outpostjh

April Fools! It’s not just a day for pranks, at least here in Jackson Hole anyway. Each year on 4.01 the locals come out in all sorts of costume to celebrate Spring, the ski culture, and have a little fun. While it’s certainly impressive to see all matters of dress like a gorilla chasing a banana down Thunder Bumps or a hockey team skating in full press (we actually saw these things) our favorite is all the vintage ski wear throwing it back to the good ol’ days. We spent the day chasing around all the stylish people we could find. Here are a few favorites. 

 

 

 

Images © Taylor Glenn

I came from the land of Ohio. One day, I got in my car, and tried to race the sun. The sun set in Jackson Hole and it was so lovely I decided to stay…

From wolves and bears, to owls and rabbits, artist Amy Ringholz fills her canvas with native subjects that simultaneously capture the wisdom and whimsy of the wild. Outpost caught up with her to explore her bond with Jackson Hole, and how this unique place influences her amazing artwork.

What brought you here?

In 2001, I found a job online to work on a ranch right outside of Yellowstone Park, and my heart skipped a beat. When I came here, I fell in love. Jackson just happened to be the third largest Western Art market in the country. It was a match made in heaven. I’ve spent the past 15 years building my incredibly blessed career and life here.

How does Jackson Hole influence your artwork?

We probably were all brought to tears the moment we first laid eyes on the Tetons. I’m no different. I remember pulling over and getting out of my Civic at the top of Togwotee Pass so that I could take in the splendor of the valley stretched out below me. Over time, the relationships I have built with the mountains, the animals and the people of this community have grounded me to a place that I love, adore, respect and hope to always call home. The views outside my windows influence my heart and my work every morning.

Where is your favorite place to go to really connect to the land and the wild?

I like to get into Grand Teton National Park, because once you are alone under that blue sky and towering peaks, you forget about the fast-paced, goal-driven world, and sit in disbelief that you are lucky enough to call this your back yard. I love the secret lakes in the Park: ones you can only reach by walking yourself out there. Their stillness and perfection. God’s country. Wonder and beauty and gratitude surround us daily, and we are lucky to be able to live here, whether it is for a season, or a lifetime.

What is a moment that really represents your relationship with Jackson Hole?

I’m from Ohio; we grew up on golf courses and tennis courts and baseball diamonds. My love for baseball is still alive and well, especially when I get to play all summer with my friends under the mountains as the sun sets on hot pink clouds. I just drink up the pure joy of playing the game I love under the long summer sunsets. Eagles and osprey fly over the game, cotton falls onto the field like snow, and for just a few short weeks, we still have t-shirts on as night settles in.

Local animals are very important to your work. Why? 

I treat animals in my work like human portraiture. They are light and colorful characters when you first look at the paintings. But the eyes tell a different story. One of sadness or seriousness, bravery, strength, flirtation, or love. The animals are great subjects because they are loved and cherished by people far and wide. The encounter with the wild is so special and rare, that people remember those stories and tell them over and over throughout their lives. The animals are a common language for all of us. We are here to help take care of them. 

What is your dream project?

I would like to one day bring wildlife art to the MOMA. That is my dream: to become an American artist, showing our amazing country through animals, but so that all can see it and fall in love with it. The work I do is a life long pursuit. It has no end, and takes resilience and fortitude to run after unreachable potential, which can never be caught.

When you’re not creating amazing art, what are your favorite things to do here?

I have a little different story than most because I came here to fulfill a dream with my work. I came here for my job, and not for my sport. I think the byproduct of that pursuit though, is that I live among the dreamers and the risk takers. I live with the explorers, the fearless, the strong ones, and the badasses. I love to play my own sports here. Most of the winter, I practice tennis at the Pines and love the people there. The summers I spend running my softball teams and hitting the golf courses. I love the national parks with their paths through such beauty and the streams and lakes that provide so much fun with a fly rod or a paddle board. But at night, at home, on my little piece of Jackson Hole land, I love the stars. I love that the milky way is the nightlight to my dreams.

What would you be most excited to share with someone who has never been here?

