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Published: November 17th 2009
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Last night I considered multi-tasking by writing a blog while watching the Patriots play the Colts on Sunday night football. I'm thankful I decided to focus on the game though as I fear my computer would have endured an abrupt meeting with the wall. Even though I'm typically not as vocal as, say, my older brother it took quite a bit of restraint to remain on my best behavior while watching the game at the home of Liz's aunt and uncle. It is not worth reliving the horror that was "Football Night in America" as I'm sure any of my family and friends from New England would agree. For anyone who is in the dark as to what had the potential to
set me off, feel free to click the link.
Deep breath...and we're back on point. Jackson, WY. Week one complete! I think Liz aptly described the accomplishments of our first four days here, notably the ski swap and our "walks". We have since experienced our first snow, identified a spot to run on semi-flat ground (at least for me), and are slowly becoming more familiar with the city of Jackson.
On Monday we initiated the face
Napping in the Yard
The deer take a rest in our yard in the warm sunshine to face phase of our job search. We left the house with a list of CPA firms, bars, breweries, restaurants, and resorts and their corresponding addresses. The one item we left behind, however, was the Garmin. It was not too long before we realized our oversight but forged on with the belief that not having a computerized guide would better enable us to learn our way around. Having mapped out a route on the computer before we left I knew that we would pass the first CPA firm on the list before we reached the center of town. Nothing ever goes smoothly for Clark and Ellen Griswold though, right? I believe it took a mere three 180's before Liz decided it would be helpful to stop by the Jackson Visitor's Center to pick up a map. She amazed me by directing us there based on memory even though she had not been in several years. With the map in hand we could not be stopped - at least so far as finding each potential employer on our list. We were, in fact, given the Heisman pose at every turn once we crossed the threshold of these fine establishments. It is
First Snow
It was coming down good but was not sticking at first... only week one though and we do realize that we've arrived between seasons. Many places laid off their summer help and are not yet gearing up for the winter.
Speaking of winter, Liz and I are quickly becoming acquainted with the chilly temps and even had the first snowfall of the season. It's not unusual to see clouds hovering over many of the peaks and actually being able to see the snow falling in the distance. On our Tuesday hike that was exactly what we saw and on Thursday the snow even caught us in the valley. It was only an inch or two but it was exciting nonetheless. The flakes appeared larger than either of us were used to in Missouri and Massachusetts but it's possible we only thought that was the case because we are in the mountains and that is how it should be.
While the cold weather can make it tempting to stay inside and read, watch movies and cook warm soup and/or chili we have continued to venture out. At the suggestion of Liz's aunt we tested out the old highway as a viable candidate for running. This was on Wednesday, the day
An Inch or Two
Within an hour the ground was covered though after I attempted to jog along one of the
flatter trails in our backyard. There were two problems - there were several trails (I may have turned myself around a few times) and none of them were particularly flat. Going forward I will now walk/hike the trails and run the old highway. Unfortunately, it was no surprise that Liz was not as enamored with the old highway as we tend to have diverging tastes in running locations. Believe it or not, the frigid temp, rain and mile of incline to finish the route did not win her over!
A trip to Boulder Lake won us both over though. On Sunday we made the hour and a half trek with Liz's aunt and uncle for a day of ice skating. I have worn a pair of skate once in the past 15 years and that was on the frog pond in Boston Common. Two years ago, Liz and I decided to rent overpriced, under-sharpened skates and spent more time waiting for the zamboni to clean (i.e. notice I didn't say smooth) the ice than we did on it. The more than three hours on the ice at Boulder was evidence
Boulder Lake
A view from the road alongside the lake that this was a much more positive experience. In fact, we were able to confirm that neither of us should look back on our childhoods with any inkling that we could have been Olympians on the ice.
Some quick observations to wrap things up:
- Our neighbors names are Boots and Bev and they have a sign to prove it.
- Another neighbor committed a $75 million fraud and now his house and all his belongings are being sold off.
- Animal sightings in our first week plus include three moose (not meese), a couple bald eagles, and more deer and elk than I can count...I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the big horn sheep to our backyard!
- There are no rattlesnakes in this part of WY...they inhabit the eastern half of the state (also just for you mom!)
- We live in a
valley that is still more than a mile above sea level...yowsah!
- My fantasy football team is undefeated since we arrived in WY!
If anyone has a skype account and would like to talk, please let us know. And if
Boulder Lake
A view from the end of the lake you don't, definitely look into getting it! We love it and I have a feeling it won't be too long before our desire to have contact with the "outside world" will grow exponentially.
That'll do it for now...
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Cassi
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Fun Times!
It sounds like you guys are having such a blast! I'm totally a little envious but mostly happy to hear your stories. It sounds like so much fun. I hope I can come visit at some point, and vice versa!