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COLORADO GIRLCHAPTER II:

“SPRING SKIING - A BASIN”

AMIDST THE FRIGID SNOW CAPPED ROCKY MOUNTAINS LIVES THE COLORADO GIRL. RETURNING HOME FOLLOWING GRADUATION FROM MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE IN VERMONT, SHE MAKES A PROMISE TO HERSELF AND HER FAMILY: THAT THEY WILL NEVER BE APART AGAIN. COLORADO GIRL ENCOMPASSES ALL THAT COLORADO HAS TO OFFER. AS THE COLORADO GIRL, ALISON SIZEMORE HAS GUYS CONSTANTLY CHASING HER SINCE SHE IS A BEAUTIFUL AND GREGARIOUS BLUE-EYED BLOND FROM FRISCO IN SUMMIT COUNTY. BENEATH HER BEAUTY IS A WARM, LOVING AND CLOSELY-ATTACHED-TO-FAMILY TOMBOY WHO THOROUGHLY ENJOYS ALL THE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES THE MOUN-TAINS HAVE TO OFFER - FROM FLY FISHING TO BOARDING.

GROWING UP IN SUMMIT COUNTY, ALISON HAS COME BACK HOME TO THE MOUNTAINS SHE LOVES. OLDER NOW AND IMBUED WITH AN OUT-GOING PERSONALITY, SHE ENJOYS THE NIGHT LIFE OF THE 20 SOME-THINGS OF SUMMIT COUNTY TO THE FULLEST. OUR COLORADO GIRL’S MOTTO IS LIFE GOES BY ONCE AND WE ARE TO ENJOY IT TO THE MAXI-MUM UNDER GOD’S GUIDANCE. ALISON LOVES TO DANCE AND SOCIAL-IZE. SHE ALSO ENJOYS MICRO BREWS FROM THE BRECKENRIDGE BREW-ERY.

WHILE RELISHING HER RETURN HOME, ALISON FACES A MAJOR CHAL-LENGE: COMING TO GRIPS WITH HER MOTHER’S RECENTLY DIAG-NOSED TERMINAL ILLNESS. IN THE MIDST OF THIS CONSUMING FAMILY STRUGGLE WITH THE PROSPECT OF LOSING HER MOTHER, SHE FALLS DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH A YOUNG DENVER CARDIOTHORACIC SURGEON WHO RECENTLY FINISHED HIS FELLOWSHIP AT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC IN OHIO.

IF YOU LOVE DRAMA, MOUNTAIN SPORTS, THE 20 SOMETHING LIFE-STYLE, AND VALUE HOW CLOSE A FAMILY CAN BE, THEN “ COLORADO GIRL “ WILL BOTH INSPIRE AND CHALLENGE.

ALISONHEY EVERYONE. THERE HASN’T BEEN A SUMMIT COUNTY DUMP OF SNOW LIKE THIS FOR YEARS IN THE SPRING.

DADYOU HAVE JUST BEEN AWAY - OFF AT MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE FOR FOUR LONG YEARS GETTING SMART, LIBERAL, AND SPOILED.

ALISONI’M NOT LIBERAL DAD. I’M JUST NORMAL. ALL 20 SOMETHINGS VIEW THE WORLD A LOT DIFFERENTLY THAN YOU DO.

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DADWELL I’M NOT ANCIENT. ALL MY PATIENTS THINK I’M WITH THE TIMES.

ALISONTHEY ARE JUST TELLING YOU THAT. THEY DON’T WANT TO HURT YOUR FEELINGS.

DADWELL I HAVE QUITE A FEW OF YOUR FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANC-ES IN MY PRACTICE. THEY THINK I’M OK.

ALISONNO, YOU’RE ACTUALLY COOL DAD. WE’VE UPGRADED YOU. NOT MANY DADS WOULD STILL SKI WITH 20 SOMETHINGS.

DADI GUESS I’M OLD SINCE I DON’T BOARD.

ALISONNOT REALLY. MANY OF MY FRIENDS NEVER GOT THE BOARD-ING TECHNIQUE DOWN AND DON’T WANT TO STRUGGLE AFTER SPENDING YEARS BECOMING DECENT SKIERS.

DADTHAT WAS MY POINT. I RAISED YOU AS AN OLYMPIC SKIER - BRECK-ENRIDGE SKI TEAM - JUNIOR OLYMPICS - THE ENTIRE PACKAGE.

ALISONOH YES - I COULD HAVE BEEN THE NEXT LINDSEY VONN. THAT WASN’T FOR ME.

