Tales from the land of happy pups, steep and deep skiing, and grocery store wine sales...

I pulled into Jackson as the snow fell and when I realized the perfection of my surroundings I heard Daddy say, "This is livin' right." I had done a lot of things right; I got out of the office early, picked up a bottle of champagne, drove carefully on the scary snow-covered roads over the mountain pass, and listened to the lyrical genius of The Format for the final 150 miles of my solo road trip. It was definitely good livin'.

I was very warmly welcomed by the best host and hostess (and a cold beer) in Jackson. Howie, Abigail, and I enjoyed sharing stories before turning in at a late hour. Saturday I rose early with giddy excitement despite my lack of zzzzzz's. After a stop for breakfast at Jackson Whole Foods, the local health food store, I was on my way the the Resort Village.

It was a perfect bluebird morning after 7 inches of overnight snowfall when I met up with Howie's friends, Chip and Jeanine. They showed me the goods all morning. Powder so good that there were a lot of yeehaws and wahoos, and it was all in bounds. Lunch time came and I stopped for some pizza while those two continued to hit it hard. Then it was a mountain tour with Ana.
Our first stop was the famous, Jackson Hole Tram I hadn't yet ridden. Did I mention it was a bluebird day?

At the top of the tram we went into Corbet's cabin, named after the famous couloir which was our next destination.

The scene as we skied upon it. Prayer flags hung above the entrance and many, many danger signs. There was no mistaking I was in big boy territory.

I skied through the gate, inched up on the edge and realized (as my ski hung over the edge) I was standing on a very large cornice! Eeeek. I had to hurry and take this photo before I got queezy and my knees started to tremble. If being tough meant that I had to ski Corbet's then I was not a tough skier that day.

As we crossed the mountain and looked over the valley Ana pointed out the Nordic Skiing area whose course is shaped like the bucking bronco and cowboy. If you click on the image it will enlarge for a better view.

After Ana's well-guided tour I met up with Abigail and we made some runs on the Casper and Apre Vous lifts. Before long we heard the sweet call of Margaritas coming from the Mangy Moose so we made a b-line for the legendary bar...well,with one stop for a touristy photo op.

The place was full of entertaining decor and entertaining skiers, myself included. It started out as a routine trip to the ladie's room and ended with a large bruise across my abdomen. Wet wooden floors, ski boots, a lady sitting in a chair and an audience of cute irishmen were the perfect recipe for my bar fall, and not much (if any) alcohol was on board when it happened.

After the Moose (and the fall) we took the party to the VC (Village Cafe). I knew this was a laid-back place from the minute I walked in and saw shotskis hanging from the ceiling
and these stickers behind the bar.

Perhaps the best moment at this bar was when we walked in. Howie was sporting an awesome Swift, Silent, Deep hoodie and a guy standing at the bar next to us says, "Did you see that movie?" Howie replied in the affirmative and then the guy says, "I just watched it last night, it was so good." By now Howie, Abigail, and myself are all looking at each other and giggling (well, I may have been laughing loudly) and then Abigail says, "Then I can't believe you don't recognize him, that's Howard Henderson." I nod my head agreeing. His girlfriend, who was probably a few drinks into her apres skiing party, quickly and directly says to both Abigail and I, "you guys are full of shit." Then I was nearly rolling on the floor in laughter.

This was the scene as we left the mountian after our apres ski adventure. I'll say it again, livin' right. Once back to Jackson we hit the town. We stopped at Pica's, a local hotspot, for a very tasty mexican dinner.

Next we hit the Wort where the bar is filled with silver dollars and they serve VERY good margaritas.

We went into the Cowboy Bar for a record 60 second sweep. Long enough to see the place, look for Abigails friend and take the saddle picture. The place was packed and the bouncer was a dick, sucked the fun right out of that bar.

Sunday I went out of bounds to do some backcountry skiing and hiking with some more of Howie's friends. This was when I really learned that this mountain is HUGE, steep, and the real deal. I had a great time and tested my limits...after all, that's why they're there, right?

After skiing out of bounds with the boys I met up with Kim who showed me some good fun. I knew I liked her when she bought that extra beer to carry in her pocket, we were instant friends.

After a bit of apres fun and some PBR tall boys at the VC I made my way to Abigial's house to get ready for dinner and what else but more drinks. With so many good bars in the town it was necessary that we made the rounds. Dinner at the Cadillac was a very big VERY good bacon cheeseburger. Red meat never tasted so good. After the Cadillac we were off to the Brew Pub, cool place but the crowd wasn't much my style and my morning backcountry skiing had wiped me out completely. After one beer I was ready for beddy.

