Death Valley

December 28 & 29th

After driving several hours from Gold Canyon to Hoover Dam, it took us 90 minutes to cross the damn dam. The view was rewarding. It was dark by the time we reached the Nevada side. This marks our move into the Pacific Time Zone. We passed the time by calling friends. It was evident that other people enjoyed beers by the cases of empty bottles on the side of the road.

That sign says, "282 Feet Below Sea Level." The best time to visit here is in December when it is 40* in the shade. The white dust on the boardwalk and valley floor is ground up salt . It stuck to our boots like snow. This is the start of the Badwater Ultramarathon that starts at -282' and finishes five marathon distances away at the trailhead to Mt. Whitney (14,494' the highest peak in the lower 48 states).

This is the view for the first two marathon distances of the Badwater Ultramarathon. It starts in July at noon. Bring extra coolant fool!

The Devils Golf Course. A mixture of salt and silt raised off an ancient ocean floor. Goose found a ball. Just kidding, no one golfs here.

The oasis at Furnace Creek. There was a yoga class going on next to the pool. So much for "Nature's Murderer."

The dunes of Stovepipe Wells. They have claimed many lives, especially in the summer when temperatures can be greater than 125*. Notably, the original western visitors, or the '49ers (that's 1849 kids) survived with only one person dying from the elements.

Desert Christmas

Decemer 21 to 28

I got a request for more pictures so here it is. After chilling, hiking and cleaning out the Mule on Friday we supported the Jayhawks on Saturday in our KU gear.

Desert hiking took its toll on Goose's front paws. She got blisters if you can believe that (I guess the mountain snow softened them up). Creek pools are great for drinking and laying down when it is hot.

The famous Weaver's Needle supposedly hiding the Lost Dutchman's gold.

The Pennington family, Nancy (hiding behind) Boppie, Joe, Nanny, Uncle Doug, Meg, Aunt Kim, Chris and Anna (Goose is hiding behind the snowman).

Swinging for the fences with the Superstition mountains in the background. I actually hit a house on this drive. Then I found my ball across the street of the house I hit on the driveway. This was my worse stroke...... I swear.

The day after Christmas was Boppie's birthday as well as their 60th anniversary. Congratulations! Celebrating Boppie's 81st birthday with a cold brew.... and a semi-nude poster girl I realize, after golf at the Garage.

The 60th anniversary couple enjoying a celebratory Spumoni and chocolate cake.

Telluride to Four Corners to Gold Canyon

December 18-20

After a beautiful three hour drive from Moab, we arrived in Telluride to a snow storm just starting. Megan dropped me off, I changed on the street in the town and hopped on the Gondola right away. This was definitely the best ski day so far. The town of Telluride was just as cool, we ate at Las Montanas and drank at the old Sheritan Hotel. Goose rode the Gondola at night, and hated it...... Sorry Goose. The next day we fueled at Baked in Telluride and reveled

in the beauty of a post snow mountain drive through Lizard Head Pass above 10,000 feet. Our next stop was Four Corners (for about 10 min.) where we spotted USDA grade A meat (check out my butt). It took us another six+ hours to drive through Navajo high desert, AZ alpine mountains and finally into the valley near Phoenix to Meg's grandparent's, Nanny & Boppy.

Arches National Park, Moab, Utah

December 17&18

I can honestly say that this is one of the most unique and beautiful places on the face of the Earth. Compressed salt under layer of sandstone have created these pieces of art by God (also water, time and gravity). My advice is to come in the winter when no one is here, no lines, and no 100* temps. The sun warmed us as we hiked and ate PB&Js in the parking lot. Moab has a great brewery, of course it is three-two beer, but it sure is tasty, without the heavy buzz. Here is Meg doing her arch impression and this Double Arch shot was taken in the exact spot River Phoenix stood as a Boy Scout in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The Landscape Arch is over a football field long and a 60+ foot piece broke off the bottom right side in '91.

Snowbird Utah

December 16, 2007

It is no doubt why the Mormons settled in this area. Big City suburbs (near Chicago size) within a valley of giants. It was 15 minutes from our crappy hotel to a sick, hardcore skiing parking lot. Lots of altitude, sun and sweet skiing. We also found out that dogs are not allowed in Little Cottonwood Valley because it is the watershed to Salt Lake City. It is fun to break the law, even when you don't mean to. Goose is too sweet to be an outlaw. Here's Meg warming up @ mid-mountain with a "Polygamy Porter."

Montana.... All in one BIG post (currently under construction)

Our last crossing into Montana for good was on the Beartooth Highway. The road crosses a pass over 11,000 feet and is only open three months out of the year. Sick backcountry skiing is done here, and Cooke City is featured in this year's Teton Gravity Research release, "Lost and Found." Thanks Maggie for that sweet Christmans present.

Uncle Jon tossing Goose some popcorn at Yellowstone Valley Brewing Co. The Blues was playing that night and we all missed Chicago.

Thanksgiving 2008

We decided to rent a cabin for the long weekend and enjoy the holiday with our friend from the Mitten, Mike Weirda. Since we couldn't be with family, we decided to kick it Montana style in the Bear Creek Canyon near Bozeman. The problem was that Megan decided to cook a pork tenderloin and Goose wanted a traditional feast. She took matters into her own paws and jaw and got herself a wild turkey! We will never forget this Thanksgiving treat!! Goose was very proud.

