Generation Recreation

There's many ways to celebrate skiing

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 17:50:00 +0000

It's not even Christmas, and many of the Rocky Mountain ski resorts are 100 percent open and skiing is fantastic. We've gotten more snow in Sheridan than we received practically all last winter, but the Big Horns are still just getting into shape to ski. Yesterday, Neve and I headed up into the mountains to fulfill my need for some turns.

Powder River Pass off of U.S. 16 west of Buffalo had received about six inches of new snow, but the rocky cirque that's easily accessible from the road was still a little thin for skiing. This area is almost always blasted by the wind, so terrain selection is important if you're going to avoid the rocks. Of course, I was a little too eager and the snowpack a touch too shallow.

The terrain is reminiscent of shots like Chivars Ridge on the south side of Teton Pass. After a lap of boot-top powder turns, I headed further north for my second lap where it appeared the wind had deposited more snow. Five turns in, my left ski smacked a rock buried just below the surface (that's what happens when you're skiing a 25-inch base) causing me to eject out of my ski, and land face-down on my left thumb. Of course it didn't hurt enough to keep me from taking several more runs, but today, I can't bend the thing, let alone hold a ski pole.When I got back to the car, I discovered that my ski didn't fare much better than my thumb and now needs some attention. Yup, should have used the rock skis.

While the turns weren't anything spectacular, I did enjoy having the entire area to myself and the silence was deafening. This particular area is closed to snowmobiles and the snowpack in the Bighorns is still a little thin for off-trail riding anyway.

While I sometimes long for the terrain, accessibility and deep powder of my old stomping grounds, the enjoyment of just being out in the mountains was a refreshing reminder of the powerful pull of skiing and its role in my life. There's something about the sport that elicits joy from people around the world, whether they're doing it on a 400-foot hill on man-made snow in Minnesota or a 4,000 vertical foot Alaskan face. No matter where you live, how many days a year you spend on skis, or how skilled you are, if you're a part of worldwide tribe of skiers, that passion never leaves you.

In this great future, you can't forget your past

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:55:00 +0000

After returning from an afternoon of skiing at Red Lodge, Montana on Sunday, I sat down for a phone interview yesterday with a guy who's got a pop culture podcast called Just My Show. He sent me an email asking to chat about my experiences on Charles in Charge, and after checking his website I agreed. He has a "most wanted interviews" list that includes a few people I was acquainted with during my brief stint working in Hollywood.

After so many years as a journalist, it was strange being an interview subject again. I still get sporadic emails from people of varying ages who enjoyed the first season of Charles in Charge, which is always nice to hear. When Lindsay's eight-year-old nephew visited last August, we pulled out the DVD and he thought the show was hilarious.

Anyway, he was nice to speak to and did his research and I expect the podcast should be up eventually. Beyond that, I'm just making it through the end of a winter season. Aside from some skiing-related withdrawal, I think I handled the transition to a new town pretty well. I'm more excited for the approaching summer, because there's still plenty of new places in the Bighorn mountains to explore.

New blog location

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:53:00 +0000

I haven't posted on here for some time because Generation Recreation has found a new home. All of my more recent posts can be found here at New West, an online outlet that is now hosting my blog. This site will be reserved for occasional personal musings and trip reports.

Ski town real estate projects face reality

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:42:00 +0000

There isn't much that I have in common with a 72-year-old Republican candidate for president, but there is one common trait we share.

Economic policy isn't a strength for either of us.

With the current economic crisis the only subject on people's lips these days, my insight into the problem is centered on what I've read about locally and seen out my front door. For resort communities, the writing is on the wall that the real estate development gold rush is grinding to a halt. Developers who relied on a steady supply of wealthy transplants and vacationers with super-deep pockets eager to buy trophy homes and snap up condo-hotel rooms are finding these people a tougher sell.

In Jackson Hole, the Snake River Sporting Club owes money all over the place and appears to be teetering on the verge of bankruptcy. A poor idea from the moment it was announced, this project drew protests from the moment it began the planning process back in 2002. The golf course and home sites are located along channels of the Snake River and amidst a nesting area for bald eagles. What may have doomed the project ultimately, however, is its location. Any real estate agent in Jackson would tell you that trophy-home purchasers want to have views of the Tetons, and this development well south of town offers neither Teton Views nor in-town convenience.

