This Place Is Awesome!

Well our homeless and jobless plight continues. So far it has been awesome though. It has been nearly two months since our last day of work and having a place to live. Since then we have been back to the East Coast to see our families, Clay has finished his EMT Course, and we have moved from futon to floor, floor to futon, and back again. We did stay at one location for almost two weeks thanks to some house/dog sitting duties. Our current accommodations (which this is our 2nd cycle through) are probably my favorite thus far. The amenities include a bed, homemade ice cream, a hot tub, and a funnel cake maker. I know a funnel cake maker...amazing. Our hostess Elizabeth Maki aka Mak Dawg has been insanely generous offering up her home to a couple of homeless vagabonds. She has offered her unending EMS wisdom, endured instructional woodworking DVDs followed by UFC Fighting, and even offered up one of her many ice packs for my swollen butt (keep reading). She has taught us invaluable lessons such as how to make popcorn the 'real' way and what those half popped kernels at the bottom of the bowl are called. Clay and I on several occasions have said, "this place is awesome!" But the sweetness of this place is not just limited to Chez Maki. The dynamic Lysdahl duo offered up their abode complete with Aerobed. The leg wrestling and whiffle ball game at 11:00 pm were some of my favorite events. Even the routine trip to post office is above average here. We stopped to mail a couple parcels in Moose and were greeted by the postmaster with hot cider and homemade cookies. Then there is also the copious amounts of snow that make this place so spectacular. After getting off to a slow start winter has fully arrived in Jackson Hole with several big dumps this past week. Clay and I entertained ourselves with a short backcountry trip this past weekend off of Togwotee Pass. Then after waking up to 18" of fresh powder yesterday morning we headed to Snow King for some shredding. It was an emotional day that was unfortunately cut a few runs short due to an untimely chance encounter between my tailbone and a rock. Insert ice pack here. Apparently the un-tracked run that Clay and I chose to head down at 2:30 pm was un-tracked for a reason. Clay took a huge chunk out of his bases and I out of my tailbone. As I sat there hoping the snow would numb my butt and the pain would subside Clay (having just learned that he passed his EMT National Registry test) immediately took C-Spine. When he started trying to get a SAMPLE history I shoved him down the hill. Just kidding. Although I don't think it is broken it did cause me to miss out on the trip to Targhee we had planned for today. Stupid. But as I said goodbye to several good friends today I can't help but be sad to leave this place yet again. At the same time I can't help but smile and feel blessed to live in such an amazing place where I have been inspired by so many amazing people. I truly feel so thankful for each of the people that help make this such a special place for us. Clay and I are leaving here tomorrow heading for another special place and some more special people in Southern Colorado. And we are stoked for the good times that are sure to be had.

Digging out the car after 18" overnight. Soon after this picture was taken the car was sideways in the driveway. Neat.

Hannas for Herwiggy.

Clay looking gangster showing off his homemade skis after their first powder day ever off of Togwotee Pass. Clay enjoying an extra large bowl of popcorn at Chez Maki.