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contrary
I’ve been in quite the mood today. So let me get a few things off my chest.
Watching Pittsburgh play last night was agonizing and heartbreakingly frustrating. I’m sad their playoff run ended so soon — but I couldn’t have watched that team struggle through another game. It was painful. I will miss the veterans on defense whom I am assuming will not be re-signed next year (Kiesel, Harrison, Taylor … dare I say Polamalu?) I will not miss watching the defense struggle when the Steeler’s defense shouldn’t struggle. Ever.
Next up: Whenever I begin watching one of “The Hobbit” movies all.I.want.to.watch is “Lord of the Rings.” I’m sure I’ll get over that one day and really crave returning to Bilbo’s adventure with the dwarves. But right now — I just really need a little Frodo and Sam — with some Strider and Legolas thrown in. Essentially the entire feeling of “The Fellowship of the Ring” — none of which “The Hobbit” films have.
Let’s take a little trip down memory lane …. Hopefully it clears up some of my love for the LoTR films.
In early 2002 I’d just returned from studying abroad in Italy. I’d wanted to stay another semester but circumstances (and finances) prevented it so I found myself back in State College, half-way moved into a room my brother sublet for me in a sorority house (sidenote: I am not, nor have I ever been, in a sorority). My parents had driven the two of us back to school on a cold January afternoon and nearly instantly headed home — for fear of getting stranded by the impending snowstorm.
The snow hit, and I unenthusiastically tried to put my room together. I was sad, and scared and not at all happy to be back at school. I felt alone. Really, fully, in my bones, alone. So — after meeting the girls who would be my housemates for a semester (one of whom is still my great friend, so it all ended up working out!) I decided to go for a walk. I bundled up (it was cold cold cold) and shuffled around State College (where the sidewalks weren’t all shoveled yet and no one was really out and about). After some walking and far too much introspective thinking, I found myself outside the movie theater and decided to see if anything was playing. I’d seen Ocean’s 11 that break and had really loved it — I thought watching that again was vastly preferable to returning to my new ‘home.’
Ocean’s 11 had begun half an hour earlier, and wasn’t playing again for quite some time. In fact, everything in the theatre had start times in over an hour, except The Fellowship of the Ring. I had absolutely zero desire to see JRR Tolkien’s epic. As in — none. I’d read The Hobbit during middle school and enjoyed it. But I had failed to be even slightly intrigued by the density of The Lord of the Rings. (That’s the nicest way I can think to describe trying to read Tolkien).
But I also REALLY didn’t want to go back to the sorority house. So I paid for a ticket, and after taking off several layers of snowy clothing and buying some popcorn and a soda, I settled into the last row of what was perhaps the smallest movie theatre I’d ever been in. The previews had already begun (I remember thinking forlornly that I’d missed the best part) and I watched and waited for the film to start.
And — not to be overly dramatic — it completely swept me away. And continues to do so to this day.
That movie, on that day, at that time — something about it was so magical, so transporting — that all the sadness and loneliness of being back at Penn State seemed to melt away into the background. And strangely — it was also a turning point. My college experience began to change then — school seemed less dismal, and I made new friends — friends to go drink margaritas with at Mad Mex, friends who came to see me in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, friends who brought me to cross training classes at local gyms … and so many other things! — sometime I’ll have to revisit the day Minda and I drank White Merlot and watched an entire season of Buffy while the fraternity next door did mud slides on their front lawn. The next year I became a total theatre school nerd, did lots of shows (both on stage and on crew) and made more friends who are still in my life today.
I know it probably sounds hokey, but there’s a part of me that feels as though that movie saved my life. Certainly changed my life. And maybe it did, maybe it didn’t. But it feels like it did to me. So a lot of times, when things feel a little overwhelming, all I want is to drift away into Middle Earth and forget my woes.
As I’ve written this, I’ve sort of marveled at how strongly things have marked time in my life. I can remember so many clear details of opening the door to the movie theater in downtown State College (that no longer exists) and being overwhelmingly disappointed that not a single other movie was available for me to see. And I also remember walking home in the blustering wind, still halfway in Middle Earth — plotting to buy the books (which I did) and read them from cover to cover (which I did not). Totally transported to a place of imagination and wonder. I saw the movie another two times in the theatre, and the subsequent sequels on opening night (Return of the King —midnight showing with my roommate at the time — nearly killed me! I was so tired by the end and I swear — the sun was coming up when we left the theatre!).