DADYOU COMPETED AGAINST HER - RIGHT?

ALISONMANY TIMES DAD. IN FACT I ACTUALLY BEAT HER ONCE. I WAS NEVER OLYMPIC MATERIAL THOUGH - CLOSE BUT NEVER THE REAL DEAL.

DADLIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS WE ARE RATHER LIMITED IN THE SPORTS THE HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE TO OFFER. SKIING IS KING. IT’S NOT LIKE WE HAVE GREAT FOOTBALL OR OTHER BIG SPORTS UP HERE.

ALISONWE NOW HAVE COMPETITIVE CHEERLEADING IN SUMMIT COUN-TY. THAT’S PRETTY COOL.

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DADLOTS OF INJURIES. I SEE A LOT OF TENDONITIS IN MY PRACTICE FROM CHEERLEADING.

ALISONYOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE GREATEST DAD OF ALL TIME. MY GOSH DAD, I MISSED EVERY SECOND OF BEING AWAY FROM MY BROTHERS AND PARENTS. IT IS WEIRD, BUT I THINK I HAVE THE VERY BEST FAMILY IN THE WORLD. I WAS NEVER NOT HOMESICK - ALL FOUR YEARS.

DADTHAT IS UNUSUAL. WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE BACK. BUT IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOME VERY HANDSOME NICE GUY PRO-POSES AND YOU MOVE TO SAN FRANCISCO OR SOMEWHERE ELSE.

ALISONNO WAY. I’M STAYING PUT.

DADI CAN ONLY HOPE, BUT AFTER TALKING TO ALL THE PARENTS OF YOUR OLD GANG, MOST OF THE GUYS AND GIRLS END UP LEAVING. THERE JUST ISN’T QUITE ENOUGH OF AN ECONOMY IN SUMMIT COUNTY FOR UP AND COMING MILLENNIALS.

ALISONWHEW! WHERE DID YOU PULL THAT WORD OUT? NOW I’M A MIL-LENNIAL. THAT IS COOL.

DADYES, THEY FORMERLY CALLED YOU GUYS AND GALS GENERATION X AND Y - NOW YOU’RE THE MILLENNIALS.

ALISONENOUGH DAD. LET’S HEAD TO THE BACKSIDE OF A-BASIN FOR SOME REAL SPRING SKIING.

DADYOU DON’T THINK I CAN KEEP UP WITH YOU ANY LONGER.

ALISONMAYBE. IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE SKIED TOGETHER.

DADIT WASN’T THAT LONG AGO THAT MOM AND OUR ENTIRE FAMILY SKIED TOGETHER. IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING HOW TIME JUST FLIES WHEN YOU ARE RAISING CHILDREN.

ALISONSO WHAT IS WRONG WITH MOM? WHAT DID THE CT SCAN RE-VEAL?

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DADWE DON’T KNOW. THERE WAS A MILD ABNORMALITY WHICH MAY REQUIRE BIOPSY IN HER PANCREAS. COULD BE A CYST OR COULD BE A.........

ALISONTUMOR?

DADYES, THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY, THOUGH THE RADIOLOGISTS AT THE FRISCO HOSPITAL SEEM TO THINK THIS IS A BENIGN PROCESS, SUCH AS A CYST - BUT IT IS CAUSING HER SOME PAIN.

ALISONSHE HASN’T LOST ANY WEIGHT THANK GOD.

DADNO LATELY SHE HAS BEEN FEELING BETTER. WE JUST HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE GURU FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO TO CALL AND GET HER IN FOR THE BIOPSY. SHOULDN’T BE LONG. SHE DOESN’T LIKE TO TALK ABOUT IT.

ALISONNO KIDDING. I TRIED TO TALK TO HER AND SHE BLEW UP - VERY UNUSUAL FOR HER.

DADWE HAVE MADE IT TO THE TOP. THE SUMMIT OVER THERE IS 13.050 FEET, AND TREE LINE IS...........

ALISON11,000 FEET WHERE THE SUBALPINE AND ALPINE TERRAIN COME TOGETHER. COLORADO IS THE ONLY STATE THAT IS ABOVE 3000 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL THROUGHOUT. I FULLY REMEMBER YOUR SCOUT LECTURES UP HERE.

DADVERY GOOD. NOW BEFORE WE HEAD BACK TO THE MONTEZUMA BOWL, WHY DON’T WE TEST YOUR BOARD ON THE EAST WALL?

ALISONNO PROBLEM DAD. YOU ACTUALLY STILL GO OFF THIS MONSTER?

