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

Working for the weekends...

I realize that it seems I never do anything during the week. That's mostly true.

Here are some pictures from the "Redtop Ski Jump Party."

This party happens every year. Hundreds of ski bums gather at a ski-bum chalet in the middle of nowhere. We all pack our cars equipped to sleep in (some designate a driver), load up backpacks full of beer, skis and party pants and head to this party.

The guys that live in this house are professionals. They built a ramp off the roof of the garage to a kicker over a fire pit, to a landing.

You need no credentials to jump.

Overall it was a good time...

wax-on, wax-off

Wax... it's not just for bikini lines anymore.

It's a very important part of shredding. My board was getting to the point where I was literally getting stuck to the snow. No beuno! I had a few scratches and dints and dings from hitting rocks and generally wear and tear. So... a wax job just had to happen.

My main point is not to walk you through how to wax your board. There are plenty of web sites out there that will teach you that- probably better than I can.

I just wanted to comment on how snowboarding is, in fact, an entire body work out: riding you get the core and leg work out and waxing builds mad bicep muscle! I think I should get a job as a tuner and become über buff!

ANother Fabulous Weekend!!

I just LOVE weekends... who doesn't?!?

So, in recap:

Saturday I met Christen at ten, as per usual. We went from the Gondola, over to Thunder, then down Laramie Bowl to the Sublet lift, then over to Wally World. Wally World is the run that was renamed in honor of Big Wally- a ski patroller who died during a slide while doing avalanche control earlier this season. From Wally's World- formerly Bivouac- we cut back down and across to Gros Ventre (if you ever come to Jackson, btw do NOT pronounce it as "Gross Venture" it is "grow vaunt") and back tot the house.

When we got to the house, both Christen and I were perma-grin and giggly! We declared it the best run either one of us has ever had while riding together. From here, we went to eat a "fancy lunch" at the Osteria- complete with mimosa for me and champagne for Christen...

After lunch, we did a tram lap- then over to Casper for some beer drinking. I did a final lap on Aprés Vous and down to Nick's. Sadly, I had a terrible migraine by the time I got my first beer at Nicks, so I took the bus home and passed out. My sweet boyfriend came home after work and took care of me. I slept pretty hard.

Sunday had sub-par conditions, so Josh and I decided to sleep in. I decided to take it easy. SO I rode through the trees on the way to Casper Restaurant. Stopped to take a few pics.

I met up with Josh and our friend Abby and a couple of her friends in the restaurant. We figured the day was a perfect day for this:

yes. those are lunch trays. I know you're jealous!!! And Abby did a sub-par job of documenting my tray sledding experience- but I slid all the way to the deck. I'm just sayin'

We did ride a bit... we took a lap down, back up the Gondi then around the long way (via Lupine Way) right back to the same spot. Another lap down and up the Gondi and I rode home- as I had to go to work for the Flying Tomato.

All-in-all the weekend was fabulous! Can't wait until the next one!!