I am not sure, but is anyone else freezing? The past two mornings, it has been -22 degrees and -45 degree windchill. I don't think I have ever felt COLD like this. I just heard on my way home that is was going to be -30 degrees overnight and -50+ degree windchill. Single digits above zero are looking warm right now.
So to a range thing.... The first three months of my internship, about once a week, I would feel this rumble while I was sitting in my office. Now, my office has no windows so I thought it was maybe a delivery truck next door at the dental office or a really big motorcyle starting up. Well, come to find out last month while I was at the treatment center, which as windows I discovered that it was not a motorcyle or delivery cycle I was hearing and feeling. So on this day, the whole treatment center building shook and there was a really loud rumble. I looked out the window to discover the mine across the highway was blasting stuff with dynamite! You could see this HUGE black cloud of smoke fill the sky. It seriously felt like an earthquake, or at least what I think an earthwake may feel like. I was at the hospital early last week and when I was outside, the earth shook again. The mine in Mt. Iron was blasting. So today when I was talking from the Range Mental Health Bldg to Range Treatment Center the ground below me shook and sure enough there was another black cloud. I am now going to carry my camera so I can get a shot of this blasting process.
Another on the range thing....well I know that 4-wheeler are huge around here. However, every time I go to Hibbing (population more than 10,000), which is bigger than Virginia, I see someone riding a 4-wheeler around town. I think it is the weirdest thing. I am going there tomorrow morning for a training and am wondering if I will see another one.
Well, I hope everyone is staying warm and having a good week.
The Wards
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Random Thoughts and Facts About Wyoming
I haven't written on the blog in a while, while out west my only goal was to ski as many runs as I could get in. So now that I am back up north at Giants Ridge and it is -22 real temp and -45 windchill I thought I would put some thoughts out there.
We had what I call "the trip of a lifetime" to Jackson, Wyoming. First, we were with our favorite two people (well 3 people) in Ryan, Emily and Hattie Ritchie. We were so lucky to have stayed in the nicest accomodations I have ever stayed and will probably ever stay in. Orlin (ryan's stepfather) is an estate planner/attorney and one of his (I'll just call him "upper eschelon") clients has a place in Wyoming. We stayed right on the hill, literally 30-feet to the hill. The only thing you had to do to get to the hill was walk past the hot tub, so you get the idea of how nice of a place this was. We enjoyed 4000 sq. ft of space, each with our own room, and you could just tell how nice this place was because you couldn't hear another shower running anywhere in the house, you couldn't hear a toilet flush, you just felt like you were in your own paradise, within each room. It was the most relaxed I have felt in a very long time. For Nicole and I this was our first "vacation" since our honeymoon in 2003 to Costa Rica, and we all know what a disaster that was for me. Since 2003 she has been in school and that has not allowed us to travel. In 2009 we hope to catch up on a few places and our first trip is going to be hard to live up to.
Next, the skiing. Nicole and I have skiied a lot this year living at Giants Ridge. We have season passes up here and usually get out 4 times/week. We had read about Jackson Hole being "a difficult location" and a place where die hard skiers go who really want to experience the "steeps" of the US. They were not kidding about its difficulty. A normal green run is a green run, a very easy hill for beginners and very little risk in getting hurt. The next step up is blue, which is more advanced, meaning steeper and usually a longer run. The blues in Wyoming are intense, they are steep and you have to take 2 chair lifts to about 8,000 feet to get to them. There are also double blues, which are harder yet, and then finally black diamond. They also have double blacks which usually means a 50-foot cliff that you have to jump off so you get the point on their difficulty.
