Going Home, Farewell Utah

Monday, February 9, 2014
Today was our travel home day. It consisted of an early departure from the resort, followed by a snowy forty-five minute drive to the airport and the flight home. As you can see from the picture below, Brenda couldn't wait to get home, leaving kids and husband behind.

Snowmobiles with kids?

Sunday, February 8, 2014

Today was snowmobile day. After a heavy night of snowing the snow plow trucks were out everywhere and the snow continued as we began our two hour drive to get to Stillman Ranch where an adventure in snowmobiling awaited us. We arrived at the Stillman Ranch early and had to wait for all parties in the adventure to arrive before we could start our trek. While waiting the kids enjoyed playing in the snow banks along the drive, and Brenda joined in the fun.

As the final members of the party arrived we got brief instructions on how to operate our snowmobiles, then we got started. It was a typical trail ride formation, with the snow as heavy as it was, we dare not venture off the path as some of the paths included drops of fifty feet or more. The scenery was beautiful, the weather was freezing and the trek was fun. After about an hour and half of trail riding, we came to an opening where we were able to drive the snowmobiles in a circular track and see what those babies could do! Brenda and I dropped the kids in the snow to make snow angels, by this time the snow was about two feet deep, and we proceeded to "open" up the snowmobiles on the track going as fast as we cared to go. A few laps of that and I was done as the cold started to make my time miserable, I wanted to find some warmth. The kids however were quite happy making snow angels and snow balls in the two foot deep snow. But FINALLY, our trail boss gave the signal that we were heading back. I thought to myself, "woo hoo", but only to realize that we were going to make a stop at an isolated cabin for some refreshments, I could only hope that by refreshments they meant a nice warm fire. To my delight that was exactly what was waiting for us, a nice warm fire in a cabin from a small wood burning stove and some hot cider. It was tough to leave the coziness of the cabin but alas it was time for us to make our way back to the big house and bring this adventure to an end, I was also ready for some lunch.

After another thirty minutes of snowmobiling, we arrive back at the ranch, man it was cold today. We turn in our gear thank the operators and load up to follow the bus off the property. The snow was really making if tough for this Texas boy to determine where the road ends and the pasture begins. Everyone in our party enjoyed the day of snowmobiles and as we were driving off the chatter from the back seat began about how much fun they had.

We stopped off at a little road side diner, Road Island Diner, which was an actual diner that had been restored. The place was very shiny and new looking and was a great place to have lunch. Nothing like hearty diner food after an afternoon of riding snow mobiles.

The road back to the resort ran alongside the Rockport reservoir, and from our view we could see several huts out on the frozen lake. We decided to make a stop and see if we could go down to the lake and walk on it, none of us had ever walked on a frozen lake before so this could be very fun or disastrous. The trail down to the lake was easy to maneuver and once we reached the edge of the lake we discovered the slushy ring that went around the perimeter of the lake, in order to get to the frozen ice we would have to walk through this muck. Without proper footwear to make the crossing we failed short of our mission, but once again plan B was put into action. Since the it had been snowing all night the snow in this area seemed to be very "wet" and just right for making a decent snowman, and that's just what we did, built a colossal snowman that the kids had never seen before (picture not available unfortunately). This seemed to be the NEW highlight of the day for the kids, they have accomplished everything they had wanted to do in a snow climate now. Nothing left to do but travel back to the resort and call it a day.

That was the plan, but apparently there was one more thing on the kid's agenda, a snowball fight. Just as Brenda and I are getting out of the car, we are bombarded by a barrage of snowballs from Mason and Amber, oh the sweet kids had turned to little terrors. Not to be out done, we retaliated with return fire, sending the enemy in retreat. Brenda unfortunately was a casualty of friendly fire, a snowball from my hand landed squarely in her face, the repercussions of that ill fated decision on my part will haunt me for years.

Cleaned up, tired and ready to get home, our dinner was way short of spectacular, Del Taco, but with the snow hurling down and everyone worn out, it was quick and easy and allowed us time to take dip in the hot tub outside. The outside temperature being freezing the the hot tub temperature being a nice toasty 98, ah, that takes away the frost bite and seals the deal on a wonderful day of adventure. 

- Brenda having fun with the snowbanks -

- Amber getting lost in the snow, while Mason was fascinated with snowballs -

- Brenda and Amber road together while Mason and I shared a snowmobile -

- Time for a break with some hot cider at the cabin -

- Lunch at the Road Island Diner on the way back from Stillman Ranch -

- Proof that Mason started the snowball fight -

Alpine Coaster or Bust! Bust.

