Fair the well Jackson

Well folks I am happy to announce that after a brief hiatus from this brilliant piece of artwork that Evan and I have created, I will be back on the blog game with new and exciting material. I have not written much about my time in Jackson for a few months mainly due to lack of hustle, but I will inform you that the "hole" that I have been living in for almost a year and a half now is most certainly one of the most magical and amazing places that I have had the pleasure of living. From the top of the grand Teton to the bottom of the rivers, this place will always hold a spot in my heart.  I would like to thank everyone I have met and especially my two roomies, Dustin and Rainer.  

Now I know what your all wondering. "Eric, gosh golly gee, what the fuck are you doing now?"

Let me tell you! September in Jackson has been amazing and fall is most certainly among us. The canyon is covered in neon reds and oranges as the trees prepare for winter. Just as my leafy friends begin their slumber for the winter, I too have made a decision to leave the cold and head for warmth and adventure. I have subleased my apartment from October to April or May and I will be heading back east next week. The plan? Get in a car with my buddies Daniel Licker and Luke Clemmons and head to wherever the wind blows. (and forecast calls for hurricane tornados!)

The next few months we will be driving across the country seeing everything and everyone that we can. Let us know where you live and we will come visit! 

My first step in this is to pack up ol' pearl, slam her in gear and cruise back to Tolland. Stay tuned for updates!!

Here are some pictures from my time in Jackson

Andy Ball lived with me for a month

Don't drink and bike

River Riders camp out on the greys river

The fleet!

 

Bison after a few gros ventre laps 

Dustin fishing (not catching)

Dry suits are awesome

Gondola fun

Winter view from the porch

Evan scopin' the view

FIRE!

Fairwell Jackson! I will return after hibernation

Is This Real Life??

         The University of Connecticut Huskies have done it again!  Both Men's and Women's Basketball Team have won their respective NCAA Basketball Tournament.  Such an improbable run for the Men's team that I still don't know if it happened or if it was a dream.  Its amazingly exciting for both teams to cut down the nets in the same year again, while no other program has done it once.  I was fortunate enough to make it to Dallas this past weekend for the Men's semi-final and championship games while Shannon headed to Nashville for the Women's Final Four.  UCONN power couple, no big deal.

Some thoughts on Dallas:

     - Really spread out

     - Dick's Last Resort is not a good restaurant

     - JFK was shot there
     - AT&T stadium is unbelievable in its size and quality

 Trip Highlights:
   
     - Bruce Springsteen concert on the lawn
     - Meeting Khalid El-Amin
     - Hugging Kemba's mom
     - Honor meeting QP, aka 3 position semi-pro football player, aka pimp at the
       Days Inn, aka #shityea

     - Beating Florida and Kentucky at AT&T Stadium was a dream come true and a
       trip I'll never forget

         Big shout out to Kris Strobel and the rest the UCONN crew for letting me crash at their motel for a few nights.  You likely saw them on TV throughout the UCONN games as they were in the front row of the student section for both games.  True fans at their finest.  Had a blast celebrating both wins with them.

         Also, thanks to Emily Noonan for supplying my tickets and Bobby and Kelsey Kaplan for the seat upgrades.  Extremely proud to be a Husky.  Go UCONN!!  

Here is a little treat from UCONN post game riot in Storrs.  The commentary is legendary.  

https://vine.co/v/MiBTbVxx7ZW

 The building JFK was shot from. There is an "X" behind the man in green where he was shot 

I find this sign hilarious

The Boss

At the Bruce Springsteen concert

From atop the ferris wheel

                                      

Random UCONN fans before the big game

Its a BIG screen

 Jim Calhoun on the right

Kevin Ollie

Friends, powder, and a moose!

Well folks, it is now March 4th and just yesterday we surpassed 400 inches of snow total for the season. I have never seen so much snow in my life and certainly have not been able to snowboard in this kind of powder. Its a whole new ball game and you better bring your A-team or your going to be left in the dust. (or large pile of snow, which is extremely tiring to dig yourself out of)

This winter has been amazing on the gondola. I have met some great friends who are like minded as myself. This makes for fun days at work and even more fun when I am off.  However, I do have to admit that the cold is starting to ware on me as it is very treacherous to walk anywhere. Id say I eat it hard on the ice at least every few days. Im looking into hover shoes as an alternative.

The other day I was walking to the bus stop and almost fell hard on the ice. I got one of those frightful feelings as I took a gasp for air and stabled myself. After my heart stopped racing and I continued to walk, I couldnt stop laughing. It is those tiny moments in life that you realize you are alive. That little gasp of air or feeling of fright that make life so amazing. I encourage everyone to take a second to realize how incredible every breath is. Nothing makes me happier.

Anywho, in the recent weeks I have had a few friends come to visit. My former college roomie and best bud Nick Hewett came to "the hole" and it was a trip full of shenanigans and extremely deep powder! Couldnt have asked for a better weekend. Also my old family friends Jack and Cal Kennedy have both made trips to Jackson and it was amazing to see them in my present home base.

Five more weeks of the ski season and then it will be back to unemployment. Not quite sure what I will do for the months of April and May but a few ideas include a WFR course, a swift water rescue course, chillin' out maxin' and perhaps wandering in the woods.  Stay tuned for Funemployment blog posts!