So I stared this post with a completely different intention. But I enjoyed walking down memory lane. I am glad of the significance this film has played in my life (just ask the man — we both completely love it). I’m glad I remembered the story of how I found it. It’s been a crazy trip down memory lane. Insane to think it was 12 years ago. Time is an amazing thing.
OHI moments
So, it’s been a few weeks since I finished my week-long stay at OHI Austin.
And despite my original desire to revert completely back to all my old habits and beliefs — that stuff gets into your head!
Okay, so I wasn’t completely set on forgetting all that I’d learned. But throughout the week I was there, it was such a roller coaster of emotion and informational input — that by the end my brain was fried and I found deep comfort in the idea that life could and would go on just as I’d been living it before checking in to room 207.
Let’s rewind for a minute.
A few months ago, my boss spent a week at a place called Optimum Health Institute (OHI) in San Diego, California. He came back refreshed and inspired — albeit with clear opinions about certain aspects of the program — and he felt very strongly that I should look into spending some time there myself. I googled it. I was intrigued but in a distant sort of way — oh, it looks good for those who have money to burn, bur for someone like myself, where every penny counts? More like a faraway dream.
And then circumstances unfolded — the man and I booked a trip to Austin Texas to visit my brother in his newly purchased home in his newly inhabited city — and all of a sudden, I was booked for a week at OHI’s Austin campus. And before I knew it, Sunday Oct 19th rolled around and it was 4pm, and my husband and brother were waving goodbye, and I was there. Alone.
OHI was so much more than I anticipated. Yes, I’d googled it, and yes, I’d skimmed through some menus, and read some bold print — but I didn’t really know what I was getting into. Over the course of five and half full days, I learned an absurd amount about my digestive system, organs in my body, the nutritional value of food and the power of the mind. And I made some incredible friends.
The campus was beautiful and the room (where I spent a lot of time … juicing and raw vegan food wears a person out!) was very comfy. On Sunday night we had a small orientation, but it was an early night, and I (being the anti-social monkey that I can be) retreated to my room and spent a chunk of time in tears, wondering what I’d signed myself up for, before falling into an uneasy sleep.
On Monday morning we were walked through the program. I recognized in the other first timers some of the same trepidation and unease that I felt within myself. Do what? Seriously? These people have to be out of their minds.
I had a tough time with some of it — buying into their philosophies, their love of wheatgrass (and its ultra superhuman healing powers …), their thoughts on food, colonics/enemas, etc. It was so much information, and a total change of thought process — so much new stuff all at once, and so intense. I went through waves of acceptance and then vehement denial. I knew that I had someone at the touch of a phone to be support — but sometimes I wasn’t looking for support of the program. Sometimes I was looking for support of the exact opposite — that living my life, eating decadent restaurant food and drinking sumptuous heady wines was okay. It wouldn’t kill me. And after a couple of days at OHI, I was pretty sure that their whole message was that if I followed their plan, and gave up some much of what I loved, I would somehow be healed of my worst MS symptoms. And I had a problem with that, too.
But here I am, several weeks later, and so much of what I learned is still lingering in the forefront of my mind. Could I eat terrible food? Sure. But unfortunately, now I am armed with so much knowledge, it makes it hard to do that to myself.
Ignorance really is bliss.
I’m not ready to jump on a raw vegan bandwagon — too many things come to mind that I just could.not give up — at least, not all at once, cold turkey.
But I also felt that way two years ago, when my boss’s wife gave me all sorts of guidance about food, and I realized that as healthy as I thought I was being, I really had.no.idea. And since then, green smoothies and green juice, and eating a vegetable-based diet have become (mostly) our norm.
So despite all my skepticism, here I am, finally buying into the fact that some of that OHI mumbo jumbo was actually excellent information and I should apply it. Just not all at once. That’s just — well, insane.
it’s august!
Tonight, the man and I are headed out to see Billy Joel in concert. I will finally know the words to most – if not all! – the songs during a concert I am attending!!!