Over in Colorado, the Vail Plaza Hotel is rumored to be facing foreclosure proceedings and I previously posted about Tamarack Resort, which is facing a bankruptcy hearing as well. How would you like to own a house at a resort where the company CEO feels compelled to send out a letter assuring homeowners it's safe to book their ski vacation?

"C'mon out and stay at our ski house this winter Bob, I'm pretty sure the ski area will be open!"

Of course, to be negative is to be poisonous in an industry that requires everyone to put a smile on their face and repeat a mantra that everything is fine, even as the credit crisis deepens. Take Ketchum, Idaho, developer Jack Bariteau, who's confident, despite the see-saw stock market and lending crisis, that everything will work out for his hotel development. In real estate, the glass is always half-full I guess.

I've wondered aloud for years how there could possibly be enough potential guests to support the ever-growing bed base of $400 hotel rooms in Teton Village. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has to be a little concerned about the economic crisis, having taken out major loans to construct a new aerial tram. It will be interesting to monitor occupancy rates in the resort towns this winter if the economy remains in a recession. Though resort CEOs say that snow is the biggest factor in determining ski area visitation, they may wind up being as overconfident as the Wall Street honchos that denied the sky was falling even as they were ducking the debris.

When does the trickle down hit the ski town service industry, and at what point do hotels and restaurants start laying off their hourly workers?

Is protecting the Snake River controversial?

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Adding environmental protections to the upper Snake River sounds like a no-brainer. A majestic waterway that draws anglers and boaters and fuels tourism, the Snake is an ideal candidate for Wild and Scenic River status.
It's great to hear that a bill that would help protect the Snake and Wyoming Range may actually get to the Senate floor in November, a last ditch hope for a wide ranging public-lands bill that's received no support from Wyoming's elected officials.
The Omnibus Public Land Management Act — S. 3213 includes the Craig Thomas Snake Headwaters Legacy Act, which would protect 387 miles of rivers and streams in the Snake River drainage under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Of equal importance, it would protect further energy development in the Wyoming Range south of Jackson Hole and allow existing energy leases to be bought back.
Of course, in the current "Drill baby Drill" atmosphere being endorsed by the Republican party, environmental protection is secondary to making certain areas with the potential for energy development are preserved. In July, all 3 Wyoming legislators signed a letter opposing S. 3213. In addition, Idaho's representatives are concerned about their water rights, despite written guarantees that the bill wouldn't threaten Idaho farmers right to Wyoming's water.
The general problem with any legislation of course, is that it's practically impossible to get protections like this one passed without having it be accompanied by a bunch of other items that may or may not please the masses. The financial rescue package passed on Friday includes a whole host of earmarks guaranteed to piss off people already opposed to the rescue of the same industry that got us into this mess in the first place.
Of course this is how government works and despite McCain and Palin's blustering to the contrary, earmarks aren't going away any time soon. Let's hope that we can find a way to get this one through before Craig Thomas' legacy disappears and the process has to start from scratch.

Uneasy truce at Jackson Hole Airport

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:01:00 +0000

"It's OK," urged the collective Jackson Hole tourism/real estate/business community on Tuesday. "We won't let anyone close the airport down."
Elected officials, no doubt prodded by the potential financial impact of a shuttered airport, immediately sprung to action to help mediate a long-festering power struggle between Teton County Sheriff Bob Zimmer and the Jackson Hole Airport Board. The parties worked out a temporary solution so that eager tram riders can still fly into the valley this winter.

The real question is why couldn't this whole mess been settled before Zimmer was forced to write a threatening letter? From reporter Cory Hatch's story, it sounds like the Sheriff had a bunch of airport cops working under his authority that he never saw and who didn't bother with the unnecessary "training" part of the job. In Wyoming, like the rest of the country, the sheriff likes to have control of the people under his badge. From the article:

Last week, Zimmer said the primary reason for his decision to terminate the arrangement was liability.
“It’s a situation that puts all the liability on the county and all the liability on the sheriff,” he said.
Zimmer had no authority over the officers in terms of demanding training or participation in other programs.
“We’ve got to fix this thing,” Zimmer said. “It’s been broken for the nine and a half years I’ve been in office. Ray Bishop and the airport board have done absolutely nothing to solve this problem.”

