Festival of the Calcotadas!

It's not a bad thing to have good luck!  Thanks to wonderful connections, four Americans found themselves part of a unique, traditional event, north of Barcelona.  The festival celebrates the beginning of spring as two year old onions - something like a cross between a scallion and a leek - are pulled out of the ground, strung on a wire, and roasted over wood coals.  The hot steamy onions, called calcotadas, are wrapped in newspaper and passed around to the crowd.  An onion-dipping-finger-licking sauce called Romesco is seen on every table.  We open bottles of wine, eat crusty bread, dip onions, and celebrate life, looking out to the sea.  The farmer is actually from California.  He visits and tells us of the onion's life, from seed to sauce, as we sit under an olive tree filled with local children playing and are surrounded by his emerging crops; new spinach, new lettuce, new cabbage.  Musicians play music, "Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue", and the mood is festive.  As the afternoon carries on, dark clouds roll in from the southwest, the wind kicks up and it feels like an early spring day.  The festival begins to pack up and we make our way back to Barcelona on a train filled with handsome young men from a water polo team and a K-9 dog wishing to play.  He falls in love with our new-friend Amanda!

Back at the hotel, packing my bag to leave, I can still tasted the grilled onions, the Romesco, and the wine.  Life is good.  Life is so very good!

Barcelona Tourist!

Well, that was certainly a FULL day!!  A pack of three of us were led around the city today by guide, Thomas.  A young man in his 30s, Thomas took us to many fine places.  Best of all, he navigated the streets and traffic, found parking places, and watched our backs as we gawked and took photos. 

First stop, a very popular stop, the Park Guell.  It is difficult to the place into words.  Hired by a millionaire, this architect and artist built an amazing place from pieces of colored tiles with a really great view of the city.  Here are a few pictures from stop #1.

Have I said yet that there are tourists EVERYWHERE?  This place makes a busy summer day in Jackson look like child's play!  And this isn't their busy season.  Seriously, there are people everywhere.

Next stop was to the top of a mountain in the city where the bunkers from a civil war still remain, Bunker Carmel.  Holy moley, what a view.  I had no idea of the expanse of this city.  It was stunning to look off both sides of this point and see city, city, city. 

Get the sense of this place?  I had no idea!! This was just stop #2!  With still much time, we made our way to the Sagrada Familla - another HUGE tourist attraction.

But, I am about to run out of computer battery.  Recall, the outlets are quite different here.  So, I'm signing out early tonight, with many, many more thing to share, but not enough power to do so!  Tomorrow will be much different, I am certain........talk of a trip an hour north of town....more to come!

Another Day of Learning

The conference comes to a close with a final finale of learning.  Today's topic, prescribed burning, seems to be the theme.  We need to do more, we are not doing enough, put fire on the ground!  These words are practically shouted from speakers coming from all parts of the world; most interesting, from Ireland, where there are very few days dry enough to even think about burning!  It is quite interesting to hear all the different perspectives.  Below is an image of a coffee break prior to the morning/afternoon sessions.  The school has beautiful internal yards which the following pictures illustrate.  There are at least a dozen wild cats in these gardens.

 

The day finishes with a nice standup meal of appetizers and wine.  We visit, tell stories, and celebrate a most successful event. Time to be a tourist!  A group of us are off to see Barcelona tomorrow.  Expect many pictures to come!!

Work and Play

The conference continues from an old building now used by the University of Barcelona.  Figures painted on giant paintings watch over sessions held to bring forth research on all types of fire practices, in all parts of the world.  The place is impressive!  The talks are fascinating. 

 

The day of work finishes around 7pm.  A pack of us join up to find the local brew pub.  We sit, tell stories and drink Barcelona beer.  It tastes good.  As hunger overtakes the desire to quench thirst, we make off for a place to eat.  Someone in the group knows a place in the "old town" and we begin an most interesting walk through the city of Barcelona.  Wide streets with zooming scooters and cars are crossed to navigate narrow alleys.  The city is about 4 stories tall and walking through the narrow alleys is quite different.  There is no one to keep any kind of directional sense.  I give up an know there is a taxi somewhere if we get totally lost!  Our quest lands us at an amazing restaurant.  We drink wine, eat "tapas" (appetizers of fresh mussels, bread with tomato on top, some kind of fried potato, and squid) and each of us finds the meal of choice to savor.  I chose octopus and it is perfect!  We get desserts and the meal finishes around midnight.  The bill is small and we are astonished.  Many say it was one of the finest meals they have eaten - and these are very traveled people! 

