Sojourne in the Sierras - Mammoth, California

Our lakefront cabin at Tamarack Lodge

I was so heartened to read all your well-wishes I managed to slap together this post I procrastinated doing pre-surgery. (I suppose when you're concerned about your health and impending surgery it's a little difficult to focus your thoughts so I forgive me!) I also managed to gently blow dry my hair today - another sign I'm on the road to recovery! 

entrance to the main lodge at Tamarack

I know everyone east of Arizona is enjoying unprecedented warm temps but we here in the southwest  have been FREE. ZING. Freezing! (Well, save for the last two days). When it rains down in LA you can pretty much be sure it is snowing up in the Sierras. Until last week, Mammoth had very little snow - including a few weeks ago when my man and I made our way up. And they are expecting more this weekend I believe. Thanks to my debilitating back situation I couldn't ski then and I certainly can't ski now but oh how lovely it would be to see everything buried in snow... I know, I know, East Coasters, you're enjoying the balmy weather and wouldn't trade it for ours - let alone a snow-laden destination resort!  How amazing is my bf, by the way? He refused to abandon me in my weakened state last weekend and refuses to go this weekend... He's stubborn, that man... but what a good egg!

fireplace in the historic lodge

Mammoth is another reason why I love living in LA. World class skiing is a mere five hour road trip away! I grew up in the northern reaches of Canada. The whole snow thing became a little played out when you trick or treated in a snow suit and hunted for Easter eggs in the snow. The ever-present white stuff stole from my enjoyment of traditional winter activities like tobagganing, and playing "Squish The Lemon" (a game invented for the purpose of keeping warm during recess in 30 below celsius weather). 

This tree reminds me of one of my favorite Canadian artists - Emily Carr

But when I know I can leave the snow and don't have to live with the inconvenience of snow - I LOVE IT! It's such a novelty. And I love the accoutrements. 

... So while some people were doing this...

... and my bf was doing this...

... I hiked up Tamarack's cross-country trails to Lake Louise!

Hiking in my sasquatch Sorels left me with quite the blister but the view and feeling of accomplishment was well worth it. I still had energy for a snowball fight...

Despite my limping they cruised right on past me...

The kids in the cabin next to us - who participated in our snowball fight - made this little guy. I've never seen a snowman with a tail before... Really inappropriate from certain angles...

This truck is actually a huge mobile ski shop parked at the base of the mountain. It was closed when I had my camera ready. 

This ski shop displayed a history of ski gear on the wall.

Same shop. Wish I had this for my deer collection!

I hung out in the village before I picked up my man at the lift. I really regret not taking some shots of the cute little snowboarders in all their stylish regalia. There were also some chic winter resort looks - because Mammoth is mostly filled with Angelenos! (Although, now that you can take a direct flight from LAX you'll encounter people from all over the country, and world even.)

We hung out in the lodge while we awaited our reservation at the restaurant. One of the guests got hold of my camera and decided to do a mini-photoshoot. Wish he'd gotten a shot of my fierce winter accoutrement - Costume National boots! I genuinely enjoyed our stay at Tamarack. It is authentic, rustic and cozy and elegant all at once. And the setting will take your breath away. I slept so well feeling nestled among the mountains. Or was it the propane gas leak coming from the kitchen? I prefer to think it was the fresh mountain air.

And feast your eyes on this wild game sampler! When in Rome, oui? Who knew Mammoth could offer dining so fine, so French-Californian even the New York Times and Bon Appetit had to rave! The Lakefront's chef de cuisine Frederic Pierrel cooks in the "terroir" style, meaning "of the earth". 

It is so cozy and romantic you slip into a blissful food coma where you become too weak to turn down this:

Lavender Creme Brulee. If you follow me you know how I never turn down a chance to eat flowers.

And you know how I always enjoy an opportunity to end a post with dessert!

So glad to be back in the fold of the blogosphere! You are such a tremendous comfort to me. And I just reached 200 followers on Google Friend Connect (although I think they are doing away with that soon, so maybe the best route is to follow through Bloglovin 'cause Google+ just really doesn't interest me!). 

Thank you thank you thank you!