Get with the program (wedding program)

Our ceremony will be at NOON at the Forest Chapel,
which is across a foot bridge from the Tamarack Lodge at Twin Lakes .

An intimate lunch buffett reception will immediately follow on the outside deck at The Mammoth Mountain Inn. (The Dry Creek bar) This is at the main lodge next to the Gondola overlooking the ski hill.

Towards the end of the reception, Dano and I will go up with our photographer on the Gondola to the Top of the Mountain and take pictures... ! Then we will continue the party in town with dinner and drinks...until the late night hours...

SO don't forget... the party is NOT over after the deck reception... make sure you all follow us down to the Village!

We are SO happy and SO excited! And we are really looking forward to sharing this day with you!

If you are interested in riding the Gondola to the Top of the mountain at any time during your stay here is some info for both Scenic and Riding purposes. Let's have some fun!

PARK Fees for Gondola, Bike Park and other:
For scenic gondola only (ride to top, observatory, restaurant)http://www.mammothmountain.com/bike_ride/scenic_gondola/index.cfm

For bike park/Mountain biking all inclusive passes http://www.mammothmountain.com/bike_ride/scenic_gondola/index.cfm

Dano and I will be riding every day leading to our big day and invite the rest of our extreme friends to do the same. Mammoth has the most amazing Downhill bike park but also tons of crosscountry riding. A great place to learn, and a great place to push your limits!

Important info/updates before you come to Mammoth

STAY WELL HYDRATED BEFORE you come up, particularly if you are not used to high altitude. You'll be less likely to be affected by the altitude (especially if you plan to partake in the extreme life) if you are well hydrated. Drink lots of water (high altitude and lower air pressure causes fluid to leak from the capillaries- that’s my nurse spill of the day) the days before you come up and throughout your stay on the Mountain.

EAT A HEARTY BREAKFAST before you join us at the Forest Chapel at Noon. Lunch will be immediately following the ceremony, but it might be some time between the ceremony and the drive back up the mountain, before you sit down and eat, so eat your bacon and eggs in the morning...or pack some tater tots in your pocket or purse...

DIRECTIONS might be affected I found out this weekend that they are doing construction on lower Lake Mary Road, which is the straight shot from the Village / Swiss Chalet to the Forest Chapel. I tried going twice on a weekday AND weekend and I sat there forever. SO, IF they are still doing construction next weekend, here are alternate directions. It basically takes you around in a big circle. Farther distance, but it’s a gorgeous drive (what isn’t out here) and I clocked it at 20 minutes and 5.3 miles.

FROM THE VILLAGE… Turn RIGHT onto MINARET RD (away from the mountain)
cross MAIN ST and stay on MINARET until you come to OLD MAMMOTH RD.

FROM THE SWISS CHALET… Turn RIGHT onto MAIN ST from their parking lot.
TURN LEFT onto MINARET ROAD (away from the mountain) Until you come to OLD MAMMOTH RD.

The directions now are the same:

Turn RIGHT onto OLD MAMMOTH RD. You’ll stay on it until it dead ends at the top of a hill.
You will climb this steep winding road for a while. When it dead ends, you’ll have to turn right or left.
The sign will read LAKE MARY ROAD.

Turn RIGHT onto LAKE MARY ROAD (towards Mammoth)
At approximately 0.7 miles you will make a VERY SHARP LEFT turn towards TWIN LAKES.
Once you make the sharp left you’ll see the Lake on your right and cabins on your left.

Park almost immediately ahead on your right (or where you can find parking)
The foot bridge that takes you to the Chapel is on your RIGHT.

Cross the bridge. You’ll walk about 120 steps keeping the lake on your right and you’ll find the Chapel tucked in against the rock face.
To go back, backtrack this drive, turning back LEFT onto OLD MAMMOTH RD (take this winding road back to MINARET)

TURN LEFT onto MINARET RD.
Stay on Minaret, cross MAIN ST and

Follow MINARET RD all the way to the MAIN LODGE to the MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN INN.
(this will be approx. 4 miles)

Once you arrive you’ll see a parking lot on your right, go PAST IT, pass the PANORAMA STATION/Gondola Station and make your first right immediately after you go under the Gondolas and pass the Zip line on your right into the Mammoth Mountain Inn parking lot. You’ll see the deck where we’ll be right in front of you.

Double-O 628. License to Wed

Dano and I got our license to wed in Orange County last week...

I ALMOST didn't pass the written examination...
1) COOK. hmmm. Oh, yeah, Dane Cook. Comedian, right?
2) IRON. That's a metal, right? It's a strong metal...

Hey! I'm wearing a strapless gown... do you think we should release Doves?


NICE.

The forest chapel sans snow

This is what the Forest Chapel should look like withOUT all the snow... OUR decor might be a bit different but just as sweet...and natural. Can't wait!

Wedding planning in Mammoth with mom!

Mom and I headed up to Mammoth the day after mother's day. Mom had never been there before and it was such a treat to be together and get the opportunity to go. We of course, were there to do the last of the wedding planning. We got more done in two days in person than I was able to do in 4 months over the phone. Mammoth, of course, was amazing. Beautiful, breathtaking views... but still with a lot of snow on it!!! But it looked gorgeous. No snow in town.


This is the view from the condo where we will be staying the week before our wedding

Mom and I with Wooley Mammoth at the base of the gondola.
We went to see our wedding planner/caterer and checked out the reception site. This is us on the deck of the Mammoth Mountain Inn where our reception will be. Check out that view! And all the little skiiers behind us!
Mom and I tied up loose ends for the reception, as far as table cloths, decorations, etc.
This is the "Dry Creek Bar" just inside from the deck. This is where the partying will take place. Mom was hitting the water, pretty hard.
So much snow still!!! Brrrrrr
Then we also went to see the ceremony site. This is us at Twin Lakes before crossing over to where the Chapel is.
Gorgeous. Just gorgeous. And so peaceful.
This is what you will see when you first pull up to go to the Chapel. This is taken from the parking lot where our guests will park. Then this is the foot bridge you take across towards the Chapel, and go right. It bends around and the Chapel will be on your left against the mountain.
Mom on the bridge.
Yes. We were VERY surprised to find the "Forest Chapel" almost completely covered in snow still.
I of course had to climb on it and jump off of it...
This is mom, standing on the AISLE, between the benches. This is where I'll be standing... very soon!!! Well, hopefully the snow melts by then!
The view to your right as you are "sitting" in the Chapel
One of the views from the area before you go back across on the bridge
Mom and I stayed at the Swiss Chalet, the home away from home for Dan and I in summer. This is me with Carrie. She runs the place and takes SUCH good care of us! She's so sweet. This is the view you have from the rooms.
Those of you who are staying at the Swiss for our wedding will have a great time. Carrie is great.
Since mom works with convicts, it was only appropriate that we visited Convict Lake.
It was so beautiful!
I feel so lucky to have had this time with you mom! Thank you so much for everything. You are the best. I love you!