Just say no to rogue airport cops!

Seriously, the three officers who do work the airport may be out of jobs when this whole process shakes out. The over-policed town of Jackson certainly doesn't need any more officers, and it sounds like Zimmer is less than enthusiastic about this trio joining his team.

Bishop says the solution is to have airports certify their own officers, which isn't currently allowed by Wyoming state law. We'll see how effective Jackson state senator Grant Larsen is in changing that law in the next legislative session. In the meantime, don't worry, illegal parkers will still be ticketed at the airport this winter.

Trip Report: Coffeen Park to Geneva Pass

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:33:00 +0000

Robin Lake

The final three miles of access road to the Coffeen Park trailhead is described as a "harrowing journey", in my guidebook. On Saturday, Lindsay and I discovered the book's author wasn't exaggerating. My Subaru was no match for the rocks and ruts we encountered on Forest Service Road 293, so. I finally gave up rather than sacrifice my humble vehicle. We hiked the final mile and a quarter to the Geneva Pass trailhead.
Though the route we chose into the Cloud Peak Wilderness is described as receiving "heavy" visitation, we encountered two backpackers at the trailhead and no one else for the rest of the day. Day hiking just doesn't match hunting as a popular recreation activity on fall weekends around here.

The first three miles of our route followed a wooded valley along the East Fork of Big Goose Creek and didn't offer any views. We passed the ruins of three log cabins that dated back to the gold prospecting days of the 1920s before climbing about 1,000 feet and reaching idyllic Lake Geneva.

The lake's setting is spectacular, surrounded by massive peaks of rounded granite, including Spear Peak which tops out at 11, 540 feet. Once again, I spotted three enticing couloirs that dropped steeply off the north side of the peak, easily more than 1,000 vertical feet long. Given the amount of snow they were holding, I'd bet they are skiable year-round. Attempting ski descents of these routes would require an arduous ascent from the lake and would involve bushwhacking up a densely wooded canyon. A project for next spring, perhaps.
We continued gaining elevation, passing through a high mountain meadow surrounded by steep cliffs, with the trail passing through a narrow gap before topping out at around 10,400 feet. A small amount of snow clung to the upper reaches of the trail, but temperatures were mild. A brisk wind kept us cool as we made the ascent to the summit of the pass.
To the east, we enjoyed views of Black Tooth Mountain while the wilderness stretched out for miles in every direction. The high meadows in this area are dotted with isolated groves of subalpine fir, some ponds and giant glacial boulders.

13,000 foot Black Tooth Mountain in the distance

An unnamed 11,000-foot ridgeline in the distance

The return trip down the valley went quickly, though we both could have done without the extra mile of dirt road hiking to reach the car. Here's a look at Geneva Lake from above.

Our hike totaled a little over 13 miles and took us seven hours, with a nice break at the top of the pass. While not as spectacular as the Medicine Park hike, this route offers much more direct access to high-elevation areas. An extremely motivated trail runner could probably add an additional loop around the Cliff Lake trail, which would make for a 20-mile day. Just make sure you have a high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle to reach the trailhead or you're going to do some extra hiking. The Subaru appears to have made it through unscathed, ready for another assault of a different route later this week.

Wyoming comes up big at Yankee Stadium

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:54:00 +0000

The New York Yankees and the state of Wyoming have almost nothing in common, right? Not any more.

On Sunday night, I watched the broadcast of the final game at Yankee stadium with a lump in my throat. No one at the Main Street Tavern was interested in the final Yankee game, and as I sipped Woodford and watched the parade of Yankee greats on the screen, I figured that Wyoming is about as far away from ESPN columnist Wright Thompson delivered an incredibly touching eulogy covering the history and memories that were part of the house that Ruth built.

For Wyoming residents, a more surprising story is the identity of the fan who snagged the final home run ball ever hit there (by catcher Jose Molina). Initial stories identified him as "Steve from Colorado" who refused to give his last name. Alas, the mainstream media missed that one.