Happy Saturday & Happy August! 
photo friday ~ diner en blanc
We were much less stressed out this year ~ we already had our table, and our chairs. However, I was hobbling around with my right leg in a walking cast, so we got to our departure spot pretty early.
This year the pop-up picnic doubled in size, and Philadelphia shut down the whole stretch of JFK Blvd between 22nd and 30th Street station. No water fountain, but still pretty impressive!
We were smarter this year and brought easy, finger food from the restaurant. Meat, cheese and veggies (we both avoided the bread even though it’s so.utterly.delicious. Grr, gluten!)
They had a pretty slick Rolls Royce as a big party decoration near the dance floor.
The moon was out. Humid though it was, the weather was alright. It was a good night. Here’s ’til next year.
dawn
On June 1st, exactly five years after our very first date, John and I said “I do.” It was a pretty perfect day. This is one of my favorite shots, taken by my very talented Aunt, of our intimate ceremony. It also happened to be beautiful. But the best part was sharing it with my best friend. And he looked so handsome, too!
Then … time seemed to just zoom on by. We jetted to Colorado for a relaxing five-day stay at an incredible resort (Kessler Canyon) followed by the Aspen Food & Wine Classic. And then … well, I broke my foot.
It was a very long last day in Colorado. And July … it’s felt pretty long, too!
Denver was pretty neat ~ we were only there for a day, but we walked around the LoDo district (despite the heat wave from PA following us to CO and it being in the 90s every day!) and enjoyed dinner at a fantastic restaurant in an area called Larimer Square. I wish we could recreate the atmosphere of that area in Philly ~ the streets were lined with outdoor dining, beautiful flower arrangements, wrought iron fencing and the entire block was strung with lights. So gorgeous. In addition, we have both decided that while our entire honeymoon was a culinary delight, dinner at Tag was our favorite. Probably because our server was fantastic, the wine was delish and every plate that came out was beautiful and had amazing flavor. It was a perfect start to the honeymoon.
We also had an amazing stay at The Oxford Hotel ~ incredibly beautiful rooms, rugs in the elevator letting you know the day of the week (so charming!) and a complimentary bottle of champagne with chocolate covered pretzels. So wonderful!
Kessler Canyon was a four plus hour drive from Denver, and as we approached it, I think we were both curious as to what we would encounter when we arrived. But it was a little piece of heaven tucked in a valley between mountain ranges and the hospitality was overwhelming, as was everything else. Every morning began with coffee by an outdoor fireplace looking out over the ‘lake’ (John would like to say for the record that it was a pond, not a lake) and each day was full of fun things to do (shooting range, ATV rides up 2000 feet from the valley on switch back curves, hammocks, canoeing, hot tubs … basically whatever took your fancy!). We met some really great people and had a really relaxing time.
I took a ton of pictures on the drive from Denver to DeBeque. Hard to pic a good one. But the mountains were all stunning! A couple more from Kessler … although these are all from my phone (not the nifty new Nikon 3100 that we bought right before the trip … and still haven’t downloaded!).
The last day of our time at Kessler there ware so few guests, we all got to eat in the kitchen. So much fun!
The last pic was actually the last pic we took at Kessler being goofy on the back porch ~ we did see a bear the first day, though!
Another two hours in the car to Aspen, and thankfully, the temperature dropped significantly (whew!). We got to our digs in downtown Aspen, and after some confusion about our trade packets for the event, had all our goodies and were set for the fun to begin the next morning. We took full advantage of the in-ground hot tub right outside our front door, and the gorgeous pool. I wish I’d taken pictures …. maybe next year!
Since the Food & Wine Classic was ah.may.zing, I’m going to wait until tomorrow and really try to share as much as possible.
Until then … I have avoided this blog since I got home, not because I didn’t have things to share, but because I wasn’t in a very good frame of mind. I felt as though I’d lost my way here … and I couldn’t find it because I couldn’t (and still can’t) get around very easily. It has been exhausting and frustrating and a number of other descriptive words. I am lucky to have a man willing to take care of me on every level ~ and those boundaries have certainly been tested since June 15th (the breaking of the foot day). It has been easy to get discouraged, easy to feel listless and lost, easy to get mad, feel sad and basically pity myself. Coming off the difficult and challenging diagnosis of MS this year, breaking my foot just felt like the last nail in the coffin. Could it get any worse? I felt as though I’d lost my will to stay positive.