We spent most of our time on blues and double blues. I think Ryan would agree that our favorite run was a double blue called Wide Open. It featured moguls (soft ones) and a steep face for a great challenge. Just so we can say we conquered ONE black diamond we did ride the TRAM to the peak of Jackson Hole, which is 10,450 feet. The only way to get down from this TRAM is by skiing black diamond runs or simply by riding the TRAM back down. They make announcements when you get off the TRAM that if you are not an "experienced skier" you should not be up here. I should not have been up there, I came to learn. My skiing ability is moderate, I am decent, but certainly not good, I am somewhat coordinated so I can usually get around when it comes to most things, but skiing black diamonds out west requires more than just "some skill." The biggest thing I learned that it takes is "guts" or confidence. If you know me, then you know that I am scared of heights and riding that TRAM up suspended that far above the ground was very hard for me. This TRAM, just to mention is the longest continuous vertical rise in North America, 4,139 feet. I don't know how high off the ground we ever were (because I couldn't look out the window) but it was hundreds of feet. Once we got to the top, my mind was not right, I was white in color, it was windy and I was flat out scared, in fact my hands are shaking and sweating right now reliving it while I write this. My "psychologist" wife is trying to talk me through my fears but she was not successful. My skiing on the black diamond was fine, I never fell and Ryan and I safely made it down, but it was not a fun experience for me, and in Emily's words, which I totally agree with, I don't need to ever go on that TRAM again in my life. Well said sister!
I also learned that my brother-in-law Ryan is not scared of anything. He drops off ledges into god knows what below and just deals with it as it comes. Ryan is an impressive skier.
I also was very impressed with the scenery in Wyoming, I researched the ski area a little bit before we left, but I really knew nothing about the state. The mountains were beautiful, it is very wide open, nothing is overpopulated. Here are some interesting and maybe worthless facts about the state.
1. It is the smallest state by population in the US, just over 500,000 people.
2. Wyoming is a very beneficial state to live from a tax standpoint. It is only one of 7 states that does not assess income tax or corporate tax.
3. In Cheyenne, the state's capital, it is illegal to shower on Wednesday's
4. From January through April you need an official permit to photograph a rabbit
A big thank you to the Ritchies, and Orlin and Julie for inviting us along on this amazing trip. We love you guys!
We had what I call "the trip of a lifetime" to Jackson, Wyoming. First, we were with our favorite two people (well 3 people) in Ryan, Emily and Hattie Ritchie. We were so lucky to have stayed in the nicest accomodations I have ever stayed and will probably ever stay in. Orlin (ryan's stepfather) is an estate planner/attorney and one of his (I'll just call him "upper eschelon") clients has a place in Wyoming. We stayed right on the hill, literally 30-feet to the hill. The only thing you had to do to get to the hill was walk past the hot tub, so you get the idea of how nice of a place this was. We enjoyed 4000 sq. ft of space, each with our own room, and you could just tell how nice this place was because you couldn't hear another shower running anywhere in the house, you couldn't hear a toilet flush, you just felt like you were in your own paradise, within each room. It was the most relaxed I have felt in a very long time. For Nicole and I this was our first "vacation" since our honeymoon in 2003 to Costa Rica, and we all know what a disaster that was for me. Since 2003 she has been in school and that has not allowed us to travel. In 2009 we hope to catch up on a few places and our first trip is going to be hard to live up to.
Next, the skiing. Nicole and I have skiied a lot this year living at Giants Ridge. We have season passes up here and usually get out 4 times/week. We had read about Jackson Hole being "a difficult location" and a place where die hard skiers go who really want to experience the "steeps" of the US. They were not kidding about its difficulty. A normal green run is a green run, a very easy hill for beginners and very little risk in getting hurt. The next step up is blue, which is more advanced, meaning steeper and usually a longer run. The blues in Wyoming are intense, they are steep and you have to take 2 chair lifts to about 8,000 feet to get to them. There are also double blues, which are harder yet, and then finally black diamond. They also have double blacks which usually means a 50-foot cliff that you have to jump off so you get the point on their difficulty.