It turns out that Steve from Colorado is actually Steve Harshman, a Wyoming state representative and head football coach for Casper's Natrona County High School. Apparently, he told reporters he was "Steve from, 'Out West where most people are Colorado Rockies fans.'" In the rush to get the story filed, no one followed up or confirmed where he was actually from and just assumed Colorado.

What are the chances of a Wyoming resident catching this ball? For that matter, how many Wyomingites were actually in the stadium that night? Two? Five?

Here's the video story from the Casper Star Tribune.

Took a short hike today up Steamboat Point, off of Highway 14. Nice views, a steep climb kind of like a less strenuous Snow King hike.

Steamboat Point

Looking south, with Highway 14 in the foreground

We can fix this wolf problem ourselves, dammit!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:49:00 +0000

Jackson state representative Keith Gingery is fond of introducing bills in the state House that never go anywhere. Now, the Republican from Wyoming's most liberal county believes he's come up with a plan to turn wolf management back over to state officials.
The story and plan is understandably a bit convoluted, since the Bush Administration's decision to take wolves off the endangered species list has already been stopped by an injunction issued by a federal judge in July. Gingery's plan to get the state involved in managing wolves isn't going to satisfy most conservationists, who don't trust the Wyoming Game & Fish department. I doubt this plan is going to get very far with Wyoming legislators from other parts of the state either, but at least its an attempt. Who knows, maybe the problem will take care of itself eventually?

I was surprised to read that the Salt Lake Tribune editorial board believes snowmobiles should be kicked out of Yellowstone for good. Maybe there's more liberals at the Tribune than I thought. It's a noble concept, but Wyoming will fight the feds over the right to breathe those exhaust fumes forever.

Trip Report: Medicine Park, Cloud Peak Wilderness

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:21:00 +0000

I was looking for a hike with mind blowing views when I left my car on Wednesday morning. Although there are plenty of 12,000 foot plus peaks in the Bighorn range, it's an absolute pain in the ass to reach them due to long approaches. With a bit of determination, I finally found what I was looking for. I also glimpsed some enticing ski lines, albeit in an area so distant that an overnight stay is probably mandatory for ski mountaineering.

The Hunter trailhead is only 12 miles west of Buffalo at the bottom of US 16, the Cloud Peak Skyway. While you're technically permitted to drive to the wilderness boundary, the "road" is so horrendous that motorized use is generally limited to four-wheelers. Rather than hike the four mile wilderness approach on this rocky jeep track, I opted to ride the approach on my Giant cross country mountain bike, leaving the car around 9:20.

The first 45 minutes of my day were spent spinning my tires through loose rocks on a poor quality jeep road that reminded me of the service roads that climb Rendezvous Peak. It's currently bow hunting season in the Bighorns and Neve and I bumped into three hunters, two on four-wheelers and one walking towards the wilderness trailhead. All were friendly, though they seemed perplexed why anyone who wasn't stalking a critter would be out in the forest.

The first open meadow we hit, known as Soldier Park, gave a glimpse of the mountains we were headed towards. The sign that says 3 should read 394-map skills are mandatory in the Cloud Peak Wilderness.

View from Soldier Park

Of course, it would have been too easy if the entire route to the Wilderness boundary were rideable, and eventually the jeep track deteriorated to the point where pedaling would have been a futile exercise. I locked the Giant to a tree and with Neve leading the way, we hiked the last mile of jeep road to the wilderness boundary.

Would you try and pedal this?

The trail had two junctions, the first which was obvious and the second which was less so. They don't bother putting trail names on the routes, but the route I took (038) is labeled the Solitude Trail on my map.

At least there's a sign

Unlike the Tetons, approaches in the Bighorns don't give much of a hint of the scale of the mountains that you're entering. My roadside observations and previous day hikes gave few hints of what the high peaks looked like up close. When I reached the edge of the Trail Park meadow and looked west, my breath was finally taken away.
"Oh s--t," I said out loud to the dog. "Wow." Photographs can't do justice to the view, but the area was certainly worthy of wilderness designation.
My first "Wow!" moment in the Bighorns
For several miles, I power-hiked through a dense forest canopy to get closer to these peaks, Bomber Mountain (elevation 12,840) to my north and the roughly 12,400-foot Mather Peaks to the south. While the trail was in dense forest, these 2,000 foot vertical walls loomed on both sides of the valley.