But as I have (valiantly/) tried to remind myself recently … it’s always darkest before the dawn. And time will keep on ticking, and eventually things will be easier, and I will be capable of doing more. It’s hard to remember that when your dog is ringing the bell to go outside to potty and you can’t take her … or you want to take a shower but you don’t have the strength to get in and out by yourself … or a cup of coffee would taste wonderful, but you have no way to transport it to an area where you can actually sit down and drink it. But having these difficulties has also made me more aware of the fact that we all – whether we mean to or not – take so many things for granted. And while I know a time will come when I too will once again take the ability to sleep on my right side for granted (something I have not been able to do in weeks … ) I know that for a few moments, I will be grateful for the little things that have come back to me.
Until tomorrow. xo.
let’s hear it for the boy
I meant to hop on here yesterday, but here I am, a day late again.
In 30 days the man and I will be saying “I do” and in honor of that, I thought I’d share a few pics. It’s a really exciting time ~ but also full of so many things ~ I hope that when I look back I remembered to take enough time to savor it. It’s a huge promise and one I am humbled to make. My best friend, my sounding board ~ my partner in crime always.
This was in our very first year of dating.
Is he not the cutest thing in the whole world? Unconditional love.
Us at Longwood Gardens to celebrate my 29th birthday. We love Christmas!
At Alex’s Lemonade Stand’s Fundraiser, “The Great Chef’s Event.” We were lucky enough to go in 2010 and 2012. We’ll miss it this year because we will be on our Honeymoon!
The one time the man got me to dress up for Halloween ~ and I actually had a lot of fun!
One of my favorites ~ Dinner En Blanc Philadelphia last year. I love that we do fun stuff together like this ~ I’m really hoping it happens again, but so far, I haven’t heard anything. Makes me sad … but glad we did it last year!
Our four year anniversary last year. This year, we’re upping the celebrations. But boy oh boy do I love Va La Vineyards.
This one is an oldy ~ back when my hair was pretty blond! It’s funny to look at pics and realize that even though you don’t think you’ve changed all that much … you have! I love John’s smile in this picture. Too bad I look so solemn!
This is funny ~ our very first Art Museum date. We talked about going from the very first conversation we ever had. It took us over four years to get there. Silly us.
One of my all time favorite pictures ~ wearing our football gear, out in Wyoming’s early morning, driving through the parks. It was such a great trip.
John’s funny face.
My funny face.
He’s the love of my life. I can’t wait for June 1st. xoxo
’12
It’s easy to be discouraged. Especially in this day and age, when I feel as though comparisons exist on every level for every aspect of life. Especially today, when a tragedy like Sandy Hook hangs in the air, asking all of us to question … well, everything.
It is easy to be discouraged. It is much, much harder to stay encouraged.
This year has been a tough year for me. Tougher than most, and it definitely tested my character, and who I felt I was as a human. Which is hilarious, because I was so convinced that 2012 would be my year. God has a sense of humor, I suppose.
This December, however, has been a bright spot, and I am grateful for all that I have enjoyed. At the beginning of the month, the man and I headed up to his hometown, and while he and his dad headed out to hunt (not my thing, but it’s part of his family tradition) his mom and I journeyed to “Dickens of a Christmas” in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. Wellsboro is a cute little town still sporting gas street lamps, and dozens upon dozens of vendors lined the main street, everyone dressed in period costumes, and selling their wares. It was a really good time (I even had funnel cake!) and I was two pairs of recycled sweater mittens richer when we left.
This Santa was fantastic. Seriously. My picture does his suit’s details no justice at all.
And a choir!
December is one of those months where every weekend feels booked up, and ours are no exception. After another week of work (bleh), we headed down to DC for a birthday party ~ the man’s oldest friend from high school”s (well, birth if we’re getting specific) son turned three, and we made the trek to celebrate. Then back to my parents house, to pick up Lucy, and spend some time with the fam.
