The Breckenridge ski trip of 2010 is a special trip for a number of reasons. Sylvie, Kimberly's little girl, is now 4 yrs old and has had her chance first chance to ski this year. Now if you know Sylvie you know how much she loves the attention of those who love her. She was a great performer in a number of ways. She is always ready for a quick smile for a photo.
He said to me, " I am so happy to get to see this one more time" as he stood struggling for breath looking over the mountain scene.
The image of my dad loving the outdoors but struggling for air at 10000 feet elevation is one of mixed elation and grief. I loved that I could be there with him at that time. He was so appreciative of the efforts to help him get to these heights. Looking over the mountains with him and Patty was a very special moment in time. The grief issue obviously that this would be the last such trip we would make. Dad has always been there for his family and it is difficult to imagine being here in future years without him at our side. I am however very sure that I will never see these mountains without thinking of my Dad ,Patty and I struggling to make another 100 yards at Breckenridge.
While we ride up the lifts I am looking over trails and runs that we have done in years past. Thinking of all the times poor dad was stuck trying to get down those black diamond run because he wanted to stay with us. These runs are totally unreachable to him now, as he can hardly do more than 100 yards at a time without extra oxygen.
The oxygen tank was a big help and once i reached him with the tank of 02 he seemed much better. His skiing was more confident and I think he was actually enjoying the skiing part some. We went from Peak 9 restaurant to "Ten mile Station" where we took a break and waited for Kimberly and Dale who picked up Sylvie who is 4 yrs old. This is the photo opportunity we were looking for, four generations of skiers.
The nine of us: Dale, Kimberly, Sylvie, Chad and Kristy, Tom and Patty and myself (Ron) and Dad sat on the deck and talked. Dale worked on his new ski caddie wheels or what ever he is calling them. We struggled to hang on to every moment but finally had to get moving. The staff were putting up the tables and getting ready to go home. With the sun setting at our backs we start down the slopes for the last time. The snow was great and dad looked great skiing the greens slopes that finishes our day. It is often our tradition to be the last on the slope and this was no different.
The other special thing about this year is Grandpa Sloan. He has wanted for many years to ski when he was 80. He actually wanted to ski free when he was 80 but the ski resort was not cooperating with that. The best he could do was the standard senior discount which is not much, about 10 dollars off.
The main thing for him was to physically be able to ski when he was 80. He was able to accomplish the skiing with some effort however.
The main thing for him was to physically be able to ski when he was 80. He was able to accomplish the skiing with some effort however.
Most anyone interested in reading this blogg knows that Grandpa Sloan has prostate cancer and the combination of illness, medications age and who know what else, has caused his lung capacity to decrease.
It became apparent pretty quickly that he was going to need some help getting out of the mountains. Patty and I were able to get him to the top of peak 9 with no small amount of effort. We would ski for about 100 yards and then he would have to stop and rest for a while. Patty and I finally got him to the Peak 9 Restaurant where he could sit. Everyone else then joined him for lunch. During Lunch time I took off and found a way to get a tank of oxygen for him. He was able to enjoy his trip down with much less stress with his little green tank
He said to me, " I am so happy to get to see this one more time" as he stood struggling for breath looking over the mountain scene.
The image of my dad loving the outdoors but struggling for air at 10000 feet elevation is one of mixed elation and grief. I loved that I could be there with him at that time. He was so appreciative of the efforts to help him get to these heights. Looking over the mountains with him and Patty was a very special moment in time. The grief issue obviously that this would be the last such trip we would make. Dad has always been there for his family and it is difficult to imagine being here in future years without him at our side. I am however very sure that I will never see these mountains without thinking of my Dad ,Patty and I struggling to make another 100 yards at Breckenridge.
While we ride up the lifts I am looking over trails and runs that we have done in years past. Thinking of all the times poor dad was stuck trying to get down those black diamond run because he wanted to stay with us. These runs are totally unreachable to him now, as he can hardly do more than 100 yards at a time without extra oxygen.
The oxygen tank was a big help and once i reached him with the tank of 02 he seemed much better. His skiing was more confident and I think he was actually enjoying the skiing part some. We went from Peak 9 restaurant to "Ten mile Station" where we took a break and waited for Kimberly and Dale who picked up Sylvie who is 4 yrs old. This is the photo opportunity we were looking for, four generations of skiers.
They arrived and we sat around at the end of the day enjoying the moment. The sun was warm on the face and the cool mountain air felt refreshing.
Sylvie was enjoying the attention and was excited to see her family and share her new skills of skiing. What used to be called a pie is now a pizza but otherwise pretty much the same.
The nine of us: Dale, Kimberly, Sylvie, Chad and Kristy, Tom and Patty and myself (Ron) and Dad sat on the deck and talked. Dale worked on his new ski caddie wheels or what ever he is calling them. We struggled to hang on to every moment but finally had to get moving. The staff were putting up the tables and getting ready to go home. With the sun setting at our backs we start down the slopes for the last time. The snow was great and dad looked great skiing the greens slopes that finishes our day. It is often our tradition to be the last on the slope and this was no different.
The ski patrol was at our backs encouraging our progress down the slopes. They e
ven took some group photos for us as we came closer to the completion of the day. I have several cherished photos of Tom Dale Patty and I with Dad on this, the last run of the day.
ven took some group photos for us as we came closer to the completion of the day. I have several cherished photos of Tom Dale Patty and I with Dad on this, the last run of the day. 
I took lots of photos to try to hang on to this time. Kristy was kind enough to get a photo of my Dad and I as we finished our last run together. It has been a great run ......
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