First Hike of the New Year

My knees are slowly allowing me to do all of the fun things I enjoy - but I must dive back into all those fun activities one step (literally) at a time. Friday, I got a text from one of my friends back in Delaware informing me he was passing through and wanted to see if a visit was possible. Having anyone come through Laramie from home is just awesome! So, of course I said yes! 

Saturday morning, my friend, Wyeth, stopped by for a some brunch and hopefully a chance to check out what Laramie had to offer. So after having breakfast burritos at the Prairie Rose, we drove over to Vedauwoo for a hike around the formations. It was so beautiful there! I had not been back to Vedauwoo since Marc left for Jackson and when the first snow came and stayed. 

Below are some photos from our 2-hour hike in Vedauwoo. Enjoy!

TheChristyBel

Snow Dusted Rocks!

Rock Scrambling Selfies
Photo Credit to Wyeth Schiffelbein

So Pretty!

Hiking Again & It Feels Great!
Photo Credit to Wyeth Schiffelbein

Fantastic Views

Let Me Just Capture This Moment!
Photo Credit to Wyeth Schiffelbein

The Sun Finally Came Out For a Smidge

Narnia

Scrambled to the Top of a Formation
This Is What We Saw!

Found a Frozen BathTub!
Photo Credit to Wyeth Schiffelbein

Back in Laradise

Woke up early this morning, despite not getting a lot of sleep the past few days, to try and get back into a Laradise mind-set and routine. Peeked out my window and saw beautiful shades of pink, red, and purple. So, grabbed my boots and walked outside to the street and this is the view I was greeted with this morning. Incredibly beautiful! The most beautiful I have seen here since I have been in Laramie! 

Well, it's not Jackson Hole, but this place does have some beautiful sunrises!

Good morning,

TheChristyBel

Traveling Back to Laradise

Leg Room for Days!

Nimbus Wants to Come to Laramie with Me!

This morning, I woke up and had to officially pack to go back to Laramie. It's such a bittersweet - I had such a wonderful winter break, that I just don't want to go back to school and be away from my friends. But at the same time, this semester is IT! Hopefully! Hopefully, if all goes as planned, in about 4-months, I should be defending, graduating, and getting back to the life I've missed! I actually now miss working and having free time to live life again. So, the drive to finish is there, but also wanting to stay and play! Haha.

Before heading back to catch some flights, Chris took me to the Leonardo in Salt Lake City to see the BodyWorlds exhibit! That exhibit is one of my absolute favorites! I originally saw it when I was in Philly back in 2006. So to see it again, and different and familiar specimens were just really interesting! I could sit there all day and draw. I remember doing that last time I saw this exhibit. Unfortunately, we only had an hour before I had to go to the airport and check-in.

Salt Lake City (at lunch time) is a little hectic (despite what Chris said). I barely made it to my flight (even getting there an hour and a half early...next time, 2-hours). United was incredibly slow getting checked in and checking my bag. And the security line...wow. So many people...and everyone looks so unhappy!!! I mean...I was tired, so I was pretty exhausted, but not unhappy! Wow...talk about a million stank faces. Haha.

Landed in Denver safely and had a 3-hour layover. I know, I could've gotten a ride from Denver to Laramie in probably a shorter time than waiting for a flight. Oh well, it was relatively cheap! During my long layover, I had a brief power nap, charged my phone, and read more articles....the constant reading. Which, I'm not going to lie...put me to sleep again.

My last leg of my journey back was somewhat interesting. I boarded the tiny 24-passenger plane, and come to find out my seat had been double booked! It was really challenging as I tried to get the flight attendants attention, while trying to dodge the unhappy-looking people who were trying to board. But in the end, I just waited in the back until everyone boarded, and the flight attendant let me choose my seat! There were plenty of seats to choose from, but I chose the exit seat, which had PLENTY of leg room! Boom!

The 30-minute flight was pretty smooth, despite my uncanny nervousness of all the wobbling this propeller plane executes. Landed in Laramie around 7pm and was greeted by a friendly face! The awesome Brady came to pick me up and bring me back to my apartment! Finally, back in Laramie. My plants are doing great (thanks to Ceira) and I'm able to not have to live in a suitcase anymore! Or at least not until May/June. Haha.

Bring on Spring Semester!

TheChristyBel

A Salt Lake City Layover

So, if I wanted to fly from Jackson (a tiny airport) to Laramie (another tiny airport), it would've cost me a $1,000+ dollars. That was money I was not willing to spend...so, I found a much, much, much cheaper flight from Salt Lake City to Laramie. Now, how do you get to Salt Lake City from Jackson? You take a bus, of course! Or in this case, a 15-passenger van! Marc dropped me off at 6am to catch a 6:20am van ride to the Salt Lake City International Airport. The van/bus ride only costs about $75. I think I slept for the majority of the trip, they stop about every hour for bathroom breaks and make stops along the way to either pick up people or drop them off. When I was awake, I was able to take a few pictures of the beautiful scenery that we drove through. And yes, I got the front passenger's seat! It was awesome and lots of leg room...and I could recline my seat! Boom!

