The Community of Aspen

Betty riding at Buttermilk- we had an impromptu picture taking session in the afternoon. The snow was crispy but still fluffy on top and it was a gorgeous day- low thirties and sunny
This one was taken from the top of Tiehack trail.



I tried skiing without a helmet today. I felt naked. Helmets are good.

When I woke up this morning, I got out of bed and ran downstairs to make coffee. I don't take running down the stairs or running anywhere for granted. I've had enough broken bones and torn ligaments to be out of commission for months at a time. When you love to be outside, love playing sports and simply being active, it seems like the most difficult thing in the world to have an injury that benches you for a few months. Ironically, my injuries have happened when I've been doing something I love, but I guess that's a risk you take with skiing and windsurfing. I'm not ready to go on a cruise yet!

Tonight I met a couple of ladies that are more than benched for a few months- they're sidelined indefinitely with various serious injuries. The community of Aspen has banded together to assist them and it's a beautiful thing to see so many people come out to help.























View from the Cliffhouse
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Later this evening I went to the Aspen Club and Spa's 30th Anniversary Party which also hosted a fundraiser event to benefit three local ladies with spinal cord injuries; Amanda Boxtel, Leah Roland and Kaisie Burtard. They need stem cell treatments to get better and this is one of the numerous events in Aspen helping the girls get to India where the stem cell treatments are performed.
http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/1284/1/They-said-shed-never-walk-again/1.html


There was a silent auction, a live auction, a live band, FREE champagne and food as well as sports training demos and a live hoop demo with the lovely and talented Betty Hoop. (Check out her hoop training video and hoop products at http://www.bettyhoops.com/ )



To the left we have a future hooper















And below, an overhead shot of the benefit poker competition. It looked very serious.











After we donated some cash at the benefit, my friend and I were craving meat so we found ourselves walking downstairs to the Steak Pit.
The Double Dog Pub next door looked inviting but there was no room to sit down as there was a packed house listening to the Celtic band The Crowlin Ferlies.


At the Steak Pit we both had the Petite sirloin, with all kinds of herb butters, bearnaise, salad bar included. Why do I love The Salad Bar? Could it be the never-ending supply of blue cheese dressing? All the sunflower seeds I can eat? The sneeze shields? Who cares. I rarely eat steak but this one was worth it- cooked to a perfect medium rare, not too big, and it came with steamed vegetables as requested.

Our meal was good but the waiter was a tad surly. We'll try it again and request a different waiter.