Shredding fresh pow-pow

Avalanche bombs blasting in the background was the music to our first snowboarding experience. 

We headed to Teton Village, or the "Ville," as our friends call the ski resort. The Teton range, of which the resort is connected, has received more than 50 inches of powder in five days. Avalanche warnings are at extreme levels with locals saying it's the most dangerous conditions in 20 years. A 31-year-old skier from nearby Wilson died in a "slide" of snow higher in the mountain yesterday.

We were safe on the smaller slopes with other ski school students. We had a terrific instructor, who managed to balance our different learning styles. Jason was methodical and perfected the toe-heel turns. I enjoyed the speed and openness of some of the runs when I could try turns. We both are popping aspirin and giving thanks for helmets. 

It was a gorgeous day amid heavy snowfall and we're scheming to try the town "hill,"  less-crowded Snow King, soon.

Merry Christmas!

Warmest greetings from our white Christmas! A large storm moved in early Christmas morning and has already dropped 7-8 inches in the Valley. The snow is supposed to continue all day and into the night; at least a foot is expected in town with more falling on the mountains. In fact the ski resort has closed about half of the mountain to skiers and stopped the tram completely; a rarity during the busy ski season.

 

Here's a shot of Flat Creek out our back door. Ice has narrowed the running water significantly, but water fowl still feed and play there.

Traci stands in the fallen snow on the lawn. We had a fun time playing on the local playground equipment in 18 inches of powder.

Frozen beards are fun, but pulling the ice out is not advised!

Trumpeter swans have established themselves on the creek and seem unphased by the cold temperatures.

Wonderland

After taunting the snow for the last couple weeks, it is seeking its revenge. Every day we wake up to about six inches of new powder shrouding the car and sidewalks. The streets around town are completely white and packed without asphalt in sight. This will last until April or perhaps May. Our hike today was closer to town at Cache Creek. Wintry pellets sprinkled Jason's evergrowing beard. Hiking in the drifts adds a new challenge to the walks. 

Temperatures regularly plummet to between 0 and -10 at night. 

Next weekend we try snowboarding.

Merry Christmas.

Snow Angels

Go ahead and roll your eyes at the title of this entry. 

Mom and Dad came for a visit last weekend and we tried our best to test them with hikes at higher elevations.
My idea of incline has become warped after weekends of taking hikes that include up, up, up and then down. So I thought the ups and downs around Taggart Lake might make a nice, easy stroll. I forgot about some of the hills. I think their faith in my words and judgment decreased as we climbed higher. But they did great with the 4-mile stretch. We celebrated with drinks at Dornan's with the Tetons just yards from the windows.

The above photo is Mom and her snow shoes. We all took turns using them. There's more physical labor involved with snow shoes because of their bulky design.

Taggart Lake in the snow

"Where's all this snow we keep hearing about?"

When we arrived in June, or after we told people of our plans to move to Jackson Hole we were greeted with responses such as "we hope you like cold weather," or "do you ski or snowboard? It's a long winter out there."

Clouds shroud the mountains and buttes in the distance, but the valley is still sans the white stuff. So, we went to find it in the hills.

We ventured today to a trail we've done before, but discovered its loveliness with a couple inches of powder.

Taggart Lake appears frozen over and its mix of pine, meadow and twisting trail near a stream on a bluff keeps the walk interesting. The pine smell permeates, though. The below photo came from a path that was out of a storybook. We strolled along through the trees with some flurries whirling and the evergreen scent lifting our moods. In a clearing not far away from the pine section we spotted two moose. They watched us as we eyed them and kept our distance of about 50 yards.

Three turkeys and a lamb leg

We had much to be thankful for as we celebrated Thurs with friends and neighbors. Unfortunately our host was unable to locate a live hog for slaughter and roasting within a 5 hour radius (Clearly, we're not in the Midwest anymore.), so we opted for two lamb legs and a turkey. The lamb legs were smoked to perfection over the course of the afternoon and turned out beautifully. 

ps-In case you're curious, yes, those are goggles on a cowboy hat.

High Above Jackson

This weekend we set off into Bridger-Teton National Forest at the South edge of Jackson for afternoon hike. A seasoned veteran of the Snow King climb, Traci remarked that today's jaunt was more of a climb than a hike, but the views at the top were amazing. 

At 9 weeks, the beard has filled out nicely and attracts a lot of attention.

Jackson sits at 6200 feet above sea level. The peak we climbed today, known as Josie's Ridge, is about 1000 feet higher and the steepest way to the top is only 1.2 miles long. 

Watch your step.....

The situation was not quite as precarious as this photo might suggest but it does highlight the verticality of the ascent.

The girl from the Flatlands meets her mountain

It's that time of the season for the Civic to stay in the valley.

Here is a photo of the Teton Pass between Jackson Hole and Idaho this afternoon shot from the WyDOT Web cam.

Today I went over into Idaho for an interview about a guy going to India for medical treatment as part of a medical tourism feature. I almost didn't make it back across the Pass, which is a 12 mile stretch across the Tetons that ascends up 10,000 feet and back down.
The sky was clear on the way over. I looked out the window during the interview and could see storm clouds clustering between where I was in Victor, Idaho, and home in Jackson.
I hoped it was only rain. It was, for the first few miles. Then it turned to sleet and snow. The Civic chugged up the snow-covered pass at about 5 mph. I cursed the lack of chains and tire spikes. I pulled over for a minute and tried to call Jason, and realized that I didn't have any cell phone reception. A surreal moment of freak out and adrenaline gripped me. Twisting the steering wheel for traction and flooring the gas to keep the momentum, I moved on at a snail's pace.
The little car slowly climbed upward. At the top I released the breath I was holding, knowing gravity was a good friend in this situation.
No more mountain driving until the spring.

