Keystone, CO

Every year since I was in 7th grade my family has gone out Colorado skiing. In general our family loves winter sports such as snowmobiling, snowboarding, and of course skiing. In certain parts of Colorado its snows almost every day, making the ski conditions merely perfect. Most of the time we go to Colorado in March so the temperature is typically above 35 degrees so that we can enjoy ourselves without being cold.
One of the best parts of going out there every year is that usually three or four other families go as well. One of my good friends and his parents come out there annually which keeps it enjoyable to me without getting too fed up with my own family for 16 hours in a car. Also, it is nice to have someone that is nearly the same skiing level so that we can do more difficult runs and not have to wait for stragglers. Before you ski in the Rocky Mountains it’s hard to know how big they are compared to Mt. La Crosse or other local places.
Typically at Mt. La Crosse, it takes about two or three minutes to get up the hill on a chair lift. In Colorado, it takes about 15 minutes in a chairlift that is twice as fast. Also, it is almost impossible ski to the bottom of a full run, without stopping to catch your breath or rest your legs. Another difference is that there are moguls on some of the harder runs, making it difficult to reach the bottom without wanting to pass out. We’ve skied at places such as; Breckenridge, Vail, Arapaho Basin, Copper Mountain, and Steamboat. The place I like the most though is Keystone. The resort that we usually stay in is directly at the bottom of Keystone, so it’s just a small walk away. Another reason why I prefer Keystone is because they have lights on certain runs making them available at night, which I feel is the best time to ski.
The winter months are definitely not my favorite but it makes it just a little bit better when you make the most out of it!

Peters Farms Inc.

My grandfather has been farming since he could remember. Although having other jobs throughout his lifetime, he has always maintained his passion, farming. Things have not always gone swell though. In 1988, a tornado ripped though the home farm, destroying most of what was once standing. While having to milk what remained of the cows at the neighbor’s farm, my grandpa decided that 1988 would be a great time for a change.
He and six other farmers got together with the same understanding. They wanted to change the way they farmed and change the health concerns of farming. The following year those seven farmers were known as the founding fathers of Organic Valley. A cooperation that would produce dairy products without the use of pesticides, fertilizers, or any other unnatural antibiotics. He now is the CEO of the Board of Directors for Organic Valley. He also, co-owns the farm with two of his sons, one being my father.
Previous to the tornado in 1988 Peters Farms Inc. was milking about 50 cows. After expansion throughout the years we now milk around 150 cows and employee ten workers. Nearly five years ago the decision was made to construct a high tech milking parlor, which would help us milk cows at a more efficient pace, allowing us to take on a bigger herd. It has been one other the best things that has happened to our farm.
This past summer we hosted the Vernon County Dairy Breakfast for the second time in 12 years. Our dairy breakfast set a new record attendance with 2200 people that came out. In 2004, Jim Doyle (the Wisconsin governor) gave a speech at our farm regarding the evolution of organic crop and what it did for the states agriculture. Then in 2007, Peters Farms was name Farm of the Year by Organic Valley, out of at the time, 700 farms.

Roommates............................

In the spring of last year me and two of my friends from high school made the decision of renting a house in La Crosse because we all attend school here. Just like many decisions that we make it has its advantages and consequences. Of course, when signing the lease all we thought about was the good times and how fun it was going to be and how it wouldn’t be so bad living on our own. Well we were right for the most part, but to go along with that I’ve had some struggles and hard times.
It was definitely nice to get away from my parents and my two younger sisters. Being that one of my sisters is a junior in high school and the other in 8th grade, they have developed attitudes that I don’t miss at all. Also being on my own, I have a lot more freedom and privacy. To go along with that, being on my own has shown me part of how to grow up and to support myself. Money gets tight in these years but that’s all about becoming old, because unfortunately it has to happen sometime.
As one could only imagine, two eighteen year old guys don’t make the best roommates. Saying that, I’m guilty of the same. Opposed to living with organized and particular parents, they were substituted for two slobs. Unbelievably, three college students trapped in the same house with the daily stresses and frustrations of college, is not the best combination. Also financially it’s by far more expensive. Consequently, eating habits structure around that and getting a well cooked meal comes harder than it used to.
For the most part, thus far, I feel that being on my own has been a positive experience and can only help me for what’s to come.