One nostalgic ski shot

Happy New Years everyone.  I hope that you have unbelievable New Years resolutions in place.  I wonder how many resolutions we actually stick with?  Here is an old ski shot that Aaron took a couple springs ago.  I like the subdued colors and wanted to post this non-wintery photo in the middle of one snow storm after another this time of year in the Wasatch Mountains.  I promise to post photos of beautiful Grace and her first Christmas very soon.  Until now you are stuck with yet another skiing photo.  

Grace and a few red rocks

 Beth, Grace and I cruised down to Castle Valley for a couple of days on the Colorado River near Moab.  This is the view of one of America's classic waterways from just outside our lodge room.  The balance of the photos are just classic shots of Grace.   Turns out when you have a two month old daughter she usually ends up in the frame.  Enjoy.  And oh yeah, while we were down in the desert there was a wild west shoot-out near Canyonlands National Park.  Luckily all of this action went down a few folds in the red rock to the West. 

Grace wants to know if you've had your bath lately? 

Baby Ott

Yesterday, September 15th, Beth's water broke in the middle of the night.  Now I really understand what it means for water to 'break.'  Once at the hospital the ultrasound illuminated an upside down baby girl.  Apparently, she did not listen to Jen's head stand pep talks.  This meant that a cesarean section was the only way to go and within five hours of arriving at the hospital we had a beautiful baby girl in our arms.

She weighed in at 6 pounds 17.5 inches long and still has no name.  We will report back in a couple of days with a name.  Thanks to all of our family and friends for the great messages and support.  It's pretty darn fun around here right now!

  

Calm Before the Storm

Beth and I had a chance to break for the high Uinta mountains for a week to relax, get off the grid, and chill before our little babe drops.  We navigated the north slope of the Uintas, bounced down a dirt road for 30 miles until the road went no more.  At this no more point, rests Spirit Lake at 10,200 feet.  There are 9 cabins that sit near the lake.  When we arrived, we were greeted by the proprietor, his mom and wife, and oh yeah, a baby raccoon on his shoulder named Radar.  We settled into our cabin with nothing more than a bed and a roof, but content as content can be.  Beth rested and read a ton and I caught the same rainbow trout, under the same bridge 3 mornings in a row.  All good stuff and we hope that you find yourself at Spirit Lake one day. 

Blend It

The Utah summer is alive and well. Our house is on a full fledged smoothie bender.  Yep, that is spinach that you see.  Anyways, whether or not spinach in smoothies is your thing, here's to summer!  Hi MIL.

Back in the Saddle

Finally going to jump on the road bike this weekend with Drew. Can't wait to ride into the Uinta Mountains. Nearly 200 miles - saddle sore, don't you even think about it.

Puddles in the Desert

Let's talk about spring in Utah.  Right now the hills are green as rain occasionally pounds this city on the edge of the dessert.  A city on the edge of a season, a very dry hot season just around the corner.  But before worrying about the heat of the summer, I want to share a short story about puddles.  

A couple of days ago in the middle of a spring rain, there was this little dude, probably age 8, standing on a street corner.  He nearly had his toes dipped in an enormous puddle, but with two open arms and a huge smile, he welcomed the next vehicle that would send that puddle overhead.  Sure enough, that next vehicle was a large Ford F250 that playfully drove into the puddle and drenched every square inch on that 8 year old.  As only a kid would do, he started laughing and smiling.  He looked back over his shoulder, mom standing 30 feet clear of the spraying zone, pleading to hang out by this puddle in the desert.  His mom shook her head, clearly signaling that once was enough.  Although he obviously wanted to hang there the rest of the day, that one spray was satisfying.  As this 8 year old kid walked away completely wet and happy, it made me appreciate the laid-back attitude that kids bring daily.  And for this I am thankful.  Cheers to puddles in the desert. 

Wasatch Powder Keg

In my first ski race ever, I finished 2nd overall in the recreation division.  I climbed/skied 6.5 miles and 3500' in 1:45 minutes.  It was a blast and I look forward to next year.  In next year's race watch out for that man from Ohio.

Wyoming/Idaho Divided

A weekend at Grand Targhee and Jackson.  Stayed in the meadows of Driggs, big thanks to Jason Smith for providing the epic roof over our head. 

Riding like it's 1999 in the full camo-white.  Do you have a white getup?

Ski Utah's Interconnect Tour

4 resorts in 1 day - The Interconnect Tour.  The only ski expedition of its kind in North America.  We caught first chair at Snowbird, hiked, side-stepped, booted to Alta, Brighton, Solitude and then all the way back to Snowbird!

 

  

 

Our guides on the lookout for more untouched.  Seagull chute in the background.

Fully Engaged

Congratulation to Brice and Sam - recently engaged and going old school on the Vista bridge and Washington park!