Wednesday, December 14

THE EGG OUT WEST.

If you haven't noticed The Egg, your time has come.

Miss Meagan Murtagh featured *me* on The Egg Out West, her colorful blog that is all about our glorious life in Jackson Hole. It was quite fun snapping photos in the Tetons with one of my best friends, double fisting wine spritzers, and toting props found in my car. 

Please give it a gander, and check out her latest edition of Jackson folk {meet, Cat}
With love, I present to you the site + the unedited interview, below. 

The Egg: What brought you to the Wild West? 
Cat: My journey west began long ago, when I was just a young cowgirl at heart riding ponies and playing Tiger Lily in a big city. We would make frequent trips down "South" to my mama's hometown in the country. It was there in Bainbridge, Georgia at Grandma and Papa's house that my 3 brothers and I were set lose to roam. We spent all day fishing with our cane poles and beamed with pride when our day's catch was served at the supper table. We climbed magnolia and oak trees and paddled forth onto Lake Douglas in search of gators. We idolized our slow-talking, camo-wearing cousins who taught us how to shoot a shotgun and play snooker. Mud wrestling, hog calling, and tee-pee camping were encouraged. The sky never seemed to have more stars.
At 16, I was introduced to the Rockies for the first time by my Uncle Ben and Aunt Jennifer. They took me skiing in a tiny town called Crested Butte, Colorado. Ben and Jennifer later brought me to their home in Big Mountain, Montana. It was the summer before I started college. I learned to fly-fish, developed a taste for microbrews, fell in love with bluegrass music, and discovered Glacier National Park. It was only a matter of timing before I would live amongst the strange wildflowers and big, chilly rivers.

Jackson Hole popped up on my radar while attending the University of Georgia. The very sound of its name evoked magic. Something resonated deep within my soul. Years went by. I found myself in Los Angeles pouring my heart into TOMS Shoes, a start-up company that would change the world. I soon came to another crossroad in my life. I knew it was finally time to answer Jackson’s call. On September 4th, 2007, I moved sight-unseen to the last of the Wild West.

The Egg: How many times have you left and returned?
Cat: Five.  
I spent my first summer guiding teenagers through Costa Rica for Wilderness Ventures, a Jackson-based company.
Later that year, I took off on an open-ended fly fishing roadtrip throughout the West, British Colombia, and the Pacific Northwest.
The following Spring, I was skiing in Telluride when my Uncle Pierre and Aunt Kim invited me to sail with them for a passage of their voyage around the world. Within 3 days, I uprooted my life in Jackson. I said my goodbyes, fit everything I owned in my car, drove across the country, and caught a flight to Panama. With plans to sail for a month and then relocate to Asheville, North Carolina, I didn’t look back. I did sail, but I never moved to Asheville. I literally gave up everything in my life- love, job, family, security- for the sake of following my heart. Let’s just say that I jumped on a motorcycle, and went on the ride of my life through the Andes. I found paradise on a macadamia farm in Colombia, backpacked through Ecuador, and blazed a trail through Peru. I didn’t know how long I would need to satisfy this hunger, but fate would have me soon hiking on the Teton Crest Trail, navigating through snow, and sharing my passion for this glorious place with eager, young students. The next time I left Jackson, it wasn’t by choice. I was shocked and then scared to hear that I had three compression fractures in my Thorascic spine. I flew home immediately to be cared for my specialists and go through months of physical therepy. I felt vulnerable, my mind clouded and my wings clipped. My family and friends nurtured me. I bought a one-way ticket back to Jackson for a wedding. I guess I outsmarted myself.

The last time I left Jackson was to take a long walk on the Appalachian Trail with my beautiful cousin, Anne-Marie. We made a deal to devote at least 1 month a year to having an adventure together. Then I went to Italy. I guess what ultimately brought me back to Jackson this last time was to fly fish and drink Moscow Mules with my “gnomies” in Montana. That’s another annual tradition. I guess you could say that I am a nut for tradition. I like to keep the streak going.

The Egg: Think you'll stay here for good?
Cat: If I can learn anything from my past, it’s that Jackson is definitely in my future. I lead with my heart. But I think my dream is to explore the world and always call Jackson home. 

The Egg: How many jobs have you had here? 
Cat: I’m pretty familiar with the Jackson Shuffle. To answer your question, I counted at least 25 different jobs in the past 4 years. I have waited tables, cooked, even washed dishes, modeled for world class artists, styled mansions, assisted photo shoots, personal assisted, dog sat, house sat, baby sat, written for the local paper, sold paintings, taught children how to ski, and guided tours at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, you name it. However, the one job that I want to be remembered for that has always been my proudest since the very beginning, is Teacher. I began my teaching career here when I was 23 at the Jackson Hole Community School. I taught highschool Spanish which led me into experiential education with Wilderness Ventures. I lucked out and was able to teach at the Journeys School of Teton Science Schools and am now teaching lower-elementary school students at Davey Jackson Elementary.  


The Egg: Biggest thrill in Jackson?
Cat: We have Yellowstone and Teton National Park in our backyard. Plus there are a lot of fearless inhabitants always encouraging another journey. From learning to play in powder to doing wing overs and touch-and-gos over the Tetons in a Cesna 182 and everything in between, Jackson thrills are big and small, daily, and endless.  

The Egg: Craziest memory in Jhole? 
Cat: Spontaneously driving to the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver 2010. We got to see the US Men take Gold in the Bobsled. Or the 1st ever 80’s Ladies Ski Ballet that you organized. Another tough call. I like to have my cake and eat it, too.

The Egg: On average, how much money have you spent at the Jackson Hole Browse-n-Buy? 
Cat: Our relationship was tested last month when half of my belongings were accidentally donated to the Browser, our local thrift store. It still remains one of my favorite places to shop in the world. For a gal who can’t get enough vintage and what I like to call treasures, especially for a good bargain, it can’t be beat. There’s no telling how much I’ve spent. 

The Egg: Where is Boo?
Cat: Call dispatch! Kidding- He is coiled up in a little ball on the couch across from me wondering when we are going to go play in the snow!