The first major creek crossing was fortunately bridged by some logs. Unfortunately, I slipped on the last step and plunged my left foot ankle deep into the creek. I had dry socks in my pack, but opted to wait until the shoe dried a little.

The trees partially obscured the steep faces. The finally started a brief climb and came out into Medicine Park, a beautiful oasis tucked away below the north side of the Mather Peaks. The granite was covered in an early season-snow and the basin made me finally feel like I was truly among the high peaks. Bomber Mountain above me abutts Cloud Peak, which is the third-highest peak in Wyoming. I was nine miles from my car, but I felt much further away.

Medicine Park, nestled below the Mather Peaks, sits at 9,800 feet

I spent a fair amount of time staring into the steep granite of the Mathers, which face north and were holding a dusting of snow. There were enough ski lines to keep you busy for several days back here.

North side of Mather Peaks, where ski lines abound

Part of me really wanted to reach Florence lake, which was another two miles and further and 1,000 feet higher up the moraine in front of me. But I'd been going nonstop for four hours and didn't want to toast my legs any harder. After a 15 minute lunch break, Neve and I began an uneventful descent and return to civilization. Fortunately, there were no more creek mishaps, though Neve decided to trot into a hunting camp univited. The three camouflage-clad men were bow hunting for moose and immediately began asking me if I'd seen anything. The group had ridden in and their horses were grazing in the meadow behind them, but one guy seemed particularly astounded that I had made the trip as a day hike.

"I wish you could bottle up some of that ambition and sell it to us," said one man in jeans and a camo shirt. "If you see any moose up the trail, holler. There'll be a steak waiting for your dog if she flushes anything out."

Of course we saw nothing.
By the time I reached my bicycle, my legs were feeling the miles. The return trip to the car was mostly coasting, but Neve kept up no problem. Total distance car to car was 22 miles, approximately 16 of which I hiked. The trip took around seven and a half hours.

Yellowstone Snowmobile Wars: Round 1,244,378

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:04:00 +0000

This argument is never going to end.

In 13 winters of living in Jackson Hole, I never took a single snowmobile trip into Yellowstone and I know I'm not alone. Despite the noise pollution they create, snowmobiles are fun to ride and I had a great time on a half-day tour to Goosewing Ranch in the Gros Ventre range I took back in 1999. I believe sleds have a place in the forest, and understand their attraction to the motorized sports community. I personally prefer my outdoors experiences without the accompanying whine of a two-stroke engine, but I try to be tolerant.

Put simply: snowmobiles should be allowed in Yellowstone in the winter. Locals simply know it's not that much fun. However, if tourists want to spend an interminable day sitting on their asses, freezing on a sled while bouncing up and down in a line of machines along a rutted road to see Old Faithful blast off in winter, I'm all for it. I understand equal access, and given the number of vehicles that pollute Yellowstone each summer, it seems hypocritical to attempt to completely shut off winter access.

What I can't stand are these interminable legal battles that occur between environmentalists and industry advocates, enriching lawyers on both sides while ignoring middle ground and leaving outfitters scratching their heads. Last year's plan allowed 720 snowmobiles in the park each day, but the number that actually entered Yellowstone on a daily basis was less than 290. So what's wrong with a plan that allows 540? If there's not even enough demand to meet the old, higher limit, why don't we leave that plan in place? According to conservationists, that limit is based on bad science. That may be true, but since both sides will bring forth conflicting scientific data, we're left with a legal stalemate that keeps reporters covering the issue busy.

Both sides need to sit down at the table, find a happy median number (400 sounds nice) and stick with it and make four-stroke machines mandatory. Continue to encourage snowcoach visits and put an end to this silly, interminable battle. Instead of working to ban snowmobiles, lets reduce pollution by instituting a bus system in Yellowstone during the summer like they have in Yosemite.

Monday food for thought

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:02:00 +0000

Cirque of the Towers, 2006
This excellent follow up to an incident that happened in the Winds back in 1998 ran a couple of weeks ago in the Idaho Statesman newspaper. I remember when this pastor's body was finally discovered in a boulder field. He'd been trapped and as he slowly lay dying, he wrote in his journal. I'm impressed his family has been able to overcome the manner on his death and focus on the spirit he left behind and how he confronted his last days. It's still a haunting reminder that there's no mercy in the wilderness, especially for solitary travelers.
Journal kept by late Caldwell pastor continues to sustain loved ones.