Blue Beautiful Skies

Good Morning!

Cool Cloud Patterns Over the Mountains!

Sunrise!!!!

Arriving into Salt Lake City, the Wasatch Mountains (I think) were floating! There was a lot of haze in the valley of Salt Lake City, so the surrounding mountains appeared to be floating around the town! The city is incredibly beautiful! I was super excited to be back there, since I had not been there since last April for part of my spring break.

Wasatch Mountain Range...I Think!?

I was welcomed and picked up by my friend Chris (a friend from Delaware that now resides in Utah), where we had some lunch, and I went back to his house for a real nap. There, I was greeted by Nimbus, Chris' cat, who is just as awesome as Gus and Tweedy!

Nimbus!

When Chris returned home from work, he took me to the Great Salt Lake. I had never been there before, so it was really cool to actually go up to and see it up close! As we walked from the parking lot to the actual lake, you could see dried up salt crystals on the sand! They were super huge and beautiful. Of course, I had to document what I saw! Nerd.

Salt Crystals!

Also, along the walk up and along the lake, we discovered a bunch of shells of the brine shrimp, lots of dead waterfowl, and bird tracks!

Bird Tracks!

We got there just in time for the sunset. It was really pretty to see along the lake. Despite the bog/lake smell that was pretty stinky, it actually reminded me of home when you would be along the riverfront and in the wetlands. I really miss that smell. Even though it is not a true pleasant smell, it reminds me of tall grasses, mucky boots, tides, and the Delaware wetlands. Great reminder of home. :)

A Great Salt Lake Sunset

Sand Ripples in the Water From the Wind!

Sunset and From What I Believe: Two Cap Clouds Over the Mountains in the Distance
Not a Very Good Picture of It, But I Think That Was What I Saw

Stumbled Upon a Duck Decoy and a Dead Fish With This Catch Phrase!
Are There Even Fish in the Great Salt Lake?

Again, a Close Up of the Two Cap Clouds Over the Mountains in the Distance
Not a Very Good Picture of It, But I Think That Was What I Saw

That evening after the sunset, Chris and I met up with one of his friends, Sarah, for dinner. Had sushi at this place called Tsunami! It was pretty good. Then went home for a relaxing evening of catching up and watching a movie while we both fell asleep on the couch! Traveling is exhausting.

Tomorrow, I head back to Laramie...Winter Break has officially ended.

TheChristyBel

Nimbus and I Relaxing

Finally Using My JHMR Season's Pass

Last Thursday, Marc was off from instructing and I was in desperate need of a brain break from writing my Master's paper. So we both were able to test out my winter legs again and do some personal runs on the mountain!

Let me just say I was really worried about riding down at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. It just appears so intimidating compared to where I was at last year at Targhee. But Marc was pretty patient and allowed me to try a green before heading up the gondola! haha. So we took Teewinot up and I did a green run - totally had to remember what my legs, body, and feet were supposed to do...but got down the mountain very easily. So off my snowboard went, we unclipped and climbed into the Gondola. We were going to meet our friend, Sarah, at the Casper lift for lunch. Most of the paths to get there are blues and double-blues, which is where I left my skill level back at Targhee in April.

Simply just took my time working on turning and controlling how fast I wanted to go as we made our way down some traverses and down to the Casper lift. Not only did I survive my first time riding the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort's runs but I enjoyed it! Not to mention had a few tumbles, but it was super entertaining for Marc to watch as I did fall, I mean, 'starfish' on a traverse and maybe fall when I was getting into the lift line...and...getting off the lift. All laughs everywhere and in between though!

Also, throughout my days where I was scheduled to work at the Pioneers' Kid Ranch - I was able to go straight from work to some snowboard breaks. Have not done any Blacks yet - I want to continue my technique and build up confidence on these blues. I'll get there - will just take some time and practice. And of course, I am still liking it! Oh....and PS....my knees are doing great!

TheChristyBel

Top of the Hanna Run - Midway Down from Apres Vous

Partying It Up with the Pioneers

Making Faces on the Gondola!

Today was my official last day with the Pioneers at the Mountain Sports School Kids Ranch; that is, until my spring break! Working at the Kids Ranch was by far a really fun job. The people you get to work with are incredibly awesome and laid back - they don't judge you or think less of you if you don't know how to ski. In fact, they are really supportive and are always willing to give you a few tips if you have a desire to learn. I'm really sad to be leaving to go back to school. I have met so many wonderful new friends through the mountain, that it is such a tease, that I have to leave again.

