Life's Curveballs, Concussions, and Clogged Ponds

Wow, has it really been six months since my last post? If you've been wondering where we disappeared to, let me tell you, life took some seriously unexpected turns. While this adventure didn't always involve scaling peaks or trekking through jungles, it was an epic journey of a different kind – packed with curveballs, new homes, and plenty of moments that reminded us why we love the outdoors... and why some sellers should really come with a 'disclosure' label. (More on that later.)

This is what a ton of snow at Mt. Bachelor really looks like. Proof is in the powder!

A Turbulent Start: Florida, Remodels, and Recoveries

Our last blog post found us in Florida, deep in what quickly transformed into a survival mission disguised as a getaway. First, we navigated the chaos of Hurricane Milton (because who needs a relaxing vacation?), then dove headfirst into an unplanned, and decidedly unwanted, bathroom remodel. Turns out, water intrusion isn't just for hurricanes. And friends, that was just the warm-up act for the craziness that followed.

A Concussion & A Comeback

After a quick dash to Virginia to celebrate Sam's PA school graduation, we pointed our compass back to our favorite snowy haven: Mt. Bachelor! The winter delivered a truly fabulous snowpack, setting the stage for endless days of snowboarding, snowshoeing, and cross-country adventures. The fun seemed boundless until, well, I decided to become intimately acquainted with a snowdrift on a zero-visibility day. That little header earned me a pretty solid concussion and a memorable detour to the ER. Good times!

Thoroughly enjoying one of those magical blue-sky days!

But you know us – once I was cleared (or maybe a little before, don't tell Sam!), we were back on the slopes. We reveled in seriously cold, bluebird, and dumping days, battled some windy stretches, and even endured a few of those painfully soggy days. Yet, every single one was an adventure to savor. Or at least, that's what I tell myself when my brain still feels like a shaken snow globe.

Our kind of storm chasing! Snowshoe trek to this hut from Swampy Lakes. The snow was relentless, but the peace (and lack of people!) was exactly what we needed.

The Big Move: Finding Our "Dream" Mountain Home

Amidst that winter wonderland, life threw us a curveball that became our biggest adventure yet. We made the decision to sell our house in Bend, specifically looking for a community that felt a little more nestled in the mountains. With no overlap between closings (because we clearly thrive under pressure), we packed literally everything we owned into storage. Then, after a painstaking three weeks, we closed on a new house a few miles away!

Pretty sure Ty is in there somewhere. Operation: Unpack is in full swing at the new place.

The feeling of being "homeless" for a brief period was certainly a unique experience, thankfully softened by some much-needed beach time back in Florida. This move, however, was our fifth in less than four years, and I can tell you, we are officially over it. Consider us permanent fixtures in this house, no matter what fresh hell it throws our way next!

Now, about the new place! It's exactly what we dreamed of... on paper, at least. Surrounded by towering pines, a babbling brook, and even a little pond in the backyard, it will be the perfect mountain retreat for us. Turns out, what we expected to be the finish line (you know, unpacking from storage into our new digs) was actually just the starting pistol for a whole new race: a marathon of unexpected house projects. Apparently, the previous owner was a master of deferred maintenance – a true champion, really. Our "amazing water feature" in the backyard, for example, is currently less "babbling brook" and more "grody, leaky swamp" that hasn't seen a cleaning crew since... well, ever. So, yeah, it's not all roses and pine trees just yet, but the vision is definitely there!

Adventures Near and Far: From Ice Caps to Heatstroke

Alyeska with our favorite ski-buddies! Snowboarding with an ocean view? Yes, please!

Even with the house fun, we managed to squeeze in some incredible adventures away from home. We chased powder at Alyeska Resort in Alaska with some great friends. While the snow was less than fun (read: icy!) and the crowds were out in full force, there is something truly unforgettable about snowboarding with the ocean in view, riding from a base that's virtually at sea level. It's a surreal and breathtaking experience! Of course, no trip to Alaska would be complete without regular visits to Girdwood Brewing – our post-mountain tradition, and a perfect antidote to icy slopes.

Soaking in the good times and good brews at Girdwood Brewing after an epic day on the mountain. Alaska, we love you!

Grandbaby Therapy & Road Trip Woes

Speaking of welcome respites, our 7-hour drive to California to see the grandbabies decided to throw in an unexpected plot twist: my Subaru's A/C chose that 90-degree day to take a permanent vacation. Naturally, this came with a cool $1600 repair bill.

But from the moment we arrived, that precious time with the littles made the sweat (and the dent in our wallets) worth it. The girls’ giggles and boundless energy were the ultimate cure for any lingering moving stress or pond-cleaning nightmares. We even helped build a backyard play structure and pergola – a much more enjoyable kind of construction than the endless list of surprises at the new house!

Skate skiing: Because apparently, we needed more ways to embrace winter.

Local Escapades & New Passions

Beyond the big events, I explored a new hobby: soap-making (yes, there really are classes for this. Big shout out to School of Ranch for hosting these crazy classes!!). We cherished great times with good friends right here in Bend, and even managed to snowshoe through some truly epic, heavy snowstorms, thoroughly enjoying every bit of the winter.

Pretty slope, pretty storm, pretty sure we're going to feel this tomorrow!

A Perfect Winter Send-Off

We capped off this memorable winter with a killer combo: snowboarding in the morning and golfing in the afternoon. It was cold and snowing on the mountain, which made those last turns all the more real, while the cool breeze and sunshine on the course reminded us that summer is just around the corner. What a life we get to live! 

From the slopes...

...to the course. Gotta love Bend!

Well, that was certainly... a six months. Full of unexpected twists, exhilarating moments, and enough "character building" to last a lifetime. Excited to be back in the blogging saddle and spill more tea (and probably some pond water) with you all. Stay tuned for the riveting saga of the great pond restoration!

Until next time, Cheers!

And just like that, summer is here! Nothing but blue skies and good drives ahead