I haven't written much lately or felt inspired, but as Stephen King said, "Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration. The rest of us just get up and go to work." Over the weekend, Collin and I took our first full day of riding this season and ever, together. We put Olin in Snow Bear Camp first thing in the morning and were one chair behind first tracks. I had been waiting for my first deep snow of the west and dreaming of what pow to the face truly felt like. It felt odd not having my little sidekick/ partner in crime with me, though it was nice to have a parent date out on the snow. Our first run down the back side of the mountain was a great warm up. It hadn't started snowing, yet, and there were zero lines at the lift. Angel Fire Resort is a great place to hide from people between the holidays and still get your snow fix. We took a few more laps and decided to hike to some new terrain. We walked until our feet started sinking in snow and scoped out a glory hole. No people, no lines, and all the knee-deep powder. I had to pinch myself. We took in the views before the clouds socked us in and tried to strap in without sinking. Once feet were latched to board, I followed Collin down my first true powder run. It felt like I was flying until I hit a baby pine tree and wiped out butt-first into a sea of powder. I was stuck and never happier about it. My face was numb, but I'm pretty sure I couldn't have stopped smiling if I had watched the saddest chick flick in the history of Netflix. I dug myself back into standing position and pointed the Roxy's nose straight down. Collin was at the bottom by now, and I surfed back and forth through the most sugary snow I had ever ridden in my life. Bliss City. I ran my fingers alongside the snow, cruising between baby pines. After riding up to Collin, I just kept telling him on repeat that it was the best day of my life (other than 4-22-17 of course). It was an awesome day. After a quick lunch break, we started getting dumped on by the buckets. It was like Zeus was chilling up in the clouds with really bad dandruff and couldn't stop scratching his head. Flakes fell so thick and fast that you could stick your tongue out at any second riding down the mountain and catch them. The refills kept coming, and the turns on Fat City were golden. Free refills for days, and our day was coming to an end. We wrapped up our parent's day out with a can-fresh PBR and picked up our future shredder. I was as stoked to see her as I was about the snow. Can't wait until she can join us on the mountain.
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If you've followed the journey this far, you know we took a road trip across the country over the summer to find a winter home. We lived in a van while we bopped from town to town, exploring ski towns in hopes of finding one to make a life in or at least catch a few turns for winter. Along the journey, we learned a lot about ourselves and the once Small Ski Towns of America. Boyne, MIBeing from the South, I had never thought of Michigan as a ski town destination. My eyes were always set on the West. After I met Collin, a Northern native, my ideas of Michigan changed. The first ski town we visited was Boyne, a quaint place nestled on Lake Charlevoix. Collin grew up skiing at Boyne Mountain and worked for Boyne Resorts. I loved the lake being right in town and the opportunity to both sail and ski in the backyard. This is where we started applying for jobs and to no avail, there were no opportunities here for us as a family. Housing was doable and outdoor activities a plus, but we set our sails North and continued to look for a town that promised jobs, housing, AND the ski dream. Marquette, MIThe town of Marquette is situated on Lake Superior, which might as well be called an ocean. I was enamored by the size of the lake and the history in the town. The town was built around the ore industry, and I would have never understood the passion behind the Edmund Fitzgerald without seeing an ore dock for myself. With the lake effect combined with good beer from Blackrocks Brewery, it's no surprise that skiing is a big part of the culture in Marquette. Sled dog racing is a casual weekend fling and fat biking is only a pedal away. The annual Michigan Ice Fest happens every February only 45 minutes away, and I've added it to my bucket list. Housing was available in this Northern ski town wonder, but the jobs were lacking. So we kept on a driving, and this time we were headed west. Teton Valley, IDYep, we skipped right over Jackson Hole. Sure, we stopped in at all of our favorite places and spent a night