Pioneers was really fun. I even got to do a bit of teaching...which was really funny, since I don't ski. But since Pioneers ranges from 3-5 year olds, I was solely working on the Magic Carpet and instructors do not need skis to bring the little ones to the top of the carpet, then catch them as they come down, or shout out pizza to teach them to stop.

Didn't Go Anywhere Without That Rabbit!

Excited to Go Up!

It was just a great time, laughing with the children and fellow instructors, coloring, and getting lots of hugs and love from the kids! They pretty much love you and will show it too!

I got to meet a wide-variety of children too! Many of them were from all over the country (even from Delaware!!!)! Yes, that was a wonderful treat! I met two children from Hockessin, DE and I knew exactly where they were from and went to school! Ahhhh! And I even got to meet children from Australia and Brazil! It was super cute to hear different accents and to work on my Spanish, and well Portuguese! I definitely want to pick that back up because I felt so bad not understanding some of my children, and I am positive they did not understand me! Definitely want to work on that communication for next time I'm there!

Also, during my time working at JHMR, we got to take our students up the Gondola (not to always come back down in skis, but just for a round-trip. When I went up, we were able to see the inversion. Where it was pretty cloudy at the base, then bluebird skies when you got into the tree line. Our students loved it! They would wave to other passing cars and let us know what they were seeing. It was adorable!

Above the Clouds!

I'm sad to leave, but I will be back in a few weeks for spring break! Can't wait to be with little ones again and the new friends I have made! Ahhhh...I know the spring semester has barely started, but I'm already ready for spring break! Bah.

TheChristyBel

Jen & Her Girls
Hair Salon & Story Time Break!

Coloring During Break

This Little One is From Delaware!

Turkey Legs in January?

The other night, we found a great deal at the Whole Grocer on Turkey Legs! Humongous Turkey Legs! We roasted them in the oven and made mashed sweet potatoes (with garlic salt, pepper, parsley, and onion powder)! This mini Thanksgiving dinner...in January...was incredibly delicious!

TheChristyBel

Turkey Legs for Days!

Moose Hockey Game

Cheering for the Moose Win!

Went to the Moose Hockey Game with Marc and Ben tonight. Super fun - the mountain resort was hosting the game that night, so we got in for free with our employee passes! How awesome is that?! We arrived there after the first period. It was mega crowded - a bunch of staff from the mountain resort was there and the game was pretty entertaining to watch. There was even a band that played in between the periods. Totally went to the upper level and prowled around for a balcony edge to get a clearer view of the game. By the end of the second period, we got an edge balcony spot and were right behind the Moose goal. It was super awesome to see all the action from up top. Not much else to say about this evening, except it was a fun time with awesome people and a really good fight on the ice to watch! Plus, the Moose won! Boom!

TheChristyBel

Hannah and Louie Relaxing After the Game?
Louie, Are you Comfortable?!

Hockey Game Selfie

Making Girl Scout Cookies

The other day, I got a message from one of my friends asking to purchase Girl Scout cookies from her niece. Well, I am totally down for a good Thin Mint, Trefoil, or Samoa! However, have you looked at the prices of those small boxes lately...they are almost $5 a box! How crazy is that?!? I remember when I sold them and they were just $2! Looking at the website, I suddenly got this huge craving for Samoas! They are just so gooey and delicious! I mean, you get a box, put a few in the microwave, cook them for 15-seconds and place them on top of vanilla ice cream and boom! - The most awesome dessert ever! So, Marc looked up online and found a Paleo/Marc friendly version for the cookies! So of course we had to try them out. They are from a recipe from Elana's Pantry - a food blog site that specializes in specific dietary lifestyles. If you want to check out the recipe, here it is - found here. I do not have images of the entire process, but it was broken up into 4-5 parts.

Part 1 - Making the dough (use a food processor or hand mixer - the dough does clump into a ball, but it is really, really gooey!) Then let refrigerate for 30-minutes. We recommend maybe a little more to let it firm up.

Part 2 - Preparing the Cookies - Roll the dough in between two sheets of parchment paper. For cutting them out, we used a glass jar rim and when cutting the cookies, spin the glass to make a clean cut. For the smaller hole, we used a clean opening of a beer bottle! Haha! It was the perfect size and proportion to our circle cookies. The parchment paper was a great way to flip the soft, gooey rolled out and cookie cut cookie into our hands and then flip onto the baking sheet.

Part 3 - Baking the cookies & melting the chocolate - we recommend 6-7 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown. Making the chocolate (prepare with a double boiler!) Marc used his own little recipe for the chocolate, and then when the cookies were cool. We used a wide fork to set the cookie on to dip the bottom of each cookie. Place back down on the parchment for easy removal and clean up.