On Sunday, after a delicious breakfast, we headed home to unwind and relax. Unfortunately, (please read with sarcasm) the Steelers trouncing by the Chargers was not televised but we were able to watch the Giants domination of the Saints. Since the weather had been iffy all day, we decided to take a drive and enjoy some Christmas lights (alright, the truth is, the man thought the lights would look cool in the fog). We discovered a legitimate Candy Cane Lane right near our house, but the true highlight were the mansions on the man’s drive to work, which were decked to the nines. And then, as Bing Crosby crooned “White Christmas” to us (my favorite Christmas voice, and movie) John very sweetly asked me to marry him.
I, of course, said yes. 
We were able to celebrate all week, as my birthday fell on Wednesday (which I spent in NYC and got to see my bro!), and we threw our Second Annual Holiday Party (successful!) the following Saturday. It has been a very exciting, happy week, despite the horrific and incomprehensible tragedy of Sandy Hook.
I even made my very first roast chicken! I used a Martha Stewart recipe (which I normally would eschew for various, valid reasons) and it was amazing. In case you are feeling up for a hearty, cold weather meal, check this out:
What you need: 
1 whole chicken
4 lemons
S & P
Red bliss potatoes
rosemary
Cherry tomatoes
Thyme
EVOO
Crumbled feta (although Martha used blue)
Baby spinach
Mustard
1 shallot
What to do:
Okay, so here’s the deal. About a year and a half ago, I caught this episode of Martha Stewart, and she was interviewing a woman from Glamor magazine. They were discussing a new list of recipes being published “100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know.” I wrote down some sketchy instructions of what to do, and then never got around to making it for – as previously stated – a year and a half. I’m going to share what I did, and I have to say, it turned out pretty well.
First, I preheated the oven to 400 degrees.
Then, I emptied out the chicken, rinsed it off, and patted it dry. I stuffed the interior with two full lemons (which I rolled on the counter to soften up), and using the remaining lemon, covered the exterior with lemon juice and a generous coating of salt & pepper.
Next up, I dropped the oven temp to 350, and put the bird in upside down for 15 minutes. During that time, I lined two cookie sheets with tin foil, and cut up the baby red bliss potatoes and the cherry (or grape ~ I’m not particular) tomatoes and spread them (separately) on each sheet.
After the chicken had cooked for 15 minutes, I flipped it, and cooked it another 1 hour and 45 minutes (despite Martha saying it would be 1 hr 15 mins max … oh well!).
After I flipped the chicken, I returned my concentration to the rest of the meal. I seasoned both potatoes and tomatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper but used rosemary on the potatoes and thyme on the tomatoes. I popped the potatoes into the oven when I thought that I had about 45 minutes left on the chicken (I wanted to make sure the potatoes were cooked, and the edges crispy.
Then I prepared the salad ~ which was pretty easy. I crumbled up some feta, and tossed it with the baby spinach (and mixed greens ~ the man likes variety). The tomatoes I added last (after the potatoes finished cooking, I put them in the oven for about 10-15 mins). And while I was figuring out timing on everything, I made a little mustard vinaigrette ~ whisking together 1 tbsp mustard, 1/3 cup olive oil, the juice of 1 lemon and a finely diced shallot.
When the thermometer finally popped in the chicken, the man and I pulled it out and allowed it to rest for ten (ish) minutes ~ probably longer. It helps maintain the moisture.
And we served our potatoes with a small side of sour cream (because that’s how we like it!).
All in all, it was a pretty impressive meal (to me at least!) of roast chicken, roasted rosemary potatoes, and a roasted thyme tomato salad with a mustard vinaigrette. The funniest part of it all? The recipe for the chicken was called “Engagement Chicken” and I made mine the Friday before the man proposed. Pretty hilarious (and, upon hearing this, he told me to stop using voodoo on him!).
I redeemed myself with dessert ~ really simple, and I promise, it will be a hit.
Apple Crescents (or, Individual Apple Pie Bites)
What you need:
1 pkg Crescent Rolls
1 apple, cut into thin slices and tossed in lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Clove
What to do:
1. I made a mixture of the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg & cloves.
2. I spread 1 tbsp of the mixture in each of the opened crescent rolls, topped with an apple slice and rolled up.
3. I cooked the rolls according to the package directions. (PS. Be prepared for clean up ~ cooked sugar is not anyone’s friend in that regard).