Pesky Moose in our apartment lot

(rainer almost went for a ride)

Lift went down so we "cleaned" up the pit

Nick under the signature antler arc and rippin' the hill

Janelle and Ben visit SF

What we learned this weekend:

   1) You can't trust everything you read on Yelp

                 Ben had three things planned out on the first night of Janelle and his weekend trip to San Francisco.  The hotel was booked, dinner planned, and post-dinner bar selected for late night potent potables.  All of which he found on Yelp.  For those who don't know, Yelp is an online urban guide that displays opinions of past visitors using a zero to five star rating system.  Using this guide, Ben booked a recently renovated room at the Grant Plaza Hotel (3.2 stars) located at the gates of Chinatown, planned dinner at Tony's Pizza Napoletana (4 stars) which boasted "the world's best pizza" along with countless other pizza awards and drinks at the Bamboo Hut (3.5 stars), a lively tropical themed bar with a great music playlist and fruity beverages.

                What we encountered was a hotel room with two ratty twin beds that smelt of sewage and looked as if it hadn't been renovated since its construction in 1983.  A Tony's pizza that had good pizza but likely not even the best in the city, let alone the world, as well as expensive beers which we needed to drink away hotel room sorrows.  And a Bamboo Hut that was disappointing because of its small size and lack of patrons.  I must say I had fun at the Bamboo Hut as we were able to share a spacious booth, some delicious scorpion bowls, and a few good tunes.  After drinking away the disappointment and their spite towards Yelp, Ben and Janelle ended up leaving their bags in the hotel and spending the night at our house.  They would give the Sauvé Hubbard B&B 4.5 stars.

 2) Hanging with Ben and Janelle makes for a pretty fun weekend

           This is something most of you already knew but last weekend confirmed it.  Though the first night did not go as planned, sometimes audibles (Omaha Omaha!) are more exciting than the original play, the remainder of the weekend continued to be fun and merry.  After spending Valentine's Day apart, we took a party bus to Napa Valley on Saturday.  Located about 30 minutes North of San Francisco, Napa Valley is famous for its rolling hills, large vineyards, and impressive wineries.  I myself enjoy a nice white but, with the elaborate selection at each stop on the tour, found myself indulging in a full spectrum of wines as well as bread sticks, green olives, and olive oils.  It made for a splendid Saturday and an activity I look forward to repeating in the future. We spent the evening back at their new hotel which had an amazing view of the bay and a great location near the famous Fisherman's Wharf.  

      After stops at a few must-see San Francisco landmarks on Sunday is was back to San Diego for Ben and Janelle.  Shannon and I were delighted they chose to spend their Valentine's Day weekend in San Francisco.   We hope to see them both again soon!

Here are some pictures from the memorable weekend! 

Bamboo Hut

 Ben took his too early

 Working on the old girl, "there's you're problem"

 Alcatraz and a big boat from Ben and Janelle's hotel

Overview of the weekend

           

       

                       



               

First Annual Cousins' Boarding Trip

        After almost 2 years of attempting to plan a snowboarding trip, Cousin Ian and I finally made it happen and met up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for a long weekend of chasing the gnar.  The weekend was one to remember as the snow conditions were near perfect with fresh powder on the mountain each morning and continuous snow fall throughout the day.   Eric was able to sneak us up the mountain on the Gondola before it opened to the public each morning leading to some pretty unbelievable runs.  The only thing I may have changed about the weekend would have been lower the temperature a bit.  Yes, lowering the temperature in Wyoming.  The warm weather made for heaving snow which in turn made for a serious leg workout.

       The Snake River Lodge & Spa did not disappoint either.  Our hotel for the weekend was located in Teton Village, right at the base of the mountain. With such a great location coupled with top-notch service and a spa for the ages, we came to the agreement that it was one of the best hotels we'd ever stayed in.  Long live the Gentleman's Club!

In short, it was a splendid weekend of boarding and quality time with Ian and Eric.  Its going to be hard to live up to but I hope to do it all again in the future.

   

P.S.  Shout out to Cathy Love and her new blog.  Follow her on her journey across the U.S. and back!

http://wisdom-of-elders.blogspot.com/

Snow Report 

 Secret Smoke Shack

 Ready for the Spa

Sleds, dogs and whiskey! (not necessarily in that order)

 Folks, I've seen a good amount of events. I've been part of numerous cases of shenanigans. I've caused trouble, seen some chaos and overall, have lived a wonderful life full of intrigue. That being said, I am happy to announce a very first and very awesome new event to the saga. 

Two nights ago after a challenging day on the mountain my buddy Peter asked if I wanted to go watch the sled dog race. "SLED DOG RACE!" were the only words I could muster. Anywho, a quick costume change and a trip to Bud's (the local booze mart) had us right on the street with a pint of bourbon watching all the action! It was about what you would think a sled dog race would be like. FANTASTIC! I felt like Cuba Gooding Jr. in Snow Dogs. Just a little less black and little more drunk.

The town of Jackson laid snow down on the roads (pretty much already snowy) for the dogs and their owners to cruise through the streets in a fit of glory. People lined the streets cheering on the teams as they cruised around tight corners with the smell of bacon in their minds! (Im assuming thats what the winners got)

There is a big race this weekend that the teams will head from Jackson to another town! Pretty cool stuff.

Snow total for the mountain: 244 inches

Pictures were tough with the lighting and such but you get the idea