Pole, Pedal, Paddle

Last weekend, Ann and I braved the not so spring like conditions to take part in the 33rd annual Pole, Pedal, Paddle. For the uninitiated, this race takes place on the last Saturday of the ski season at the Teton Village Resort. It starts with a downhill ski, followed by a nordic ski, bike, and ends with a paddle in the Snake River. Ann and I entered in the couples racing division. I did the downhill ski, Ann cruised through the skate ski, I biked, and we both paddled the Gentry family canoe down the river. Last year at this time there wasn't enough snow to complete the nordic portion but this year was quite the opposite. Not only was there plenty of snow on the ground but more fell throughout the day.

I managed not to wipe out on the downhill ski portion of the race but wasn't much of a match for the skiing crowd in Jackson and we finished the first leg in 71st out of 132 teams but only 90 seconds behind the leaders. The bib was passed and Ann quickly made up time with the second fastest female skate skiing leg; we were in 30th when she gave me the bib for the biking leg. Despite the layer of snow on some of the road, I was happy to be riding outside rather than on a trainer and rode with the 9th fastest bike time which landed us in 15th place with 3 of 4 disciplines complete. Unfortunately, our aluminum canoe was no match for the racing kayaks and we were trounced in the paddle leg but were happy with our 49th place overall and 2nd in our division (racing couples).

Good work Ann, we make a good team.

Goodbye to the Wachobs

Last weekend the Teton Science Schools community undertook the difficult task of saying goodbye to Doug and Becky Wachob. Doug (in the cowboy hat) was a mentor and friend to everyone he met and recommended me for my current job.

We said goodbye in typical Wachob fashion by rounding up a gang of motley cross country skiers and headed into granite hot springs. We skied in 10 miles under blue sky then enjoyed a wonderful meal provided by Brenda, Zia, David, and Rhonda. As we wrapped up lunch, the sky decided to make things interesting and it started to dump gobs of giant snow flakes. There is no better way to sit out a snowstorm than a soak in a giant pool of hot water so we dove right in. Of course there wasn't going to be any "waiting out" going on as it ended up snowing the rest of the day but the ski out (excluding the last mile when the wind picked up) was as beautiful as the ski in. Thanks Doug and Becky for sharing your last day in Jackson with us. You will be missed.

Yellowstone Rendezvous

Last weekend I went to West Yellowstone to ski in the Yellowstone Rendezvous and to see some friends and stay in a forest service cabin. The 50 K race was a true challenge but a lot of fun; it was great to have John and Embere there cheering for me.

1. Skiing into the cabin

2. After the first 25K

3. Exhausted after finishing

Moose tracks on my front porch

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Moosechase 2008

I competed in the Moosechase nordic race this Saturday morning. I made a mess of the start by losing my gloves and as a result didn't even having my skis on when the starting horn went off. Therefore, my time was atrocious but I still had fun. I was spoiled by the weather at the races last year. Today, the wind and blowing snow were brutal and there were a few spots on the south side of the course that were completely drifted over.

New office partner

Tounge River Middle School from Sheridan, Wyoming is visiting us this week and the bus driver is a falconer. He brought his bird "Pinky" with him and I was lucky enough to have a little spare floor space so he is my new office partner for the week. He is half Peregrine Falcon and half Gyrfalcon which is not a combination likely to be seen in the wild; he is from a breeder. He doesn't talk much but isn't too obnoxious either. All in all, I have to say he is a pretty good office partner. I'll miss him when he goes.

Dale