Why I Should Separate From My Dirtbag Past

Two Words: Barefoot Ultimate. So I went to ultimate yesterday and forgot my shoes. Some of you may remember that this is not a new thing... there was this 17 mile hike I did in Chacos because I left my shoes in Wyoming. Clearly. But I figured I'd just play like all the other dirtbags in Mammoth... barefoot. BAD IDEA! I managed to break my toe, or so I am assuming since I can't go in for xrays till tomorrow. Lame. Life lesson: always wear shoes.

Bear-Tearing it Up

I had a big week this week. I hiked a total of 6.5 miles, chased a ton of squirrels, swam for 3 hours, and had a sweetness day with my head in a hole. I almost got him. But now my face is full of sap. I'll return to that hole under the tree. It was awesome. I could hear the little guy. He will be mine some day. Some day!

Family Night Dinner

Family Night Dinner has been a tradition in the Highlands since last summer, and has continued to this summer as well. Spring finally showed up here so the festivities were able to take place outside, which I think was the cause of the increased attendance and shenanigans. The workshop on the Hanna porch was transformed into the Waffle House. Clay was staged all night at the waffle griddle complete with his woodworking apron on. He said he lost track of the waffle count after mixing up the third batch of waffle mix. I am excited to say that Family Night Dinner has finally dissolved the Mason-Dixon line of the Tetons. By the number of people that showed up from the "North" you would have thought they borrowed the trail crew bus to transport everyone. But reportedly it was just one Honda and a lot of sitting on laps. We came up with a new game as well. It's called, "Get every piece of play equipment at the Highlands and throw them all around at once." Neat. With the seven frisbees, kickball, and footballs all going at once I kind of thought we might have to have Medic One respond to the Highlands. (wouldn't be the first time though) We were close though. My frisbee was quickly snatched out of the bonfire, with no harm to the frisbee nor the snatcher. Overall another excellent night at the Highlands.
Waffle House on Hanna porch. Jessica I think is posing for a commercial for Ready-Whip. And Kristen was very stoked about her waffle. A super safe game of "throw all your play equipment at once."Elsa showed up after changing lives at a Twilight Talk and started making Aebleskivers. I think around midnight we finally got to sample these Danish delights.

The Randomness That is My Life...

Despite the constant rain and snow here in the Tetons summer shenanigans are in full swing. See photos.


Cliff stuffing marshmallows in Elsa's mouth. Clearly.
My brother came to visit for a couple weeks. Despite the crummy weather we got to show him around this place. Clay took him snowboarding off of Teton Pass. I taught him how to use an ice-ax while crossing snow fields in Garnet Canyon. And of course we introduced him to all the craziness that goes with living at the Highlands.

My husband who makes me laugh out loud on a daily basis was so excited today about his new shipment of wood that he couldn't wait for me to bring it home after work. (I drove a vehicle with four wheels, which tends to make transport of such items easier). Instead he opted to put the 20 lbs. of wood in his backpack and crawl up Windy Point Hill on 'The Phoenix'. I think his exact words were, "A dedicated wood-worker." His latest project was made for the Herwiggy Ski Company, in celebration of the upcoming Lobsinger-Piggott Union.

More shenanigans to come....

The New Digs Part II

So, this is the new place... The photos in order are: The Minarets from the park road, Ben and Bear on top of the Postpile, Bear hunting at Sotcher Lake, The results of the hunt, Ben climbing north of the park. Pretty sweet, I think.

Finally Breathing

I am sitting in the Looney Bean coffee shop in Mammoth Lakes, CA for the purposes of blogging and nursing sore muscles. Bear is in the shade outside with three other dogs. I can watch him out the window. It's genius. What I have figured out from being here a bit less than a week... this place will be all right. It reminds me a lot of Jackson without the pronghorn. And, honestly, there are a few less people here. The mountain closed yesterday and with that, ski season may be over. It is warming and the snow is melting. The Minarets are still very snowy above the Postpile, but it is going fast. So I found some climbing. We went to this very Bear friendly climbing area about a half hour from the monument. It was great volcanic tuff. Nice big holds, some challenging cracks, and I managed to muscle up my first 10.b since Joshua Tree. I think it was generously rated, but I'm going to go with it. I have sufficiently scoped the local Brewery. Good food, good beer, and a great view. Everything has a great view. Bear went swimming yesterday. I think he forgot. Head was quickly under the water. We'll ease into swimming season. The evenings have consisted of campfires, beer, and trips to the local hot spring. Damn, life is tough. Oh, and the job... well, it will have its challenges. But it is minimally stressful, my staff is good (for the most part), and I feel like I can finally breathe. It must be the higher altitude. I think it helps. For those of you who are intrigued by a backcountry cabin in the woods in the Sierras, pack your bags, buy a plane ticket to Reno, and I'll have the beer chilling in the fridge.