Once we dropped into Idaho, the scenery alternated between freshly tilled fields with occasional views of wildlife taking advantage of fresh springs grasses to snow capped passages. 
DRIVE from WYOMING to UTAH
Monday, March 14, 2011
WYOMING TO UTAH via IDAHO
DRIVE from GRAND TARGHEE to UTAH via IDAHO
A. Paul & I left Wyoming with a cloudy sky with tinges of blue peeking through the clouds. The vistas from the drive down the Tetons into the snow covered fields left us feeling as if we were on a cloud or in another world.
Once we dropped into Idaho, the scenery alternated between freshly tilled fields with occasional views of wildlife taking advantage of fresh springs grasses to snow capped passages.
We were welcomed to Utah with an extraordinary view of the city skyline imposed upon a backdrop of snowy mountains. The drive was abundantly pictureesque making it difficult to choose which images to share so I apologize for the number of images but hope that you enjoy the vistas.
DRIVE from WYOMING to UTAH
Once we dropped into Idaho, the scenery alternated between freshly tilled fields with occasional views of wildlife taking advantage of fresh springs grasses to snow capped passages. DRIVE from WYOMING to UTAH
Saturday, March 12, 2011
LAST DAY at GRAND TARGHEE
It was a gorgeous day in Alta Wyoming. A. Paul & I caught the early morning light in a clear blue sky reflecting off the mountain precipice adjacent to the ski run we were skiing. The conditions were fabulous and, by midday, the resort plaza was filled with skiers and attendees of the Targhee K9 Avalanche Dog Fundraiser.  |
| Char |
Several colorful individuals added their own whimsy to the scene. Kids tucked away in mandmade igloos simulating avalanche victims were rescued by trained avalanche dogs while onlookers watched the demonstration.  |
| Naturalist Mike Lillrose |
If you are adventurous and plan to be in this area during the winter or summer (when bear tracking is active), you may want to contact the resort for further details. If we were staying longer, I would most definitely be taking advantage of this oppotunity. Thanks, Mike, for your time and for the information.
Overall, our stay in Alta has been wonderful. The weather held out for us and we thoroughly enjoyed the day activity and low key nights at this resort tucked away in the Tetons. Tomorrow, we head out to Utah.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Day at Grand Targhee, Teton Mountains Wyoming
DAY at GRAND TARGHEE TETON MOUNTAINS ALTA, WYOMING
The expected snowstorm ended up only adding a few inches to the ski basin so A. Paul & I took to the slopes with the sun dancing in & out of the clouds. The runs were fabulous on the mountain and the sun finally won over the clouds, casting sunshine over the entire Grand Targhee area. We were not alone in our enjoyment of the mountain. The parking lot filled with skiers but with the open terrains on the mountain it easily handled the number of skiers.
On the trails, the shadows of the tree boughs against the snow created lacelike patterns that were hard to ignore. Even the birds came out to enjoy the beauty of the day adding their own beauty for our viewing.
After a pleasant day of skiing, A. Paul ducked into the Teewinot Lodge to warm up and enjoy the company of other skiers doing the same. I took off to enjoy a small walk outside, always looking for signs of wildlife. (The signs warning to be aware of bears and big game crossing signs on our way to Grand Targhee were a lure for me) Unfortunately (or fortunately whichever way you want to look at it) I did not see any big game so I snuck back to the lodge to catch up with A. Paul and his conversation companion Jack.
Day at Grand Targhee Slideshow
The expected snowstorm ended up only adding a few inches to the ski basin so A. Paul & I took to the slopes with the sun dancing in & out of the clouds. The runs were fabulous on the mountain and the sun finally won over the clouds, casting sunshine over the entire Grand Targhee area. We were not alone in our enjoyment of the mountain. The parking lot filled with skiers but with the open terrains on the mountain it easily handled the number of skiers. 
On the trails, the shadows of the tree boughs against the snow created lacelike patterns that were hard to ignore. Even the birds came out to enjoy the beauty of the day adding their own beauty for our viewing.
After a pleasant day of skiing, A. Paul ducked into the Teewinot Lodge to warm up and enjoy the company of other skiers doing the same. I took off to enjoy a small walk outside, always looking for signs of wildlife. (The signs warning to be aware of bears and big game crossing signs on our way to Grand Targhee were a lure for me) Unfortunately (or fortunately whichever way you want to look at it) I did not see any big game so I snuck back to the lodge to catch up with A. Paul and his conversation companion Jack.
Tonight, the mountain expects another small snowstorm but with luck we will end up with another beautiful day as it was today. Sunday, weather permitting, we head to Jackson Hole for a quick spin to the galleries then onto Utah and Colorado as we slowly make our way back home.
Day at Grand Targhee Slideshow
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Sun Valley to Grand Targhee, Alta Wyoming
DRIVE from KETCHUM to ALTA, WY
We departed Sun Valley with overcast skies casting a soft blue hue across the landscape. The ethereal quality of light simply added intrigue to the vast Craters of the Moon lava desert that we crossed in Idaho.
The isolation and lack of signs of human life for miles felt as if we had been transported to a different planet. The sporadic farm equipment appeared more like lunar equipment as they sat in snowcovered fields surrounding by lava structures molten for life.
