Snow Shoeing on Togwotee

Saturday I went snow shoeing up on Togwotee Pass with a couple of friends from work. Elevation - 9,600 feet! Snow Pack- too many inches to count!

My first view of the magnificent Tetons from the top of Togwotee Pass.

Headed up into the backcountry.... It's amazing how easy it was to negotiate several feet of snow with our special shoes!

Thanksgiving Part II

Again, can't figure out how to post more than 5 pictures at a time, therefore another Thanksgiving post.

Thanksgiving

Each year a group of NOLS orphans get together and have a potluck Thanksgiving. I think there were 17 of us squeezed around the table. MUCH to be thankful for this year!! White tablecloths and everything! Wow!



Our hostesses, Carrie and Cara. They did an amazing job!

Winter has arrived

I think those are the Owl Creek Mountains. Anyway, this is the view from my back porch the morning after our first big snow storm. It's funny because a "storm" like this would have paralyzed Atlanta, but it was life as usual in Lander, Wyoming. You should have seen me gripping the steering wheel as I drove 5 miles an hour to work!

View from my front porch.

Got in a bit of exercise shoveling the deck before work.

Yes, you are reading that temperature correctly.

View from my office.

Sunsets are like this every day!

More climbing pictures

Just a few more pictures from climbing a few weeks ago. For some reason I can't figure out how to post more than 5 pictures at a time.

Nadine looking strong

Curtis looking tired

Cool silhouette of Curtis

Don't worry Mom - it's perfectly safe!

Sarah and Nadine checking gear.

Does it look like I know what I'm doing?? ha!

Climbing at Sinks Canyon

Sinks Canyon is known for its incredible rock climbing and wouldn't you know it is 10 minutes from town! People from far away as Colorado will come for the weekend to climb, so I'm fortunate that it is so close.

In case you are wondering, this pictures was taken several weeks ago when the leaves were still on the trees. Alas, no more leaves.

One view of many at Sinks Canyon.

Wind River Mountains off in the distance.

The parking lot down below to give you perspective. There is a pretty steep hike to get to the base of the climbs. About 15 minutes or so, which is a nice warm-up!
Just another picture.

Halloween

I have a feeling Lander will be big-time when it comes to holidays. I got a little taste on Halloween. All the kids go trick-or-treating at the shops on main street, THEN they go into the neighborhoods for round 2. They are serious about their candy.

A co-worker getting in the spirit.

A bird? A plane? A whale?

Another view of that weird metal thing on the top of the NOLS building. It reminds me of the tail of a whale.

Water conservation

Instead of having a well or being on city water, my house has a cistern. And let me tell you, I have never been so aware of my water usage ever! The tanks hold about 5,000 gallons and once it runs out, I have to call the water man and he drives out with his water truck to give me a re-fill. It costs about $60-$75. I'm constantly terrified that I'll be in the middle of washing my hair and the water slows to a trickle then stops. Those will be good times.

The back of my house. Deck construction in progress.

The solar panels enjoying some serious Wyoming sunshine.

Front of the house.

There they are. The cisterns - the source of serious anxiety, yet bizarre fascination for me. You unscrew the top to check the water levels. When it gets really cold, I'm supposed to boil water and pour it into the cistern to prevent freezing. Unbelievable...."Buckhead Betty" no more!