With the addition of Facebook and it's simplicity of use - our blog has fallen by the wayside - and we apologize!
We've been doing well - we had a great Turkey Day here in the Butte and we're coming up on Christmas here with the local family of friends.
We made it back East for an early Christmas and East Coast reception with those that couldn't make the haul out here for the wedding. We had a blast with everyone and were so happy that everyone came to see us! Christmas was fun with the family - getting to hang out with my brother and his family was incredible - my two nieces are growing up so quickly!!
We made it back despite all the snow and we're getting back into the winter grind. Patrolling has been fun - though I did have an exciting first week of work which included flipping a snowmobile (with our paraplegic Dispatcher holding on to the back), helping with a broken Tibia, a broken spine, and finally getting caught in an avalanche. I figure I'll get the worst of it out in the first week!! There are some pictures posted of an avalanche route from last year - and the slide from this year.
The story of the slide - My route partner and I set off a large explosive at the top of the run which produced no results in the snowpack. We then started ski cutting the slope - on my second cut across the slope - the entire chute ripped out above and below me and swept me to the bottom of the run taking me beneath a tree which you can see in the photos at the bottom of the chute. I was left at the bottom with one arm and my head above the snow debris. Scary stuff.
We've been getting pummeled with snow which is great! Liz and I celebrated our 6 month anniversary the other day - fun stuff!! Now I'm off to shovel the 5 foot berm that the snow plow created!!
We love you all! Merry Christmas!! Come visit - flights into Gunnison are dirt cheap right now!
The pictures can be found here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/mhewing/Teo2March08#
http://picasaweb.google.com/mhewing/ElevatorShaftSlide122008#