We spent most of our time on blues and double blues. I think Ryan would agree that our favorite run was a double blue called Wide Open. It featured moguls (soft ones) and a steep face for a great challenge. Just so we can say we conquered ONE black diamond we did ride the TRAM to the peak of Jackson Hole, which is 10,450 feet. The only way to get down from this TRAM is by skiing black diamond runs or simply by riding the TRAM back down. They make announcements when you get off the TRAM that if you are not an "experienced skier" you should not be up here. I should not have been up there, I came to learn. My skiing ability is moderate, I am decent, but certainly not good, I am somewhat coordinated so I can usually get around when it comes to most things, but skiing black diamonds out west requires more than just "some skill." The biggest thing I learned that it takes is "guts" or confidence. If you know me, then you know that I am scared of heights and riding that TRAM up suspended that far above the ground was very hard for me. This TRAM, just to mention is the longest continuous vertical rise in North America, 4,139 feet. I don't know how high off the ground we ever were (because I couldn't look out the window) but it was hundreds of feet. Once we got to the top, my mind was not right, I was white in color, it was windy and I was flat out scared, in fact my hands are shaking and sweating right now reliving it while I write this. My "psychologist" wife is trying to talk me through my fears but she was not successful. My skiing on the black diamond was fine, I never fell and Ryan and I safely made it down, but it was not a fun experience for me, and in Emily's words, which I totally agree with, I don't need to ever go on that TRAM again in my life. Well said sister!
I also learned that my brother-in-law Ryan is not scared of anything. He drops off ledges into god knows what below and just deals with it as it comes. Ryan is an impressive skier.
I also was very impressed with the scenery in Wyoming, I researched the ski area a little bit before we left, but I really knew nothing about the state. The mountains were beautiful, it is very wide open, nothing is overpopulated. Here are some interesting and maybe worthless facts about the state.
1. It is the smallest state by population in the US, just over 500,000 people.
2. Wyoming is a very beneficial state to live from a tax standpoint. It is only one of 7 states that does not assess income tax or corporate tax.
3. In Cheyenne, the state's capital, it is illegal to shower on Wednesday's
4. From January through April you need an official permit to photograph a rabbit
A big thank you to the Ritchies, and Orlin and Julie for inviting us along on this amazing trip. We love you guys!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Having Fun in JH!
Saturday Jason decided to ski just a half of a day to give his body a bit of a rest. So, before he went out skiing, we went out to breakfast with Em and Hattie while Ryan took his parents out skiing. I stayed in on Saturday, hoping that my knee would feel better to ski on Sunday (and it did). Saturday night we went to the Four Seasons again with the Ritchie's to listen to live music and eat sushi. We had a hard time finding a place to eat because it was so busy, so we settled for the Mangy Moose bar to have some pizza. We watched the Carolina/Arizona football game, but the wrong team won.
Jason jumping over the bush/tree and his great tumble landing.
Jason and Orlin in the hottub right outside our place and almost on the ski hill.
The Gondola and the runs down from the Gondola Summit. It was a great challenge.
looking down at the village from our place this morning...it is just down the hill.
Jason on the Werner run...."First Tracks" Sunday morning. 12 new inches of snow!
