The Frigid Southwest

We've been exploring our new locale this week. The scenery has changed, to be sure, but it's a little cooler than we anticipated. We must have brought the chill with us. In fact, it even snowed! So much for daydreams of flip-flops and wide brimmed hats!

Ice on the cactus. Those yellow parts are the cactus flowers. They're very waxy.

Snow in the buttes

This is what it looks like when it snows on the buttes.

We've settled back into our homeschooling routine and made sure to get our temporary library cards. If you really want to immerse yourself in a community, always make sure to join the local library. They tend to be the place where you can find great programs and people post event advertisements. Plus, we love books and it's fun to earn about the history and food of where we are.

Another quick resource I've found is children's books.  Most places offer a coloring book made for kids with digestible bits of information. These books come in handy before day trips because they help familiarize you without overwhelming you. Then, when you find a subject you want to explore more, you can get the larger, more detailed books!

This past week we visited a Boy Scout troop. I love this because it really introduces our kids to other kids who know the area and local traditions. Plus, most scout troops do community service projects and they are usually very friendly and helpful. At this meeting the boys took the lead and walked my younger son through knot tying (he is now a pro at tying people up. ;-)) while my older son observed.

They also invited us to join them to help set up a traditional Southwestern holiday event. When they described it to me, I had never heard of the tradition! Needless to say, I'm SUPER excited to participate with the kids and report back to you. You'll just have to wait for the details until then!

My husband and I went out for a drive this past weekend and ended up visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross. It's a Catholic Church that was commissioned by local rancher and sculptor, Marguerite Brunswig Staude. She worked with architect firm Anshen and Allen and it's very unique. It's also supposedly located within an "energy vortex". As a visitor, though, I can't say I felt any more or less "energized" by being there. Although I was pretty amazed by the architecture and landscape.

We learned that Sedona is not a name that comes from either the Native American or Mexican languages. This city is actually named after Sedona Miller Schnebly. Her mother supposedly made up the name, herself, because "it sounded pretty". Sedona Miller Schnebly was the wife of the first postmaster here. He decided to name the town after her. After reading more about her life, she sounds like a very interesting and hardworking woman.

Since Christmas decorations weren't on our list of things to pack for this trip, we headed down to the local Walgreens yesterday and picked up a tiny tree and some stockings. Now we're all set for the holiday season!

We also searched all over for, but sadly didn't find, an advent calendar. I thought they'd be everywhere right about now! I even looked online for Lego ones and it seems they're all sold out. Wow! During our search, though, we played some of the public instruments downtown. It's really a fun, artsy town.

We're still on the lookout for Javelina!

Wishing you all a wonderful month! Happy December!

- Jen

A Change in the Weather

If you've been watching my Instagram feed, then you'll know we've had some interesting weather over the past week. There's been everything from snow to sun to thunderstorms- all in September! Believe me, these thunderstorms are nothing like what we see in Seattle. These are dump-a-swimming-pool-on-your-head-sky-crashing-down thunderstorms. Fortunately, we are okay with storms. It's been fun watching the flashing clouds cross the valley and estimating how long it will take for them to get to us. I'm sure if they were any worse we'd feel differently though.

Saturday was the last farmers market of the year in Jackson Hole, so we definitely couldn't miss the opportunity to check it out! As it so happens, that day also ended up being the morning after the first snow in the Tetons. Did that stop us? Nope! We braved the pass anyway. It actually wasn't too bad, which we were thankful for considering the road has a ten percent grade! Once we were over the pass it was all sun and smiles.

This is a shot of the famous antler arches with the market going on around them. Tourists are still visiting even though "tourist season" is just about over. Soon ski season will start.

Here are some of the items we picked up at the market. I especially liked talking to the family who owned the raw milk dairy and the Cub Scouts selling coffee instead of popcorn to raise money.

We were finished at the market around 1pm and headed over to "Pinky G's" for pizza. The slices were humongous! Pinky G's was featured on "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives" with Guy Fieri and they have a pizza board with his face hanging on the wall. It's a fun little place and the pizza is delicious. Just the right amount of gooey cheese and perfectly seasoned sauce.

Before we left, we made a point to visit the Jackson Hole History Museums. In one, we learned about Native American art and life here. In the other, we learned about the pioneers. Both museums were interesting but I was especially captivated by the native art. At the museum with the pioneer exhibit, my daughter found a calligraphy set where she could mix her own ink and write with a feather. She's been practicing all week, which is fun for this history nerd to watch.

The beads on these are itty-bitty!

Other than our visit to Jackson Hole, this week has been pretty quiet. We've been keeping our eyes out for things we've never seen before, which usually means food. ;-) We tried Red Button Vintage Ice Cream, Grand Teton Brewing Company Root Beer (made just down the road), O.S.M. Waffles from the Bunnery in Jackson Hole, and we visited an old fashioned soda fountain where we ordered an "IronPort Float." All were really good! The kids were a little less enthusiastic about the waffles because of the texture from the oats, sunflower seeds, and millet. I liked them, though- especially with our Alaskan birch syrup.

We also found the library and now have our temporary cards and some new books. Hooray! 

My husband has been traveling almost since we arrived and returns tomorrow. It will be good to have him "home" again. Once he's settled we can all start to experience Idaho/Wyoming together. Being together makes everything more fun.

Wishing you all a great week! Be sure to steer clear of storms!

- Jen