Eventually, the beauty of the vastness overwhelmed me and I couldn't leave the fields until I had actually touched, and ,yes, kept a couple small pieces of lava to take home with me. After passing the well guarded National Lab of Energy and Nuclear site, I did take a peek in the back of the car to make sure the rocks were not glowing; they were not I am happy to report.
If you are interested to read about the Craters of the Moon National Park and the area's history it will be worth the effort, especially after taking the trip with us below cratersofthemoon.areaparks.com/
DRIVE THROUGH IDAHO LAVA FIELDS TO ALTA, WYOMING Grand Tetons
The isolation and lack of signs of human life for miles felt as if we had been transported to a different planet. The sporadic farm equipment appeared more like lunar equipment as they sat in snowcovered fields surrounding by lava structures molten for life.
Eventually, the beauty of the vastness overwhelmed me and I couldn't leave the fields until I had actually touched, and ,yes, kept a couple small pieces of lava to take home with me. After passing the well guarded National Lab of Energy and Nuclear site, I did take a peek in the back of the car to make sure the rocks were not glowing; they were not I am happy to report. 
The road diverted us through a few small towns, jarring us back to this world as we entered into Idaho Falls and its mutliple cattle, horse, and potato farms, never dropping lower than 4700 ft in elevation. For the next hour we climbed and dropped into valley after valley with amazing vistas of the landscape.
Eventually, we climbed to 6800 ft to Alta, Wyoming where we will settle for the next few days. With the amount of snow and the pass to Grand Targhee, we most likely will not be traveling into the town of Driggs to scout out the scene. It appears that the snow is not done falling in the Tetons. Within hours of our arrival, we learned of a snow storm moving in for the night promising to bring about a half of a foot of new snow accompanied with 35 mile hour winds. Tomorrow morning will be a surprise to say the least. The extended forecast continues to show snow in our future. We can only hope that the pass over the Tetons to Jackson Hole is navigable by Sunday.
DRIVE THROUGH IDAHO LAVA FIELDS TO ALTA, WYOMING Grand Tetons
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Last Days in Sun Valley, ID
LAST TWO DAYS in SUN VALLEY, ID
Inspired by all the historic photos in the Sun Valley Lodge, I thought I might try out for the 75th Anniversary celebration poster. What do you think? LOL..A. Paul & I couldn't resist the temptation of the cutouts as we walked the Sun Valley Village on our last day here.
It is at Gail's gallery that A. Paul & I discovered the textured and vibrant works of James Cook and mixed media on paper of Allison Stewart www.gailseverngallery.com/
 |
| Alpine Kerry? |
Inspired by all the historic photos in the Sun Valley Lodge, I thought I might try out for the 75th Anniversary celebration poster. What do you think? LOL..A. Paul & I couldn't resist the temptation of the cutouts as we walked the Sun Valley Village on our last day here.
 |
| River Run Lodge |
The past two days, the sun battled cloudy skies but still offered up pleasant days of skiing. The trails were not too crowded at this time of year and the temperatures relatively mild. At the River Run Lodge, which is absolutely beautiful and accommodating to its skiers' every need, we met many people from all walks of life who call Sun Valley home in the winter; some as far as way as our neck of the woods on the Cape.
 |
| James Cook artwork |
 |
| Gail Severn Gallery |
Each day after skiing, A. Paul & I continued visiting the galleries in Ketchum. We were so impressed with the level and quality of art we viewed in the galleries. Yesterday's visit to the Gail Severn Gallery left me with gallery envy as the space was fully built by the owner for gallery specific activities. The special roll up exterior wall permits the gallery to move pieces into the space using a forklift, a job that Gail states she enjoys doing herself with extra hands for guiding the placement of the artwork.
Around the corner from the Gail Severn Gallery is the Sun Valley Center for the Arts. http://www.sunvalleycenter.org/ The Center focuses on both visual and performing arts. The main gallery of the Center exhibits contemporary artwork that is steeped in history and/or is revelant or of interest to the community. In speaking with Kristine Bretall, Marketing Director for the Center, the Center works closely with the school system and sponsors a lecture and performance arts series. At the time of our visi
t, the Center was gearing up for visiting lecturer Ari Fleischer at a local venue and De Temps Antan at the Sun Valley Opera House. The main gallery exhibit was visually jarring with a large skeletal installation hanging admist mixed media artwork for the "Creatures: From Bigfoot to Yeti Crab" show.
t, the Center was gearing up for visiting lecturer Ari Fleischer at a local venue and De Temps Antan at the Sun Valley Opera House. The main gallery exhibit was visually jarring with a large skeletal installation hanging admist mixed media artwork for the "Creatures: From Bigfoot to Yeti Crab" show.  |
| "The Summer Day is Done" Mike Stilkey |
At our last gallery visit of the day, the Gilman Contemporary Gallery, gallery owner L'Anne Gilman was setting up the gallery for the coming Friday Artwalk. Several pieces by artist Mike Stilkey were being carefully placed along and on the walls. Stilkey's masterpiece works are created from stacks of used books carefully arranged by size then drilled and attached in stacks of 10 books. Each stack is then placed in a pattern then finally the exterior surface is painted with Stilkey's imagery. Also on view were artist Ashley Collins resin and mixed media pieces. The illustrated subjects in her work balance the negative texured spaces in her artwork and the result is dynamic.
 |
| Work by Ashley Collins |
Alas, we must bid farewell to Sun Valley tomorrow morning as we head towards Alta,Wyoming, where we will stay until Sunday. Until tomorrow, I leave you with images of the twon of Ketchum, ski shots, gallery artwork and two closing images of the Kennedy's on vacation in Sun Valley which grace the historic Sun Valley Lodge.
