Have Media Will Travel

A blog about outdoor adventure, family travel, national parks, media, technology, marketing, fitness and me.

National Parks

Rendezvous 25-K Ski Race: A Great Experience

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This is POST 23 of my “fitness journey.” For backstory, see Post 1,
Post 2, Post 3, Post 4, Post 5, Post 6, Post 7,Post 8, Post 9, Post 10, Post 11, Post 12Post 13,Post 14, Post 15, Post 16, and Post 17,Post 18, Post 19,Post 20,Post 21 and Post 22.

Last Saturday, March 6, I competed in the 25-kilometer skate ski Rendezvous Race in West Yellowstone, Montana. It was great fun!

We headed out in a blizzard.

Some of you have followed my fitness blogging. The race was a goal and event I had planned in early winter so as to keep me training at a high level and motivated through the winter months.

Winter in my hometown of Lander, WY, has been a generous one so I got lots of skiing in. I am not a super experienced skate skier, and this was my first time to race. It was a fantastic experience! I covered the distance in 1:37 and even placed third in my age group. Trail conditions were pretty soft and not ideal, but no matter –- the scenery and course more than made up for it!

650 skiers turned out for the 31-year-old Rendezvous Race. There were kids, teenagers, young adults, baby boomers and older people who participated in the event. Skiers chose between distances of 2k, 10k, 25k or 50k.

Me, having a good time during the race. (MontanaStars.com photo)

(Photo by MontanaStars.com)

My good friend, Kathy Browning, joined me for the adventure. She just bought skate skis six weeks ago and had signed up for the 10-k. But during our trip to West Yellowstone, she decided to change to the 25-k, which she finished with no problem and even had some energy leftover!

To get there, we traveled through some stunning country, including Togwotee Pass, along the Continental Divide, Jackson Hole, Teton Pass, a beautiful roller-coaster farm country-with-the-Tetons-for-a-backdrop highway, and Targhee Pass before arriving to West Yellowstone, the West Entrance to Yellowstone, the world’s first national park, and my favorite place in the world.

The 25-kilometer race followed most of the Rendezvous trails. What a world-class trail system! Beautiful scenery, thick forests, mountain views and rolling terrain. It was 30 degrees and mostly sunny so conditions were soft.

My training, including the foundation work, metabolic training, high intensity intervals, all the time I spent on ski trails (including many sessions on less-than-stellar conditions and in blizzards), the foods I chose that fueled me and help me get leaner and meaner, my commitment, and the guidance from coach Steve Bechtel/Elemental Training served me well in my first ski race.

It was a fantastic first ski race experience for me. I will definitely return next year, possibly for the 50-k.

Following the race, we enjoyed the pool, hot tubs and water slide at the Days Inn, took a snort of Patron Silver, which was gifted to us from some friends for purposes of celebrating, and then enjoyed too many delightfully delicious desserts at the Rendezvous Race awards ceremony.

Here are some photos and videos captured during the adventure — some serious, but mostly fun. (As you can probably tell, what this was was a great road trip adventure with a friend. The ski race was at times secondary.) Enjoy!

Stopping in Dubois, WY, to ride the infamous Jackalope.

The trip was not only about the ski race. We stopped at the famous Cowboy Bar, in Jackson, WY, for a quick game of pool. Kathy chalks up here.

Rendezvous Race provided an extensive, delicious dessert bar for participants at the awards ceremony. We definitely indulged!

Elemental Gym has a fantastic gym, some terrific programs and classes that will help you achieve better fitness. And, I might add, some great personal trainers: Steve Bechtel, Ellen Bechtel, Jagoe Reid, Sophie Mosemann and Lee Brown.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort: “Legendary”

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Getting ready for my first run at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort last Friday.
Getting ready for my first run at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort last Friday.

I just returned from a day on the slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, in Jackson Hole, WY.

I’m lucky because this world-class resort is in my backyard, just a 3-hour drive from my hometown of Lander, WY. I grew up skiing its slopes.

On Thursday I left Lander in a blizzard. More than 10 inches of white stuff had already fallen on Lander. I could only hope that it was doing the same in Jackson.

