedge Bar, appropriately named because it was wedged in the middle of the busy room. I ordered chili and a salad while Jamie opted for the Kobe Beef Sliders.

The next hour was spent in conversation with uproarious ski school instructors Mark and Michael, who were enjoying a day off. They divulged their favorite areas to ski (off Lifts 8 and 9 and Over the Rainbow) and the best thing about Loveland (everyone is very tight-knit and not pretentious).

When we picked the children up at the end of the day, they were jubilant and exhausted. As the youngest child in ski school, Bode had been adopted by some over-protective tweens. One of them told me, “If I had a little brother, I’d want him to be just like Bode!”

An appropriate sentiment at a resort where you feel like family.

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Ski and stay: While Loveland Ski Area is not known as a destination resort, it does offer lodging packages. Prices start at $115 per night for one night’s lodging and two lift tickets.

Win: Mile High Mamas is thrilled to offer up a four-pack of tickets to Loveland Ski Area for the family to enjoy! Please go here to enter. Contest deadline is January 15, 2010.

Note: This article is part of a winter-long series on Colorado’s resorts. Mom bloggers will be dispatched to various resorts and will share their family’s experiences and recommendations. Most activities and lodging will be provided by the resorts or Colorado Ski Country USA. Tune in often for information on great deals and ski ticket giveaways!

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, Humor, outdoors, travel

A taste of the bitter-sweet

December 1, 2009 By

Returning home to Calgary is always bitter-sweet. I was blessed with a wonderful, magical childhood that every kid in this world deserves but doesn’t always get. Life was never perfect but I had two parents who gave me wings and taught me to never second-guess my dreams.

Well, except for that one time I dreamed I was riding to a desert island in a shark’s mouth.

This last trip to my childhood home was more meaningful than ever.

When I wasn’t busy groveling for votes for the Microsoft Office Winters Games Contest, Hadley, Bode and I spent the majority of our time hanging out with family. We collected pine cones in my parent’s golf cart, took naps, got sick, got better, visited my dear friend Stacey, went to breakfast at glorious Cora’s and played with cousins.


We also took daily walks with my parent’s dogs


and rolled down the gully near my house.

Note: It was my father who instigated that one, not me. Kinda humbling to still get your butt kicked by your 70-year-old dad.

But the true highlight was when we took a trip to Southern Alberta for my niece Ashton’s special day.
I went for several runs, exploring my favorite haunts around my neighborhood, through Fish Creek Provincial Park, and along the swollen Bow River. It was in these places, along these trails, that I first learned to dream, explore and soar.

Those moments were the sweet.

The bitter was dealing with my mother’s rapidly declining health.

Since I originally wrote about her 25-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis, she has become more open about her condition. And accepted it. She has regular debilitating attacks, can no longer drive and relies on my father for most of her day-to-day tasks. They stay abreast on cutting-edge treatments, praying for the day she might be one of the recipients. It is a process that is both hopeful and heart-breaking.

I am glad to be back in Denver. It was a great trip. It was a sobering trip. And I cannot think of a better time to be there than during Thanksgiving so that I could count my many blessings.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Canada, Family, Health, Olympics, travel
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