 

 

 

We walk and find taxis.  Time to find the motel and charge up for another day of learning and adventures!

Tuesday's Sessions

Tuesday was our day of sessions.  We arrived early for last second details.  The security men were all serious and a-flutter with the incoming dignitary's visit.  This political person was somewhat similar to our Secretary of Interior, best I could figure.  He spoke Spanish, the headset did not dial into the correct channel to hear the interpreter so I have no idea what he said!  And he is a very practiced speaker.  His words went on and on! 

Presentations were interesting and all on risk in the fire world, human behavior, and some other quite interesting presentations.  One of my favorite was a weather presentation done from a scientist from Missoula.  I could understand his language!!

The evening ended with an award presentation with another visit from the important person, another long winded speech by him (my headset had been turned in by this time so again, I was clueless as to what he was saying), and we all went off for a "dinner" of appetizers.

The second part of the conference begins today.  I am off  to learn more. 

Here are some images from the day. 

A Day, MInus a Few Hours!

I write from my room, 5th floor, (non-sprinklered) Zenit Hotel, Barcelona, Spain.  It is a quiet, Sunday night.  I have the room window swung open to bring in some cool, fresh air.  This is the view down into the courtyard.

Leaving Jackson seems like such a long time ago, I hardly have energy to mention the delayed departure, the international flight almost missed due to the delayed departure, the long international flight, and the morning arrival.

Flying in was beautiful.  Rugged countryside dotted with farms of wind generators.  The air is hazy from, I'm guessing humidity.  We banked around over the Mediterranean as we made our landing approach. 

I still don't have any money!  My ride was there, waiting for me, holding up my name.  An old man who spoke no English, drove through the city streets like he had done it once or twice (harrowing would be the word I would use to describe the journey!), and happily accepted my US dollars for a tip.  I got to the small, but very nice room, rinsed off the travel grudge, and slept.

As darkness fell over the city, I awoke to a growling belly and bravely took to the streets for a meal.  Sunday night dinner is not so easy to find!  Plus, one doesn't want to stray too far for fear of not finding one's way home!

I landed at a Japanese karaoke restaurant.  Kid you not!  Shiny black tables with plush velvet chairs, and loud, really bad Japanese karaoke going on in the room next to where I ate.  The waiters kept bringing food to the loud room - bowls of gooey looking fresh tofu covered in thick brown sauce, plates of steaming won tons, platters of fish something, and bowls of noodles. 

The waitress spoke both Japanese and Spanish.  We didn't do that well, but she ended brining me a beef appetizer, some type of stir fried rice with seafood bits in it and a nice clam soup.  I have no idea how one leaves a tip here.  They took my Visa card (I checked first!), I paid, and found my way back home!! 

Barcelona is like a Mexican Chicago with not quite as many people.  Graffiti accents most first story facades.  Residential high rises lined the horizon as we drove from the airport.  Decks filled with plants, colored linens, and a Mexican flag bannered here and there.  Grays, forest greens, maroons seem to be the paint colors of choice. 

Now that I've made my night time stroll, the walking around is not uncomfortable.  It feels like walking around Chicago - only, again, less people and they are all speaking Spanish,  It would be really nice to know the language!!

Traveling tip:  You will not get power in your room until you are smart enough to figure out that your room key goes in a box thing by the front door and then the power goes on.  Who knew??

I'm going to work on jet lag now!  Good night to all, near and far!


  

In Case You Did Not Know

I will be doing something quite outside of my comfort zone, starting tomorrow as I board the plane for Barcelona, Spain.  Heading to a conference on wildland fire which you an check out at Conference Info .  Check out the venue! 

