Snow Bound

What do you do when it snows, then snows some more? While I wait for your response, I'll go ahead and tell you what I've done: Skiing, sledding, skiing, snowshoeing and skiing some more! Oh, and work during the week, but you don't care about work. So while the snow melts off my clothes, let me show you some pictures starting with last Friday...
Can you trust a weather forecast that calls for clear skies when you can't see the top of the mountain and the chair lift sends you through the clouds?
You know what they say - whether or not you can see it, the sun is always shining, and Friday was no exception.
A view of the clouds off the backside of Grand Targhee.
"He'd be easy to find!"
"That's one way to make sure you don't get split up!"
"Wow, check out that outfit!"
...and somehow we managed to lose Chris twice. Meanwhile, Eric is anxious to get his goggles back on to protect his eyes!
As if the skiing wasn't good enough, you're also rewarded with a great view of the backside of the Tetons.
Chris provides some assistance since skies and hills aren't very conducive to unintentional handstands...
...the unassisted version (in case I didn't spend enough time on my head while attempting to ski).
Its not always the snow covered trees that get you...
...but the slow signs, as Eric found out. (Although I don't have the evidence, this same slow sign got taken out a week later, at a much higher speed, by a man wearing some very bright fluorescent outerwear who will remain anonymous.)
More views looking down the mountain...
...when I wasn't staring at the Tetons.
Exploring the edge of the mountain, we found this tree were people have paid homage to Larry Bird, old skies, an iron, a stretcher sled and ex-wives parking spots.
Where captions aren't needed...

Now, for your entertainment, one frame at a time...
Chris goes for altitude...
...but finds himself parallel to the hill...
...before the hill finds and consumes him (one pole has yet to land and if you look close, you can spot an arm amidst the rubble)...
...checking all the vitals after the snow settles...
...and checking for elusive equipment...
...after which Eric shows us how it is supposed to be done.
Eric poses in front of the Tetons...
...then he made me do the same.
One last scenic view as we headed home from a great day of skiing.
Cool view of the sunset through the trees, capping another great day spent outside.
Since one day of skiing isn't enough, here are nine brave people who didn't balk at the thought of leaving at 6AM, or learning to cross country ski at Harriman State Park! It is true, 6 of the 9 had never put on a pair of cross country skies, and no one lacked a good laugh. (L to R: Erica, Nikki, Kirsten, Lindsey, Shayna, Chris (as if you could miss him), Tyler, Ryan and Joe)
There were many great views to be had, starting with this one, looking across the frozen lake...
...preceded and followed by, well, lots of these ones!
Happy snow...
...and happy people... despite the uphill struggles.
While Nikki and Kirsten accomplish Heart Attack Hill (vice Coronary Bypass), Shayna makes headstands look easy while I do magic tricks and make my neck and head disappear.
Rewarded at the top by another view of the Tetons!
Followed by more frame-by-frame entertainment courtesy of Chris as he heads downhill...
...looking a little unsteady...
...impact! (For today's lesson on human flexibility, see if you can figure out how his foot is attached to the ski, of which you're looking at the underside.)
I'd say this is proof we all survived, but really, it was taken at the beginning of the day.

That was all last weekend, so what about this weekend, after more snow? Unfortunately, my camera spent the weekend in the car instead of in my pocket. So you'll just have to trust me when I tell you that Friday night we snowshoed onto the Snake River, listened to swans and took all available opportunities to place unobservant friends in snowbanks, all while the snow continued to accumulate. Saturday morning, we headed back to Grand Targhee for amazing powder skiing. By the end of the day, we had found some runs that hadn't been touched and the powder was up to your waist as you skied through. When you fall, its like falling into a cloud of feathers. We were having so much fun, we bypassed lunch and skied until they closed the lifts... so much for getting my camera out of the car at lunch time.
Meanwhile, I hadn't realized it would be snowing at the base of the mountain too (duh), because this is what greeted us when we arrived back at the car! Most people would probably dread such a sight, but if you know me, it was the perfect sight to end another amazing weekend playing in the snow! And now you're up to date with my adventures, for today anyways.