I’d like to show them the real lifestyle: at the house we shoot the B.B. gun and knock cans off the fence. My record player in the living room plays Miles Davis daily. We sit and we talk about the beauty and the peace. But the absolute highlight of the Jackson Hole lifestyle comes in September, when the sky turns a shade of blue that is deep and endless like the desert sky, and beneath it, giant gorgeous elk bugle their sweet haunting anthem while tromping over crisp yellow aspen leaves. You are all nestled in your sweater, warm drink in hand, sitting on the tailgate of your truck, bathing in the wonder of Wyoming’s finest hours. Heaven must be like that.

 

To meet Amy and see her incredible work drop by the Ringholz Gallery at 140 E Broadway Suite 6

http://www.amyringholz.com/

 

 

 

Images © Taylor Glenn

Candles glimmer on the marble bar as the late afternoon sunshine filters through huge, eastern-facing windows. Inside Teton Tiger – formerly The Indian – the staff prepares for another night of Indian and Asian-themed food and an onslaught of happy, satisfied customers. The smells of bright, fresh citrus and warm spices drift from the kitchen: promises of bold and satisfying flavors. 

Ryan Haworth, owner and visionary behind Teton Tiger, says the rebranding of The Indian came after much reflecting with his wife and chef, Sununta, whose mother was involved with the very first Thai restaurant in Jackson. 

“We felt that we needed a name that better suits our dynamic, eclectic menu. We offer so much more than just Indian food, and it’s exciting to cook, assemble and taste these dishes. We know we’ve got it right when they transport us to the place where we ate them for the first time.”

Just celebrating its second birthday this month, it’s clear that so far, Teton Tiger has cultivated quite a faithful following. Featuring crowd favorites like crispy pappadom and garlicky naan baskets, Teton Tiger also broadens beyond what’s expected of it. Kimchi noodle soup, bison pho, and panang curry with seared ahi or pork belly dot the menu, filling in gaps between classics such as lamb vindaloo and chicken tikka masala. 

Always listen closely to the Rambler, or chef’s special, and enjoy what chef Mike Kitami, whose parents started the first sushi restaurant in town (Masa Sushi), is whipping up in the kitchen. In recent weeks, it’s been an unagi-don (Japanese style, charcoal-grilled eel bowl), Szechuan beef, and a cumin-coriander Thai fried chicken with spicy house-made salsa.

“It’s been really cool to see Sununta and Mike collaborating. Together they have created some dishes that we are all very proud of,” says Haworth.

In addition to the rotating dinner specials, bartenders stir up new drink concoctions nightly. All cocktails feature exotic whiffs of a faraway land: almond milk, cardamom, Falernum almond syrup, and cinnamon sprinkle the menu with a different twist on classic libations. 

One of the shining stars, however, perhaps for its simplicity and for its dependability, is the Cavalry Gin and Tonic. The gin, infused for days with lemongrass and kaffir lime leaf, mixes smoothly with tonic and lime for a botanical taste on the classic. Initially popularized by the British East India Company, the gin and tonic was originally developed as a way to disguise quinine in tonic, thought to relieve malaria. A couple of hundred years later, the drink is still praised for its cool, effervescent qualities – especially complimentary to the rich spices of traditional Indian cuisine. Here, the surprising twist of lemongrass and kaffir lends an exotic and pleasantly curious twist on the tried-and-true classic. With spring on the breeze in Jackson Hole, it’s impossible to sip this refreshing blend without dreaming of summer days to come. 

Teton Tiger’s unique vibe – dark, wood-paneled, masculine, yet cozy – makes you want to forget the world outside for a bit. Prepare to relax and stay a while – order a second cocktail, savor the impeccably prepared mussels and prawns, get a second basket of naan to soak up the last drop of the murgh makhani. From the deep recesses of a cushy leather booth, it’s easy to lose track of time and place and to allow the dining experience become completely sensory.

In the weeks to come, look for more exciting culinary changes to Teton Tiger’s menu, featuring new highlights such as Chinese lettuce wraps and Korean pork ribs with house-made kimchi. Whether you’re swinging by for a signature cocktail at happy hour, or looking to refuel after a day of adventure, Teton Tiger won’t let you down.

