Huckleberry Hot Spring in Yellowstone National Park

For Danna's birthday, we cross country skied out to Huckleberry Hot Spring in Yellowstone National Park.
It was snowing all afternoon while we soaked in the spring. The water temperature was PERFECT! We were ready to make it our permanent residence but the Park Service probably wouldn't like that too much.

33 inches of snow in 24 hours!

Here is Danna modeling what 33 inches of snow looks like. And this is only the parking lot! It was waist deep on the mountain.

Danna takes on Idaho!

Yesterday my Tennessee buddy arrived in Jackson Hole. We had quite the welcoming party for her once we made it back in Driggs. We have so much planned for her to do, see and experience in the short week of her visit. Today she cross country skied for the first time and did great! Tomorrow she is going to get on a snowboard for the 2nd time in her life with 25 inches of new snow that has fallen in the last 24 hours! Monday, she'll be watching her first Broomball match, Tuesday (her birthday) we are skiing to a hot spring in Yellowstone for a soak, then later that evening we are throwing a 70's disco party for her. I think she may be ready to move here by the end of the week.

New Years Eve

I love New Years Eve! Every New Years has been special to me. Even the ones where I'm sitting at home watching the ball drop on T.V. or even sleeping through the New Year festivities! These are a couple of pictures from the evenings events. I don't need much of a reason or excuse to wear a feather boa.

Video of the Darby Slide

It sure is fun living out here!

Cross Country Ski Adventures

We cross country skied in Darby Canyon today. The goal of the ski was to make it to the Girls Scout camp so we can slide down the huge scary slide. We made it, and yes, it was scary and totally worth it!

Today on the mountain

Took a few runs at the ski hill with an old friend who was visiting.

Breakthrough Snowboarding!

Today was a breakthrough day on my snowboard. With almost a foot of new fluffy snow (which I call "hero snow" because it gives you the courage to go through steeper routes and maneuver better for a beginner--especially because it doesn't hurt to fall!) I pointed the front of my board down the mountain, took a relaxed stance and shredded it! It looks like I won't be on the bunny hill very much this season! Here's a couple pictures from today.

Hunting

It was -14 degrees this morning. Surely the start of many days in the negative temps for the next 5 months. Therefore, I am currently on the hunt for a used, inexpensive stationary bike...

Grand Targhee

Only one lift is open at Grand Targhee due to lack of snow. Hopefully this weekend they will get enough snow to open the rest of the lifts at the resort--but I highly doubt it since there are so many bare spots on the mountain with exposed mud, grass and rocks. Everyone who lives here in Teton Valley are doing their snow dance to bring the snow! C'mon snow gods! Bring it!!! I desperately need to get off the bunny hill this season!

Halloween in Austin with Widespread Panic

Halloween in Austin with Widespread Panic

These are pictures from three action packed nights in Austin Texas over Halloween weekend. We explored 6th street which is what I would imagine New Orleans Bourbon St. is like--Rows of Restaurants, Pubs and Bars. The food and the live music was GREAT! It was so nice to get out of Teton Valley and be in a large city with, much needed, diversity. It also makes me very happy to come back home to the valley and its mellow, beautiful surroundings.

Idaho Salamander

I found this guy in the dirt that was being leveled next to my house! He's lucky he didn't get killed by the heavy machinery, squished by a rock or stepped on! Just his tail was sticking outside of the dirt. I looked at it and thought, "no way that is a salamander THAT big in Idaho!" It's the first salamander I've seen out west since I moved here. He was 8-9 inches from tip to tail. Did I ever mention how much I love Amphibians?

Early Season Snowboarding

I can't believe I went snowboarding today, Oct.6th! It's early early early for this much snow to have fallen and more is on the way. The ski resort is closed, so we had to hike up the mountain instead of riding the chairlift. It was nice to get my feet back on the snowboard, take some falls, and make some turns. I don't know who the guy is jumping on his snowboard, but I thought it was a decent shot to post.

October 2nd hike

Be a better person -- take a hike

Be a better person -- take a hike

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Sept.30 Snow Storm

These pictures are from the Grand Targhee Resort website. This is how much snow they received overnight. Approximately 14 inches at the base of the ski hill! WOW!