for free in the town of antler arches (which is not something many can say). We parked the van a few blocks from the town square and reveled at what first brought us west many moons before. Back then, we thought it was an actual possibility to live in Jackson Hole, but now we came through just as a passing to get to the other side- The Teton Valley, where it was actually possible to work AND live. We had met in the valley when we both had jobs and housing was affordable with roommates. Coming back after a year away, this once 'No red light' town was receiving daily traffic. The housing market, as expected, had not gotten any better and was actually near-impossible to find affordable lodging without trekking out to Rexburg. The snow-magic on this side of the mountain stomps everything else. Skiiers will sweat blood working and pay diamonds to rent a hole in the wall bedroom just to be near the ski hill. And we probably would have done the same if we hadn't been looking for a place with our daughter and stash of dogs. We looked and applied but couldn't find jobs to afford the cost of living without both working doubles and to settle for Rexburg was too far out of reach from the snow for us. We were still searching for a ski town to call home for the winter. Bozeman, MTNext stop, Bozeman. We didn't want to abandon the Teton Valley but thought Bozeman would be close enough to swap ski hills all winter and have the gold mine for jobs. We hit up the local library every day we were there and applied for jobs and researched the housing market. The jobs were here, along with the college kids, tourists, and insane cost of housing. We hopped downtown to catch a local musician on the crosswalk, and we nearly lost each other in a sea of rad bros and sorority sisters. I confronted the pack of solo-cuppers head on with my fanny pack strapped tight and stroller bar in hand. I found Collin and we made a leap for the nearest guitar shop, Music Villa. You can tell a lot about a ski town by the homeliness of the local music shop. And boy, Bozeman has a great one. We talked with the Martin salesman, and he filled us in. He said that if we had landed there 20 years sooner, we would have seen the small town culture of Bozeman before the college/ tourist boom. He said the streets stayed busy now, and you have to fight a raging trustfunder for a Cup of Joe at the corner coffee shop nowadays. The accessibility to mountains and skiing was almost worth it, but the cost of rentals and housing more than shot us down at a chance in Montana. We applied for income-based housing at the top of Big Sky and kept our fingers crossed as we left the state. Leavenworth, WALeavenworth was a dream. We pretended for a few days that we could find affordable housing, but it was just not a reality. We applied at Steven's Pass and rode out fate, as we slept in the van by the gorgeous Icicle River. Greenwater, WAAbout 40 minutes from Crystal Mountain Resort, you will find the town of Greenwater (if you consider it a town). We were on a hunt for a tight-knit community- ski town that had both livable wage jobs and affordable housing. It was starting to seem like an unrealistic combo. We were both offered decent wage jobs with Crystal Mountain. Greenwater was lacking in the housing sector, so we looked into Enumclaw. For a couple days, we seriously considered accepting the jobs, driving an hour each way commute to and from the resort, leaving our daughter an hour away in daycare, and locking the dogs up in the only couple-thousand-dollar a month apartment we could find. We were getting desperate. Mt. Rainier almost had us convinced, but something in our hearts kept telling us that a ski town right for our family was out there, somewhere, hidden in the contiguous 48. Angel Fire, NM: The Last Affordable Ski Town in AmericaWe explored a lot of territory in between all of the ski towns we visited, but we were on a mission to find a home for winter: One that we could afford, raise our daughter in, and still have time to wax our gear and play in the snow. Driving across the country over 7,000 miles, it was starting to feel like The American Dream no longer existed, that a college degree was a waste of money, and that affordable housing was a joke sold as a paper to accrue student debt. Our last couple of days shuffling around Washington, Collin got a call from Angel Fire Resort in New Mexico. "Isn't that the desert?" I asked him with rattlesnake brain. We had never thought much about going to New Mexico, in fact, it was probably the last place we ever thought about living. Collin accepted the job offer, and we headed south.
