City Of Rocks National Reserve

Wikipedia: The City of Rocks National Reserve, also known as the Silent City of Rocks, is a United States National Reserve and state park lying 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the south central Idaho border with Utah. It is widely known for its excellent rock climbing and rock formations.

The rock spires in the City of Rocks and adjacent Castle Rocks State Park are largely composed of granitic rock of Oligocene Almo pluton and Archean Green creek complex.

The City of Rocks is a popular rock climbing area, with numerous traditional and bolt-protected routes. In the 1980s, it was home to some of the most difficult routes in the USA, mostly developed by Idaho climber Tony Yaniro. Climbers in the region refer to the area as simply 'The City. 

California Trail wagon trains of the 1840s and 1850s left the Raft River valley and traveled through the area and over Granite Pass into Nevada. Names or initials of emigrants written in axle grease are still visible on Register Rock. Ruts from wagon wheels also can be seen in some of the rocks.

Sand Dunes in Idaho?

YES! Big ones! They are amazing! I can't believe I have lived in Idaho for 6 years and FINALLY made it out to the dunes which are less than an hour away from my house! Ridiculous, I know. Better late than never! Fashionably late!

Of course I had to pretend to have been lost in the desert for days or weeks. I guess the rain boots, beanie and jacket say otherwise! 

Polecat Hot Spring--Yellowstone

This fun little adventure happened in the first week of May. I know, I'm a little behind on updating this blog. Early May can be any season in the mountains. Sometimes it snows, rains or is beautiful and sunny. By the time May rolls around people are so ready for summer outdoor activity that no one cares what the weather conditions may be. Luckily, it didn't snow or rain on us on this day. However, the grey cloudy skies didn't allow us to dry out or warm up after walking through thigh deep swamps, post-holing in knee deep snow and crossing a swollen raging river on a 45 degree day. But the three of us gals were determined to make it to the secluded hot spring. The pay off would be (and was!) WORTH it. 

Music in the Desert

It's that time again where we made our spring pilgrimage to the desert to pay homage to the music Gods while spending time with our closest friends. Yep! Coachella Music and Arts Festival! This is our favorite event of the year and this is our 5th year attending. I cannot express how moving it was to see the band Arcade Fire bring out a "secret" special guest to sing with them. I was moved to tears when the legend, Debbie Harry, Blondie, walked onto the stage and sang "Heart of Glass" with the band. This was just ONE of the many WOW/magical moments of the festival. The diversity of music keeps my short attention span completely satisfied. In one day I can see a dozen different musical acts of all genres of music. I can get my funk on and groove to New Orleans funk band, Trombone Shorty, followed by the smooth jazz infused female vocals of ZZ Ward, then get back to the 80's with the Pet Shop Boys, then BRIEFLY hitting up the heavy metal band Motörhead, guest starring Slash and ending the night having my face melted off by EDM (electronic dance music) pioneer, Skrillex. And that's just the music. The ART of the festival is both visual and interactive. The large scale art installations keep topping the previous years installations every year. So unique, so huge, so visual and intriguing. The art gives the festival the feeling of being on a foreign planet or a distant or futuristic land. Really. It's well thought out and quite beautiful. But enough about the music and art.... The FOOD! Oh my... I had a lobster claw sandwich on a sweet toasted bun with salted butter. Wow. It was perfect! There are gormet vegan and vegetarian options, coffee shops, farmers markets, fresh yummy sinful doughnuts that are made to order, delish breakfast burritos, amazing fried fish tacos with a lime dressing, smoothies, etc! I fully indulged in all of these tastey delights. 

One last thing I love most about this festival, is the gathering of my closest, most dear friends that share same passion for live music, food, costumes, and who love FUN as much as I do, make the pilgrimage to meet in the desert every year.

So now I'm going to share a few of my favorite pictures.

Norris Hot Springs, Montana

Winters are long in Teton Valley. By March I start feeling antsy for hiking season. It begins to get a little redundant snowboarding and cross country skiing all winter and never leaving the valley. Kind of like the movie Groundhog Day where every day is the same as the last. I know I know, you feel reeeeeeally sorry for me right? HAHA! When the valley begins to feel smaller than it is, that means it's a great time to have an "out of valley" experience. We headed to Ennis Montana a couple hours away to soak in the glorious Norris Hot Springs. Glorious hot perfect water indeed with live music playing in the geo dome at one end of the pool! Just what the doctor ordered! 

Look Ma! I'm Skiing!

New Hobby

I've always wanted to learn how to downhill ski ever since I moved out West almost 6 years ago. I became a snowboarder my first winter here after learning how much a ski set up (skis, boots, bindings & poles) would cost. I had no idea each item was so expensive (minus the poles). I worked in a ski shop my first winter here and even with my employee discount it was going to come out around $700-1000. I didnt know many people at that time otherwise I would've borrowed or bought used gear. That's how and why I became a snowboarder. I bought my entire snowboard set up for just under $300! Now, don't get me wrong I LOVE snowboarding! I love surfing down the mountain in waist deep powder blowing snow into my face with each swift turn. Riding powder is the most exillerating feeling in the world! However, riding hardpacked groomers is not very enjoyable on a board. Some people love it but I don't. I've turned into a powder snob and won't go up to the ski hill if there isn't at LEAST 4+ inches of new snow. This is not a good way to be living in a ski down during the high pressure days, sometimes weeks, of sunshine and no new snow. I should be up there using my ski pass! So I'm finally learning how to ski. I bought an old used pair of skis WITH bindings for $25! The edges and bases of the skis are PERFECT! These skis probably never left the bunny hill! My ski boots were brand new and I bought them for half off. My entire set up cost $350 which is a near steal! I've been up at Targhee tearing up the bunny hill and having an absolute blast learning something new. Hopefully by the end of this ski season I'll be able to ski the entire mountain. I think it's a reasonable and realistic goal. Cheers to learning new things & having fun!