{"id":3395,"date":"2026-01-03T14:33:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T19:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/?p=3395"},"modified":"2026-01-07T11:43:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T16:43:53","slug":"no-snow-but-we-still-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/?p=3395","title":{"rendered":"No Snow, but We Still Go"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Parker survived his first semester at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcu.edu\/\">Western Carolina University<\/a>. He has loved it and decided to major in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcu.edu\/learn\/programs\/construction-management-bs\/index.aspx\">construction management<\/a>. He came home for winter break and the festivities commenced. To celebrate turning 19, we headed over to Greensboro for a few rounds at <a href=\"https:\/\/topgolf.com\/us\/promo\/football-headquarters\/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=pmax&amp;utm_campaign=mhw_football_0925&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=search&amp;utm_campaign=mhw_alwayson_0425&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21291029896&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD4DkMnK5vuCSUQRKhx8dUnQz_W8P&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiA9t3KBhCQARIsAJOcR7zBe8ieFWK4lwpTDf6FzNZzddGD4gLghsxrxmm9U0HSuZEF_NJCwZAaAvkAEALw_wcB\">Top Golf<\/a>, followed by dinner at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.phohienvuong.com\/\">Pho Hien Vuong<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5332-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3383\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5332-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3383\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5332-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5332-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5332-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5332-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5332-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3382\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5334-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3382\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5334-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5334-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5334-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5334-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5334-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"3381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5335-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3381\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5335-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5335-300x225.jpeg 300w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5335-768x576.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5335-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5335-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With Parker&#8217;s birthday complete, it was time for our annual trip to Steamboat! First stop was picking up our Wagoneer (this has become a tradition for us). We left Denver and stopped at <a href=\"https:\/\/kucutequilabistro.com\/\">K\u00facu Tequila Bistro<\/a>. The bison short rib birria tacos were amazing! With full bellies, we continued on to Steamboat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our condo (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.airbnb.com\/rooms\/11440029?source_impression_id=p3_1767467757_P3S6fqWl7IOECfSO\">Terraces at Eagle Ridge &#8211; N32<\/a>) was cutely appointed with Christmas decorations, which was a nice touch. Our first time having a tree in several years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5337-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"3380\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5337-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3380\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5337-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5337-300x225.jpeg 300w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5337-768x576.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5337-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5337-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5338-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3379\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5338-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3379\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5338-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5338-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5338-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5338-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5338-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We settled in and prepared for a week of skiing. Unfortunately, Colorado has not seen much snow this year, so much of the mountain was closed. We skied Christmas Day and had what was open to ourselves. Friday, the crowds started to pick up. As we were getting ready Saturday morning, it began to snow. It continued through the day and night, and we were treated with some great fresh powder Sunday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5349-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3373\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5349-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3373\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5349-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5349-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5349-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5349-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5349-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5350-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5350-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3372\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5350-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5350-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5350-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5350-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5350-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5352-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3371\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5352-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3371\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5352-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5352-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5352-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5352-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5352-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We found some great restaurants in Steamboat Springs that were new to us. We enjoyed <a href=\"https:\/\/steamboat.fiestajaliscoco.com\/\">Fiesta Jalisco <\/a>(we had been there before), <a href=\"https:\/\/saffronindianrestaurent.com\/\">Saffron<\/a> (highly recommend, but you know how much Kristie and the kids love Indian), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maithaimenu.com\/\">Mai Thai<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rexsfamily.com\/salt-lime\">Salt and Lime<\/a> (also a repeat but a must in Steamboat), and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mambos.com\/\">Mambos Italiano<\/a> (we had takeout from here when Kristie broke her leg so it was nice to dine in person &#8211; 4 thumbs up!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our condo had a weird, dedicated parking space that required parallel parking in a parking garage. With an assist from Parker, Jay was able to park our behemoth. Afterwards, Jay declared that he could now walk the earth fearing no man!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0727-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" data-id=\"3397\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0727-225x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3397\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0727-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0727-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0727-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0727-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0727-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0726-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3394\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0726-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3394\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0726-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0726-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0726-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0726-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0726-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We enjoyed our days on the slopes. Ansel has become an amazing skier, and it is impressive watching her and Parker dart in and out of traffic as they fly down the slopes. Despite still recovering from her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/?p=3316\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3316\">recent broken leg<\/a>, Kristie still has it when it comes to carving down the mountain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5396-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3393\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5396-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3393\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5396-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5396-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5396-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5396-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5396-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5397-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5397-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3392\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5397-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5397-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5397-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5397-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5397-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5400-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"3391\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5400-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3391\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5400-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5400-300x225.jpeg 300w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5400-768x576.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5400-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5400-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0701-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"3386\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0701-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3386\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0701-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0701-300x225.jpeg 300w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0701-768x576.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0701-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0701-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0715-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"3385\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0715-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3385\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0715-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0715-300x225.jpeg 300w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0715-768x576.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0715-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0715-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0724-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"3384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0724-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3384\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0724-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0724-300x225.jpeg 300w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0724-768x576.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0724-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0724-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5341-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3378\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5341-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3378\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5341-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5341-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5341-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5341-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5341-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5343-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3377\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5343-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3377\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5343-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5343-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5343-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5343-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5343-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5344-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3376\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5344-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3376\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5344-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5344-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5344-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5344-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5344-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5345-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5345-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3375\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5345-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5345-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5345-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5345-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5345-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5347-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3374\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5347-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3374\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5347-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5347-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5347-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5347-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5347-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5361-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3367\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5361-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3367\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5361-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5361-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5361-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5361-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5361-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5360-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3368\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5360-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3368\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5360-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5360-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5360-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5360-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5360-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We returned from dinner on New Year&#8217;s Eve just in time to watch the ski parade (notice the red lights in the picture below) and fireworks from our condo window. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5401-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3387\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5401-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3387\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5401-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5401-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5401-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5401-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5401-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5409-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3390\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5409-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3390\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5409-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5409-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5409-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5409-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5409-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5408-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3389\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5408-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3389\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5408-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5408-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5408-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5408-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5408-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5405-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3388\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5405-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3388\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5405-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5405-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5405-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5405-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_5405-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Parker survived his first semester at Western Carolina University. He has loved it and decided to major in construction management. He came home for winter break and the festivities commenced. To celebrate turning 19, we headed over to Greensboro for &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/?p=3395\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3363,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3395","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3395","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3395"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3395\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3402,"href":"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3395\/revisions\/3402"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3363"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3395"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crosscountryadventures.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}