It wasn’t. But that’s okay because it meant that once I was over Togwotee Pass I had more suitable road conditions. And, although there was no fresh pow to enjoy on the slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Friday, we had a stellar, almost-entirely bluebird day. Plus, this would mark my first, and probably only, day to be on the snowboard this winter. Beggars can’t be choosers.

Beautiful scenery on Togwotee Pass, along the Continental Divide, on my way to Jackson Hole.
Beautiful scenery on Togwotee Pass, along the Continental Divide, on my way to Jackson Hole.

Well, fortunately, there’s nothing left to want for once at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The place can be described in just one word: Legendary.

If you don’t believe me, consider these facts: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) boasts the greatest continuous inbound vertical rise for ski areas in the U.S. –– 4,139′ to be exact. To access this in a single legendary run, ride the Aerial Tram, otherwise known fondly as “The Big Red.” In 9 minutes you’re delivered 4,139′ of vertical. When it comes to skiing or snowboarding, this is about as close as you can get to instant gratification.

My friend, Joel Krieger from Atlanta, GA, and I posing next to trail map sign at top of Bridger Gondola.
My friend, Joel Krieger from Atlanta, GA, and I posing next to trail map sign at top of Bridger Gondola.

The resort partially covers two mountains — Rendezvous and Apres Vous — and provides access to some of the most challenging terrain in all of North America. Perhaps, then, it’s no big wonder that JHMR attracts many of the world’s best free skiers.

Within JHMR alone, skiers and snowboarders enjoy about 2,500 acres of inbound terrain. And while that’s a heck of lot of terrain (plenty for most people), there is an even larger area to be explored off-piste (out of bounds).

Skiers Bill Lewkowitz and Lisa Walker enjoy a run. That's the Tram in the background. (Tristan Greszko/JHMR photo)
Skiers Bill Lewkowitz and Lisa Walker enjoy a run. That's the Tram in the background. (Tristan Greszko/JHMR photo)

The terrain has not only attracted the best skiers in the world but also one of the leading ski film companies, Teton Gravity Research, and Jackson Hole is home to one of the most famous expert ski runs in the world, Corbet’s Couloir.

To whet your appetite, check out the Trail Map. Breakdown of terrain is roughly 50% expert, 40% intermediate, and 10% beginner.

This would normally be my husband, Jerry, getting big air at JHMR's terrain park. But in this case, it is not, as he is recovering from a spine fusion. (Tristan Greszko photo/JHMR)
This would normally be my husband, Jerry, getting big air at JHMR's terrain park. But in this case, it is not, as he is recovering from a spine fusion. (Tristan Greszko photo/JHMR)

I know, personally, from growing up and skiing and snowboarding at Jackson Hole and then experiencing other resorts, in Utah, Colorado, and California, that often times people will say a “blue” at JHMR is like a “black” on any other resort. I certainly think this is the case. That said, there is plenty of beginner and intermediate terrain.

I consider myself an intermediate snowboarder who, given great conditions, pursues expert runs. The Hobacks are my favorite. They are black diamond runs and represent backcountry conditions but with the advantage of being delivered direct access to them via lifts.

Laramie Bowl is fantastic. One of my favorite extended runs is the Gros Ventre, accessed by the awesome Bridger Gondola. Get out of the elements and ride the Gondola for only 7 minutes. Your reward: A mile and a half of descent! Unbeatable, in my opinion.

Another favorite of mine is to ride the Thunder Quad Chair and take the black diamond Paintbrush to Amphitheatre. Dogface and Bird in the Hand off Sublette Quad Chair are also favorites.

Exceptional, easy-to-access intermediate (blue) runs can also be enjoyed off the Apres Vous and Casper Quad Chairs.

Beginner terrain is plentiful off the Teewinot and Eagle’s Rest lifts. There is a phenomenal terrain park and halfpipe as well.

During my recent day at JHMR, I snowboarded about 23 miles worth of runs covering about 50,000 feet of vertical. Not too shabby at all!

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has something for everyone. (Photo by Ken Redding)
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has something for everyone. (Photo by Ken Redding)

I had views of the Jackson Hole valley below and met nothing but friendly skiers and snowboarders on all my rides up the mountain.

