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.