DADYES, IT’S ONLY 13,500 FEET HIGH. GRAYS PEAK OVER YOUR RIGHT SHOULDER IS 14,270 FEET.

ALISONWE HAVE A LITTLE CLIMB DAD. ARE YOU OK WITH A LITTLE WORK.

DADI WILL BEAT YOU TO THE TOP. SEE YOU AT THE BASE OF THE LENAWEE LIFT.

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ALISONTHAT GUY YELLING YAHOO MEANS HE’S A DEFINITE TOURIST. I’M OUT TO BE AN AIRDOG TODAY AND STILL BEAT YOU DOWN THE HILL WITH NO EGGBEATERS.

DADWELL CARVE ALL YOU WANT. I’LL STILL BEAT YOU DOWN WITH MY PRIMITIVE SKIING TECHNIQUES.

ALISONWE’RE OFF. LOOKING GOOD DAD. BUT DON’T LOOK TOO GOOD. SEE YOU AT THE BASE OF LENAWEE LIFT.

DADBEAT YOU BY A MILE.

ALISONWELL I RAN INTO THIS TOTALLY ZONED OUT GAL WHO SAID SHE HIT A SOFT SPOT AND LANDED A CRATER RIGHT ON ME. IT’S A FREE FOR ALL ON THE EAST WALL IN THE SPRING. KIDS ARE IN LATE SEASON FORM.

DADIT IS AMAZING HOW FAR BOARDING HAS COME - ESPECIALLY WITH THE PIPES, RAILS, AND ABILITY TO GRAB THE BOARD IN MIDAIR.

ALISONAND HIT A NOODLE SURFACE FOR THE LANDING. BOARDS ARE A FREE SPIRIT’S WAY OF LIFE. I STILL LIKE SKIING, BUT THE BOARD IS MORE CHALLENGING IN THE SPRING WITH THE HARD SNOW PACK WHICH TURNS INTO MIDDAY MUSH, FOLLOWED BY THE ROCK HARD SKI SURFACE IN THE MID AFTERNOON. ALL THE CONDI-TIONS ARE RIGHT IN A-BASIN IN THE SPRING.

DADOK, ONCE WE GET OFF LENAWEE, WE’RE HEADING DOWN LARK-SPUR TO START, AND THEN WE’LL HIT NORTHERN SPY AND MOUN-TAIN GOAT TRAVERSE. SHOULD BE A TON OF FUN.

ALISONLOOK AT THOSE CLOUDS COMING IN. LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER DUMP. WE’LL TAKE IT.

DADPRETTY SOON IT WILL BE A WHITE OUT ON TOP. THAT MAY MAKE FOR SOME TREACHEROUS CONDITIONS. GOT YOUR CELL ON?

ALISONABSOLUTELY. DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT.

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DADHEY NORTHERN SPY IS PRETTY AWESOME. I CAN REALLY TURN WELL IN THIS FRESH POWDER.

ALISONBOY LOOK AT THAT GUY TELEMARKING OVER THERE. HE IS RE-ALLY STRUGGLING GETTING THROUGH THIS FRESH POWDER.

DADTHERE ARE TONS OF TELEMARK SKIERS IN SUMMIT COUNTY. THE BACK END OF A-BASIN IS WHERE YOU FIND THEM.

ALISONI JUST NEVER GOT INTO TELEMARK SKIING. I TRIED IT ONCE, BUT I’LL STICK TO ALPINE SKIING; BUT GOD INTENDED TO MAKE SNOWBOARDS BEFORE SKIS ANYWAY.

DADIN MY YOUNGER DAYS I TELEMARKED. LOTS OF FUN AND A GREAT WORKOUT. WE FORMERLY CALLED IT FREE HEEL SKIING. MANY SUBTLE DIFFERENCES COMPARED TO DOWNHILL OR ALPINE SKI-ING. THERE IS ACTUALLY A REVOLUTION OF TELEMARK SKIING ONGOING. I THINK IT IS GREAT FOR THE SPORT.

ALISONI LOVE SKIING AND BOARDING. IT’S ACTUALLY ONE OF THE ONLY TRUE SPORTS - NO POLITICS - JUST YOU AND THE MOUNTAIN.

DADWELL I SURE LOVE SKIING IN THIS WHITE OUT. IN SIMILAR STORMS, I ASKED ALL THE YOUNG SKIERS IF THEY COULD ACTU-ALLY SEE ANYTHING, BECAUSE I JUST COULDN’T. ONE OF THE YOUNG BOARDERS TOLD ME ON THE LIFT THAT HE HADN’T SEEN THE GROUND ALL DAY.

