With all due respect. . . Paying homage to a place we love!

I am certain that the above mountain is one never before seen, hidden within the Wasatch Mountains. But it is on this warm Martin Luther King holiday, that Mr. Ott, the Stanfords, and Little R showed Jen and Sam (formerly from South America) how to enjoy the Mountain West. While many have stomped a landing or two here, landing big deals with Oakley and DaKine, we were also poised to land smoothly on the back of a mine tailing or two. Grill strapped to our backs and boom box in hand, we climbed the warm south facing slopes to build our very own kickers.

Ahhh, a nice level spot to build the snow couch, Mt. Superior behind us and a nice steep landing out of view to the left for our kickers.

I don't think too much should be said about the below photo, as Ryan absolutely captured the mood from this corner of the Wasatch.

Nice work Sammy, a stale fish mute grab, complete with a turquiose glove!

Sammy going cartoon on us!

I am really excited about these next two shots that Ryan captured. To gain this perspective, he laid directly under the jump, shooting skyward as we flew over him. Nice work, it was a ton of fun to have a couple people shooting each jump, look for our work in the upcoming TGR films. Our production and crew name is still up to the jury!

We hope to visit this place known as the 'Dolla Bill Cafeteria' as often as possible.

Viva Blue Pot Soup Nights!

For those of you who have ever visited the Red House (infamously known as the Purple House) in Portland Oregon, understand that I was raised in a house with open doors. Sure, often these open doors would invite neighborhood cats, or Steve's affinity to picking up a new language, but mostly our house was always open to friends and family. This is my Mom's way of life and I am absolutely lucky to have grown up under her generosity. And of course, once you found yourself in the house, my Mom would keep you with an amazing meal. So, as sort of a tribute to my Mom, Beth and I host a "Blue Pot Soup Night" once a month in which we invite our friends and Salt Lake Family to Elizabeth street. Those of you who have visited our house, know full well, that it is quite exciting to pack as many as 17 people into the front room. The following photos are those grabbed during the first few slurps of each months' soup nights. Thanks to all who have joined us for Blue Pot Soup Night in Salt Lake city as my mom's tradition continues. And mostly, thanks to you Moose for the soup itself!

January - Seafood Jumbalaya

December - Chorizo Sausage

November - Black Bean & Ham

October - Vegetable

Ski This. . . Pushing Alta's Rope Lines

This photo illustrates this season's huge avalanche conditions. This image was shot one week after the entire BackSide slid to the ground. So, with backcountry terrain off limits for now, the following photos document a sunny and cold (5 degrees) day within the boundarys of Alta. Beth, Aaron and myself moved as far away from the Devil's Elbow to find these turns. It is also worth pointing out that on this particular day, there is just one photo of Beth, as she was not the most cooperative local! In fact, her Burnin' Loves would often take her in the complete opposite direction of the poised and waiting camera. . . . . as I look back on these photos taken a couple of weeks ago, it was sure worth the damn cold.

A cooperative local, Aaron Stanford and his white visor rocking some turns and high flying through the air. These two images are taken from the exact same photo, which exemplifies the power of cropping an image. Do you prefer the horizontal or vertical cut?

Beth caught in action

Hoosier Christmas

We travelled East a couple of time zones to enjoy Christmas with our family on the winery in South Indy. This holiday gift wrapped a beautiful little girl named Emma. Beth and I are Auntie and Uncle, but the best part is that she sleeps 8 hours through the night. What a champ.

Emma is always up for a smile!

A few grapes hold on for the long Indiana winter, if they only knew they had no hope of getting bottled and stamped with the Mallow Run label.

Initial Thoughts. . . .

The Mooses or the B-OTT's, depending upon where you met us, two characters who have put off cell phones and texting for the likes of the 'simpler' life in far off places, are making a go of it. . . . . coming out of the woods in an effort to document some of the spaces in life worth revisiting. Revisiting most of these spaces, of course, often means a trip back to the woods or maybe even a wild night on the Vegas strip! And as our good friend Aaron Stanford always said, thank God we started our own blog, because without it today, tomorrow we would only be a day older.