We got lucky to find this quaint ski town hidden in Northern New Mexico. It's a great escape from the crowds that loiter Bozeman and J Hole. And if you decide to check it out for yourself, make sure you ask for "Christmas" on your first authentic New Mexican burrito. If you are looking for your next getaway, plan a trip to this mountain town in the Southwest! Angel Fire sits at 8,406' elevation with a summit elevation of 10,677' at the resort. This gem has an abundance of outdoor recreation, cultural cuisine, and endless fuel for your next adventure! Within 30 minutes of every direction, you will find treasures like hiking trails to the tallest peak of New Mexico and a mecca of stucco architecture leading to the artsy town of Taos. Add these 8 items to your Angel Fire Bucket List. #1 Stop by the Visitor CenterWhen our family passed the Angel Fire sign for the first time, we didn't know where to begin. With the Angel Fire Visitor Center nestled right beside the local grocery store, we were able to pop in and have all of our questions answered by a very friendly face. There are brochures offered on local events and things to do from Taos to Albuquerque. There is a plethora of info on hiking, biking, skiing, and real estate right in the Moreno Valley so no need to venture too far off from town if you're looking to get cozy. #2 Hike Oeste Vista LoopIf you are looking for a casual walk in the woods, consider checking out the Angel Fire Greenbelt Trail. Otherwise, if it is a burning in your thighs you seek with stellar views of the Wheeler Peak wilderness- do the Oeste Vista Long Loop. You will arrive at an intersection for Short Loop or Long Loop, I suggest the Long Loop. It is a great 2.5 mile hike to burn off that pizza from dinner. Bring the kiddos along in a backpack or a rough terrain trailer like this one and the dogs, too! #3 Check out AF Ski Resort for biking/skiingDepending on what season you plan your visit, make sure to bring your favorite outdoor gear and hit up Angel Fire Ski Resort! Angel Fire boasts some of the country's best mountain biking terrain with flow, technical singletrack, and clean jumps! And if it's the snow you're after, well they've already received 54% of the snow compared to last season with 34" and counting! #4 Learn How to Throw a TomahawkStop by the Gateway Museum/ Trading Post in Eagle Nest. Ask for Lisa and prepare to spend a relaxing afternoon learning how to chuck a tomahawk into wood posts. She is a wonderful teacher and makes safety a priority by first teaching you how to properly carry the wooden ax. Children of a reasonable age are invited to participate also! #5 Drive the Enchanted CircleTake a scenic drive along the 83-mile loop that circles the highest point of New Mexico- Wheeler Peak. There are plenty of hikes, breweries, and museums that branch off of the scenic byway. So take it easy by the seat of your pants, or get out and explore the local culture of the southwest! #6 Buzz around the Farmer's MarketIf you plan a visit during spring or summer, make sure to reserve a Sunday morning for the local farmer's market between the visitor center and Lowe's Market at Frontier Park. And eat a small breakfast, because you have to try the fresh produce from local farmers and a green chile cheeseburger is a MUST for lunch! You can get a whole bag of fresh green chiles while you're there and freeze them. If you like them as much as our family, you'll be dousing them in chili, stew, burgers, and pretty much everything you eat for the rest of the season. #7 Observe the Local WildlifeViews like this are not uncommon in the Moreno Valley. Families of deer and gangs of elk roam the woods they call home, too. Elk are seen often grazing in the golf course and nearby woods in the early morning and late evenings. Doe and their young can be seen cuddling for warmth and playing in the afternoon. Other wildlife like black bears, coyotes, and mountain lions live in these mountains but do not come out as often. That doesn't mean you won't see them! #8 Picnic in Cimarron CanyonTake a hike to Clear Creek Falls in Cimarron Canyon State Park, 15 minutes from Eagle Nest. Pack a light lunch and picnic on top of the first waterfall. The trail is dog-friendly and [easy to moderate] with a slight climb in elevation. You can climb down a trail to the bottom of the waterfall and let the dogs or kids splash around. The hike is 2.5 miles but can be made as long or short as you like. Great for families and beginners! With or without a plan, your family will not be short of fun things to do in the Moreno Valley. Angel Fire is as unique as the name itself and full of surprises- the good kind.
Twas the week before Thanksgiving and all through the house, all creatures were stirring to get out and chase the pow. It snowed the big flakes Sunday afternoon here in Angel Fire, New Mexico! Collin, Olin, and I couldn't contain our cheek to cheek grins as the white stuff stuck on the ground below our living room window. I took the big brown van out to get some essentials (gingerbread cookies & milk) before the roads were covered.