My snowboarding partner for the day and I enjoyed a fantastic lunch at The Couloir Restaurant, which is perfectly located at 9,095′ elevation at the top of the Bridger Gondola.

Joel had a burger and fries that looked downright delicious and I enjoyed a tasty and fulfilling serving of buffalo chili, all while watching paragliders take off from the slope out our window. The Couloir has been written up in Food & Wine, as well as Conde Naste’s Hot Tables List. The chef is top shelf, and all ingredients are native to the region.

Snow is plentiful, too. The resort receives about 460″ of white stuff every year.

When you ask someone who’s skied or snowboarded at JHMR, who has also skied other major resorts in the Western U. S., about their JHMR experience, often the response is the same. That JHMR is a combination of all the things skiers and snowboarders seek, wrapped into one. The best — most extensive, varied and challenging — terrain, stunning scenery, people who are friendlier than those found anywhere else, and a mountain experience that is 100% authentic.

Like I said, this place is legendary.

Enamored by the Olympic Peninsula

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Click here for all posts related to National Park travel on this blog.

RELATED POSTS: OLYMPIC PENINSULA OR BUST and OLYMPIC PENINSULA DAY 1.

I only had 1 full free day to explore a big, diverse region.
I only had 1 full free day to explore a big, diverse region.
Wow. I’m coming off 2.5 days in Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula region. I had a half of a day on Tuesday to explore, then was in a conference all day Wednesday, where I was a keynote presenter for the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Summit, then had all day Thursday to explore some more.

This was my first time to the region and I was eager to see as much as I could of this country.

I ate a mountain of all the best seafood and native, gourmet food harvested and made with care by the best chefs throughout the Olympic Peninsula. I’m talking culinary delights to the maximum – the kind that shock your tastebuds.

I ate about 16 things I have never had before, including Dungeness Crab and Oyster mushroom Agnolotti with Mascarpone cheese finished with a Tarragon Beurre Blanc, locally harvested Mediterranean mussels with a mirepoix of locally-grown celery, carrots and onions, Pernod and organic cream, local manila clams steamed in white wine with herbs and garlic, Roosevelt Elk Berry Soup.

Eating mussels.
Eating mussels.

I ate fresh local salmon, caught and prepared according to tribal custom, Northwest Dungeness crab cakes with roasted pepper coulis, basil aioli and chive oil, and locally foraged Chanterelle mushroom and truffle risotto, Roasted Ozette potatoes and Chanterelle mushrooms, an assortment of local rustic breads, and for dessert, local Blackberry Pavlovas with Mt. Townsend Fromage Blanc Parsnips ‘Foster’ Upside Down Cakes.

Here’s a VIDEO for a sampling of what I’m talking about when I say culinary delights and tastebud-shocking:

I explored Olympic National Park for the first time. Olympic National Park is one of only 20 World Heritage Sites in the U. S. and now I know why it is among them. Based on my hundreds of experiences in the world’s first national park, Yellowstone, and my many other experiences in other national parks of the West, I feel strongly that national parks provide an unmatched inspiring and restorative experience for their visitors.


I get a unique feeling, that is indescribable other than to say I feel very deeply inspired and moved whenever I’m in a national park. While in Olympic National Park –– including Hurricane Ridge, in the Hoh Rain Forest, Lake Crescent, and along the Pacific coast beaches – I felt that feeling. As a result, Olympic National Park now has a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to take my husband and sons there.

Rialto Beach, along the Pacific Ocean, and part of Olympic National Park.
Rialto Beach, along the Pacific Ocean, and part of Olympic National Park.

Fueling up for the 10 miles of running/hiking I would do in Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park.
Fueling up for the 10 miles of running/hiking I would do in Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park.

Another first for me was I saw a salmon jumping up a waterfall, at Salmon Cascades. Here’s a clip:

I met probably 150 people during my short stay. These included the many people I met at the Tourism Summit, who are business owners, operators, marketing people, Chamber and Visitor Bureau directors, and others, who live throughout, and love, the Olympic Peninsula region, but also many people along my travels, on the planes and jets, in the airports, and throughout the Olympic Peninsula region as I was exploring and driving my rental car from place to place. Everyone I met was super.