Saturday, February 7, 2014

Morning brought a new day and the need for coffee from the Starbucks that we passed when we checked into the resort. With snow falling and snow plows running, I ask for volunteers to go with me to brave the elements and bring back coffee for Brenda (and myself). Amber stepped up and volunteered to go with me; she is quite the adventurer, as she bundled up and prepared for the snow. About half way between the resort and Starbucks, Amber found her a virgin patch of snow to make her first even snow angel. It was an awesome site so she her throw herself into the snow and start flapping her arms and legs sculpting the perfect angel in the snow. After the locals gave us an eye-rolling glance, we proceeded to the Starbucks, warm, dry and the smell of fresh roasting coffee, ah, life is good.

Back at the resort, Brenda and Mason were moving slowly to get ready for today's activity, the Alpine Coaster at Park City Mountain Resort. I think they were having trouble completing this task, because when Amber and I returned they were still not ready. No worries, we drank our coffee and slowly rolled in to the day as we got all geared up for the snow and a day of fun. Atleast that was the plan.

I had been snowing all night so there was fresh snow on the ground, our plan today was to ride the Alpine Coaster but it didn't open until noon, so in the interim, we tried to make snowballs and snowmen, but the snow was too dry, this is when Amber started having her melt down of major proportions. The girl would not snap out of it, so we decided lets get some lunch maybe this would help. Sure enough after she got some food she returned to being normal Amber. We went to the Alpine Coaster shack expecting we could get tickets and ride, but as it turned out, the ride was closed due to snow, that didn't make sense. It appears that the Alpine Coaster is not a ride that does well with snow, since it continued to snow this day, out hopes of riding seem to diminish as the day progressed. We decided to scrap the plan for the day and move on to plan B, but we didn't have a plan B.

As we are driving back to the resort, I decided we would take a detour and visit Olympic Park which is where the 2002 Winter Olympics were held and it just happened to be across from the resort where we were staying. This decision turned out to be a good plan B, the museum had exhibitions and displays that entertained the kids. Mason and Amber climbed all over the exhibits, touching anything they could while Brenda and I walked around learning the history of the Olympics in Utah and about how the area developed into a popular ski resort. Outside the museum we watched future Olympic hopefuls practice the ski jump and other various ski acrobats, things I could never imagine myself attempting.

Returning from our day's activities, we had some down time before dinner, tonight would be my birthday celebration dinner as today was my birthday. Not many choices to choose from in the area but we were able to find a Ruby Tuesday to celebrate and watch some of the Olympics while enjoying dinner. Even though the day didn't turn out as planned with the Alpine Coaster being closed, it still turned out to be a good day.

- Amber making her first snow angel -

- Park City Mountain Resort -

- Ski slopes -

- Bobsled display at Olympic Park -

- Future Junior torch bearer -

- Bobsled course at Olympic Park - $200 gets you a ride -

Tubing in Utah

Thursday, February 6, 2014
Traveling with the kids is always a mystery and adventure; I ask myself will the well behave kids be present or the unruly exhausting kids be present? Today as we depart for Park City, Utah it appears the well behaved kids will be with us.

Our early morning departure have the kids up early but everyone is excited about the adventure as we make our way to the airport after a run through Starbucks for breakfast. The security line at the airport wasn't bad, especially if you have TSA precheck stamped on your borading pass, which everyone did except me. The trick was on Brenda, since her and the kids were TSA prechecked, she got to take them through security while I watched them breeze through, not having to take liquids out, shoes off, etc. All the while I'm I'm having my bag searched, hands swabbed and x-ray taken.

We settle into our flight, Brenda and Mason in one area of the plane and Amber and I nibbling on secret snacks in another area of the plane.

Weather in Utah was wintry; overcast, cold and threatening of snow. After a long forty-five minute drive and lunch at McDonalds, we arrive on the outskirts of Park City at the Newpark Resort. After the customary "checking out" of the room (hot tub on the outside balcony) and down time, we change into our snow gear and prepare for the adventure to come, snow tubing.

Gorgoza Park (snow tubing) was fairly close to the hotel. We paid our fees and made our way to the hill. The place had two levels of tubing, since the kids were a little hesitant about the "big" hill we warmed them up with the lesser used "small hill". Once they got a taste of the tubing, it was nothing but the big hill after that. 

- Amber enjoying the airplane -