It's beginning to look a lot like Ski Season, everywhere we go. Take a look at the trees at Lowe's, they're covered in lights and snow. With snow guns on the slopes and elk ❄️beside the roads.❄️
We all have our favorite gear from that all season pair of Chacos (socks or not) to our dearest base layer that hugs close to our hearts. After traveling over 7,000 miles living in a van this summer and now settling in for ski season with over 30" of fresh pow in Angel Fire, our family put together this list of favorite gear we used in 2018. #1 The Burton Throwback SnowboardOn those days where the big flakes just keep falling, when you're too excited to strap in before running out the door, no worries. Just grab your Snurfboard on the hustle out, slap it down in the snow, and hop on for the best ride of your life. #2 The Burton RigletWho said you get to have all the fun? Bundle up your little one in her warm layers and strap her in the Riglet so she can get in some pow-time, too. This was how we spent our most recent snow day in the backyard with the whole fam using their favorite gear. #3 Burley Solo Trailer with AttachmentsHere's the thing. Before the Burley, I didn't know how we were going to keep doing things we love outside with our precious cargo. After the Burley, that question has never arisen again. With the We-Ski kit, we can pull her behind us in the snow hiking, snowshoeing, and fat biking- which we can't wait to try this winter! On days she feels extra heavy in the backpack, I load up the Solo with the mountain bike tires popped on and hit the trail. Hiking or biking, we bring the Burley. Even on this snowy hike, when it was 11' F out, we brought the baby and on this 8 mile bike ride on the Creeper Trail.. On our road trip across the country, we were glad it collapsed down to a pack-able size. The rough terrain wheels, ski attachment, and jogger are all super easy to set-up/ tear-down and will make outdoor parent-life so much more enjoyable! #4 PackraftsWe were stoked to be able to try out a couple Nirvana Self-Bailers through Kokopelli's loaner program this summer. Packrafts are an essential for every adventure family. They are an investment but well worth it. For living in a van or any vehicle, these are a must. They pack down to a few pounds each and are easy cargo in your backpack to hit up any off-grid body of water. We rafted the Nolichucky River, Boone Lake, Icicle River in Leavenworth, Teton Creek, and Colter Bay. Anytime we ended up camping beside a river, we busted out the packrafts from the sky box on top of the van and inflated them in under 5 minutes. On the mountain-fed lakes, we were able to buckle our daughter in her lifejacket and sit her between our legs to come along for the ride. #5 Balancing Bike for the KiddoStrider Bike for the win! Every child needs one of these balancing bikes to kick-start their adventurous lifestyle. Our daughter has been learning to balance on her Strider Bike before she can even walk. It helps her build confidence while encouraging her to stand and pull herself up. She gets stoked when she sees us loading up her bike- it's gonna be a good day! #6 Nikwax ProductsBefore gearing up on any adventure, we waterproof our gear with Nikwax. Here's how you can waterproof your favorite Patagonia fleece so it keeps you nice and dry in the heaviest of downpours. We always give our tent a good coating of Solarproof which lasts a while before the next coat. #7 Sit Means Sit Collars & TrainingWe saved this one for last, because it's a big one, unless you don't own one of these beasts. If you do own one of these beasts that make exceptional travel companions and loyal trail buddies, then this one is for you. Invest in a Sit Means Sit Collar with Remote and dedicate a portion of everyday to your pup. It is so worth their time and yours and will make life more enjoyable for you both! I can't imagine traveling the country, parking the van in unpredictable spots overnight, taking hikes outside of our pup's familiar areas without having these collars on at all times. They are waterproof, fence-proof, pretty much dog-proof. If you start training them before a big trip and work with them daily, just having this collar on will make all the difference in the world. However it is also reassuring if you are in an unfamiliar state and your dog takes off after an alpine squirrel, zap & command- and they are back to their safe zone with the fam. For a full list of gear that we do and don't recommend, Click Here.
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