ALISONDON’T WORRY DAD - I CAN’T SEE EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE GOING EITHER BUT WE BOTH HAVE CELLS, SO YOU SHOULD THINK IT’S ME AND NOT THE LABOR WARD IN FRISCO IF THE CELL GOES OFF.

DADCOME TO THINK OF IT, I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF GALS DUE THIS WEEK. BUT THE NURSES KNOW WHERE I AM. WE’RE NOT THAT FAR AWAY SHOULD THEIR LABOR BEGIN.

ALISONDON’T YOU HATE ALWAYS HAVING TO BE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR PRACTICE DAD?

DADNO, NOT REALLY. I’M HAVING A LOT OF FUN WITH MY PATIENTS. THEY ARE GETTING GOOD CARE AND APPRECIATE IT IMMENSELY.

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YES I COULD’VE TAKEN MORE LUCRATIVE POSITIONS ELSEWHERE, BUT NO PLACE HAS THE APPEAL OF SUMMIT COUNTY, COLORADO.

ALISONWELL SHOULD WE HEAD OVER TO MOUNTAIN GOAT TRAVERSE AND HEAD DOWN TIEZE’S CLAIM.

DADBETTER YET WE SHOULD HEAD DOWN BIERSTADT. IT’S IN THE TREES, BUT THERE IS PLENTY OF POWDER TO BUFFER THE TURNS.

ALISONANY TREE WELLS IN THERE?

DADJUST SOME SMALL ONES. WE CAN MANEUVER AROUND THEM. BESIDES IT IS SPRING. THE AVALANCHE DANGER SEEMS TO HAVE PASSED.

ALISONWOW. THERE GOES ANOTHER TELE SKIER. THESE GUYS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

DADAND TALENTED.

ALISONMAYBE I SHOULD TAKE UP FREE HEEL SKIING. CAN I GET A PAIR OF THOSE SKIES FOR CHRISTMAS?

DADSOON AS YOUR SCHOOL LOAN OWED TO ME IS PAID OFF.

ALISONI THOUGHT THE DEAL WAS IF I WAS REPEATEDLY ON THE DEAN’S LIST - WHICH ACTUALLY OCCURRED - THEN THE LOAN WAS FOR-GIVEN. RIGHT?

DADWAS THAT THE DEAL? I REMEMBER SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT.

ALISONNO DAD, THAT WAS THE DEAL. LIKE IT OR NOT YOU ARE NOT BE-COMING AN INDIAN GIVER.

DADOK - THE LOAN IS FORGIVEN IF YOU CONTINUE TO MAKE GOOD CHOICES.

ALISONWHAT IS THAT ABOUT?

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DADYOU ARE STILL CAPABLE OF MAKING REALLY FAILING CHOICES WITH RESPECT TO GUYS, WORK, ALCOHOL, DRUGS, AND RELIGION.

ALISONDON’T WORRY. ONCE I GET REESTABLISHED, I’LL MOVE OUT OF OUR HOUSE - THOUGH IT IS PRETTY NICE NOW HAVING MY OLD ROOM BACK.

DADAND THE FOOD IS AT A GOOD PRICE. AND LET’S SEE, IS MOM TREATING YOU LIKE YOU ARE A BABY AGAIN?

ALISONYES - I LOVE IT. BUT I KNOW SHE WILL GET TIRED OF ME NOW THAT I’VE CHANGED AFTER MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE, WHAT WITH IT BEING THE LIBERAL THINK TANK IT IS, AND THE INFLUENCE IT HAS ON ITS ALUMNI AND STUDENTS.

DADHEY I KNOW THIS GUY. I HAVE SEEN YOU BEFORE.

GREGOH, I’M GREG - REMEMBER THE FLY FISHING GUY DOWN ON THE SNAKE - JUST BELOW A-BASIN? I DROPPED YOUR DAUGHTER OFF AT YOUR OFFICE IN FRISCO.

DADNOW I REMEMBER. YES, ALISON SAID YOU WERE QUITE FRUSTRAT-ED WITH YOUR JOB AT PORTER.

GREGI’M NOW DOING SOME MOONLIGHTING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO.

ALISONSO ARE YOU BUSY?

GREGNOT REALLY. I AM STILL PROBABLY GOING BACK TO THE CLEVE-LAND CLINIC. IN FACT THEY ARE SENDING ME A CONTRACT TO PRACTICE BEGINNING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

DADSEEMS ODD THAT IF THE CLEVELAND CLINIC WANTS YOU SO BAD, WHY IN THE WORLD CAN’T DENVER KEEP YOU BUSY?

