As we drove out of town yesterday, the sun was shining, and the skies were blue in Breckenridge. What a gorgeous day for a field trip to Aspen! Since we’d never been there, and we’d heard what a fantastic resort spot it is and knew that John Denver lived there, we were looking forward to an adventurous day. We just didn’t know how much adventure!!

Rowland drove the 2 1/2 hours west to Aspen while the kids watched “Old Yeller” in the car, and Carson listened to classic rock on his headphones. I talked to my brother for a while on the phone, but mostly Rowland and I visited and sang along to John Denver.

Once in Aspen, we realized that we had placed ourselves smack dab in the middle of the TV show “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” Looking forward to a little shopping, I quickly realized that my credit limits were too low to even walk into the stores - Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Dior, etc., etc., etc. In the bottom of the cute little diner where we ate lunch, Boogie’s, there was a jeans and T-shirt store having a big sale. While we waited for our food, I went downstairs to have a look around. I found a semi-okay-cute-if-there’s-nothing-else-to-buy yellow T-shirt for $285. Yes, two hundred eighty-five dollars! I did find another T that was almost as semi-okay-cute for only $85. Needless to say, we punted the whole shopping idea pretty quickly!

After a $70 lunch of deli sandwiches, mac and cheese, and cheeseburgers, we walked around town “looking but not touching!” We did find a little T-shirt shop where the kids got a T-shirt or a stuffed animal. As we were headed back to the car, I actually found a Thrift Shop! I knew I’d hit pay dirt in that store!! We excitedly crossed the street only to discover that the store had closed at 3:00, 30 minutes earlier. Bummer!

We drove out-of-town ready to get back to our little cabin in the woods! There was a slight mist in the air, but basically, the drive was quick and easy - all the way to Vail…..We noticed a couple of police officers closing down one lane of a couple of bridges but really couldn’t figure out the reason. The roads were fine, and the temperature was just beginning to hit freezing. At Vail, Hwy. 70 closed. We were about 30 cars back from the closing.

Since it was dinnertime anyway, we exited and went back to Vail for some pizza and a warm place to wait out the road closure. We discovered that a snowstorm had dumped on Vail, and there was a total whiteout on Vail Pass, leaving numerous accidents to be cleared. After waiting for about an hour and a half, we stopped at the police station in town where an officer told me the road should be opened in about 30 minutes. We got in line and waited and waited some more only to encounter another police officer who said that the wait would be 2 - 4 hours.

Immediately, we headed back to Avon to catch a movie with the kids before trying the Pass again. As soon as we exited, Grant called and said the Pass was open. Actually, the nightmare was just beginning. Rowland traversed the Pass excellently, but there were lots of two wheel drives and pick-up trucks not having the best luck. The wreckers were all around us, picking up stuck cars and taking them off the Pass. My nerves were just a little shot, and I knew that Rowland was running on sheer adrenaline.

Field Trip H*** FINALLY ended about 11:30 when we fell into bed. As I cuddled into my husband’s arms, feeling so secure and warm, I heard my 7 year old princess crying loudly. Ten minutes later, after several STRONG words from two exhausted parents, Rowland was downstairs in bed with Jia, and I was upstairs with the frightened (or just spoiled?) princess. So much for a cozy night with my honey!

Good news is that Rowland and Carson hit the fresh powder first thing this morning, and they were pumped! More good news is that the frightened (spoiled!) princess gets to spend some quiet, quality time in her room today!! Happy Day! Happy, Happy Day!!!