SUN VALLEY IMAGES
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sun Valley & Ketchum Galleries
Sun Valley & Ketchum Galleries
The art scene in Ketchum, though small, is a sophisticated one. A few of the galleries we visited, Gallery DeNovo, Broschofsky Gallery, and Friesen Gallery, were all readying their spaces for new exhibits for openings for this coming Friday's Art Walk. The artists' works for the new exhibits include internationally renown artists Rein De Lege & Yehouda Chaki at Gallery DeNovo http://gallerydenovo.com/, and Trinh Nguyen at the Friesen Gallery http://www.friesengallery.com/
At the Saddletree Gallery, we met owner photographer Jerry Hadam whose gallery exhibits original paintings alongside his beautiful photographic prints. http://www.saddletreegallery.com/
Tomorrow, we hope that the sun part of sun valley will appear and light up the slopes. If not, we will still brave the elements and get in a few runs before heading off to explore more galleries and the Sun Valley Center for the Arts.
 |
| Sun Valley Inn |
 |
| Can you see the chair lift behind the station? We couldn't either! |
No, it is not your eyes, it really is (was) snowing in Sun Valley today. The snow made for white out conditions on the slopes but A. Paul & I braved it anyway and went for a few runs. The skiing for us was short but sweet and left us invigorated for some gallery hopping.
 |
| "Face, 2006" Rein De Lege Gallery Denovo |
 |
| "Paard, 6a" by Jan Grotenbreg |
At the Broschofsky Gallery, A. Paul & I were drawn to the textured works of Dutch born painter Jan Grotenbreg and wild life artist Mary Roberson http://www.brogallery.com/ These too will be temporarily taken down to accomodate a new exhibit. We considered ourselves fortunate to have seen these works before they are removed.
 |
| "If I had a Choice" Mary Roberson |
Tomorrow, we hope that the sun part of sun valley will appear and light up the slopes. If not, we will still brave the elements and get in a few runs before heading off to explore more galleries and the Sun Valley Center for the Arts.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Baker City, Oregon to Ketchum, Idaho
DRIVE from BAKER CITY, OR to KETCHUM, ID
Another beautiful drive today through high desert plateaus, snow dusted fields, serene ranches, and complex cloud structures which at times threatened to touch the ground. The rain came and passed several times throughout the day, casting a rainbow in its wake. . There simply was so much beauty it was almost beyond comprehension.
Over the next few days, A. Paul & I will be taking advantage of the mountain and exploring the town scene. We look forward to sharing our experiences and findings with you. Until then, we hope you will enjoy the ride of the day. If you care to see the images separately, you need only to click on the slideshow and it should bring you to a new window with larger viewable images.
Another beautiful drive today through high desert plateaus, snow dusted fields, serene ranches, and complex cloud structures which at times threatened to touch the ground. The rain came and passed several times throughout the day, casting a rainbow in its wake. . There simply was so much beauty it was almost beyond comprehension. After many hours of driving, we finally landed in Ketchum, Idaho, the adjacent town to Sun Valley Ski area. It is here that America's first ski area was born. With its founding by Avril Harriman in 1936, was the invention of the first chair lift, first ski school, and first children's cross country center. Sun Valley's gala opening, held in the country's first ski lodge, the Sun Valley Lodge, was attended by famous actors such as Clark Gable and Errol Flynn, whose photos still grace the inn's walls. Actors still come to Sun Valley today, a
s well as a host of other professionals and clientele, to relax and play in Sun Valley's secluded mountain desert location. Throughout the years, Sun Valley and its surrounding communities have grown into sophisticated towns with much to offer its visitors. Among those are artists who, like in other places that we have visited, have come to memorialize their surroundings through their art. You can read more about Sun Valley's history at www.gonorthwest.com/Idaho/central/Sun-Valley/sun-valley.htm
s well as a host of other professionals and clientele, to relax and play in Sun Valley's secluded mountain desert location. Throughout the years, Sun Valley and its surrounding communities have grown into sophisticated towns with much to offer its visitors. Among those are artists who, like in other places that we have visited, have come to memorialize their surroundings through their art. You can read more about Sun Valley's history at www.gonorthwest.com/Idaho/central/Sun-Valley/sun-valley.htm Over the next few days, A. Paul & I will be taking advantage of the mountain and exploring the town scene. We look forward to sharing our experiences and findings with you. Until then, we hope you will enjoy the ride of the day. If you care to see the images separately, you need only to click on the slideshow and it should bring you to a new window with larger viewable images.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)