Fun in the sun: Winter in Wyoming

I've been enjoying friends' snow pictures from Ohio. Really pretty. Just wish we had some of that. This must be what spring is like out here.

But there is an upside. We've only paid to have our lane plowed four times since mid-December. And our heating bill is almost nil: $50 a month. But thankfully, that's only in the valley. The ski resort is another 2,000 feet higher in elevation so they've had more snow, which means the runs are good but no new fresh powder, which is fine with me as I don't ski that stuff.

Wish it was the same for Jim: last Thursday he fell skiing at the resort and torqued his knee pretty good. We're going to hear an ortho doc lecture tomorrow about knee injuries (serendipitous event) where we might get an idea if strained his MCL or tore it. If so, it means no more skiing this year, or maybe surgery.

It happened when he tried to go over a jump! If you ask me, I think it was a case of testosterone poisoning. He is taking a hiatus from treatment (at least until the next PSA test), so it's not surprising. I wanted to give him a good dope slap for trying such a stupid thing, but he's mad enough at himself.

We enjoyed having Colorado friends Sally and Huey join us for a few days of skiing. We actually met them about four years ago on a trail in the Grand Canyon. I was wearing a Wright State shirt, which prompted a conversation with Sally as she earned her master's degree at WSU. They also met us as Jim and I were hiking out of the Canyon on the last day of our "death march." Seeing them come down the trail gave me the needed boost for the last few miles.

Since we're not skiing, today was pretty laid back. The sun was out, temp about 38 degrees. So we made a picnic lunch and drove out to the Elk Refuge and ate in the car, looking at the snow covered mountains and big horn sheep that hang out there. The elk were safely off in the distance (forgot the binoculars, again!)in an area closed off to cars. We even leaned the seats back and took a nap in the car.

Tonight we're going to a program at the library: a live feed from New York City featuring Malcolm Gladwell, who wrote Blink, Tipping Point, etc. The library here is wonderful, has lots of free programs, probably 'cuz they've got a hefty foundation to pay for them.

Big Horn Sheep in the Elk Refuge


Sleeping Indian: a mountain in the Gros Ventre Range.


Connie, Sally and Huey getting ready to ride the lift at Targhee

This Is Why We Love This Place

Just a quick update while we are at Hannah's watching the Superbowl, although I'm spending more time on her computer (what else can you expect from the TV- and internet-deprived?).

It's a real blue bird day here, although we could use some of the snow that hit the East. The snow pack here is 60 percent of normal. However, there's still hope for more as Dec. and Jan. are over: the two driest winter months for this area.

Our friends from Ohio have left. It was good spending time with friends from home and had a nice time cross country skiing with them. While Yellowstone was really nice, I regret that they didn't get some really good Teton views while they were at our place, as it was overcast and foggy most of the time. But we did have one good day skiing in Teton Park that offered some clear views in the morning before clouding up. We skied into the Rockefeller Preserve, stopping for lunch at Phelps Lake.

On Friday, we went to a natural hot springs in Idaho, where we lolled in 104 degree pools. It felt wonderful until you got out!

Yesterday and today were crystal clear with some great views of the mountains. In fact, yesterday, while we were walking the dogs on the bike path near Hannah's place, four noisy Trumpeter Swans flew by, with the Tetons in the background. Doesn't get any better than that. Just wish I could have caught them on my camera.

I'd like to get credit for the following pictures, but the first four were taken by our Ohio friend, Dave Wood, whose photographic skills are much better than mine.

On our way to the hot springs, saw this Golden Eagle feasting on road kill by the road.


View of Tetons on Phelps Lake ski.


Some cowboy humor: A sign in the Cowboy Bar men's restroom


Jim and Connie enjoying the Phelps Lake view.


Today's view from our cabin window.