For the record, Jason advised me to do the interview over the phone, but knew that arguing with a girl from the Flatlands is its own metaphorical uphill battle.

Snow slips away, for now

Jason's Monday off during his four-day 10-hour cycle prompted the gorgeous pics from a powder blanket tucked around String Lake (below). He saw deer and elk during his two-hour hike there. 

Most of the snow had melted by this weekend and the photo (top) at Hidden Falls near Jenny Lake show only remnants of the wintry tease.

Weather forecasters predict more flurries tomorrow to accompany the ebbing ivory mountain tops.

Mountain People

A month's growth and Jason fits right in with the wilderness crowd. He calls it his "local badge." He says he'll either shave or iron for work, but not both.

Winter comes to Wyoming

The Aspens were a blaze with their golden hues one day, and then on Friday the snow start blowing through the valley. 

Jackson has received about 3-4 inches over the weekend. We walked around town to check out the wonderland on foot. Whether we are ready or not, the snow is here. It is common for Jackson and the Tetons to receive a foot or more in a single day. Ski slopes open around Thanksgiving and we hope to take a shot at winter sports. Our neighbor Tom has offered to give me a refresher and Jason a lesson. 

Fun with Nana's glasses

Cheesin' back in MO

Every writer needs a vintage coat

Wearing her Jackson souvenir from her auntie and uncle.

Onward

Where the buffalo roam...

"Where the air is so pure,
The zephyrs so free,
The breezes so balmy and light,
That I would not exchange
My home on the range
For all of the cities so bright."

Jason captured a close-up of a red-naped sap sucker and a bison the size of a Volkswagen beetle (above).

Hanging with the Rockefellers

We walked where financial giants once came to get away from their stressful NYSE jobs. Yes, when he wasn't venturing in capital, Laurance Rockefeller (son of John D.) was hiding out at JY Ranch beneath the Tetons, along the beautiful shores of Phelps Lake. He and his descendants had the foresight to make the gorgeous space available to the National Park Service so others could enjoy. Their generosity helped to open the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center in June. Over the last four years the family moved more than half of their 30 buildings/homes to property elsewhere so the Center could be built.

Jason looks out at Phelps Lake from a rock off Huckleberry Point.

We had hiked to Phelps Lake from the other side at the summer's beginning, but the Preserve Center's offerings were the Cadillac of hiking trails and facilities. It also has the "greenest" parking lot and restroom facilities we had ever seen. There was reserved parking for hybrid cars. The bathrooms have composting toilets and solar roofs. 

Smaller wildlife

This little chipmunk scurried around our shoes and bag when we took a water break on the ascent up to Amphitheater Lake. Chipmunks are "chiselers" in Jackson speak and quiet common.

We stopped in our tracks while going up to Signal Mountain two weeks ago. This insect was about as big as a fist. Locals call this a Mormon cricket but it's actually a larger katydid.

The world at two miles high

Yes, that's snow in the background. I decided to take a dip at 10,000 feet at the halfway point of our 10-mile hike. I surfaced from the full-body submersion and yelped. Holy cow, it was cold. Snow melt empties into Amphitheater lake, which is surrounded by forest, rock and mountains on all sides, most notably Grand Teton in the background. 

Here's a shot of Jason right before we stopped at the lake for lunch.

Signal Mountain

 

The 3-mile ascent to Signal Mountain's crest was worth every step. Halfway there we met up with a family from Wisconsin and climbed into a wooded area before they slowed and we went our separate ways. It's always amazing how friendly people are when you are sharing a day's goal and an appreciation of the the surroundings. 

These panoramic views from the top are Jason's work. He captures the valley with the Tetons directly behind him. He also snapped the one with the sunlight streaming through the trees as we hiked down.

We saw a moose on the last .5 miles as we crossed a park road. He was enjoying his dinner by a pond, but grew agitated with the swelling group of spectators armed with cameras. He started walking toward us. Everyone had a vehicle for escape, except us. I took off in a jog, but Jason warned me not to make sudden movements. The moose actually just wanted to cross the road, away from the audience. He disappeared into the forest.

Boys' Fishing and Girls' Hike

We had our first visitors last weekend when Jason's family came out to explore Jackson Hole with us. While the guys went fly fishing on Sunday, Amy, Carol and I hiked around Leigh Lake. The crowded Jenny Lake parking lot confirmed the decision to do the less-trafficked Leigh/String Lake trail. We trekked for nearly two hours, pausing to take photos.

Employment and Domestic Life

White Ribbon Winner! This French Apple pie took 3rd place in the Teton County Fair's apple pie division. J and the rest of the guys on the lawn were bummed that they were unable to enjoy the fruits of T's labor! Previous practice attempts have earned quite a reputation.

Hold the phone, employment is here! It was a good streak but it ended Monday with my first full day of gainful employment. The job is going very well but having to iron on occasion was not listed as a job requirement.