Between Ironman training (running marathons & 2 hour lap swimming), work, church & family (acclimating to life with Ash, Tom & pets), have experienced a mighty full 2014.  What’s missing?  Need to get outside & enjoy our Colorado winter!

Bought tickets (via Groupon) to Ice Castles – an elaborate castle carved from ice, open from late December to February in Breckinridge (CO), Utah & New Hampshire.  Cool, huh?

Wait, wait, it gets better.

Timed my trip to Breck on the same weekend as the International Snow Sculpture Championships.  Teams from the US, Europe & Mongolia worked for a week on their masterpiece(s) – judging scheduled for Saturday.  Excellent luck!

Left Boulder County in 50 degrees & sunshine.  Arrived in Breckinridge, overcast & 20 degrees.  Same state yet divided by the mighty Rocky Mountains = very different weather.

Busy ski day on Breck but secured parking & walked a short mile to Riverwalk Center & the International Snow Sculpture Championships.  What a find!  FAVES: Italy’s simple entry ‘Looking Up’ & both bold sculptures crafted by Mongolia.  DISLIKE: France’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ – seriously, kinda creepy.

Devoured a package of elk jerky & entered Ice Castles.  SPECTACULAR!  Inspired to climb – but probably not the right setting 🙂 Anything better?  How ‘bout returning at 6pm & walking thru the Castle under lights.  WOW, WOW, WOW!

Crazy cold return walk under the most stunning, illuminated sky (ok, 2^nd best – hard to beat October’s outdoor soak in Steamboat).

Have enjoyed touring the US during my 50 state marathon challenge but Colorado – man, this is home.