New West also ran a piece on the shortage of H2B visas for foreign workers and the resulting impact on the ski resort labor pool. This has been a recurring problem in Jackson for the last few winters and is a perfect example of why we need some true immigration reform. There just aren't enough recent college graduates heading into the mountains to flip burgers and bump chairs at ski resorts any more. Maybe with the economy continuing its downward spiral, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort will have better luck finding skids who are willing to work for $7.50 an hour this year for that $1,600 season pass.

Trip Report: Sherd Lake Loop, Cloud Peak Wilderness

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:08:00 +0000

Sherd Lake looking west

Lindsay and I awoke to foreboding skies in Sheridan on Saturday morning, but undeterred we packed warm clothes for our first hike together in the Bighorns. Our destination was the Circle Park trailhead outside Buffalo, an easy one hour drive from our house to the trailhead. Though our guidebook said this hike receives "very heavy" visitation, there were only three other vehicles at the trailhead when we arrived at 10 a.m. We encountered saw four people altogether, three day hikers and a backpacker headed out.

The 10-mile loop hike visits a number of small lakes in the Clear Creek drainage and offers some distant views of the high peaks of the Bighorn Range. What's immediately apparent is the ruggedness of the terrain, especially when trying to access the higher alpine areas where no trails exist. While this hike isn't especially remote, its blessedly free of four-wheelers and motorcyles that are common in other areas of the Bighorn National Forest.

The trail was typical of a wilderness route, really rocky and mostly unimproved, but easy to follow. Though this hike is an ideal distance for a trail run, the amount of loose rocks on the route would make me think twice before attempting it and risking an ankle injury. Most of the hike takes place in dense stands of lodgepole pines, but the views of the high peaks improve during your counterclockwise loop. Immediately, my eyes were drawn to a beautiful and aesthetic couloir on Bighorn Peak, though wintertime access would be a challenge and I'm guessing it would be extremely difficult to try and do in a one-day trip.
A new skiing objective

The loop would qualify as an easy day hike by my skewed Teton standards. There's no 2,000 vertical foot uphill grind on this route, just rolling terrain and short climbs. In fact the longest sustained elevation change was on the descent back to the car. We encountered no wildlife, save for innumerable squirrels. At the highest elevation we hit a spur route to a slightly more remote Willow Lake at 9,600 feet, right at the edge of treeline. In the shade were patches of snow, remnants of a snowstorm earlier in the week.
Willow Lake

Happy couple

Looking south from ridge to Willow Lake

On our return to the car, we encountered a couple from Rapid City, South Dakota. They were probably in their 60s and the woman, who was of German ancestry, was quite chatty. When we mentioned we were new the area and originally from Jackson, she named three people, two of whom I knew and one whom Lindsay knew.

This was a wonderful introductory hike into the Cloud Peak Wilderness. There aren't many short loop hike options available in this area, and this one was incredibly easy to access and offered nice views. I'm certain my explorations are going to involve more arduous approaches and more challenging routefinding in the future.

Lawn mower man recalls Yankee stadium

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 02:38:00 +0000

When I was growing up in Goshen, NY, my brother and I weren't required to mow the lawn of our nice suburban house. In fact, no one in the family mowed the lawn, gardened or trimmed the hedges. My father was a surgeon and he wasn't interested in doing yardwork in his spare time, so he hired a landscaping company to come once a week. He also wasn't interested in risking injury to his hands, which were his livelihood, on something like yard work (though he didn't have a problem risking injuries by cycling or skiing).

I've lived in cities and in condos without yards my entire life, so today was the first time I can recall actually using a push lawn mower. No, nothing dramatic happened when I broke my lawn mowing virginity, but I found a strange satisfaction in the process.

I did take a spin on Lindsay's road bike again today and am realizing why its important to have your own bicycle that's properly fitted to the user-my lower back and shoulders were finally getting sore.