Monday Howie and I had breakfast in the little town of Wilson, definitely got a taste of the ski village culture there. Then we drove around in Grand Teton National Park in search of wildlife, to no avail. After a quick shopping trip for a Jackson Hole tee shirt I was on the road back to Utah.

In summary the trip was an absolute success. I had loads of fun with my friends Howie and Abigial, did some epic (truly epic) skiing, ate really good food, drank even better drinks, and made memories that will be with me forever. Oh, and I'll be going back to Jackson soon, very soon.

Stephanie Mabey

I have fallen in love with yet another accoustic musician. Stephanie began her career as Stephanie Smith. I somehow discovered her music on my iPod this summer. I had never heard of her and know not where it came from or how it found itself amid the musical beauty in my Pod of Wonder but I do know that I'm glad she was there and that I discovered her talent among my collection. And as it turns out she was formerly a Utah local but has since relocated to Denver. Stephanie was with me this summer as I pedaled across Utah. I love her music and the way it makes me feel. It makes me wonder, makes me think, and makes me happy. Today as I spent time searching online for new music I thought i would research Stephanie. I like what I found. She has two albums in addition to the one I have on my iPod AND is working on a 4th album currently...YESSSSSSSS! I also found a song on her MySpace page that touched me.

Hiding Place

Stephanie Mabey

You don't think that I notice how hard you try to keep all of your worries locked deep inside. But the next time you feel like you have to hide, oh I've got the solution.

Lay it all at my feet, come and rest next to me. I'll shelter you from the days, ease the trouble I can't erase. Come let my love be your hiding place.

When it feels like the pressure's unbearable, or when your world's caving in something terrible. If it's nothing at all and you just feel alone; love, you know the solution.

Lay it all at my feet, come and rest next to me. I'll shelter you from the days, ease the trouble I can't erase. Come let my love be your hiding place.

You don't have to stay strong and silent or keep the stress where I can't find it. Oh you know, I'm here behind you and I can be your solution.

Lay it all at my feet, come and rest next to me. I'll shelter you from the days, ease the trouble I can't erase. Come let my love be your hiding place.

Go visit her and hear for yourself at http://www.myspace.com/stephaniemabey. Oh and listen to "Fragile Sometimes" too.

Made me wonder...

Saturday I spent a moment with loved ones, in the grocery store of all places. We talked and laughed the same as any other day, but I had a moment of realization. I understood just how much they love me. It made me wonder, "How did I get so lucky?"

Saturday night on a separate trip to the grocery store I looked into the faces of the people there and wondered. The lady standing by the soda machine in the cold who's eyes looked as though they'd been crying. It made me wonder if she had someone to love her, what she was waiting for, why she was hurting. As I made my way about the store several times I encountered a darling man in his 80's. I noticed his cart with a 2-liter bottle of soda, 2 frozen entrees, and a candy bar. It made me wonder if his wife was no longer living, leaving him alone. If so, I was sure he missed her, didn't need to wonder about that.

Sunday I rode my bike in excess of 40 miles. That made me wonder what it will be like to ride across the United States.

Here

Here is where I am. It's a good place. I am well, content, happy. In spite of imperfect circumstances I have maintained my balance. Circumstances will change, events will come and go, but I will stay centered; I promise. A week has come and gone in a speedy whirl. It began with an evening out in O-town, Sundance style. Thank you friends for allowing me to Sundance with you. Rent is paid and home to bed. A threshold was crossed on Tuesday, a threshold that I love so dearly...I made my first bicycle commute to work for the year. Dressed appropriately for the elements I breathed the crisp winter air as I stepped outside at 6:30am. Pedaling, increased heart rate, healthy blood pumping through my veins, and a big smile. This is one reason I'm alive. Oh Edna, you sure are dirty. I'm so sorry I've neglected you. I remember: this is why you don't have a dog/cat/child, Brooke. You have not cleaned your beloved bike since SEPTEMBER!!! Any living thing would be dead by now. Though not living she does have feelings, they were hurt, I'm making it up to her. Brand new bike tool and maintenance set=ordered today. Though biking, Tuesday still harbored a bit of disappointment and frustration, sorry Wal Mart greeter. You're cute and elderly and did nothing but your job. I shouldn't have been rude to you. A couple of beers calmed me down and being with people who loved me cheered my soul. The food was amazing, and still yummy the next day when my belly was calm. Wednesday was fun beginning to end. I Lunched with Ragan and met Special Agent Greg. Evening skiing with gigantic fluffy flakes falling was from a dream, but it was my reality. Thursday brought another bike commute. Twice in one week, I'm on a roll. Even if I tried I couldn't help but be happy after a good ride. Last evening there were cocktails and potato chips, work drama and boy drama, bike talk and ski talk, Moab trips and Jackson trips. Now I look forward to lunch, not so much for the food but for the company. Here, life is good.