 

 

 

Images © Taylor Glenn

The thick coating of ice that covers mountain lakes hides a secret. Though the water grows colder in the winter, and the frozen layers blot out even the brightest winter days, the world beneath is anything but dormant. The aquatic ecosystem below thrives on; as long as there is non-frozen water, there are trout to be found within it.

Ice fishing is heavily associated with the northern Midwest, and many are surprised to learn that it is a winter pastime in Jackson Hole as well. People conjure images of clustered shanties hunkered on frozen waterways all winter long, plush with amenities like heaters, grills and even televisions. Because so many of the best ice fishing locations around Jackson Hole are in the National Park or National Forest, rules around the sport are much stricter. You certainly won’t find any pickup trucks or satellite dishes on shanties around Slide or Jackson Lake, but on a sunny winter day, you’re bound to see at least a few ice fishermen.

This pilgrimage to the area’s lakes is one that my family has made countless times over the past decades. I recall, as a small child, simmering with resentment that I was not allowed to remove my skis or snowshoes while on the lake. I was small enough that had I accidentally stepped into a hole, I would have slipped right through. In those days, lacking the patience for fishing, I frequently abandoned the efforts in favor of sledding down the steep banks and jumping from exposed shoreline boulders into pristine powder.

Now, it’s an excursion that I look forward to. We gather up our ice fishing rods and tackle boxes full of custom jigs: handmade for exactly these lakes and to appeal to Cutthroat and Lake Trout. We load up the sled to tow the auger and gear along with us, stuff our hands into gloves, tuck in a few snacks and treats, and head for the lake.

Though some rely on snowmobile to reach their favorite spots on the ice, we’ve always done it the old-fashioned way. If the snow is especially fluffy and deep, snowshoes make traversing the path easier, but often aren’t needed. The sharp winter winds that race through the valley at night keep the layer of snow on the wide open lakes shallower than elsewhere.

With a location selected, it’s time to drill holes through the ice. Historically, these augers were hand-powered, and boring through fourteen inches of ice was no small task. These days, a gas-powered auger punches through with ease. The stark white of the lake’s expanse is punctuated by these holes: the sides glow in shades of unearthly teal and blue around the black depths below.

The darkness of ice-covered water makes brightly colored and glow in the dark jigs highly effective in catching a hungry trout’s eye. Attaching some bait fish makes for a tempting treat that a cruising trout simply can’t refuse.

The peace of sitting still on a smooth, frozen lake in winter is a world away from the energetic thrill of skiing or snowmobiling. It’s pristinely quiet, and inspires reflection on the world as it dozes through the cold of short days and bitter storms. Often, a fox or coyote will trot along the bank, curiously sniffing the air for a clue of what business you might have on the lake. Ravens circle above, occasionally landing to hop around an abandoned hole in the ice, hunting for forgotten bits of lunch or fish.

The natural world’s quiet is always shattered when one of us hooks a fish. With excitement, we gather around the hole, ready to scoop the flailing trout into the snow. Laughter and congratulations flow freely, especially if the trout is of respectable size.

But even when the trout aren’t biting, it’s always fun to relax and enjoy a unique slice of Wyoming winter. Sitting on the lake together is almost like gathering around a campfire. Stories and memories unfurl themselves. We remember the massive trout a visiting uncle caught on his first ice fishing trip. We reminisce about the fish that we almost landed, but somehow managed to fumble at the last moment. We recall days that we caught our limit, and hiked proudly back to the truck, making plans to fire up the grill as soon as we arrived home.

Whether we return to the warmth of home with the freshest trout to be had, or empty handed, we find ourselves eyeing the calendar and wondering when we can head out again.

If you want to add ice fishing to your lineup of wintertime adventure in Jackson Hole, you can get everything you need from the Fishing Supply Company. From handmade, custom rods to hand-tied jigs, these knowledgable locals have got you covered.

 

Images © Taylor Glenn

On a frigid day in April 2015, onlookers were treated to a dramatic performance alongside the banks of Jackson Hole’s pristine Snake River. Overhead, an osprey and bald eagle fought midair over a trout. Wheeling and spinning, their pirouettes offered a spectacular display of the dance of survival in the wild. Suddenly, the bald eagle struck a power line that spanned the river: the duet jarringly interrupted. Shocked onlookers watched her stunned body plummet into the icy river below.

