Early Spring mornings in Colorado.

More New York.

Rockefeller Center

New York City.

I am heading off to New York today as my parents have flown over to see me. But it also allows me to see another part of the country. Unfortunately the travelling to get there was far from easy! First it was a Greyhound coach to Denver that took close to 5 hours! Then an hour wait for the bus to Denver International airport. then from there a shuttle to my hotel. The next day after finally getting to NYC I found a shared taxi service that would take me to Grand Central as this was the meeting point. However i have never been so close to a car accident so many times in such a small period of time, which was not aided by the fact the driver kept checking emails, phoning people, and a general lack of concentration!

Finally arriving alive I found my parents and Checked into the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, which was incredibly posh! So over the 4 day period we did the whole tourist thing.

Times Square.

Me and my mum - Empire State Building

Downtown NYC

Chrysler Building

3 world trade center

Empire State Building

9/11 Memorial 

Brush Creek Water Sampling.

Today was a big water sampling day with Chad from Roaring Fork Conservancy. The focus was Brush Creek which is the very small Creek that runs down from Snowmass. This has become quite important for the conservancy as there are a number of different reasons that could be causing slight pollution  firstly the domestic homes that surround the creek. A water Treatment Plant. A Golf Course and Agricultural. So today we chose 4 sample sites above and below the Golf Course and Water treatment plant to see what effect these have on the water quality. 

My Olympic Skier.

At Challenge Aspen I often ski on buddy lessons, which involves just me skiing with a participant who is competent and can ski independently but still needs some kind of support. In January I was Skiing with a Girl with Downs Syndrome called Alex Bender who was lucky enough to be part of the US Special Olympic Ski Team (yes it is actually called the Special Olympics  With whom she was able to jet of to Korea to compete in Super G and Slalom bringing back a Bronze and Silver!

Calm before the storm.

It seems that wherever I go I seem to be find a good view. Today I went skiing with the family I'm staying with who have 2 young girls at the ages of 7 and 9. So cute to see them ski with their tiny skis. Few good pics of Maroon Bells again from a different angle

New hockey equipment!

Want to thank County Durham Community Foundation for the grant money I used to get all this fresh gear! Going to be so good this summer when I coach on the summer camp.
Skates: Bauer limited edition x7.0
Gloves: Bauer Apx in black
Leg&elbow pads: Bauer one60
Helmet: Bauer 4500
Sticks: Easton RS 85 flex Hall curve
Etc...

Burger and a View.

I recently found my new favourite spot for some lunch. Goes nicely with a burger.

Pretty close to Wildlife.

Walking home from another Monday at work to find a family of 7 deer in my front garden! quite a shock. And intimidating as they all stood perfectly still watching me watch past.