Thanks to Mary Brelsford, of the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau, my trip was a fantastic one.
Thanks to Mary Brelsford, of the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau, my trip was a fantastic one.

I visited the “Twilight Zone” – aka Forks, WA, and the nearby rain forests that were the setting for Bella, Edward, and others in the movie and book, Twilight.
With Bella's truck, of Twilight fame, in Forks, WA.
With Bella's truck, of Twilight fame, in Forks, WA.

Here’s a video clip of my stop in “the Twilight Zone” of Forks, WA, and my exploring in the Hoh Rain Forest:

You could say I maximized by 1.5 days of free time there. To prevent me from writing a 3,000-word novel about my short trip, I’m providing a summary list of all I did in my short time on the spectacular Olympic Peninsula.

Here’s what I did:
I saw Hurricane Ridge and the Olympic Mountains in Olympic National Park.
I saw the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
I went to Ediz Hook.
I explored downtown Port Angeles.
I ate at Bella Italia, the setting for Bella and Edward’s first date in the first Twilight book.
I walked along the beach in a deluge of a rain storm.
I ate clams.
I ate Dungeness Crab cakes.
I ate Roosevelt Elk & Berry soup.
I saw a salmon jumping a waterfall at Salmon Cascades.
I ate wild salmon.
I dipped my feet in the Pacific Ocean as I visited Rialto Beach, in Olympic National Park.
I ate local Ozette potatoes.
I ate wild Raspberry Pavlovas.
I hiked and ran about 9 miles of trails in the Hoh Rain Forest, in Olympic National Park.
I made a quick trip to Port Townsend, where I admired the Victorian seaport.
I visited Fort Worden State Park, where Officer and a Gentleman was filmed.
I was photographed next to Bella’s red truck from the book & movie, Twilight.
I went to Bella’s house (the Swan House) in Forks, WA.
I went on many scenic drives.
I went to Lake Crescent.
I met lots of passionate local people, business owners, tourism promoters, marketing folks and chefs who live in, and operate, in the Olympic Peninsula.
I saw the Hood Canal.
I hiked to Tom Fall in the Hoh Rain Forest.
I walked along and skipped a few rocks in the Hoh River.
I went to Be Dazzled by Twilight to buy Twilight-related souvenirs.
I made a keynote presentation at a tourism conference.
I went to Blyn, WA and spent time in the beautiful Tribal Center.
I ate (too much) local chocolate.
I got a dirty chai in Forks, WA.
I looked for vampires in the woods behind the Forks, WA, visitor center.
I saw Discovery Bay.
I ate at delicious dinner at the historic Lake Crescent Lodge, in Olympic National Park.
I ate pie made of local berries, accompanied by ice cream made with local lavender.
I had an AWESOME time.

A special thanks to Mary Brelsford, of the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau, the Red Lion Hotel in Port Angeles, and Mike Gurling of the Forks, WA, Visitor Center for extra help that made my stay more memorable and wonderful.

Olympic Peninsula Day 1 Delivers

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Wow! Landed in Port Angeles, WA, earlier today. Talk about a phenomenal region. The Olympic Peninsula is home to mountains, forests and ocean, not to mention culture, Twilight fame and a culinary hot spot.

Landed in early afternoon and not wanting to waste any time, headed for Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. It was my first time and long overdue. I have wanted to experience Olympic National Park for some time.

It was a very rainy day so Hurricane Ridge was socked in and I donned rain gear, which was a unique and exhilarating experience for this Wyoming girl, who enjoys 325 days of sunshine and only 13 inches of rain in year. (To be fair, my Wyoming hometown receives as much snow as the Olympic Peninsula does rain) : >

Still, the sun peeked through every now and again, and when it did I was rewarded with stellar views. I could look down and see the ocean. I could see abundant, healthy forests. Trees upon trees, all healthy, unlike the pine beetle-killed, burgundy-colored forests that are becoming all too common out West.