Grand Teton National Park in the Winter

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23

Great is Thy Faithfulness

By: Thomas Chisholm
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not:
As thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth.
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

I've struggled to adequately frame this past weekend, so let me start at 4:30 Saturday morning. The forecast at Grand Teton National Park was "-3 degrees, mostly cloudy, 30% chance of snow" and the picture was a snow flake. After a quick phone call to a fellow early-rising-adventurer, we decided to go for it and risk a 2 hour drive and a full day of cross country skiing without seeing the Tetons.
The astounding sunrise view that met us as we crested Teton Pass! Notice the clouds? Don't forget that pictures never do sunrises or sunsets justice.
Driving into the park as the sun began to splash across the mountains. Starting at the Taggart Lake Trailhead, Ryan and Kirsten headed West slowshoeing while Shayna and I cross country skied parallel to the Teton range going North. Our plan was to meet back at the car about 12:30 (haha).
Yes, this was our view the entire time!!! How amazing is our God, to have created such beauty for my enjoyment? As the sun rose and the day continued on, it was as if God was continuously painting on the canvas and we were so excited to witness it. I couldn't help but repeat, "mostly cloudy, 30% chance of snow".
You know it's cold when your eyelashes frost over and snow crystals form on your cheeks, sideburns, hat and neck warmer.
Gulp. Wow - and only 3 other skiers around to even witness it (whom we quickly ditched to enjoy skiing in solitude).
In our efforts to find Jenny Lake, we happened upon this scene...
...and I couldn't figure out which view I liked best...
...so you're about to get all of them.
It was so peaceful and serene as the sun gleamed through the steam rising off the river.
Frosted trees and snow covered bridges...
...and Grand Teton reflecting off the water!
The boy in me wanted to jump from rock to rock, but hardly dared to disturb the scene. Granted, it would have been entertaining in skies.
A lone creature had hopped across the bridge. I wonder if they appreciated the view?
Mount Owen on the North end of the range.
Wow
To think that only Shayna and I had the privilege of witnessing this morning scene. It was well worth breaking a little trail for this!
Just a few more...
..."I don't think I have this view yet"...
...and now I have it twice!
Oh - there they are. But who was tilting Grand Teton? After a little more trekking through the woods, we came upon...
...Jenny Lake! The boat tours aren't offered in the winter so we decided to cross on our own, heading straight towards the base of Grand.
The distance was definitely deceiving but the mountain was calling for us. Don't worry Mom, the snow was only slushy in a few spots.
Shayna breaking trail while I goof off with the camera.
Looking back.
I'd like to think that I was the angel ...ahem, no comments please.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch (i.e. car), Ryan and Kirsten are wondering what's taking us so long. Being so enthralled with the view and great skiing, we had completely forgot about our planned meeting time. But, after a quick phone call that went something like this, "...we're at least 5 miles away, decided on a whim to cross the lake, and now we're going to sit at the base of Grand Teton and eat lunch, so maybe you'd like to take the car and go into town (Jackson, WY), cause we're going to be awhile..." "Oh, and we're also busy doing handstands."...
...and naming Lakes. But you know what the Bible says, "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit...
...before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18
On the way back, we meandered through the woods on some beautiful trails, passing through pine trees full of snow and of course, an amazing panoramic view to our right
Clicking on them should enlarge the picture.
This is probably what we looked like most of the time - just staring at the Tetons as we passed by.
She made me pose.
God's handiwork.
Yes, we skied past all of them!
More scenic pictures...
...in black and white.

In case you forgot, I'm sure you've since remembered that the Teton's are my favorite mountains. But more enjoyable then the mountains, longer lasting then their beauty, is the unchanging faithfulness of God, the Creator of the universe, and the One who loves and cares for you and me, hearing each breath we take. Great is Thy faithfulness. His mercies are new every morning! I love you, Lord!