What a Week: Seven-OH!

/ ridingwithgary

This week was one for the ages.

I celebrated three major anniversaries.

Fifty: It’s been 50 years since I began teaching skiing. Not 50 years of continuous service, of course. I taught for two years at Alta’s Alf Engen Ski School, while a student at the University of Utah — then took a 46-year hiatus, before starting all over again at the Aspen Snowmass Ski School in 2018. Today, I celebrated my 50-year teaching anniversary by becoming a certified ski instructor. At Buttermilk this afternoon, I was awarded Level 1 Certification status by the Professional Ski Instructors of America. It only took half a century!

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At Buttermilk this afternoon, a few minutes after learning I’d become a certified ski instructor.

Sixty: 60 years ago this week, I took my first ski lesson. It happened at Squaw Valley, California, just days after the 1960 Winter Olympics ended there. Skiing was one of my earliest passions, before I even knew what passion was.

Seventy: 70 years ago, on February 24, 1950, I entered this world at Peralta Hospital in Oakland, California. Turning 70 last week was a big deal. I’m the first male in my family to make it this far. It’s a very pleasant surprise to be a healthy 70, and be doing the things I love with the people who mean the most to me.

These three life milestones — 50, 60, and 70 — were reason to celebrate last week, so that’s exactly what we did.

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Takes a lot of lungs to blow out 70 candles. It was quite the inferno, as 50 friends and family gathered in Carbondale on Tuesday to celebrate my 70th birthday.
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Here’s what the cake looked like before it was on fire.  Great cake, and thank you, Yvonne, for your extraordinary baking skills!
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The RVR Barn was a perfect venue for the party.
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Wine stewardesses.
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Every table had two bottles of J Lohr, selected to pair well with Slow Groovin ribs, baked beans, Mac ‘n cheese, cole slaw, and cornbread.
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On my birthday, Sarah and I took a hike around the neighborhood with our unofficially adopted daughter, Brittany.  She journeyed to Carbondale from Southern California to be part of the week’s festivities.
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One of the highlights of my week was taking Brittany skiing at Snowmass  it was her first time on skis.
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I had the privilege of giving her a private lesson. It began on the “magic carpet” in the Elk Camp Meadows, Snowmass’ beginners area.
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Brittany caught on quickly, going from a Level 1 (Never Ever) to a Level 3 — in one day.
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Her visit, and my week, ended too soon. The memories will live on.

34 thoughts on “What a Week: Seven-OH!”

  8. Wow. You rock!!! Happy birthday. Wish we were there to celebrate all your achievements.

    Miss you guys terribly. Life goes on here. Lots of changes. But not. What is the French saying? The more things change, the more they remain the same.

    HUGS to you both!

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  9. Gary.. first, a Happy Birthday though a week or so late. As usual, enjoyed your posting. You look nowhere near 70. Think of the good points like making it easier to shoot your age in golf and, of course, your continued 15% AARP discounts though parts on the Harley might not be included. Just off the golf course with a blistering 81, one of my better rounds down here because of the wind and water on most holes. Here for another month. We have had two rain days in the time here and temp has been perfect. Friends from Pennsylvania visiting this week. Hi to Sara and tell her that’s a pretty snazzy ski top.

    Sent from my iPad

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  10. 🎶 HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎶 …and what a birthday it was!! You truly are the “Silver Fox” even at 70! ❤️🎂❤️🎂

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  11. I am SO lucky to have been able to share this huge milestone in your life, AND keep fully upright during that epic ski lesson. I should have known both would be a blast—I was learning from a professional party planner and world-renowned ski instructor! Thank you again for letting me share the fun and celebrate you. 🙂

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  12. I am SO blessed to have you celebrate with us, and to have a new title bestowed upon me: professional party planner. Is there any kind of certification I should shoot for? Also, so fortunate that you were the recipient of world-class parenting before Sarah and I came along. Made our unofficially adoptive parenting gig that much smoother and more rewarding. Love you.

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  13. What a week! Proud of your Level 1 accomplishment. Was great to meet Britanny. Hope she’ll be back for more skiing.

    Jocelyn

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    • Thanks for the L1 kudos, Jocelyn. I couldn’t have done it without Dave’s awesome coaching. We’re sure Brittany will be back for more skiing. She loves Colorado. Smart girl.

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  14. What FABULOUS milestones, Gary…and so eloquently described, ALMOST as good as being there! MISS YOU TWO…but our loss is Colorado’s gain, and sounds like it’s suiting you perfectly! Hapy “Belated”…xox Marde and Ole

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  15. Happy birthday Gary and best wishes for your best year ever coming up. We miss you in the desert but glad to know life is good for you in Colorado.
    Love Judith xxoo

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  17. Gary, Congratulations on your Certification! We are very happy for you.
    You are blessed with beautiful memories. Brittany flying in to celebrate your special day is priceless. I am sure you felt very special.
    Here’s to making more memories,
    As they say, enjoy the Golden Years🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
    Dot and Dennis

    Sent from my iPad

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  18. Oh so sorry didn”t reply till now – up to our eyeballs with company!!
    First of all congratulations on 50, 60 and 70 – what milestones and you are still healthy!!
    Keep up the great work and great skiing. That is one thing both of us miss besides you and Sarah.
    Love, Barb and Jim

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  19. Gary,Great message!   We are thrilled about your trifecta of wonderful anniversaries! It is always a pleasure to hear from you and Sarah.

    Dave and Lorraine

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  20. Congratulations Gary. Looks like it was a wonderful affair. We’re just back from New Zealand. Hope to connect with you soon.

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