Is worth two in the bush! Am I right?!

Famous Pic of JH

The weather in Jackson is truly an anomaly. One day I find myself pulling out rainboots and a coat and the next I’m sparkling (because I DON’T sweat, I sparkle) at work in jeans and a tee. Then there are the days when it could go either way and I presumptuously opt for a more “springy” outfit and wind up walking around with snow in my ballet flats. My advice: Don’t force it people. If the weather looks sketch, sway towards practical instead of hopeful.

How do Jacksonites get through it?

1.) Drink. Whiskey.

Maybe out of a shotski, maybe not.

Shotski in Action

Carrie Underwood once said, “Right now, he’s prolly buyin her some fruity-little-drink cuz she can’t shoot the whiskey”. The girl she’s talking about? That’s me. I love m’gimmies. AND fruity-little-drinks.

*A shotski is basically an old ski that has shot glasses glued to it, allowing multiple people to take shots at the same time. The one pictured is made by Holly’s boyfriend Matt – this one is fold-able, has squishy cups AND a backstrap. Holla.

2.) Be active.

Me at a 5K in Richland, WA

People in Jackson are fit-beings. Of course, the occasional trailoricious person will sneak up on ya in the Browse n’ Buy (the thrift store I frequent), but they about as elusive as a college grad on Jersey Shore. By and large, a typical Saturday in the life of many Jacksonites reads something like this:

• Wake up at 7 am.
• Do not shower. Put on outfit consisting of Patagonia, Prana and Smart Wool.
• If a man – trim beard. If a woman – trim beard. Hehe, jk.
• Drink organic, sustainable, free trade coffee with steamed almond milk.
• Purchase gourmet dog treats (also organic).  Place treats in re-useable tote.
• Consume Tram Bar. Fill Sigg.
• Pack a modest bagged lunch purchased at Backcountry Provisions in Gregory backpack.
• Be active WITH dog for 8 hours solid.
• Meet friends for brews and re-live experiences of the day.
• Shots of whiskey and subsequently consume a Billy’s Burger.
• Pass out in your house with other 4 roommates and their dogs.

I don’t feel too bad about this one since I am an active gal myself. As Bryan once described it, my fantasy out-doors day would consist of “a long pancake hike (meaning no elevation gain) where we sleep in a quaint little cabin with a fireplace, hoards of candy, small dogs  and a FULLY-stocked bar. The next day we make S-Bux Pike Place Roast and hike back out.” NAILED it honey. Sassafras for sheeez.

3.) Work y’ass off.

Since moving to Jackson, I’ve had more than my fair share of jobs. Cough-five-cough. In less than a year. What?! Gimme a break – None have involved flipping burgers, telemarketing or turning tricks – that’s the good news. However, I hate to inform you that I have partook in the following:

• Re-filled enough iced teas to fill Oprah’s swimming pool.
• Woke up at 5 am 5 out 7 days and worked for a horror of a human being (who shall remain nameless) and POOLED TIPS. I peaced the eff out of that hot mess after 1 month.
• Tried to seat dozens of ravenous, horrible, snooty skiers who smelled like ham and cheese at a restaurant on a ski resort.

Holly and I Slaying Some Glassware

World's WORST uniforms - Hello Star Trek

And YES – Holly and I have worked at all the same places since we’ve moved here. Two peas in a pod, we are.

4.) Take a vaca.

Probably the smartest and most obvious way to avoid the Jackson-Spring-Blues is to travel. Most locals flee this town in the off-seasons and for good reason, taking trips all over the world. Between Bry and I – we’ve been to Costa Rica, Hawaii, Panama, Africa and Argentina during these off seasons. Traveling lends itself well to people who work F&B or hospitality jobs. Lots of people make oodles of dough during the busy tourist seasons and then live off those funds while abroad.

In Kroger National Park, South Africa

Bryan at Basecamp of Aconcagua

5.) HOPE

It’s a four letter word far more powerful than some of it’s relatives…well sometimes . Jacksonites hold out hope for summer for many reasons.

– Rafting on the Snake River. Cue whiskey and PBR.

White Wata

– Sitting on the balcony of the Town Square Tavern and making fun of tourists sporting cowboy hats and fanny packs watching the “shootout” on the town square.

So. Cheese.

– Targhee Bluegrass Fest, the Chicken Fry and THE FAIR.

Git It

– Climbing the Grand.

Bryan on the Summit of The Grand - Elevation 13,770 feet

– Hiking the many gorgeous trails.

Nice Face

– Watching Old Faithful shoot off in 60-70 minute increments (yes, that’s how often it goes off).

Mom and I with Yellowstone Park Rangers at Old Faithful

So there you have it. The perfect formula to persevere through the Jackson-Spring-Blues.

How do you get through gross Spring weather?