Niece Chrissie came bounding out when we drove in. Nephew Chris joined us as he finished his snowboard run down the mountain. They love their mountain retreat in the Berkshires, and we enjoyed seeing it. One of the first photos I took shows Chrissie and grandson David with the ski trails behind them. A few days ago I went snowboarding down one of those trails via cell phone with Chrissie. That’s the safest dangerous thing I’ve ever done.
Chrissie has a stand-up desk in their condo for work, but when she wants to be in a larger space, she goes to the lobby or sits on the porch. I wanted photos of her unusual work spaces.
They served us a lovely lunch, after which they swam with David. The fellows chatted in the hot tub, and I took a picture of Chrissie and David in the heated pool with snow on the ground behind them.
We had a quick photo session before we left, souvenirs for us to keep.
I found this a most satisfying visit, catching up with this special couple and seeing how they live. I was looking out the window as we drove toward New York. We passed some very expensive homes in exclusive areas, and we saw glittering Manhattan from the Whitestone Bridge. I thought how blessed they and we are to live in the mountains of our choice. We don’t need the trappings of success to be very happy with our lives.
Mehrling Muse 
Anne,
I loved the last sentence. To be able to live in the mountains of your choice is a blessing indeed and success is not measured with expensive homes or locations or even success. A good reminder for me!
Susie
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You understand!
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The place looks lovely and the heated pool glorious.They’re obviously content with their mountain as you are with yours, both surrounded by beauty. No-one could ask for more than that.
xxx Gigantic Hugs xxx
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I think they hug their mountains, and we caress ours with our eyes.
xxx Mountainous Hugs xxx
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Aww, that looks like y’all had a wonderful visit! I would love to see her stand up desk, I wish I could afford one of those, figuratively and financially. I’m glad the cold doesn’t bother you, it allows for some great pics!
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Her desk was very simple, not a fancy one with moving parts.
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Maybe your mountains are your trappings of success? Success is different for everyone.
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You’ve got a point there.
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What a wonderful trip. I loved what you said, “That’s the safest dangerous thing I’ve ever done.” It made me ponder what the safest dangerous thing I’d ever done was… I’m still not sure!
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I may have never before done something dangerous in a safe way.
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This may be your last hurrah for winter trip. We are expecting warmer temps so you are probably too. The place looks fabulous.
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The skiing season has one more weekend there, I think. Snow-making equipment extends the possibilities.
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Spring skiing is the best.
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Really? I would have thought skiers want the season to last forever.
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It’s warm skiing. No heavy clothes although today’s ski clothes are way different from back in the 70s and 80s. My friends who skied always enjoyed it but most of the skiers were ready to move onto summer sports by the time spring came around.
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Right! I hadn’t thought about lighter clothing at the end of the season. I think Chrissie said she was wearing a sweatshirt the day she snowboarded me down the slope with her.
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So glad you got to visit. and yes…the trappings of success cna sometime hinder happiness.I have learned to be content where I am. ( but I love the mountains)
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St Paul talked about being content, whatever the circumstances. I’m not there completely, but God isn’t through with me yet.
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I think when he is through with us our time is up.
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I hope I’ll be a work in progress for a few more years.
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“We don’t need the trappings of success to be happy with our lives.” I love that quote, Ann–it’s so incredibly true! Right now, we’re in VA, soon to cross into WV on our way to Ohio. I miss my mom and want to get a hug in person. It’s little things which make me happy with my life.
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Our paths may have come close. That’s great that you will see your mom.
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That looks like a beautiful place Anne!
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It was beautiful, even if it was slushy at the edges.l
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I enjoyed watching Chrissie’s snowboard ride in the recent posts, but seeing this post is a real treat … what a view, inside and out, and the hot tub with the beautiful background.
What more could a person want?
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Chris and Chrissie are very happy there.
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I can see that Anne – it a beautiful place and I didn’t realize Chrissie worked from home – even nicer; all the more time to enjoy that view!
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Chrissie enjoys the company of a chipmunk on the porch in warm weather.
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I’ve never seen a chipmunk – I mentioned that to Kate Crimmons and a fellow blogger who has a “following” of chipmunks where she lives in Portland, Oregon. They are cute little critters.
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We have several chipmunks that live in our garden. They are really fun to watch.
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I have to read up on chipmunks … maybe kidnap them from another park and bring them here to the neighborhood or Council Point Park.
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I thought everyone had chipmunks. Guess I was wrong.
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I must seek and find some for a photo op. They always look so cute, especially when their cheeks are puffed out with food.
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I haven’t seen ours lately, but we’ll be outside soon and able to spot them scurrying in and out of the rock wall.
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I have to go look at how small they are on YouTube. I’m sure I’ll find something there – if is not on Wikipedia, it is on YouTube!
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Simple is better and tranquil. It still looks cold there though. Is it warming up any yet?
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The temps were in the upper 40s, I think. The rainy drizzle was dampening.
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You get used to it though, just like you do the heat.
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I don’t know. I never got used to heat and still avoid it whenever possible.
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lol.
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What fun to be able to enjoy snowboarding via cell phone!
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Oh my, the heated pool in winter, that would be heavenly to me. We love being able to swim in winter. It’s such a treat. What a lovely post.
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The day was a complete treasure. I’m having a hard time writing about it in my own blog since it was too wonderful to put into words for me.
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I thought your post was very enthusiastic and full of life. Mine didn’t do us all justice, because I was tired when I wrote it. The day was perfect, though, in all respects.
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Are you sure Chrissie is your niece and not your daughter? She is very like you 😱
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Best. Compliment. EVER!!!
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😀very nice to meet you Chrissie!
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Chrissie is a daughter in my heart!
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Chrissie wrote a sparkling account of our visit. You can read it at https://chrissie.blog/2019/03/31/a-relatively-perfect-day/
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I love seeing where people do every day things do that later when we’re talking and they mention one, I can visualize them there:)
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