As I try to think of everything I am forgetting, I am taking pause to hope you will check in often with the blog site.  If all goes well, I should be making frequent entries in this foreign city.  Over the course of my travel, I will skip ahead 8 hours - talk about time travel!! 

There are palm trees in Barcelona.  I am guessing it will be warmer and look quite different than it does here right now.  Stay tuned!!

 Looking out the back door toward the greenhouse.

Looking to the front of the house down the "dog run".  No problem jumping over the fence now - it's buried!!

When No One Knows

This is what it looks like when you are not home, a fire starts, and no one is notified.  We got there only because a neighbor noticed "an orange glow in the sky".

All is completely gone.

See this article House Fire Tuesday Morning

Best Banana Bread Ever

Seriously.  Banana bread has always been a baking quest of mine.  Adding the element of gluten-free did not help until this recipe came along.  Sooo, good!  Give it a try next time you have four, really ripe bananas!  A very easy recipe too! 

 

Adapted from an Epicurious Recipe:

 

Heat oven to 350.  Mash 4 very ripe bananas in a bowl.  Add the following, mix, put in a spray-oiled pan, top with course sugar and bake an hour. 

 

- 4 ripe, mashed bananas

-1/4 c melted butter



- 1 c sugar

- 1 1/2 c regular or GF flour

-1/4 t salt

-1 beaten egg

- 1 tsp baking soda

- 1/2 c toasted coarse chopped walnuts

The Members at Hoback Station #3

What a great Team picture!  Shows you how much talent there is in this group!  Thanks for all the time you give to this community in your service!!  Way to go Nation Station!!

The Winter of 2017

I picked a good week to be gone! Every time I called home, Michael was whining about all the snow.  Plus the old red truck broke so he was using the snow blower to keep the road open.  I got out today and got a look at it all, helped move some snow, and took a hike in snow shoes.  Clearly he had reason to be unhappy!!

Munger Mountain, across the river and our view to the west, has giant swaths of avalanches.  One wonders how many deer and elk were buried when the snow ran.  Some paths go all the way to the river. 

This will be a winter to remember.  And we aren't even close to being done with it either.  The wildlife are burrowed in and food is scarce.  It is hard to watch them lunge through the deep snow, knowing the huge amount of energy that takes and how little there is to eat.  A doe and her twin fawns were caught pruning my sour cherry trees this morning.  They worked hard to get up the hill from our house.  I imagine they will be back.

Here are some images.  One ponders the flood potential, come spring.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is your day

I wish I was there

To give you a hug

And a story or two to share.

 

Another year

Gone by so fast!

Ahead with another

So long to the last.

 

For your long life and good health

I am so glad

It is awesome to have you in my life,

My dear, ol' dad!!

 

Happy Birthday!!

 

(Pictures from last night's snow storm)

Almost buried hot tub and .....

Out the front door this morning!

 

Around the State

Perhaps I don't feel so cold afterall.  Check out today's lows from around the Cowboy State!
Freakin' Cold!!

Crazy Cold!

Although it is not supposed to last long, this morning is bitter, bitter cold here in the mountains!

Resolutions, Shared....

Thought you might find this amusing.  Check out us "local officials'" resolutions.  Can you tell who is running for office....!!!
2017 Resolutions

Happy New Year!

To start 2017, here is a look back!  Take a moment and enjoy the images from last year's adventures.  Mike & I do a good job of living a full life.  Sometimes I feel frenzied rather than "full" but all the hustle, bustle, and frenziness is worth the wonderful things we get to do and experience. 

A trip to Washington DC, the Jackson Lake Fishing Derby, the annual pack trip in July, fall hunting, and a wonderful Thanksgiving trip to Illinois and New York.

And the gift of a hot tub.  A glorious, hot, and wonderful soaking tub.  Again, we thank Bill & Gwen for not taking this tank of relaxation to the dump.  There is now outside music, sounding oh-so-good, to soak to!!  Life is so good!!

Here is a photo album, Best of 2016. 

May 2017 bring us all a full and wonderous year.

Click on this link:
Best of 2016

Merry Christmas to All!

