Saturday, February 21, 2026

Celebrating a PR

The throwing community is very supportive of each other, regardless of the team.

23rd

Sam move to 23rd in the NCAA yesterday and #1 in Weight Throw all time for Drake University. Good day for Sammy.

Ski Des Moines

Nice dinner with Robbie and a fresh blanket of snow in the Historic Valley Junction district of Des Moines.

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Gun show

MVC honors.

Missouri Valley Conference Award

Sam hauled in the field athlete of the week award. He's having a great indoor season.

Saturday, February 14, 2026

Great Trip

Always nice to get a few days of skiing in. It's good for the soul. The snow wasn't as good as previous years but there was plenty on the green and blue runs. I'm already looking forward to next year.

Gondola to the Top

The peak of steamboat is about 10,500 feet. The town is 6,000. In comparison, the family wrnt to Breckenridge for a few years and our lodgings were at 10,000, the peak was 13,500.

Early Bird

While the rest of the crew got an extra 45 minutes of sleep, I got out and got the first lift to mid mountain a few times. Early morning skiing is cold but less crowded.

The Whole Crew

This on includes Martin who arrived late due to the snow closing the pass.

Rabbit Ears

The lodging of choice for the older skier with a need to be in town.

Lincoln Ave

Matt, Bruce and I liking the fresh powder on the main drag.

Warm Water Cold Air

Steamboat Springs actually has warm springs in it. The Yampa River doesn't really freeze there due to the warm spring water feeding it. The name of the town comes from the early non-native settlers hearing a regular steam whistle sound from one of the hot springs. They compared it to a steamboat. The Yampa River is not deep enough for a steamboat.

Steamboat Walk

Steamboat Springs is a nice little and relatively old Colorado town. There is a nice walking path along the Yampa River that goes for miles. I got to Steamboat Springs a day early to avoid the incoming "snowcreate" storm in DC. That allowed a nice leisurely day before the skiing started on Monday. Got 4 miles of walking done in a steady snow. Beautiful way to start the week.

Friday, February 13, 2026

Snowcreate

6 inches of snow and 3 inches of sleet creates a heavy duty ice rink in the front yard, driveway and street. I left for Colorado the day before this event but the snowcreate lasted for two weeks with below freezing conditions for over 10 days. Our street was a one lane road for over a week.