March 24, Ancient Lakes

Went Mountain Biking with Francine at the Ancient Lakes area.   It is due North of the Columbia Gorge amphitheater.   Very cool trails and small lakes above the Columbia River.  We did a nice 20 mile loop.   This could be a classic spring ride.  Hit it early while there are no bugs and the soil is still firm.  Stole this shot of one of the lakes.  I brought my camera, but forgot the battery.  Bummer, lots of great scenery.

I snagged these images off MTBR.   For the ride we parked at the North end, then rode South above the river, we diverted up the first canyon to Ancient Lakes and back, continued S. skipping the Dusty Lake canyon.   We were worried about time and distance.   At the South end of the map you come out right below the Ampitheater.   Hung a hard left and climbed up to the top of the Mesa and headed back North.  Passed a couple small ponds.   Eventually hit the gravel road by some bigger lakes, passed signed trail to dusty lakes, then after much searching found the trail that drops back down into the ancient lakes canyon.   Nice ride, good variety.   Only the gravel road section was kinda lame.  Also we did hit the road fairly far South to avoid some hike a biking sections.

February 27-March 5, Jackson Hole, WY.

Francine and I were  invited to spend winter/spring break with my sister's family at Jackson Hole.  We enjoyed four days at JH and one day at Targhee.  I also did a solo day at Teton Pass.  Skinning at 9'000 feet really made me appreciate chair lifts!  Unfortunately we did not get any storm cycles, but the sunshine was very nice and JH had received a foot of new a couple days prior to our arrival.

The Webers; Lenny, Maddie and Jack below Tower 3 Chute

Jack negotiates the rocks, trees...

Maddie

Jimmy carves up the softer snow of Targhee

 Kristin, Leonard and Jimmy check out terrain park videos on the flip

February 23-25, Big Sky Montana

This was our first time at Big Sky.   Unfortunately their snowpack was about 80% of normal, and much of their South slopes were lacking good snow coverage.   Primarily intermediate runs with a few steep ones off the top.   Managed to get the heart rate up on a couple of the steep face runs.  Had a great slopeside unit and really enjoyed the feel of the village.

Francine heads for our slopeside unit. 

February 17, Mattawa Moto Ride

Had the itch to get out on the motorcycle, so headed to Mattawa.   It's located South of I-90 on the Columbia river.   Desert Riding.