Beehive Basin Snow Measuring Stick

I'm reposting this so it's at the top of the blog. See recent photo at the bottom of the page.

WinCo Bozeman - Big Deal or Just Another Grocery Store?

In small mountain towns, little things like new grocery stores get people talking. When I moved to Jackson, Wyoming in 1999, the local Albertson’s was in the process of building a new store. They opened to much anticipation and the reaction was mixed. Some people complained that it was too big and too “fancy” while others marveled at its novel-for-the-time features such as a coffee shop and fireplace. A few months later, a new executive director moved from the Washington D.C. area to assume leadership of the organization I was working for. Several weeks after his arrival someone asked if he had been to the new Albertson’s. He looked at them blankly and when he realized they were serious he said, “It’s just a grocery store.” 

Although Bozeman is much bigger than Jackson, we’re still a small mountain town in many ways with the propensity to succumb to chatter about new grocery stores. I had never heard of the WinCo chain before they opened a store here. As with many things during this tumultuous period of growth in Bozeman, people had opinions about it. I didn’t follow the saga closely (And it was a saga – Bozeman Daily Chronicle links at the bottom of this post), and they opened their store in February. 

Being nosy and wanting to see what the fuss was all about, I finally got around to shopping there for the first time three weeks ago. Is WinCo a big deal or just another grocery store? Here’s what I found.

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A Bozeman First - Two Juice Bars Open in November

Good news for fans of juice bars - Bozeman has gone from zero juice bars to two in recent weeks. Read all about the newest places to quench your juice craving.

Jet Setting

Jet setting off to West Palm Beach

I took of on a four-day weekend to West Palm Beach, Florida earlier in the month. I'll post about it soon (Visit my Instagram page if you want to see a few photos), but in the meantime, here are a few thoughts about taking off. 

Lost & Overlooked Ski Areas - Nebraska

I'm fascinated with defunct ski areas and the idea of skiing in obscure places. I started the Lost and Overlooked Ski Area series in 2018 but had not added to it in a while. Recently, I was thinking about my only cross-country car journey via Interstate 80 - the first time I realized there is indeed skiing in Nebraska. So, I do have more to add to the lost ski area story.

Here is what I know about skiing in the Cornhusker State. If readers know more or have stories to tell, please leave them in the comments section of this post. (Account not required, you can post anonymously.)

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The A-List Cooks: Pondering Pomegranates

Photo courtesy of Isons Nursey & Winery
www.isons.com

Until this fall, other than the myth of Persephone (goddess of the underworld) and the ancient Greek explanation for the seasons, I didn’t know much about pomegranates.  That changed when I was looking for ways to use the abundance of zucchini from my garden. I found a salsa recipe that included zucchini and pomegranates and have made it three times. The pomegranates add a cool, crisp jolt to the salsa that I can’t get enough of; I think I’m hooked.

The A-List Eats - Ramire's Mexican Food Truck

Photo courtesy of facebook
@Ramires-mexican-food-taco-truck

Another food first for the A-List. Earlier in the month I checked out Ramire’s Mexican Food Truck. 

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The A-List Eats - Tanoshii

After talking about it for several weeks, Mike and I finally made it to Tanoshii for dinner. They're located on Main Street in downtown Bozeman in the spot where a short lived and ill-fated wine bar used to be, and they bill themselves as a place for Japanese soul food.

Here is what the A-List has to say.

Four Days in the Sawtooth Wilderness

A quick narrative and a handful of photos from our late August trip to the Sawtooth Wilderness in Idaho.

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Trader Joe's Coming to Bozeman? What's Up with the Gibson's Building?

What's happening with the old Gibson's building at the corner of Main, Babcock, and 23rd?

Know My T-Shirts, Know Me

This story has been percolating for a while. I haven't posted to this blog for weeks so I wanted to get something out there before more time passes. I think there's more to say here. I may get around to it one day.

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Where Are They Now? New Haven Establishments 2021

Several years ago, a series of “Do you remember when…” conversations piqued my curiosity about my college stomping ground, New Haven. Web searches followed and the original New Haven Establishments list was created. A few years later the list expanded to include more locations. Be sure to check out both of them as you’ll find my commentary and some cool links including one to a video of the Nirvana concert at The Moon in 1991. 

A recent visit to New Haven, several web searches, and the New Haven Independent allowed me to bring you the third edition of the list. Send updates my way and please share your thoughts in the comments section of this post. (You can post anonymously.)

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Embracing the Spring Ski Tour

Spring skiing. Do you love it or hate it? The opinions run strong on both sides of the argument.

Duluth Trading Company - Buy or Boycott?

Duluth Trading Company - a few reflections on whether to buy or boycott. 

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Outdoor Idiosyncrasies - Contemplating High-Performance Gear

A story inspired by a hiking trip in the High Tatras of Slovakia and Poland. It was useful for me to step outside the Northern Rockies mountain town "bubble" I've lived in for so long and take a closer look at my gear buying habits.

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2020-2021 Snow Stats

It's been years eight of measuring snow stats. Although I'm primarily a backcountry skier, I refer to the ski areas to take a look at snow depths and see how the winter looks compared to others. I also remind everyone of the musings of Jim Steenburgh, a professor of atmospheric science at University of Utah (Jump to the bottom of the post to read more or click on the links throughout.) discusses sun-angle and how it influences the snowpack.

Nothing to Strava About

A ski story from a few years ago. A shorter version appeared in Outside Bozeman last winter (https://outsidebozeman.com/activities/skiing/backcountry-skiing/tootle-loo) and the original draft appeared on this blog. 

Moving Stones

A meditation on stones. Dan Snow's book Listening to Stone provided the inspiration for this essay.

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The Great American Train Story Continues

Memories of a train trip from a long time ago. I first wrote about it several years ago on this blog and updated the piece for a writing class over a year ago. The piece continues to be refined. Here is the latest. 

Do you have a train story to share? Leave it in the comments section of this post.

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Bending Beyond: Developing Persistence & Patience with Hot Yoga

The new year finds me making good on my goal to finish pieces I've been working on and put them "out there" for all to enjoy and critique. I posted a short write-up as I began a yoga fitness challenge a few years back but never posted a follow up.  The full story is below. 

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The A-List Eats: Allamuchy General Store

The first time I entered the Allamuchy General Store I found myself in a cliched moment. 

"I've discovered a 'gem' in a place I least expected to" is the tired and overdone thought that crossed my mind.  

After my meal, I did a web search to find out more and was surprised that other than Google and Yelp reviews not much is written about the Allamuchy General Store. With great food and a captivating vintage atmosphere, it wouldn't have surprised me if I had come across a New York Times article about it or a story about a visit from Anthony Bourdain - it is that good and that unique of a place. But nothing, not even a local newspaper review.

(Interestingly, I did find out that the Allamuchy General Store was remodeled in 2017 after a tractor trailer barreled through the front door.  Click here to read the story.) 

Below is my first-hand account of breakfast at the Allamuchy General Store.

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