As mentioned before, Stuart works with a group of teachers who are called "Essentials" at the school. This immediately reminds us of "The Incredibles" so that was the theme for their group photo this year....
During the coldest weather we have ever experienced, Stu got outside with the kids at school and they built this fella...it's "dirty snow", hence it's colour, but not a bad effort! I must mention, one of the kids asked him when he swapped jobs and houses, did he swap wives as well? She was serious! Too much television perhaps? And when Stu told someone LA to Sydney would take 15 hrs, they said "that's a long drive!"
Before we went away for our last weekend we went out for tea with Connie and Bill...they are a gorgeous couple who have taken us under their wing and we will miss them dearly when we leave, but are looking forward to them one day coming to Australia to visit us. We had a bit of a drive around Downtown Littleton and checked out some of the Christmas lights. I must say...Americans do Christmas lights brilliantly!!
Before we took off for the weekend, Josh and Stuart had a quick game of basketball....it was -5C, Josh was barefoot and in shorts and top!!
The group of Australians on exchange this year have been fantastic, so it was nice for our final weekend in Colorado to go away together to Crested Butte, a picturesque ski town on the road to nowhere. Kebler Pass was closed for winter, so there is one road in and out. It is about a 4 1/2hr drive from Denver, but took us about 7 hours as the drive was absolutely stunning. I know I say this often, but it truly was spectacular on a grand scale.
We didn't get very far before our first stop...our last look at Red Rocks...such an iconic place and holds great memories...seeing Keith Urban here with Sharon and Lindsay....what a night that was!!
 |
| Josh in shorts, top and thongs...forgetting it was bloody cold!! |
|
 |
| Josh running up Red Rocks...snow and thongs..and he didn't slip! |
And, happily the road to Crested Butte also took us past Fairplay...so we were able to take Joshuah there...(one up on his brothers now) so whenever he watches an episode of South Park, he can say "Been there!". Mkayyyy!!!
Some of the sights on the way....
 |
| Kenosha Pass |
 |
| Kenosha Pass |
 |
| Buena Vista...at least he's wearing thongs!! |
 |
| Buena Vista |
 |
| Coyote |
Photos don't do these sights justice...it is breathtaking to see.
 |
| Christmas tree at in the main street of Gunnison |
We got to Crested Butte on dark (5pm),
 |
| View from our room |
and checked into our hotel before going out to tea with Barb and Ken....Americans who have done a previous exchange to Adelaide. The next morning we woke up to this view....
and the room didn't have a fridge, which wasn't a problem as we just
opened the window and put the beers out on the ledge in the snow....it was -20C!
Stu and Josh, Barb and Ken went up the mountain for the day and I spent the day wandering around Crested Butte. What a place! Absolutely gorgeous. It won best ski town in North America over the weekend we were there and rightly so! It was so quiet and I was able to walk down the middle of the road enjoying the sights. There was so much snow...more than I have ever seen.
 |
| Where's the car? |
We had the best weather there...even though it got down to -20C, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, sunshine and blue skies. Stunning! And I know it's time to go home when -10C doesn't seem that cold!!
By Friday night everyone had arrived and were raring to get up the mountain. We were able to watch bits and pieces of the 3rd Test at the WACA, in between the internet dropping out and it was looking OK for Australia.
Saturday all the snowboarders and skiers went up the mountain...
...I went off with Jane, Bruce and Sharon....and got to see this view!!!
We met up with everyone up on the mountain for lunch...
such an amazing sight....Mt Crested Butte as a backdrop, blue skies, snowboarders, skiers...and then the record breaking 350 Santa's all coming down the mountain. What a sight!!!
Poor Stu had managed to pull a groin while doing a jump and could barely walk to the shuttle bus. He ended up getting in the hot tub 3 times in 12 hrs and miraculously healed himself, so fortunately was able to snowboard on the Sunday!
Saturday night we all went out for dinner again and had a delicious meal of Southern Fried Chicken, the best mashed potato, creamed corn (fresh) and biscuits (scones) with jam to go with it all!! Interesting combination but so tasty!
Sunday saw all the mountain people head off again
 |
| Josh and Stu |
and Sharon, Tanya, Quinn and I went for a walk around Crested Butte...the roads were icy as, and of course I managed a slow motion fall in the middle of the road!!! The three of us were in awe of everything Crested Butte and spent a lovely couple of hours walking around.
 |
| A snow snake. |
 |
| There is a car under there. |
 |
| Mt Crested Butte |
Sadly we had to say goodbye to some lovely friends we had made with the talk of one day meeting up again somewhere in Australia or wherever the snow takes us!!! Here is a video of the Aussie mountain folk Stuart made...such a superb weekend.
Crested Butte exchange teachers....final weekend
So we reluctantly began the drive back to Denver....but not before (of course) taking hundreds of photos....here are just a few!
We got to Fairplay on dusk and watched the huge moon rising over mountains, flat plains and snow....just beautiful.
and then were treated to a great sunset as we approached Denver.
We were able to watch the last 2 days of the 3rd Test at the WACA (which meant really late nights) and it was pretty exciting to see Australia win the 3rd Test, and the Ashes and get the Urn back!!!
We had our last basketball game on Tuesday night at the Pepsi Centre...Nuggets vs Oklahoma City...probably the worst game we have been to...with the Nuggets losing, but what a great time we have had at all the games we have been to.....we loved it all!
Wednesday night we went out for our last meal with Connie and Bill. As I mentioned earlier, they are a great couple and we have had loads of laughs together throughout this year. We are so excited to one day show them our part of the world in Australia! Thanks Connie and Bill...xxx
 |
| Bill, Connie, Jen and Stu |
Last night we got together with a few of our Australian and American friends for a final farewell. Sharon and Tanya have been invaluable friends this year and I am so glad they were on exchange with us in 2013. Saying goodbye is so hard and emotional, so instead it will be seeya later!!!
 |
| Lindsay, Jen, Stuart, Phil, Tanya and Sharon |
Stuart arrived at work today for his last day and the "Essentials" put on a farewell breakfast for him and had decorated his classroom. I know he has enjoyed working with this group, and after today he can now say...no more work for 13 months!!!!! So good!
One of the teachers looked up Aussie slang and wrote Stuart a farewell card. I think there may have been something lost in translation!! (or maybe not??)
So we are packing up....and head off on Saturday, homeward bound. I am sooo excited to be going home. We both cannot say it often enough...if you are a teacher, go on teacher exchange. It has been an absolutely amazing year, with fantastic experiences, sights and every day has been an adventure. Do it!!!!