With canoe paddles and ski poles, the bystanders were able to drag the eagle to the shore. Her feathers were soaked through, and she coughed against the cold water in her lungs.

Teton Raptor Center’s co-founder, Roger Smith, and Executive Director, Amy McCarthy, swooped in to the rescue. The eagle was struggling after the trauma and near-drowning; it was unlikely that she would survive the night. They placed her in the oxygen machine, hoping that she could recover from her injuries and the pneumonia that wracked her lungs. For weeks, the Raptor Center Staff would gently restrain her and force-feed her bits of rat, quail, mouse, and fish. Slowly, against all odds, she grew stronger. On July 3^rd, two and a half months after her accident, she was released back to the wild.

Since 1997, the Teton Raptor Center has accrued dozens of stories like this one. From great horned owls and eagles, to compact kestrels and diminutive pygmy owls, the Teton Raptor Center has brought injured birds of prey back from the brink of death.

Meghan Warren, Rehabilitation and Volunteer Coordinator at the Raptor Center, started out as a volunteer herself. “I fell in love with the birds,” she said. “I found the work of healing these birds, watching them recover and return to the wild, deeply fascinating and rewarding.”

While Meghan admits that the hundred or so birds that the Raptor Center rehabilitates every year doesn’t have a statistical impact on regional population levels, the work has a great deal of value to the community. “Most of the birds that we treat are injured, ill or orphaned from anthropogenic causes. I feel like it’s our duty to undo some of that,” she says. “Also, we learn something new from every rehab case, whether it’s about the cause of injury, or plumage variations amongst a species, or measurements to add to a master database; each case is an opportunity to learn.”

Education is a core piece of the Raptor Center’s work. Ultimately, some birds are unable to return to the wild. Becky Collier, Senior Avian Educator, is dedicated to ensuring that these birds have rich, fulfilling lives and can continue to have an impact through education. Over half a dozen birds of prey make up the resident population at the Raptor Center, and Becky makes sure they have it pretty good. With plenty to eat, engaging spaces to live and exercise in, time outside and plenty of fascinated visitors, these birds offer a unique opportunity for the community to cultivate an understanding of their importance in the ecosystem. “They can’t go back to the wild, but they still deserve to have meaningful lives,” explains Becky.

The Raptor Center makes sure there is no shortage of opportunities to get up close and personal with these incredible birds. Every Saturday afternoon, visitors are welcomed into the historic buildings of the campus for the Raptor Encounter program. After meeting some of the resident raptors, guests see the clinic where rescued birds begin their journey of rehabilitation. It would be truly impossible to not be awestruck by the intimate interactions with the birds; so frequently, we only enjoy them from a distance. To appreciate one up close is amazing. The brightness and textures of their feet, the razor-like points of their talons, the intricacy of their plumage, the piercing gaze of their golden eyes.

This magnificence doesn’t really wear off, either, says Meghan. “I never get bored working with these birds. They are the most beautiful creatures and each one is so different from the last. I feel privileged to work with them. Holding one can be intimidating, especially if it’s a big one, like an eagle, and they’re so lightweight. You can’t believe how little a great horned owl’s body really weighs, and how much is just fluffy feathers!”

A visit to the Raptor Center is guaranteed to give you a new appreciation for these impressive creatures when you see them in the wild. Should you encounter one that has suffered some kind of accident or illness that requires rescue, there are a few important things to remember. First, just because a raptor is on the ground does not mean it is in need of assistance. Fledgling raptors are frequently on the ground prior to developing flight skills, and have the best chance of survival if left alone. However, if you are certain that the bird is injured or ill, call the Raptor Center right away. Don’t keep the bird to wait and see if it improves; that will often worsen its chances of survival.

Loving this place means limiting our impact on the wild world around us and those with whom we share it. Caring for these sentinel species begins with understanding them, and the unique role they play in the elegant balance of the wild. The Teton Raptor Center is dedicated to educating the community, protecting these beautiful creatures, and – where they can – trying to undo some of the damage that humans have done.

 

For more on the Teton Raptor Center and their programming visit  tetonraptorcenter.org

 

Images © Taylor Glenn