And peaks. There are tall mountains here! Some even had a dusting of snow on them this afternoon. The views were dramatic. Often clouds hung low, shrouding the high points of the mountains.

There was a variety of old growth broad leaf trees, as well as healthy pines.

After returning from the national park, I headed to Bella Italia, a local restaurant owned by Neil Conklin. This wonderful restaurant that offers fresh and local Italian food was the setting for Edward and Bella’s first date in the first Twilight book. I enjoyed a great meal, good wine and wonderful atmosphere. It is a quaint, beautiful restaurant. A real treat. Plus, I could now tell our two oldest sons I ate where Bella and Edward ate, which gets me extra points when I get home.

After dinner, I headed to Ediz Hook to catch some more unique and different views of the region before nightfall came. The views were incredible!

My first afternoon was great. I can’t wait to explore this region and the various attractions and destinations during my next two days here.

So far, I’m hooked. No doubt I am the target market for the Olympic Peninsula. It appears to have all that I love – natural wonders in all directions, abundant outdoor recreation, small town atmosphere, warm and friendly people, and access to fantastic food.

A great thanks to Mary Brelsford of the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Board for providing such great trip planning assistance and hospitality so far.

Posted via email from HaveMediaWillTravel

Olympic Peninsula or Bust!

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Today I arrived to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula region. After flying in two puddle jumpers and one big airplane I find myself in beautiful new country.

Leaving my snowy town of Lander, WY, for the Olympic Peninsula this morning.
Leaving my snowy town of Lander, WY, for the Olympic Peninsula this morning.

I’m making the trip to be a keynote presenter at the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Summit that is Wed., Oct. 14.

During my time here, I will explore much of Olympic National Park, including Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, Hoh Hoh Rain Forest and Third Beach. I will also spend some time in Forks, WA, the famed setting for the first of the Twilight book series.

The Olympic Peninsula receives something like 150 inches of rain per year. We get the same amount of… snow. My home state of Wyoming enjoys 325 days of sunshine every year, and receives only a trace of rain, about 13 inches of rain per year. I’ve got rain gear, which I’ve never had the opportunity to wear, packed.

One of the most interesting things about my trip is the culinary experience I will find myself immersed in.

The Tourism Summit this year is focusing on niche marketing and how social media can enhance business and economic opportunities. The Olympic Peninsula Loop Culinary Tourism Association will be making its debut at the conference. To introduce and highlight Olympic Coastal Cuisine, the luncheon will be presented by 11 local chefs who will showcase foods that are grown, foraged, caught and made on the Olympic Peninsula.

Following is what this Wyoming steak-and-potatoes-country-girl will be eating on Wednesday:

APPETIZERS
Dungeness Crab and Oyster mushroom Agnolotti with Mascarpone cheese finished with a Tarragon Beurre Blanc, by Chef Patrick Norris of Lake Quinault Lodge

Locally harvested Mediterranean mussels with a mirepoix of locally-grown celery, carrots and onions, Pernod and organic cream, by Chef Gabriel Schuenemann of Sequim’s Alderwood Bistro

Classic local manila clams steamed in white wine with herbs and garlic, by Chef Tim Tocatlian of Port Townsend’s T’s Restaurant

SOUP COURSE
Roosevelt Elk Berry Soup, by Chef and Association Vice President Jess Owen of the Ocean Crest Resort in Moclips

MAIN COURSE
Fresh local salmon, caught and prepared according to tribal custom, will be provided by the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and L Bar L Catering

Northwest Dungeness crab cakes with roasted pepper coulis, basil aioli and chive oil, and locally foraged Chanterelle mushroom and truffle risotto (Both dishes by Chef Dan Ratigan of the Resort at Port Ludlow)

Roasted Ozette potatoes and Chanterelle mushrooms, by Port Angeles’ Bella Italia

Port Townsend’s Pane d’Amore Artisan Bakery will provide a selection of rustic breads.

DESSERT
Local Blackberry Pavlovas with Mt. Townsend Fromage Blanc Parsnips ‘Foster’ Upside Down Cakes

Wow. This small town girl who hails from the frontier of Wyoming –- beef country — is about to have her taste buds shocked and delighted. I can’t wait.