I guess you could top each with a little dollop of Cool Whip, or add some ice cream. We enjoyed them plain, and they were delish.
And now, I must get to bed. My eyelids are heavy, and it’s not even halfway through the week. If I don’t get back to this space before 2013, the man, Lucy Lou and I wish you the happiest of holiday seasons, & lots of love and good wishes for the new year. Oh, and of course, happy experimenting in the kitchen. 🙂
oh sandy
The shelves at the grocery store last night ~ I stopped in for a couple things, and didn’t realize how serious the storm was. Yowza.
Today, the man and I are both working from home, which has been nice ~if you can use ‘nice’ during a category 1 hurricane. Lucy was very excited at first, but halfway through the morning, she realized that we were both more interested in our computers, and she retreated to her bed to sulk.
I cannot imagine how my mother must have felt when I pulled stuff like that. As a doggy mummy, I felt wretched. Finally I set up on the couch, so she could snuggle up beside me.
We just heard that one of the tall ships ~ the Bounty, off the coast of North Carolina ~ has gone down. The crew was evacuated due to Sandy, and 14 are safe, while 2 are missing. The more we addictively we watch the weather channel, the more worrying it becomes. I’m dreading when the power finally goes out ~ it’s been predicted to be out for long periods of time. Which makes me very anxious.
Luckily, so far all the immediate family members are okay, which makes me feel better.
On a lighter note, we had a great tailgate at PSU this weekend, despite the very disappointing loss to Ohio State. My little bro has a Halloween addiction, so he had pumpkins and was dressed in an amazing costume ~ we also had candy and Halloween cupcake cookies (seriously ~ ah.may.zing) plus incredible pulled pork, butcher sausages and multiple other munchies.
We had additional seats for this game, so the man and I got to watch from the west side of the stadium (a rarity for me ~ we’ve been in EF/ EFU my whole life!).
My daddy, me and Richie Tenenbaum, er, my little brother.
The man and I at half time. It was a White Out, and we were a little tired (we certainly look it!). We managed to rally for the second half (it didn’t help PSU) and we were there to sing the Alma Mater post-game. Bill O’Brien is a cool, classy coach.
My brother’s pumpkins … sadly, we had to leave them behind. But they were pretty cool. And he carved them all free-hand, which was uber impressive. He’s a talented guy, my little bro.
dinner date downtown
Every once in a while, the man and I enjoy dinner on the town. This past weekend, after the executive decision was made that I would have to run a half marathon another day (Side note: I feel a little like a 90-year-old because I’ve been having issues with my hip … it hurts!) we decided to have a date night.
We took Lucy Lou for a nice hike at Valley Green (she loves running off the leash and Valley Green has a doggy paradise) in the morning and then headed downtown to meander. I had to stop in at work and afterwards, we just enjoyed the city on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.
And then we hit up an amazing restaurant for dinner. We went early (further cementing my 90-year-old status) but on the plus side, we got great service at a busy restaurant on a Saturday night, and we got home before Lucy decided to disown us as terrible doggy parents.
We arrived shortly after the restaurant opened, and while perusing the wine list, discovered our favorite local vineyard (previously only featured at one restaurant -now closed- in Chicago, Charlie Trotters). Then we made the executive decision to do the Chef’s Tasting Menu.
Delish.
I won’t go into detail about each course ( two amuse-bouche, four full courses, a cheese course, dessert and a final bite) ~ but it was an incredible and worthwhile experience.
I will say that I loved the autumn spaetzel and New York Game Hen (the fourth course), the ridic Fois Gras Tart and Cranberry Compote (first full course) and the Sweet Pignoli Cookies with lemon curd perhaps a little more than the rest. But what an experience. Our server was equal parts friendly conversationalist and informed foodie (side note: I actually hate that word but use it here with much respect for her knowledge and enthusiasm). We received a complimentary glass of bubbles for our Tasting Menu order as well as granola to bring home and had an incredible dinner. I could wax poetic about it for paragraphs but I feel as though that would be extremely excessive.
