Welcome 2010!

Fireworks and a Torchlight Parade welcomed in the New Year here in Girdwood. Kristen and Derek skied with three-hundred and fifty plus hearty souls carrying torches down the slopes of Mt. Alyeska. Skiing in the Parade wasn't open to the public but reserved for employees of the resort and members of the Alyeska Ski Club. Once at the top of the mountain, sophisticated torches were constructed using very high-tech materials of road flares, duct tape and bamboo poles! A huge crowd of cheering spectators lined the base of the mountain and watched the procession, which was then followed by an incredible fireworks display. A fog layer made for an eerie ride up the lifts but fortunately the fog didn't block the view of the fireworks or parade. Several friends and their kids showed up at our house after the parade with mini kegs, champagne and sparkling wine (for the kids) in hand and a crazy, fun, impromptu party broke out at our house as we watched the fireworks from our deck. Half of us were in the house, the kids were running around and standing around the fire pit the rest of us were cheering to each of the fantastic fireworks explosion. Which is the reason I think at some point the neighbors actually shouted for us to keep it down but Daddy-O and I found that quite flattering since we haven't been shhhhhh'ed in about 15 years! We are all moving a bit s-l-o-o-o-w this morning and it’s not from all of the skiing… Aye carumba, keeping up with these college kids is hard to do. Wishing everyone PEACE, HEALTH and HAPPINESS in 2010!