My dad and I traveled down to Peru from April 4-April 15…we spent our first few days exploring the country-side and Machu Picchu. The next week was spent working at El Centro de Salud Ttio, a small health clinic in the middle of Cusco. It was a wonderful trip and a great time with my Pops.

The lounging llamas at Machu Picchu.

Early morning at Machu Picchu…definitely worth the early bus ride.

Machu Picchu was amazing….I’m very happy I can check that off the bucket list.

We bucked up and hiked to the top of Huayna Picchu…it was definitely steep, but quite the view. I was white knuckling the incredible Inca-crafted walls at top, but it didn’t phase Billy Goat Mcpat.

Baby llama…cute

Bikes along the side street at Pisac’s market

Peruvian woman selling her goods at Pisac’s market.

Flower Shopping in El Mercado Ttio

Colposcopy anyone?

Working with my dad was one of the best parts of my trip…I learned a lot by just listening.

My dad and I with Ivan, our kick-ass translator in the clinic…he did a great job filling in my pitiful Spanish gaps.

Cute mama and baby, close to La plaza de Armas in Cusco….mama was hustling hard to sell her gourd souvenirs to all the touristas.

The Inca knew how to make a wall right.

Cusco mural….

The Sacred Valley…bus ride home from Machu Picchu.

My first guinea pig dinner…I felt a little guilty eating Mr. Guinea.

Plaza de Armas in Cusco…late afternoon rainstorm…5 soles got me a purple, plastic poncho to charge through the rain and right into Starbucks.

Good view of La Plaza de Armas.

Me and Pops in La Plaza de Armas.

Rabia celebrated her 31st B-day at Blackbird Thursday night with good food and good wine…it was a wonderful evening with super cool friends!

Genevieve, the birthday girl, and me…it didn’t take much wine to bring out the giggles.

Rabia and Rosanna…two lovely ladies.

Genevieve and I finished off a bottle each…just kidding.

A good dinner crew…Mark Mcphie, Genevieve, me, Rabia, and Rosanna…Jeff got stuck shooting the picture. Happy Birthday Rabia!!!!

Today was my one and only day at Big Sky this year…I even bought a frequent skier card that has sat in my wallet all winter! Heather O. was awesome enough to share her extra free ticket with me (thank you Reno for winning that ticket), so we had a kick ass day in the clouds and spring snow. As strange as the weather and conditions were, we had a great time…I definitely had some good company.

It was raining on the drive up and was socked in when we pulled into the parking lot…Lone Peak had disappeared into the clouds. Challenger had yet to open up due to  high wind and the Tram was open for the Big Couloir only….so we lapped the Bowl…a lot.

The Tram finally opened, so we hit up one icy run off Marx or Lenin (I’m not sure which is which) and headed over to Challenger as soon as it opened shortly there after. Surprisingly we found some fun turns here and there and pockets of vis…thankfully the clouds opened briefly while we inched our way off the tram through icy moguls, through a few creamy turns, and out over the chunder. What a weird ski day, but super fun nonetheless!

Rachel, Rosanna, and me….ski weekend in Red Lodge, MT. It was the perfect way to celebrate my birthday!

Mom and Nanuq on a sunny x-country ski yesterday up Hylite…it felt like spring. It was a good day for my fill of vitamin D.

My mother was winning…not bad for a mom with double hip replacements. We started at the base of Hood Creek by the Hylite reservoir and made a nice little loop up and back…too bad it was a little sticky on the way down. I prefer a fast run out!

Mom and Nanuq…the reservoir is hiding behind the trees in the background.

Dad and I on the Ridge last week…the snow was still soft after a dump the day before, but the sun was thickening things up real quick. The next day was frozen and rough. Good times for us though.

The Ridge, looking South. Dad buckling down before  heading toward the Apron.

I was blessed with a visit from Rachael Burks last month…what a treat! It was most certainly short, but oh so sweet. I got a video message from her this morning, which made my day and miss her all the more…she was showcasing a hello from Italy on the Peak Performance photo shoot. Oh how my heart ached to be there…missing my best friend and those amazing mountains…and really cute chalets.

One of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen over Bozeman…driving down from Bridger last month with Burks.

Me at the top of Slachman’s…the Saddle in the back, Bozeman in the valley to the right.

Dad at the top of Slachman’s…get’n ready to give ‘er.

Random skier on his way out on the Schlaman’s traverse. Saddle in the background, luring unsuspecting skiers out to some very unstable conditions…scary winter.

It was a beautiful, sunny day up Hylite today…and the snow was still soft! Rachel, Laura, Nanuq and I skinned up Lick Creek for some exercise and turns.

Nanuq was one tired, little puppy at the end of the day…he forgot that it’s a lot less work when he follows in my tracks.

Rachel was born to be a model.

Gorgeous day!

Cute trio…Nanuq, Laura, and Rachel

…and we’re still skinning.

I woke up to another gray-bird day in Bozeman with a warm wind and no snow, but I knew I had to try out my new skins before the weekend was all said and done. I also knew that my dear friend Rachel would be game for a short tour regardless of the not-so-awesome ski conditions. To our surprise, after a short tour up History Rock, the sun poked out and it was a lovely day. It was low angle and low avalanche conditions, so we were pumped….a nice little Sunday.

My favorite little dog Nanuq joined the crew.

Rachel is Nanuq’s favorite…she was kind of his second mother back in our Salt Lake City days…she is definitely his alpha bff.

Fast track out

Rachel, Nanuq, and moi….caboose in the back.

I hadn’t busted out my skins and touring gear in a couple years, so today was a treat. I hadn’t even tried out my Volkl Katanas  yet…what shame. A good friend and a good dog with a little bit of sun…it makes for a good day.

Me, Wade, Grandma and mom for Christmas Eve dinner at my place

Christmas morning

This year’s pickle….I won!

Christmas day game of hockey!

Dad played goalie…without skates.

Dad defending the glove goal…mom in the background chatting on the phone.

Cool new hat and jacket…yey Christmas!

Dad and Nanuq among the Christmas gifts.

Wade’s new bike jersey…

….and Nanuq’s new Christmas bone.

Very happy dog

Nanuq in his Christmas PJ’s….’tis the season.

Now, if we could only get some more snow. Until the powder dumps and ski season comes I have only pictures of Nanuq to fill my blog and entertainment.

Mom and Nanuq

It was a beautiful day up Hyalite…another 5 miles would have taken us to Hyalite Lake.