Something else that was impressive to me ~ the cheese course, which consisted of three Pennsylvania cheeses, one New York and one Virginia. Pretty locally awesome. Loved it.
A detail that also made my heart swell? The quote at the bottom of the menu ~ by George Eliot (considered one of the most prominent writers of the Victorian Era).
more adventures in wyoming
When we planned this trip, we had a couple ideas of what we wanted to see and/or do. We didn’t even get half of it in, but we did do several things we really enjoyed.
A few highlights …
One of the most touristy places in town, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, had saddle bar stools. I thought they were a riot. And we each had ourselves a bottle of Moose Drool Brown Ale. Yum.
How adorable is this? And on the other side? His little hiney hanging out that back. The pictures aren’t very good though, because the lighting was difficult. You will just have to imagine!
We checked out a local brewery (we tried to find a vineyard … but the only one that exists didn’t have a tasting room … bummer). I had an amazing Sour Ale (my new obsession) and the man enjoyed a couple really tasty brews. Well worth walking all over the quaint village of Jackson trying to find it! We also witnessed a very beautiful moon on our way home.
We rode the Red Tram to the top of the ski slopes and, despite my paralyzing fear of heights, enjoyed the scenery, the chilly temps and the strong gusts of wind.
The Tram, and a view backward during the ride up.
The valley below.
The man out on the platform that I couldn’t walk out to ~ I even had to enter the Tram to go back down through the out-door. (I was literally paralyzed by fear ~ the drop off was very steep, and the wind was very strong!)
The Teton Village is at 6100 ft, and the Tram takes 12 and a half minutes to travel two and half miles ‘up’ to 10, 450 ft. As I mentioned, it was chilly ~ especially as it was about 72 degrees when we hopped on the Tram at the bottom! Luckily, I was prepared with a scarf and a jacket!
My favorite pic of us from the vacation. Too bad there is zero scenery in it!
We saw the sun rise over the Grand Tetons, saw animal herds, and enjoyed as much of the scenery as we could. Every day since we’ve left, I’ve wished we were still there, breathing in the fresh, dry Wyoming air, and watching the sun creep over the peaks of the mountains, the colors of the slopes changing and morphing as the sun rises in the sky.
Entering the park on National Park Day!
At this point, we’d already seen a few elk lazily crossing the highway in the pitch dark. Those guys are pretty big!
Another elk herd in Grand Teton National Park.
Even driving is beautiful.
I know all the pictures of the mountains are probably starting to look alike, but it was just so magical. I wish that pictures could show what we saw ~ what it felt like to look up and feel so very small.
Saturday early morning drive ~ all bundled so we could drive with the roof off and enjoy the scenery.
Driving.
The sun rising.
More mountains as the sun came up. Aren’t the colors incredible?
We drove around Jenny Lake, and Leigh Lake and up to Signal Mountain Lodge, along the shores of Jackson Lake. We had an amazing breakfast at the Signal Mountain Lodge (Trout Eggs Benny ~ so good); we climbed down to the bank of Jenny Lake (still hazy with smoke from fires a few weeks before we arrived) and up to the Signal Mountain Summit where we could see the mountain range and the lakes and the valley. Everything was more beautiful than the last ~ it was constant feasting for the eyes.
Jenny Lake.
Jenny, Leigh and Jackson Lakes are glacier lakes, so they are over 200 feet deep in places.
The path at Signal Mountain Summit.
Another attempt at a self-pic! Crooked mountains in the background!
On Saturday evening, after all our adventuring, and another dip in the pool and hot tubs and sauna (indulgence!) we headed out to dinner by way of the park, because this little lady was determined to see a moose. Unfortunately, we missed major moose sightings all weekend (other people were more than happy to tell us all about their sightings, which just made me more sad that we missed seeing one!). But we did hear several bull elks bugling as the sun went down. It was very peaceful and the man was completely enraptured.
Mr. MOOSE! Where are you?
(My artistic picture of our fruit-less search for a moose.)
Our last sunset in Wyoming.
I’m so glad we took the time to go ~ it was a part of America I’d never experienced before, and the scale of things is so unlike anything I have encountered. I can’t wait to go back.
D5 Creation