Say Hello, Wave Goodbye……
“Is It What You Dreamed It’d Be, Locked Up In This Fantasy” - Amos Lee
Jackson Hole is one of my most sacred adventures. I continue to roam this wonderful place in both summer and winter, continually awe-struck by her pure ruggedness and scenery. This time the calling to Jackson came out of sheer necessity to chase my good friend snow north in this lackluster winter.
Having just spent a few days storm chasing in Montana, the powder bug had entrenched itself into my soul and lit the fire to keep chasing the goods. Sitting in the kitchen staring at NOAA , my thoughts to travel south to Telluride or Wolf quickly changed to a northbound charge. Instead of the storm splitting as it has done so frequently this year, it flowed north and hung over Jackson dropping nearly 30″ over three days.
With Dylan, Chet Atkins and the Allman Brothers filling Melissa’s speakers, it was time to head north in search of adventure! Leaving in the evening, we were able to catch the great pink hue beaming on the under-bellies of strewn clouds whipping in the wind high above the plains on the Idaho border, we smiled in the anticipation of the promise of snow!
Pulling into Jackson’s premier property brought a feeling of warmth and smile. Snow was falling heavily and in the darkness we could see that the mountain in front of us was not visible, we had come to the right place! The following morning brought a scene that could only be described by the smiles of folks in line for the tram. We waited patiently as ski patrol blasted away at the newly fallen goods. After getting the all clear at noon, the line trudged forward and we caught the third tram. As we exited and began our traverse down to Rendevous bowl, I go a really bad feeling. The traverse was strewn with rocks and thin wind whipped ice fields making less than a joy to ski. To my amazement and delight, once off the top, the first turns down were knee-deep and that playful feeling of not a care in the world ran completely through me!
Four hours we played on the hill, giggling and in general beaming smiles from ear to ear, the playful “whoop’s whoop’s” could be heard in all directions! There truly is no greater feeling than that of gliding over newly fallen snow.
Having an ice-cold PBR at the Moose brought an end to another great day on the mountain. While the night life, folks and food are all top-notch in Jackson, I must say, I’m just a simple skier. I adventure to fill my soul and brighten my days with the thankfulness of a great day and the promise of another one on the horizon! 30 hours after saying hello to one of my favorite mountains, I packed the “big girls” back into Melissa and waved goodbye…..for now.
I hear another adventure calling in the wind…..this one seems to be headed far west over the ocean!
Tram Love
Feeling the Love
Chasing the Storm
Pure JH
"Home Away From Home"
Gotta Love Small Towns
"And the Road Goes on Forever...."