The ski resorts were not open until that Saturday, so we decided to make a kicker in the Bridger National Forest backcountry. It was totally hick, but fun. Mike with a sweet grab. I'm pulling a 180. The rocks under the new snow tore up our skis. The next day we skied at Big Sky, and tore them up even more. A bad day here beats a good day in Midwest.

December 14, 2007

We leave Billings with sadness, but excitement for what's down the road. Our last night out was memorable as we spend it with our new friends (from R to L) Sarah, Brady, Erica, Tessa, Malcolm (and Kris & Aaron not pictured) at our favorite brewery, Carter's, with Goose sucking up the spilled popcorn. After a late start packing (I wonder why) we spend the first night in Dillon, MT where we find a Patagonia outlet store with totally sick deals. One hour and ALL of our Christmas shopping is done! How is that for low maintenance! Boo-ya! The next day we continue on to Salt Lake City, UT to ski Snowbird.

Yellowstone & Grand Tetons National Park

September 9&10, 2007: Jackson Lake Lodge at Grand Tetons National Park




We checked into a pet friendly cabin to experience beds for the first time in a couple days. It is like running long distance, it feels so good to stop (Goose loved it too). The wildlife continued to amaze us as we saw this moose calf on the side of the road with mom just into the woods (I read later that they raise young near the roads because bear don't like to go near the roads). The main lodge was so impressive with two massive fireplaces and a huge viewing window onto Jackson Lake, the Tetons from the northeast and the marsh below with animals coming in and out of view. The Grand Tetons is French for "Grand Bosom" (roughly). A French trapper named them one morning after a night of drinking. He must have thougth he was seeing double. This is the Tetons from the Jackson Lake Lodge looking over the marsh. We bought another camera memory card and headed into Yellowstone.





September 11 to 14, 2007: Yellowstone National Park

We headed north through the south gate towards Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin. This area is full of geothermal activity and the Plume Geyser to the right just recently became active again. It went off right as we arrived so we ran down the boardwalk and knocked the other tourists out of the way, most likely to their doom. Yellowstone was once a huge volcano. It is not our fault.

Goose hated posing for this shot outside the Old Faithful Inn in front of the 1937 Yellowbus. These used to be one of the only ways to tour the park in the late 30's. This season marks their return and were purchased from owners in the US and internationally. The interior of the Inn showcases this impressive stone fireplace and chimney. Notice the knotty pine railings and supports. All locally grown.

The Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River. It was cool to think that this water would pass through our new hometown of Billings, MT.

You can't beat relaxing by a campfire after a great meal A La Megan. Warm fire, cold night at 7733 foot Grant Village. Our secret for warmth? Goose doubles as a "meat blanket."

In the town of Mammoth Hot Springs the elk were in rutting (mating) season. This was trying to wrangle his posse of doe. Below I pose with his ladies. Note the park ranger to the right trying to keep stupid tourists safe. Later that night this herd was in our campsite. The bull was bugling all night. Megan woke me up about eight times. Then I rolled over and fell asleep. Our plan was to wake early to possibly see grizzly in the Lamar Valley. At 5:30 am I told Meg the Elk was right outside the tent and we should stay still and not move. That worked twice and I think I got about 20 more minutes of sleep.

Serious Yellowstone traffic---->





Goose sniffed it out. Bison are huge!

The last morning, on our way to the Lamar Valley we were blessed to see this mother and cub black bear on the side of the road. They didn't mind us taking pictures. They were upset when a delivery truck drove by. The cub ran up a tree with ease as mom guarded the base. It was amazing to see.

We did get to see grizzly, wolf and eagle in the valley that morning. Too bad our camera was not powerful enough to capture it properly. We continued on through Cooke City on the Beartooth Highway and into Montana.

Jackson Hole

September 8&9

Another full day of driving and we make it to Jackson Hole to see our friend Mike Weirda. A sweet town founded by the fur trade, now it's home to hardcore skiers, tourists and ranchers. Hiking at Jenny Lake we saw our first black bear right off the trail, we camped across the valley from the Grand Tetons, and mountain biked in the Gros Ventre mountains in the morning (Goose ran the whole 8 miles and then laid in a mud puddle). It is a unique site to see oldtimers macking young ladies on the country music dance flo at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. We left town for the Tetons after having a gi-normous burger at Billy's where the cooks look like Jack Black, and honestly insult patrons so they leave before or during ordering. Thanks for the good times Mike!

Laramie

September 6&7

Another full day of driving led us to quit in Laramie, WY, a town founded by the Union Pacific railway and was brought to law by vigilante lynchings in the 1860s. Along the railyard you can see that the buildings were facing the tracks as a main street. Now it is back side of the downtown. Laramie is home to the University of Wyoming, the only four year institution in the state. We decided to have a run along the river greenway and quickly realized that going from Chicago's 586 feet of elevation to 7,165, we were ripping our lungs out. Our best idea was relaxing with a beer from The Library brewery while we did our laundry at a University laundromat down the street (it was such a good time that we almost forgot to pick it up at the end of the night).

-Chris