Winter is coming to a close...

We have four days left in the ski season here in JH...

lés sigh... just as I was getting the hang of the mountain.

BUT we have had some snow! Two great pow days in a row and more snow in the forecast!

Josh and I are going to be leaving the Hole for a few months. Our lease is up, Josh's job will be over for the season on April 7 and I am recently unemployed- it only makes since to to do some traveling.

We're hoping to find someone here in Jackson keep Elu for a little bit while we bounce around the country from National Parks to Amusement Parks to Festivals. We're going (in no particular geographical or chronological order) to San Fransisco (I've never been), the Redwoods, Moab, Robbers Roost, Las Vegas, maybe the Grand Canyon, Zion, Alabama (gotta show Josh where my roots are), Michigan (to see Josh's roots), Asheville, NC, Smokey Mountains... who knows where we will end up between all the "planned" stops! I'm super pumped about getting to see more of this country. I find it strange how I can call myself an "American" when I've only visited less than half of the states, and less than a tenth of the major cities. Time to change that.

We are up for suggestions on your favorite corner of the US. Naturally, I will be blogging about this entire process... so hopefully my entries will get a lot more interesting =). We plan to be in Jackson until late April... and then, of course, we'll be moving back here in the fall to start working and preparing for NEXT SKI SEASON!

Holy shit I've become a ski bum!

The Smiths Came to Town...

...and we ate...

...and we drank

and were merry...

Brooke and I did a little interpretive dance to some Elton John after doing the dishes.

We skied as a group one day. Another day Josh took his sister Brooke and Bro-in-law Dave to do some out-of-bounds goodness, while I cruised groomers with Josh's dad, Bob. We put Annie (4) and James (6) in ski school and they LOVED every second of it. Barb (Josh's mom) and Brooke and I went shopping in town one day, while the boys played pool. Elu was very good with the little ones, Annie especially loved Elu- and Elu Annie. I didn't take very many pictures, as it turns out I'm a terrible photographer =). Brooke and Bob were on top of their photo-taking, so maybe I'll be able to snag some from them.

The Smith family is a lot of fun! I was quite worn out when they left, but in a good way!!

just a few shots of St patty's day and the weekend following

Magical, Mystical Mind of Trish

I had an interesting conversation in the hot tub the other night. The woman I was talking to lives here and was very interested to find out my "story." Mostly the story about how I ended up in Jackson Hole. My simple answer is always: "Broken engagement and I decided I was tired of being responsible." Both true, both also very vague. The next question is always, "but why Jackson?" That to me is the answer. Jackson Hole... it just made sense.

But WHY JACKSON?

Jackson is surrounded by mountains. Beauty on every corner. Friendly people (for the most part). Jackson is a playground year round. And when the going gets tough in Jackson, you're not too far from some other really cool playgrounds. All of these very rational reasons to choose a place to live.

The funny thing is I had never been here. I had not really even seen pictures so much... I didn't move out here with a group of friends. The only real thing I was going on was that Lola said I would love it here. Lola is a friend of the families; I barely knew her personally. It all just fit together. I was moving to Jackson Hole. I would stay with Lola for a month or so and get a job and make friends and make a life. I did.

However, tonight I started to get the impression that maybe Jackson Hole is the one doing the methodical choosing of her residents. There are some interesting stories about how people ended up in JH. I know a guy whose van broke down here twenty-five years ago. I know a woman who was planning on moving to Oregon, made a pit stop here and stayed, Uhaul in tow. I get the feeling that this area- whatever you want to name it- is a magical place that chooses its residences with careful planning.

Jackson Hole is a vacation spot for most people. Tourism is our biggest industry- Jackson brings in 3 to 4 million people a year, yet has a population of roughly 8,600 (town limits). How is it that more people don't just stay?

My only guess is that it has to to with the type of people. The people that visit range from cross-country, RV-driving retirees to families of six to young professionals to spring breakers. (I'm going to generalize and stereotype here) A lot of tourists, in the winter months especially, are über rich professionals from back east. I'm willing to bet that the money is what keeps them in their home towns. The money, the glitz, the cars, the wardrobes, the fancy restaurants (which we do not lack here, but you get my point). The "city folk" stay in the city because it's what they need to survive.

Those of us that end up in Jackson Hole, are polar opposites to the "city folk." Speaking for myself, and quite possibly the rest of the population of this valley: We need big spaces, open air, mountains, fresh air and water... we need adventure!!

I think that this valley knows that in some way... it draws people like me, and Josh and Brandi and Scherba and Steiner and.... it draws us in. There is some mystical, cosmic force. And I am GLAD it found me!

The Rest of the weekend

Saturday Christen and I had our usual day.... It was a slightly lazier day than it has been in the past. But we got some good turns in and attempted some jumps. Hit the kiddie terrain park and practice going off kickers.

We ended the day with one last Gondi ride and shared a delicious burger that Steiner cooked us on the outdoor grille!

Sunday was a girl date with Brandi!

We stopped and watched the Dick's Ditch Comp.

We at some lunch and then did a tram lap. On top of Rendezvous we just had to take a "gaper picture"

Christen has the pics of me shredding on her camera, which her fiancé has, in San Diego or some l.a.m.e.-o excuse like that. So as soon as she gets them to me, I'll share them with you!

Birthday Shenanigans!

I had a pretty stellar birthday!!

Josh and I slept in just a little- got up and had coffee and slow roasted through the morning. My friend Jess text me to listen to KMTN after 10. So I streamed the station just in tome to hear a dedication to my birthday and "Birthday" by the Beatles.

Josh left to get some "real turns" in before he had to ride with me =D and I took the opportunity to make myself look cute for the day, even though I was going to be in snow clothes all day ... luckily it's warming up a lot. On a bluebird day you can totally get away with a light hoodie and a teeshirt under a shell.

Jess came over and we met up with our friend Andy. We hoped the tram. Aboard the tram, they sang Happy Birthday... I am thoroughly humiliated... but in a fun way.

First stop: Corbet's Cabin. Andy buys a round. After we drink the majority of our beers, we headed down Rendezvous Bowl and out Our Trail to a secret spot with an amazing view! Josh and a few others happened to show up too.

Then from there we met the rest of the the crew at Nick's. Drank a beer, Gondola ride to Couloir, beer...

to Casper, Beer. (sadly I forgot to charge my camera, so I missed the photo op at Casper). From Casper we skied to Aprés Vous, down to the base, did another Gondi Lap and ended the day at 4:15 or so at Nicks...

After Aprés at Nicks, Josh and Jess and I hit the hot tub. Jess went home, roommates went out for a bit, Josh and I took a nap, back up for the Indo Board session "late night). I was asleep by eleven. Had to get up and do it all over again with Christen!

It's My Birthday!!!

And I'm so very excited! The only thing I wanted for my b'day was to be with the people I love. Unfortunately, there are a choice few who are unable to make it- Mom, Kelly, Dad (and clan) and Megan are just a little too far away. Brandi and Christen have to work. BUT! Everyone else has pledged their day to me... lol! We're going for a little "cruise" around the mountain. Just hitting groomers, making lots of stops at restaurant bars and hidden places in the woods- it should be a helluva time!! I'll try and remember to take pictures and tell you all about it sometime after this weekend is over... I'm officially signing out for the duration of the birthday. You can reach me on my cell =)

xoxo