We were awaken this morning by loud booms and explosions. They were blowing up avalanches before the skiers got out. Sunday morning, Jason, Ryan, and I got out before 9am. We were so excited to get out because we had gotten a FOOT of snow. One of the videos below is the three of us riding up the lift and all the skiers were so excited to get "first tracks." (TO COME LATER). The snow was up to our shins....it was so awesome. I, myself, was a bit nervous because it is much more difficult skiing in the powder. After two long runs, our thighs were burning and we decided we worked hard enough to treat ourselves to breakfast at the Rocky Mt Oyster Bar. Jason says this is the best snow he has ever experienced out west and the first run this morning is the best run he has ever taken. Personally, my first run down today was a bit scary because the snow was so deep and I fell a few times. All I can say is "thank goodness for my helmet." The next two runs, Jason coached me a bit so I now feel a little more comfortable. After resting for a few hours, we made our way back out. In two hours, we made it down two runs. On one of the runs, Jason decided that he was going to jump over a huge bush/tree thing....well, he cleared the bush and took a good tumble (see pics below). Because this was our last day, I had to take the Gondola up to the top of the Mt and ski down. The top of the Gondola Summit is 9,095 feet. This was definetely the longest run I did and just 1,500 ft shorter than the Tram Summit that Jason did yesterday. Pretty much as soon as we got off the Gondola and had our ski's on, a great huge wind came and nearly blew us over...seriously! That did not help my anxiety at all. After a bit of time and a stop so Jason could "jump" over a huge boulder, Jason, Ryan, and I made it to the bottom. After our final run of the trip, Jason and I stopped at the outside firepit to watch the skiers and warm up with hot chocolate. We enjoyed and our sore muscles appreciated the hot tub after skiing. We checked out some of the shops in the village before enjoying a great Italian dinner and wine.
Nicole braving Werner run.
Jason jumping over the bush/tree and his great tumble landing.
Jason and Orlin in the hottub right outside our place and almost on the ski hill.
The Gondola and the runs down from the Gondola Summit. It was a great challenge. 
Saturday, January 10, 2009
OUR FIRST DAY IN JACKSON HOLE......SKIING!
This is the beautiful place we are staying at...right on the slopes so we just ski in/ski out.We made it safely to Jackson, WY on Thursday afternoon. The flight from Mpls to Salt Lake was perfect, we think the best flight we have ever been on. We were delayed about 45 minutes from Salt Lake to Jackson, WY because the sensor on one of the airplane doors was broke. So, we had to wait for maintence to fix it, thank goodness they were able to get it fixed. It was about a 20 minute drive to Jackson Hole/Teton Village where we are staying. The townhome that we are staying in is to say the least....AMAZING! It is a 4,000 sq. ft place right on the slopes. The first evening, Ryan grilled some great steaks for us and we just stayed in and enjoyed the beautiful home and scenery. We made a stop at the store in the village and I found some homemade ROOT BEER. It is called Old Faithful Yellowstone's Finest from the Grand Teton Brewing Co. The Teton Mts within the Grand Teton National Park are the slopes we are skiing.
[l:outside our place; r; outside our bedroom window]
Friday....the snow for the first day was great because it snowed the night before. Jason, Ryan, and I went out first thing in the morning. We just had to get our equipment on and ski down the hill and the weather was perfect. We couldn't ask for anything better. We decided to go on a blue run (more difficult) so we had to take 2 lifts to get to the top (8,481 ft). The first run was Werner. It was obviously much longer than what we are used to in Minnesota, but a bit more steeper. I managed that okay.... just had to wipe out once so I could stop because I was going too fast. Then I decided since I safely did that, I could try, St. Johns ( a run right next to Werner). St. Johns was a bit more difficult and steeper. Come to find out it was a double blue. I truely think that blues in Jackson Hole are as difficult or more difficult than the Minnesota blacks. The only bummer so far is that I have not found any runs that are a happy medium between easy and difficult. After those two runs, we stopped back and picked up Emily. I had several falls during the day. We decided to go on a trail through the trees and again I was going too fast and almost t-boned a tree, so I wiped out. The trails through the woods are quick and narrow. Emily almost landed in some running water one of her times through. Emily was behind me and she avoided hitting me by tumbling off into the woods... sorry Em. The biggest injury of the trip and hopefully that is all there will be is when I was going along the edge of the run and my left ski caught the deep powder snow and I wiped out... hurting my left knee a bit. It just hurt for the moment and I was able to do several more runs including Werner again without any pain.
Jason and I at the top of the Mt.
Jason and Ryan at the top of our first run....Werner.
