Approaching Storm on the bike path

More Moose Lake pictures

The long haul up to Moose Lake

I'm not sure the actual mileage to Moose lake, but we hiked in and camped about 8 miles in. We found a sweet camp spot that was surrounded by natural springs flowing directly out of the side of the mountain! I've never tasted water so fresh and pure! For dinner that evening, we had brats and sauerkraut cooked over the open fire! I couldn't find enough edible flowers for a salad (there were plenty at higher elevation), but we had plenty of food to eat! The moon was almost full and the stars were very bright. The temperature at night was easily in the low 30's. In the morning, I woke to the sound of Coyotes howling back and forth. After I realized what the noise was, I noticed Charlotte (the pup) was gone. I looked out of the tent to find her tip toeing around sniffing the air in the direction of the howls. She was extremely curious about the Coyote howls and wanted to investigate. Needless to say, I called her back into the tent and we both slept for another hour or so. After breakfast, we hiked another 2 miles up a steep incline to the lake. Gorgeous! To my surprise the lake wasn't frozen! Next time, I'm bringing my fly-rod. The Forest Service is going to be stocking the lake sometime this summer! I can't wait! After we left the lake, we packed up camp and hiked out. It was grueling due to breaking in new hiking boots. I developed so many blisters on both feet. I wore my Crocs (camp shoes) with socks the entire hike out. Those shoes saved me! However, I don't think I have arches left in my feet due to the heavy pack and no arch support in the shoes. Overall, I can't complain. The weather was perfect, the company was perfect, and very little biting insects! A perfect trip!

Biking in the Big Holes

Day Hike with Christina

Wake Surfing-Jackson Lake-Grand Teton National Park

VIDEO!!!

Wake Surfing-Jackson Lake-Grand Teton National Park

WAKE SURFING! I've never seen it before! I didn't try it either, but maybe next time I will!
How it works: Put all of the weight in the boat on one side of the boat to create a larger wake ( giant water bags were used along with everyone sitting on one side). Start out like water skiing--In the water, with a rope. Position the wide looking surfboard on your feet in the water-- The boat hits the gas, the person gets pulled into the wake by holding onto the rope--then they LET GO of the rope when they find the "sweet spot" in the wake. They also had to wear wet suits due to the water temperature being so cold. Remember, this lake was frozen all winter.

New Paved Bike Trail in Teton National Park!

So, I decided to "test" the new bike path in the National Park the other day. It is superb! Smooth, wide, rolling hills, clear skies---at least in the beginning. The storm quickly blew in with sideways rain, and strong winds. I had a blast! Riding my bike INTO gale force winds trying not get blow off my bike, literally made me feel as if I had wrestled an alligator.

Finally it's SPRING in the Tetons!

The Cascade Mountains

The Backpacking Part of Seattle

I spent a couple days with my two friends backpacking in the Cascades. It was fantastic for the first backpacking trip of the spring season! One brought a fiddle and the other brought a guitar, and I brought my bad singing voice. We had live bluegrass music, a campfire and marshmallows. We hiked to a gorgeous frozen lake, saw an actual avalanche (way across the lake), and the weather was absolutely perfect. There was still so much snow in the upper elevations, and none lower. No mosquitoes or biting bugs. Everything about the trip was perfect!

Seattle visit

My visit to Seattle was fantastic! It was great to see my sister, brother in law, niece, nephew AND my folks flew out from Tennessee! AND I managed to squeeze in a backpacking trip with a good friend who just so happens to live in Seattle too! It was a great visit! I love Seattle! It's such a progressive, "green" city. We had beautiful weather, with a few rain showers that were to short to even notice.

SWEETS!

Here's a picture of the Balsamic Strawberries! This recipe is SOOOO tasty!
The other picture is of my two girlfriends and I in Jackson.

Boredom = Yummy

When I get bored, I cruise through recipe websites, in attempts to teach myself how to cook.
I have come to the conclusion, "If you can read, you can cook." I will only attempt easy and simple recipes.
No, 30 ingredient, 20 step recipes. I want SIMPLE and I want to eat it as soon as it is done! No marinating, no
freezing, cooling, over-night, recipes. I'm usually cooking because I am starving when I start putting it together.

This desert I happened to stumble across, won me over. Balsamic Strawberries with Marscapone Creme topping. (use cream cheese--it's cheaper and just as delicious.)
Hands down, this is the easiest best desert I have ever made.
Follow the link, or cut and paste it in your browser.
Be sure and read the review I wrote about it at the bottom of the recipe!

I'm making it again today!

Here ya go!


http://www.meals.com/Recipes/Balsamic-Strawberries-with-Almond-Mascarpone-Crme.aspx?recipeid=143820

Lovely Mud Season

Next week will be my one year anniversary for moving out west. I began the planning for this journey far longer than one year ago. I had a calling to head west to bigger and more expansive mountains to explore. Reality hits me every morning when I wake up and look out of my window at the Tetons and Big Hole mountains. I'm still in awe. I can't believe I have made a life for myself being so far away from my family and long time friends--a new start all by myself. I can officially say now, "I did it," and really believe those words when I say them.

It hasn't been easy staying here. I have been laid off from the 2 jobs I held, I've moved 4 times, spent 6 weeks being homeless--yet had the greatest road trip/backpacking trip of my life, good friends are hard to come by, and colleges (which I'm planning on finishing) are an hour or more away. I'm not complaining. I am very grateful to have experienced life the way I've been led. Being away from my family, has allowed me to really appreciate them more. We seem to be more connected on the importance of each others well being and maintaining frequent contact. I'm just saying, when living close to family, little "non issue" problems take front and center stage. The petty stuff. Now, we all seem to be focusing on keeping the "family bond" close. Being away, has allowed me to reflect on my old life back in Tennessee. I miss so much back home, and wouldn't change a thing about how I lived there. If I did, I may not be where I am today.

I've been very pro-active in finding a job. I've applied for over 40 jobs within the last 2 months. Until I get one, there is always an underlying stress. I keep active in my spare time. There is a lot of it right now! I can't go back packing yet, because there is so much snow in the back country, AND it continues to snow/rain here in the valley. This is what I've heard the locals call, "mud season." People who live here go out of town from mid April till the end of May. I always wondered why anyone would want to leave ANY time of year, this place is BEAUTIFUL year round! Well, now I am beginning to understand their point. The forecast has called for rain nearly every day over the last 2 weeks, and week to come. Yeah, yeah, rain is dreary, cold and dark, but after living in Tennessee most of my life--I'm used to it. I still love it here! The massive mountains aren't going to wash away, and I certainly won't melt! Bring on the rain! It's just water! After all, it's not like I'm made of sugar.