Part 4 - Toasting the Shredded Coconut & Making the Caramel - we used honey instead of the Coconut Nectar since we could not find it. It still came out great!

Part 5 - Drizzle the Caramel & Chocolate - Drizzle the caramel over the cookies and the melted chocolate over the cookies until completely covered!

Sadly there is a part 6 - Letting it all cool and set! - We had no room in the fridge to cool the cookies and let the chocolate harden, so....since we live in WY and it is super cold out, we placed the cookies outside (just covered them with aluminum foil). They were cool and hard in about 15-minutes! Let me say, they taste awesome!!!!!! We definitely recommend you try them for yourselves!

Enjoy!

TheChristyBel

Atmospheric Inversions Over the Tetons

Recently, Jackson Hole has been engulfed in lots of white, fluffy, thick clouds. This fog that has prevented us from seeing over hills or the peaks in the Teton Range is called an atmospheric inversion. In meteorology, an inversion is a deviation from the normal change of an atmospheric property with altitude. 

Photo Credit

Teton Gravity Research Instagram

This Morning's 'Sunrise'
Sky & Sun, I Know You're There!
Come Through the Clouds!
We Would Love to See You!

The Encyclopedia Britannica explains a temperature inversion is a reversal of the normal behavior of temperature in the troposphere in which a layer of cool air at the surface is overlain by a layer of warmer air. Usually, inversions play a significant role in determining cloud formation, precipitation,and visibility.

Inversions act as a cap on the upward movement of air from the layers below, resulting in clouds that cannot grow high enough to produce showers and prevent visibility. This makes a lot of sense, because last week was really cold, and I mean really cold! When I arrived, the temperatures were ranging below 0 - I think last Thursday or Friday, it was -25 to -30 degrees out! This week, it has gotten drastically warmer - today's high should be in the 40s. So, going from one end of the spectrum to the other in such a short amount of time, has really stunted the weather around here and resulted in really low clouds.

Marc went to work at the mountain the past two days and has captured pictures of how it is really cloudy here in the valley. However, as you go up the lifts, gondola, and tram, you go higher above the cloud cover, and you are immersed in Bluebird skies! It's crazy! Enjoy some of the photos captured from the past few days! Hopefully, the sun will start shining again on this town or I might just need to spend most of my days on those high mountain sides!

TheChristyBel

What is Down Below?
Photo Credit to Marc Sweet

The Whole Valley Is Covered!
Photo Credit to Marc Sweet

Above the Clouds
You See Bluebird Skies
Photo Credit to Marc Sweet

Chilly Nights Calls for Down

The past few nights, I have woken up cold and literally snuggled up real close to Marc. Maybe that is what happens when his bedroom is in the basement of the apartment and his comforter is not that thick to begin with. Who knows...but anyways! I remember back in the summer when we would camp or sleep in the van, we would wake up pretty chilly. So we looked into maybe one day purchasing a blanket that we would be able to use outdoors or when we camp. We had been hearing about the down comforters that are out on the outdoor gear market and occasionally researched them for decent prices. Well, I think after realizing how cold is has been here in the Tetons, we took some drastic online shopping initiatives and finally bit the bullet and got something pretty awesome!

Big Agnes is known not just for their comfortable sleeping pads and awesome durable tents for the front and backcountry, but for their sleeping bags as well! When I get enough money, I definitely plan on getting a new bag, but that is not the point of this entry. The point of this entry is that they have these new down comforters in their stock now! And Marc and I are the proud owners of ones of them! If you want to check it out, the link is right here.

We ordered the blanket, maybe Tuesday afternoon, and the delivery box came yesterday afternoon. So the shipping transition was fairly quick! Big Agnes really does do an awesome job getting their product to their customers. The box was really small and came in a small stuff sack! Of course, the blanket is goose down, so it is able to compress really small! Great for the outdoors and transporting it in a pack or great storage. Can we note that it only weighs about 2-lbs and 12-oz!!?!?

This blanket is by far better than my electric blanket, my duvet, and I hate to say it, but my white, fuzzy Polar Bear Blanket! Sizing in at 50" x 78" x 2.5," this 600-fill goose down blanket with a synthetic lining kept us warm all night (and we did not even need to blast the heat higher than the usual low setting we have it to already). Please note that we had a bed sheet and think bed spread over us as well with the Down Comforter on top - but I just want to clarify that the original bed sheet and bed spread do not keep us really warm at night anyways.

Marc and I are really pleased with this purchase! It will not just serve warm slumbers in a cold basement but definitely for van, front, or back country camping! Pretty excited! Why did I not think of this when I moved here a year ago?!?! Thanks, Big Agnes, your products are pretty reliable and work effectively for their purposes!

TheChristyBel 

It's so Warm & Fluffy!