Things are warming up!

Last weekend was probably the first weekend that is was actually really warm (about 50 degrees) and sunny outside! So, we took full advantage and went up in to the Grand Teton National Park for a bike ride. We rode about an hour in and then an hour back. This was my first real long bike ride on my new bike, and I absolutely loved it. The roads are closed but they are plowed so you can ride with out worrying about cars and it's so peaceful and quite! I thoroughly enjoyed the ride! Jenny, Amy, Jay, and I went together and had a fantastic day! Here are some pictures from the ride...ENJOY :)


Jenny and I taking a break

One of the spectacular views during our bike ride

Jenny and I
Us again at the Moran turnout...beautiful day!

All of us being silly!

Another great view!

Jay and I...hey is that a snow ball over my head?!

Still quite a bit of snow left...but the roads are clear and it is getting warmer :)

One of my favorite pictures...Jay and I riding through the park

We also celebrated Jay's birthday last week. We had a party at his house and it was a blast! This is all of us...Justin, me, Jenny, Jay, Tori, and Megan.

Jay and I at his birthday party!

That is all for now. Things here are going really well! I am loving my new job...really enjoying it! I am very much ready for the warm weather to come. It as been teasing us here lately with a couple warm and sunny days and then it gets cold again...it snowed this morning. I can already tell the summer here is going to be fantastic though! This is the off season so everyone is kinda taking off and getting out of the valley while it is slow. Jay leaves for Peru tomorrow for almost 3 weeks and Jenny and I leave in a week for southern California...which I am super pumped about. I have never been to California or even to the Pacific Ocean so I am really looking forward to some new scenery and new adventures. I am thinking about everyone ALL the time! Missing and loving you very much! Talk to you soon...see ya XOXO :)

Epic Season

So, I think this was the best winter to come out to Jackson because it was by far the best winter I have ever had and not to mention we saw record breaking snow fall...605" (50.5 FEET)!!! It just did not quit snowing all winter...it even snowed on closing day! I skied about 45 days and loved every minute of it. Below is a link to an article written in Freeskier Magazine talking about our EPIC season. Enjoy!

http://community.freeskier.com/articles/article.php?article_id=2260

Also, the Tram is still under construction...and what an amazing project! Check out the link below to see more information about it...set to open Winter 2008...guess I will just have to stick around to check it out :)

http://www.tram-formation.com/

Never could I have imagined experiencing the things I have experienced this winter...words can't describe! I have met so many new and wonderful people, I have done things I never thought I would, and I have made so many new memories that I will remember forever! I have changed and grown in ways I can not describe! I am so thankful for my opportunities and experiences and the people in my life! And I am so thankful for this life I have been blessed with :) I love and miss my family more than anything and I am so thankful for them and their continued support in all my endeavors! I hope all is well...missing and thinking of everyone ALL THE TIME! XOXO :)

Though winter is closing, it is still quite cold here and there is still quite a bit of snow on the ground but I do feel Spring coming on and I am very excited for Spring and Summer to come. There will be so many new adventures to experience and memories to make. As I bought ski's at the beginning of the Winter, I just bought a new bike for Spring and Summer! Can't wait to ride, hike, run, raft, climb, and everything in between and to explore the beautiful season of Summer in Jackson...a place I have fallen in love with! Love to all...see ya :)

Hiking the "Elevator Shaft"

The Elevator Shaft is a hike in bounds at the mountain that leads to the Head Wall, Crags, and Casper Bowl areas. It is called Elevator Shaft because it is literally straight up! The hike took roughly 40 minutes and it was so steep right at the top that I was literally on my hands and knees climbing up because standing was impossible. This hike was definitely challenging but also definitely worth every step! We skied Casper Bowl and it was a fantastic run! I hiked with Jesse and Megan and we had a blast :) This was probably one of the best last days of skiing for the season. So fun but sad too because the mountain will be closing this Sunday the 6th :( It has been a FANTASTIC season and winter full of exciting adventures and tons of snow...about 600" to be exact! Well, here are a couple pictures from the hike. Enjoy :)

This is me hiking up...Megan is taking the picture and that is Jesse in front of me.

Me, Jesse, and Megan at the top and some other guy in the corner. It was snowing that day so the view wasn't as clear but it was AMAZING none-the-less!

Well, this is a short blog but I hope you enjoyed anyhow! The winter is coming to a close though it is still very cold here and it is still managing to snow...incredible. I have enjoyed and loved this winter more than words can describe but I am definitely ready for some Spring and Summer weather...and not to mention WARM SUN! I am so pale, I think I am purple! Fortunately Jenny and I are taking a road trip to southern California at the end of April. We are heading to Carlsbad which is just north of San Diego to beach camp and then driving north up the coast to Ventura to camp and hike the Channel Islands which are just off the coast of Ventura and then on to Yosemite Park! I am beyond excited and ready for some warm sun and new adventures!

That is all for now. Love and miss everyone tons and tons! XOXO :)

Gaper Day

Gaper - A person who stops on the slopes to look at the views.

This is the official definition but the extended definition is one who thinks they don't stand out but they do, one who is always in the way, one who wears one-piece ski suits with head bands usually of coordinating neon colors, one who still tries to use their rear-entry boots and skis from 1985, one who carries all of their lift tickets on one jacket from all the other resorts they have visited, one who still wears stir-up style pants that go inside the boot, basically one who stands out like a sore thumb and thinks they are super stylish. Yes, I know this sounds harsh but it is the truth...hard to hear for some...but it is the truth. So in honor of all the gapers in the world, Jackson Hole hosts an official Gaper Day where everyone comes out in their best and most ridiculous impressions of a gaper. There is only one word to describe this day...WOW! I didn't know what to expect and what I witnessed was something you would have to see with your own eyes to understand. Gaper Day is on April 1st of every year and is also know as Gaper Foolish Day. So, I did my best 80's skier impression and hit the slopes to witness a spectacle of skiers acting as gaper's. I finished the day by skiing down the mountain with poles in one hand and a Corona in the other...so much fun!!!

Tori and I getting ready to head out. Tori sporting the classic jeans and me with my spandex pants and jacket with shoulder pads...oh and the head band with high pony tail!

The top of Thunder Bumps where most everyone convened before heading down at one time.

Megan, me, and Tori attempting to take a picture as gaper's would. Megan with her pizza pie position wearing her white one piece suite and fur hat.


And then I fall...

Then Jay knocks Tori into me and she falls...total gapers!

Jay taking a break in the sun...pretty sure we had all been drinking since before lunch...whoops!

Did I jump out of 1984 or what?!

Doing our best gaper poses


Me, Caroline, and Megan after skiing



Then we saw Harrison Ford...he is the highlighted circle. You can barely see him and he didn't dress up for Gaper Day...too cool for school I guess :)



Us trying to have a normal picture while attempting to catch Harrison Ford in the background. That is him and his entourage walking out of the left corner of the picture.



Jay, Amy, Megan, and Justin...looking nothin but hot! Jay was really hard to see in his bright orange one-piece suite.

Jay and I. Nothing hotter than an 80's chick drinking a PBR tall boy! Pretty sure we set some record for most PBR's distributed!

Max, Jenny, me, Justin, Megan, Tori, and Mike

A video clip from Gaper Day...press PLAY and enjoy :)

The night before Gaper Day, there was a music festival in the village featuring Michael Fronti...a BLAST! This is Jenny, me, Laura, and Megan. P.S. It was freezing!

That is all for now. Hope you enjoyed some of the funny pictures :) Miss and love you bunches!!! XOXO