The biggest thrill of the day was riding the TRAM. All four of us rode the tram up. Now this thing holds 100 people and their skiis...we were squished. It was snowing when we got to the top...down right freezing. Now when we were at the bottom, it was so warm you didn't need mittens and at the top, your hands froze instantly. It was so scary at the top at 10, 450 feet above sea level. It was basically a ledge and you couldn't see anything else. There were only black runs down, so Em and I just took pictures and rode the tram down. Jason and Ryan braved the run and made it safely. On the way down, we saw people jumping off cliffs!
This is the run that goes right past the place we are staying in. We just ski down to get on the lift.
Friday evening, Jason and I went to the Four Seasons lobby bar (another great place) and listened to a local guitarist play until we met everyone else at the Mangy Moose for dinner. We just had to walk down the hill to get to the village. We were exhausted from a full day of skiing so we were in bed around 9pm. We tried to stay up longer, but we just couldn't. Hopefully tonight we can relax in the hot tub and maybe get in a game of Pictionary...girls vs. boys. GO GIRLS!
As I am writing this blog... I have a great view of the Mt. and I am just watching all the skiers race down the hill. My favorite is the little tikes and their mini skiis...they are so darn cute. I stayed in today (Saturday) because my knee was hurting more and I want to be able to ski all day on Sunday, so I decided to give it a rest. Jason is out skiing now. I think we took over 100 picures yesterday so I thought we would share several with you. (If you double click on the pictures, they will enlarge).
[l:outside our place; r; outside our bedroom window]
Friday....the snow for the first day was great because it snowed the night before. Jason, Ryan, and I went out first thing in the morning. We just had to get our equipment on and ski down the hill and the weather was perfect. We couldn't ask for anything better. We decided to go on a blue run (more difficult) so we had to take 2 lifts to get to the top (8,481 ft). The first run was Werner. It was obviously much longer than what we are used to in Minnesota, but a bit more steeper. I managed that okay.... just had to wipe out once so I could stop because I was going too fast. Then I decided since I safely did that, I could try, St. Johns ( a run right next to Werner). St. Johns was a bit more difficult and steeper. Come to find out it was a double blue. I truely think that blues in Jackson Hole are as difficult or more difficult than the Minnesota blacks. The only bummer so far is that I have not found any runs that are a happy medium between easy and difficult. After those two runs, we stopped back and picked up Emily. I had several falls during the day. We decided to go on a trail through the trees and again I was going too fast and almost t-boned a tree, so I wiped out. The trails through the woods are quick and narrow. Emily almost landed in some running water one of her times through. Emily was behind me and she avoided hitting me by tumbling off into the woods... sorry Em. The biggest injury of the trip and hopefully that is all there will be is when I was going along the edge of the run and my left ski caught the deep powder snow and I wiped out... hurting my left knee a bit. It just hurt for the moment and I was able to do several more runs including Werner again without any pain.
Jason and I at the top of the Mt. 
Jason and Ryan at the top of our first run....Werner. 
The biggest thrill of the day was riding the TRAM. All four of us rode the tram up. Now this thing holds 100 people and their skiis...we were squished. It was snowing when we got to the top...down right freezing. Now when we were at the bottom, it was so warm you didn't need mittens and at the top, your hands froze instantly. It was so scary at the top at 10, 450 feet above sea level. It was basically a ledge and you couldn't see anything else. There were only black runs down, so Em and I just took pictures and rode the tram down. Jason and Ryan braved the run and made it safely. On the way down, we saw people jumping off cliffs!
This is the run that goes right past the place we are staying in. We just ski down to get on the lift. Friday evening, Jason and I went to the Four Seasons lobby bar (another great place) and listened to a local guitarist play until we met everyone else at the Mangy Moose for dinner. We just had to walk down the hill to get to the village. We were exhausted from a full day of skiing so we were in bed around 9pm. We tried to stay up longer, but we just couldn't. Hopefully tonight we can relax in the hot tub and maybe get in a game of Pictionary...girls vs. boys. GO GIRLS!