In the news today, my New York Yankees are just about mathematically eliminated, and their historic stadium is going to be torn down after a final regular season game against the Orioles. What a depressing way for one of the most famous stadiums in professional sports to shut its doors for good.
The first professional sports contest I attended was a Yankee game back in 1979. I'd gotten a roll as Paul Simon's son in a film called One Trick Pony, and he offered my family his box seats behind first base where Yogi Berra was the first base coach at the time. I don't remember much about the game, but over the years I've had many memorable experiences in Yankee Stadium. In 1994 I probably went to 10 Yankee games before the season was ended by a strike in August, but I also saw Pink Floyd at the stadium that year. In 1995 I saw my only post-season game, a dramatic 15-inning win by the Yankees highlighted by Jim Leyritz's 2-run walkoff home run.
Sitting in the top level of the stadium during a Red Sox/Yankees game in the early 1990s, I watched a guy get into an argument with a drunken Sox fan, steal his hat and pour lighter fluid on it and light it on fire. I miss New York in its crazier days and I'll miss the stadium and the feeling I got in my stomach when the field would be visible through the tunnels.
Farewell to the Cathedral

Finding a Stairway to Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:48:00 +0000

It stopped raining mid-morning so I continued my explorations of Sheridan with Neve. Unlike Jackson, where dog owners bring their canine companions with them everywhere and dogs wander freely, Sheridan dogs are generally confined to their yards. That means that walking your dog during the day is guaranteed to launch a furious cacophany of barking from all the canines desparate for the freedom that neve enjoys. Today, we passed a house that had five huskies behind a fence, all going bonkers as we strolled by.

We found this staircase at the end of a street, leading up a prominent hill in the middle of town. It wasn't exactly in great shape, but there weren't any private property signs so we climbed it. It wound up in someone's driveway at the end of another street.

I pulled out Lindsay's road bicycle for a spin after we returned, wanting to explore town further. Heading north out of town, you pass through the North Main street area, a depressed strip of old motels, industrial businesses and gas stations that's right off the highway. It's an area that's ripe for redevelopment and has a few businesses that are, well, interesting.

Someone with a wider understanding of religious dogma might be able to help me understand this sign at the food bank.

This is the type of business currently powering Sheridan's economy. Note the safety reminder in the background. For those of you who don't know about the dangers inherent in working in oil and gas fields, this story just came out yesterday

In outside news, here's a reminder of what can happen when you try to start a resort to prop up a speculative real estate project. Maybe Snow King can replace their tempermental summit chair with one of Tamarack's chairlifts if they're sold to pay off debt?

Rocky Mountain outdoors news roundup

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:33:00 +0000

I've always found the Yellowstone Club near Big Sky, Mont., a bit hard to stomach, with their private ski resort that's barely used and 10,000+ square foot mansions and their Sasquatch-sized environmental footprints. Apparently they've run into a cash flow problem lately and have outsourced a management company to run the place and complete a bunch of backlogged projects. The story is pretty good, but the comments that follow suggest that they may be having trouble making payroll. Pro Managers will Run Yellowstone Club, Finish building It

Along with hikers and skiers, graffiti can now be found at the summit of some of Colorado's 14ers. The best quote in the story is from a guy who left his email address along with his name on a rock:
“It was creepy,” he said. “Within seven hours, they knew everything about me except my Social Security number … Somebody even sent an e-mail to my boss.”
Welcome to the Internet age son.

Sun Valley (of all places) annually has one of the most expensive ski passes in the country, rivaling even the $1,600 Jackson Hole Mountain Resort season pass. The Idaho Mountain Express discusses the pass-pricing issue, pointing out that Vail is now offering a $579 pass that gets you access to Vail, Beaver Creek, A-Basin, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly. Remember, you still need skiers to make money at a ski area, not just real estate owners.

Armstrong refuses to go quietly

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:20:00 +0000

Big news for a disgraced sport, Lance has decided to come out of retirement and try and win a 9th Tour in 2009. It's admirable that he's made himself the worldwide face of the cancer eradication battle, but one has to imagine ol Lance is also still carrying a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Personally, I think he cheated early on and probably used EPO during his '99 tour win. But I'm equally certain he's been clean ever since and absolutely think he's a favorite to win his 8th tour.

It's also great publicity for the Leadville 100 where Lance lost to Dave Wiens (who OWNS the Leadville race). I was fortunate enough to finish this race in 2003 and have contemplated returning to try and improve my time. I'm wondering if it will be next to impossible to get into the race in 2009.