GREGIT IS WEIRD. THE UNIVERSITY IS ACTUALLY GETTING BUSIER, AS THEY ARE USING ME FOR MORE THAN CARDIOTHORACIC SUR-GERY. I’M DOING SOME COMPLICATED ABDOMINAL SURGERY THAT USUALLY INVOLVES THE CHEST ADDITIONALLY.

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ALISONWELL THAT SOUNDS COOL. SO YOU MAY STAY?

GREGIT IS 50 - 50. I REALLY LIKE IT HERE IN COLORADO. I MEAN WHERE CAN A GUY JUST TAKE OFF, AND IN AN HOUR IN LATE SPRING HAVE A GREAT SKI DAY?

ALISONIT IS SOMETHING - IT REALLY DUMPED THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS. HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO SUMMIT COUNTY MUCH LATELY?

GREGNO BUT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING SOME MOUNTAIN BIK-ING. I JUST DON’T KNOW MANY PEOPLE THAT WANT TO COME UP HERE AND MOUNTAIN BIKE, KAYAK, HIKE, FISH, AND HUNT IN THE SUMMER. HECK I’M EVEN THINKING OF SKIING ST. MARY’S GLA-CIER NEXT WEEK. WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME?

DADALISON WILL COME ONLY IF THERE ARE NO AVALANCHE WARN-INGS. THE SNOW MAY BE A BIT UNSETTLED THERE.

GREGWELL IF THE SNOW IS MOVING AND UNSETTLED, WE CAN HIKE UP BEHIND MONTEZUMA, FOLLOWING THE CREEK TO THE TOP OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE.

ALISONSOUNDS COOL. THAT’S IF YOU DON’T GO BACK TO CLEVELAND FIRST. SOUNDS LIKE COLORADO IS GETTING IN YOUR BLOOD. ISN’T THIS A-BASIN SPRING SKIING AND BOARDING AWESOME?!

GREGI’LL PROBABLY COME HERE MORE IN THE WINTER SKI SEASON. I REALLY ONLY DID VAIL AND KEYSTONE WITH THE COLORADO PASS THIS YEAR. I UPGRADED TO AN EPIC PASS FOR NEXT YEAR AND I PLAN TO USE IT TO GET UP VAIL MOUNTAIN FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING ON TOP THIS SUMMER.

DADI CAN HONESTLY SAY THE PEOPLE THAT RUN THIS RESORT ARE FANTASTIC. WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND OUR KIDS WERE TINY, WE CAME UP HERE ON A MOTHER’S DAY. WE ARRIVED AT THE VERY TOP OF NORWAY LIFT. IT WAS SUCH A WHITE OUT THAT YOU COULDN’T SEE YOUR GLOVE. THE KIDS WERE SO SMALL THAT I DIDN’T WANT TO LOSE THEM. THE SKI PATROL TOOK THEM DOWN ON THEIR BACKS.

ALISONDAD, YOU TELL THAT STORY TO EVERYONE.

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GREGWELL IT IS PRETTY COOL.

DADI OFFERED A SCHOLARSHIP TO THE SKI PATROL GUYS AND THE OWN-ERS TOLD ME THE SKI PATROL IS DOING WHAT IS EXPECTED, AND HE SAID THANKS FOR SUPPORTING OUR SKI RESORT.

GREGSO DID YOU GIVE A SCHOLARSHIP?

ALISONDAD WILL AFTER HE GETS EVERYONE THROUGH COLLEGE. PROMISE DAD!

DADYES I WILL. AND IT IS 1530, AND THE MONTEZUMA LIFT WILL CLOSE. WE NEED TO HEAD BACK DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. HOW ABOUT YOU COME OVER FOR SUPPER TONIGHT GREG?

ALISONYES, MOM IS BY FAR THE WORLD’S BEST COOK AND HOST. I’LL LET HER KNOW YOU ARE COMING.

GREGWELL I’D BE IMPOSING.

DADNO BIG DEAL. WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU OVER.

ALISONREMEMBER TO GET THE $10 WAX AND EDGE WORK SPECIAL ON YOUR SKIS BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

GREGOK. I’LL JUST FOLLOW YOU GUYS TO FRISCO.

ALISONNO. I’LL RIDE WITH YOU AND SHOW YOU THE WAY. BYE DAD.

DADSEE YOU IN A FEW. LAST ONE DOWN BUYS THE FIRST DRINK AT OUR HOUSE.

END - COLORADO GIRL II