As I am writing this blog... I have a great view of the Mt. and I am just watching all the skiers race down the hill. My favorite is the little tikes and their mini skiis...they are so darn cute. I stayed in today (Saturday) because my knee was hurting more and I want to be able to ski all day on Sunday, so I decided to give it a rest. Jason is out skiing now. I think we took over 100 picures yesterday so I thought we would share several with you. (If you double click on the pictures, they will enlarge).
Monday, January 5, 2009
Spending Time with Family
This past Friday, Emily, Ryan, Hattie and I went to The Pebble Spa Co. in Virginia for massages. We all enjoyed the pampering. Hattie was again a good little girl while we took turns getting massages. We went out for Biwabik's famous Vi's Pizza on Friday evening. No luck on pull-tabs this time. We then watched the Gopher Hockey game and I think I was the only one awake at 8:30pm.
Hap and Maryann with their kids (top: Jason and Andrew/btm: Ryan, Chad, and Shelly)
Grandpa and Grandma with the Grandkids...Ethan, Caryln, Morgan, Lauren, and Chandler
Jason with his crispy ONES! They used to get $100 in ones as young boys and they loved it. They used to spread all the ones out on the floor and count them.
Hap in his new Gopher jacket. I'm sure he will only wear it with an IOWA shirt on underneath (his first love). GO GOPHERS!
Hap and Maryann
I love this picture of Hattie... she recently discovered her tongue and loves to mimic you sticking your tongue out.
Auntie Coco knitted a new hat for Miss Hattie.
Uncle Jason and Hattie hanging out together in the Chalet.
Auntie Coco and Hattie in the Chalet.
This past Sunday we were back in the cities to celebrate our family Christmas with Jason's family. We enjoyed a great meal prepared by his sister and her family. They are always great hosts. It was nice to see everyone and to get to spend some time with our neices. We are excited to have a nephew on that side of the family when his brother Ryan gets married to his fiance Kari. We headed back to Biwabik last night to be greeted with LOTS of snow and -25 degree temperature. Jason and I have been fortunate to spend some time with our families over the past several weeks for the holidays and after. We always enjoy the time we get to spend with them.
Hap and Maryann with their kids (top: Jason and Andrew/btm: Ryan, Chad, and Shelly)
Grandpa and Grandma with the Grandkids...Ethan, Caryln, Morgan, Lauren, and Chandler
Jason with his crispy ONES! They used to get $100 in ones as young boys and they loved it. They used to spread all the ones out on the floor and count them.
Hap in his new Gopher jacket. I'm sure he will only wear it with an IOWA shirt on underneath (his first love). GO GOPHERS!
Hap and Maryann
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year's Day 2009
The sign in the Chalet reads: "Welcome to Giants Ridge. According to Ojibwa Lore MESABI, A "Sleeping Giant," Lies Beneath this Area Forming the Hills of the Great Laurentian Divide.Happy New Year's Day to Everyone. Emily, Ryan, and Hattie arrived about 7:30 last evening. After we got everything unpacked, we went to eat at The Lodge and then watched the ball drop on TV. Even Hattie made a good attempt at trying to stay up until the new year. We hit the slopes around noon today and skied until 6:30pm. We all got some practice in before our trip to Jackson Hole, WY one week from today. Hattie was such a good baby just hanging out in the Chalet all day watching all the people. I tried to capture on video Jason and Ryan Ritchie doing a few jumps, which are below. It is definetely 'home video' quality and it was getting dark when I took it. Emily and Ryan hadn't skiied in ten years and they both got back into the hang of it quickly. We tried a new recipe this evening and just took it easy. We are looking forward to our massages tomorrow to relieve some of our sore muscles.
Jason and Ryan's first attempt at the jump.
The 2nd attempt at the jump.Jason and Ryan's first attempt at the jump.
Emily and Ryan on top of the hill.
I was bored on the ski lift so I took a picture of our shadows.
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