Lance should make people pay attention to road cycling again, though it remains doubtful if there's anything that can truly spike American attention of the sport beyond the Tour.

A Tuesday with no deadlines

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:34:00 +0000

For the past six years, Tuesday has been my most focused work day of the week as its deadline day for the weekly Jackson Hole News & Guide. Now that I'm deadline-free, I decided to take advantage of my first completely free Tuesday by heading into the mountains for a bike ride with Neve.

I dropped into Sheridan's lone bike store, Back Country Bicycles and had a nice chat with owner Al Mason and shop mechanic and commercial photographer, Jeff Stine. They were both extremely friendly and suggested I head to the nearby mountain community of Story and try a ride called Primrose. It was an out and back with a steep climb and popular with motorcycles and ATV riders. This being a weekday, they thought it shouldn't be too bad.

Here's the trailhead

It took only about 20 minutes to reach the trailhead and when I pulled in I was the only car though there were half a dozen trucks with empty trailers. A guy with a four-wheeler arrived while I was getting dressed, and he was gone by the time I began the ride. I didn't see another soul for the entire 2.5 hour ride, nor did I hear the buzz of an engine.

The climb out of the parking area was steep and rocky, but mostly rideable. The trail was a true double-track, not a road but two distinct tracks, reminiscent of Pole Canyon near Victor, Idaho. I stopped periodically as the trail climbed relentlessly through rocks and ruts before topping out on a heavily forested ridgetop. Most of the route was dry, however one particularly muddy section left my tires completely gunked up. I made a mental note to walk my bike through that area on the descent.

Primrose Trail

Eventually, the trail grew muddier and the puddles grew larger and more frequent and I opted to turn around. The descent was a blast, giving me glimpses of the valley below through the trees.

Looking east with Story in the foreground and a whole lot of nothing in the background

When I reached the muddy section, I paused to give Neve a chance to drink from a creek that crossed the trail. Next to the trail was an open meadow, and as I navigated the mud while walking my bike I heard a rustling sound in the bushes. I paused and about 15 feet away a black bear cub waltzed calmly into my field of vision. I froze, Neve was about 7 feet in front of me. The bear then turned and saw me. We locked eyes for a split second, then the cub took off running. I called Neve back to me-fortunately she didn't give chase. Briefly petrified, I scanned the meadow and the trees for momma bear. I yelled out "Nothing to see here, just passing through!" Nothing.

I waited another three minutes before continuing, but I didn't see any other bears or hear any noises. It's the first time I've ever encountered a bear while mountain biking. Not an experience I care to repeat.

Let me introduce, Sheridan, WY

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:29:00 +0000

I've been here a week now, so I can safely say I'm starting to get into the rhythm of this place. Think slow. Coffeen Liquor's (extraneous apostrophe and all) sits at the head of the street where our house is. As you can see, the drive-through window opens early for those who need a little more than caffeine to get their day started right. Note the domestic beer specials.

Today I made a road trip to Billings, Montana, the nearest major "city". There's 100,000 people in Billings but its not exactly rocky mountain urban there. I mean, driving back you get to the spot where I-90 and I-94 split right outside of the city, one sign points you towards Sheridan, the other points towards Bismarck. As in South Dakota.

That is where I'm living right now. It's hard to believe that I once attended NYU, lived in lower Manhattan and hung out with freaks in Washington Square Park. Sheridan is a little lacking in the freak quotient, though I'm sure hanging out in the bars will deliver a different type of "freak" interaction.

Sheridan has around 15,000 people is a mostly blue-collar community and I'm willing to bet retirees outnumber 20-somethings. There's a hospital and a community college, there's an historic theater that hosts cultural events not quite on the scale of Jackson's Center for the Arts. We've got lots of fast food outlets, a really popular Perkins and a Wal-Mart for your big box shopping needs. There's also, thankfully, the Bighorn national forest and Cloud Peak wilderness area within driving distance.

This could start a whole new trend

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:28:00 +0000

I mean, who hasn't used a vodka/Red Bull as a performance enhancer one in a while? Kudos for getting creative.
"Track and Field athletes are so creative!"