Nothing like a Christmas morning soak after opening so many generous gifts from family and friends!  Thank you all for making our Christmas morning so special!  Know that you are all in our hearts - we love you and celebrate each one of you in our lives!!  Have a Merry, Merry Christmas Day!!

(Notice: Coffee in the backround.  Not wine!)

Tis The Season

If you have not received it yet - our annual Christmas card, I may have an incorrect address for you.....please do let me know!  Mike and I are fairly certain this is one of our better Christmas cards!  Hope it made you smile, or better yet, laugh really hard!! 

The hot tub pictured was about to be hauled to the dump.  Bill & Gwen had it for awhile, used it to see if it might help Bill's aching back.  When the hot tub provided no relief to pain and it became cumbersome, it was cleaned out and stored in their horse trailer.  Bill was getting heat from Gwen to get rid of the thing.  He asked around.  Mike bit.  I was hesitant; thinking of a concrete pad and 220 electricity. 

We rolled it into the back yard.  Light and soft sided, it needed no pad, just a flat spot.  The pump and heater runs off 110 so it plugs right into the outside outlet.  From the moment the water hit 104, I have been in every single night I've been home.  Mike has missed one night only! 

So, it was a win - win!  Bill and Gwen are extremely tickled we are so happy and we are blissfully enjoying the thing; snowy nights or clear, below-zero nights.  I am sleeping better and quite certain a whole bunch of stress floats off in the steam wafting above the bubbly, hot water.

Life is good.  Life is really, really good when you have a hot tub!  Thank you Bill & Gwen!!

 

Rain and Snow

There are few things worse than rain after a snowfall.  The roads turn slick and treacherous, the rain drops fall in circles on water above the iced pavements.  Yuck.  It is gray and raining in town.  Happily, the mountains are getting hammered!  Avalanches are going to be running, for sure!  Check out the Togwotee webcam and the Jackson Webcam below!
Togwotee Web Cam

Rain in Town, YUCK!

A Personal Break

After a professional disappointment yesterday - I was not named Interim Chief, the battalion chief with more seniority was awarded the position - I took some time off.  A quiet morning of wrapping of a few gifts, cooking some elk soup, a nice ski around the place, and after this, a quick dip in the hot tub before heading to get an afternoon's worth of work accomplished.  I am certain, I do more in an afternoon than many get done all day.  Just sayin'.

The ski was great.  First time out this year.  It was not really skiing though.  Six fluffy inches of snow made for ski walking.  Sliissh, slissh, slissh.  The skis sink into the fluff and I slissh my way up hill.  In 30 minutes, sweat is dripping down my back.  Slissh, slissh, slissh.  In ten more minutes, sweat trickles down my front.  There are animal tracks everywhere.  This looks to be a tough winter for our furry friends.  On the horizon, yet another winter storm coming our way with predictions of six more inches of snow.  Then an artic blast promising temperatures to maybe hit zero! 

 

As I returned home for this outside jaunt, lungs filled with cold, fresh air, I count my blessings, feel relief that I am still the Fire Marshal, there are quiet mornings for skiing, and good health to do it all!  

On The Way To Work Today

On the way into work today, my car thermometer read -21 degrees.  I would have taken a photo, but it was too cold!!  How do the animals survive?  Good news is, the temps are going to warm up.  Bad news is a storm is a-coming!  This weather warning was waiting for me on the computer.

Be careful out there!

Sweet Memories

Photographs are great.  They take you right back to the moment.  Standing in the wine tasting room, looking out past the sun lit bottle onto the fields of vines where the grapes were picked to make the very wines you just tasted.  Later, sneaking outside, back of Janet's house, watching the winter sun settle slowly to the southwest horizon, illuminating the patterns of the golf course. 

Tomorrow's memories will be of the snow storm.  Gusty winds rearrange the half foot of fluffy white frozen water.  We are in full-snow moving mode.  The plow truck rumbles below, warming up it 34 year old engine, reading to push the snow into piles and clear roads.  The vehicles have been broomed off, taking away their snowy cloaks.  This is winter in Wyoming.  We need these snows.  Today's marks the seasons first significant snow fall.  I must go.  A snowblower awaits!