As Ryan and I drive towards Castle Valley, Ryan plucks a string or two on his mandolin then skillfully picks his way through the song my iPod deemed appropriate for the moment: the Last of the Mohicans movie theme. Read More »

Ski town culture in America is changing, and being a ski bum is not what it used to be. When I moved to Telluride about eleven years ago, fresh with dreams of scenes from Greg Stump’s “Blizzard of Ahhhs,” a big part of the draw was the culture of the people that seek out this sport.

Those people are now losing their foothold in American ski towns. It used to be easy to work a couple of jobs, go out at night, and attend one of the many themed parties from “the Loveboat” to “Ullr Bonfires.” These days it is seems that you really need an insider advantage to have a chance of survival.

What drew many of us to these places in the 80’s, 90’s etc, has now changed and is slowly, but surely barring others from entry. Being a ski bum is no longer what it used to be. Read More »

If you’ve frequented many mountain towns in the autumn months, you’ll notice a common theme: fall is a tranquil time.

The last chance to nab one more [insert your summer activity of choice here] beckons you off the couch, and winter is just around the corner. Carving pumpkins, starting up the woodstove again, ski swaps, and all that crap that is sappy but also nostalgia-inducing fun.

But then the precipitation comes, and since it’s often too cold to snow or a mix in-between drizzle, everyone is driven indoors. People in athletic towns go crazy without a fitness outlet, and it’s mind-boggling how the climbing gyms’ and athletic clubs’ parking lots swell overnight once the weather turns. Read More »

Don and his friend with the white Velcro shoes have been filling their mugs at the Bean Scene since it opened nine years ago on St. George Blvd in St. George, Utah. Read More »

One of the greatest parts of living here is what goes on “after hours.”

Most visitors will see us waiting on their tables, rowing them down the river, or answering questions like “when do the deer turn into elk?” we are envied because we are afforded a lifestyle where we get to be in the mountains everyday and passionately answer questions about our beautiful home, but it gets even better.

It’s the kind of stuff you can’t pay a guide to show you and you won’t get any information from your waiter.

It’s been snowing and raining for three days when the sun finally breaks. The aspens have turned from golden yellow to a crunchy brown and the mountains are coated in clean white snow. The temperature of the Jenny Lake has dropped below 60 degrees.

It’s your last day of work and you know the tradition: it’s time to jump in! Read More »

Moving stressful? Only as much as trading suburbia for mountains could possibly allow it to be.

Popular love story: midwest girl is exposed to skiing via “up north” trips at young age. Girl loves speed, loves snow and loves to ski. Girl stays close to home for college as parents re-iterate the importance of education over recreation. Girl agrees, earns degree … and heads west. Read More »

For me the chicken came before the egg.

Trying to get back to my roots, I decided to start a semi-organic, pseudo-free range chicken farm.

Living in a quiet little nook in Wilson, I’m surrounded by dogs, horses, and a few
goats. Why not add some chickens to round out the mix, I thought? So, I did it. I got chickens.
Read More »