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!

SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

snow snow snow snow snow!!!

I experienced my first *powder day of the season today. (For my southern readers that means the first day with lots of fresh snow on the hill.) And now I totally get it! The combo of my new snowboard (pictures to come very soon) soft, fluffy pow and a bit of a daredevil attitude got me up Apres Vous (a lift that only services blue trails).

I rode by myself with my iPod blaring K'naan (check him out!) and took it very easy, just cruising. There was so much soft snow that I wasn't as afraid to make turns. Being on my toe-side edge was not nearly as scary because when I fell it was like falling into a ton of pillows! I caught speed, I floated and I LOVED IT!

I rode until noon, ate some food, cleaned the house, then took Elu on a walk, then went climbing at the gym. I'm pooped, that's all I can give you for now. Pictures and more details to come.

Nesting and Waiting...

The off season is officially upon us.  It's the time of year when the town clears out: the summer residents are moving south for the winter, the ski bums haven't quite gotten here yet and the gapers (tourists) have stopped flooding town square.  The off season is a time to slow down and shift gears.  Summer was amazing! It was a world wind of sun, water, mountains and tons of activities... The winter will be jammed packed full of skiing and snowshoeing.  But October and November's weather forces you to put the breaks on.  Today, for instance we woke up to wind howling, snow flurries and chilly weather.  The idea of going on a hike was less than appealing.  So for the first time in a long while, I am staying in and doing NOTHING.  

The catch is, I'm very bad at doing nothing. So instead, I have been organizing, doing laundry and in general "nesting." I almost have the house dialed in and comfortable.  Josh's mom is in town and she's been making lasagna all day for us to freeze! The boys have been keeping the fire ablaze all day, it's just been a delightful day! I love the off season! 

It seems I have been doing little but making up excuses as to why I'm not blogging. Truth be told: I haven't had very much alone/down time that has coincided with inspiration. 

First, my computer had an unfortunate run in with a cup of coffee.  Didn't work, submerged it in rice and now it does.  There is a DVD stuck in the drive but Internet and music still work. Le sigh, I should really be discouraged from owning nice things ;)

But the news of the week is the new condo! Last I updated you, we were talking about moving in together.  In the meantime J and I have hit some growing pains in our relationship, moved past them and signed a lease.  We now live in Teton Village, Wyoming.  For those of you who have never been to Jackson, let me try and give you an idea: 

okay.  Broadway is the main street. Town square is at the corner of Broadway and Cache. From Town, you go south on Broadway, take a right (up in the map) on 22 and head to the stop light, turn right and go about 6 miles to Teton Village. The Village, as it is more commonly referred to is centered around the ski hill.  There are some shops and restaurants, a few five star hotels, a bunch of rich people and some condos slightly off to the side.  I now reside in one of said condos.

This place is NICE! It's a vacation rental by summer- rented by the week.  By winter, it is ours! There are four of us living in this fabulous two bedroom, two bathroom condo- Me, Josh, our friend Bungee and Lady Elu.  Granted, three of us are sharing a room =).

We have a fire place, a wet bar, a separate dining room, kitchen with laundry off it, a gigantic balcony and best of all- it's ski-in.  We can pretty much cruise right up to the back steps. 

I promise I will have pictures up soon! Right now I'm just sitting here basking in it all while the boys drink beer on the porch.  

Anyway.  I PROMISE now that I am settled (and living with two boys who will inevitably win the battle on "what do we watch on TV") I will do more blogging.  I vow here and now to take more pictures and let my (two) faithful readers know what is going on in Teton Village and the rest of Jackson. 

Hope you have a great day!!!

Peace! 

SUMMER!!!!!!!

I love summer! I forgot how nice it feels to have warm sunshine on your face, and how much better beer tastes when you drink it during the day.  Thursday and Friday were my days off this week and BOY did I have a BLAST!!

Thursday, Josh and I decided to make it a point to do NOTHING. And nothing we did! We went into town to run the few errands that needed running and eat breakfast, then we picked up a half case of beer and went to his house.  He lives on Paintbrush Trail, about a mile UP the mountain.  His back porch has a killer view of the Grand (Teton). We figured sitting around doing nothing would be a lot easier if he had comfy chairs.  It was in the upper 60's, so naturally we wanted to sit outside.  Here's how we managed that: 

so we listened to music and drank a few cold beers in the sunshine! (I worked on my tan as well).

Friday my boss, Jessa, and some friends of hers were rafting the Snake.  I was invited to fill an extra spot.  We took off from town around noon and finally got to rowing around 1pm.  Oh how I love rafting!! There were 17 of us in three boats.  The water was a tad chilly, but we had a blast regardless! 

After a full day of water and sun, I was ready for bed at 9pm last night! Got eight hours of sleep before the 6am shift this morning! 

I love this town! 

I love sunshine!

I love summer!

I heart my friends!