PLAYING ON MOUNTAIN TOPS

The following morning we took advantage that the sun didn't come over the mountain range until after 9. The air was crisp and the valley was dark with shadow. It was a wonderful few hours of continually returning to the world of slumber. Once up we greeted good morning to our neighboring marmots and scrambled back on top of the big rock to watch to light come over the range and fill the valley. Somewhere around 10 (we didn't have a time piece other than the sun) we loaded up our day pack full of food and warm clothes and took off for Lake Solitude. This time the lake was not so secluded. To our surprise there are a lot a endurance driven day hikers that venture out to the lake. So we decided to press on up the range on the adjacent side and get a higher view. We had originally hoped to hike this range with all of our gear and camp on the other side at Lake Holly. Though plans changed when we were told by rangers that the pass was iced over. So today we hiked up to see how far we could make it before the ice got too bad. The trail took us on a gradual incline along the range with sweeping views of Lake Solitude, the valley we were camped at and above to hidden lakes still frozen in the cleavage of the surrounding mountains. At about 10,000 feet the hike got harder. It began to switch back even higher into snowy and windy terrain. But the views were more than worth our efforts. As we climbed on we reached peaks where we were looking down on several of the Teton mountains. The Grand Teton raised up to appear that it's peak was right beside us. Once on top of the Paint Brush Divide (11,000 feet) we looked down upon the rocky mounds and valleys, snow and ice, lakes and glaciers, and we felt larger than life. It was at the peak that we could go no more. The trial continued on to cross a section that was entirely too dangerous for us to attempt without the proper gear. Instead we decided to sit down and take in the experience. There was an out cropping of rock that we sat on that protected us from the wind and provided an amazing panoramic view. We ate a wonderful lunch while sitting there, then slowly began our climb down. It was as we retraced our steps that the truly picturesque moments happened. The sun was now at mid afternoon height and the shadows had returned and were playing to our advantage. Once back at Lake Solitude the day hikers were all gone and we again had the place to ourselves. Hot after a long hike we dipped ourselves into the freezing water and then sunbathed on a rock along the shore. At some point we noticed that there were several marmots coyly attempting to steal our socks. We got dressed and followed the crashing sound of water to the falls that poured out on the lake and down into the valley we camped in. Once back at the campsite we made ourselves a dinner of quinoa, cheese and seaweed. We tried to watch the sunset on the large rock again but were both too tired. It was to bed early that night. What a day.

HIKING THE TETONS

We left early on Monday morning for Teton National Park. Once again at Jenny Lake, this time we flew past the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point and continued on to Cascade Canyon. Our hike began at 6,800 feet and followed along the snow melt fed brooks, creeks and falls. We stumbled over miles of inclining rock to a fork at the canyons top. Our destination was Lake Solitude so we chose to go North. We hiked on over bridges, through mountains and always near water. The source of all this water became evident once we approached our destined area. While we were both very warm from the hike it was necessary to us to cross several large patches of snow. About 7 miles into the hike we found a wonderful campsite that had a beautiful brook that rushed through, had both sunny and shady spots, great views of the Grand Teton behind us, and best of all a huge rock that we could sit on and watch to Tetons while the sun went down. And it also happened to be the Marmot Kingdom (marmot- cute little creatures that are a cross between a prairie dog and a beaver). They were everywhere. Luckily they cared no attention to our food, instead preferring our pee spots. Strange creatures, though very cute. After setting up camp we took a short nap, then hiked the half mile up to Lake Solitude (over 9,000 feet). When we arrived an hour before dusk the lake did indeed provided us with much solace. It was amazing, it's surface alive with the glistening of the setting sun. No one else was around and we rejoiced in the solitude. Back at the campsite, we had soup and salad for dinner while sitting next to our brook. Then we sat on the big rock and watched the moon come out over the Grand Teton. Superb!

GROS VENTRE AND FRIENDS

On Wed. we drove out past the Wedding Tree in Gros Ventre, wound around the side of the mountain on a one lane dirt road high above Lower Slide Lake, and settled at a secluded campsite on Gros Ventre River. Once our tent was up and the food was stored in the bear box we heading back into town to meet up with Brandon and Sara. As we waited at the bird observatory deck at the Jackson visitor center our friends snuck up behind and surprised us. Many hugs were had. Brandon and Sara are traveling/moving from the Santa Rosa area of California to Pennsylvania. Therefore our friends have a lot of extra weight trailing behind there 2 vehicles (one of which is a custom veggie run Mercedes Wagon). On our way back to the site we watched them in the review mirror as they struggled through the rough and steep road. Luckily all arrived safely to our new home (for the next 3 nights).

The next morning we all slept in till 11am, enjoyed a meal by the water, and then drove to Granite River's trail head that led us to a beautiful waterfall with hot springs at its base.

On Friday we stayed around the campsite and hiked the trails adjacent to us. We walked through hills covered in sage brush that provided views of the surrounding mountains, river, lake, and beyond to the Tetons. The trail then cascaded down to valleys with creeks and forests, then back up onto another hill. The experience was especially breathtaking at sunset. By 9 pm we had returned and began cooking our last meal by campfire light. We shared a bottle of Asian Pear champagne made by our friend Holly and passed out relatively early. By 7am we had said our goodbyes, agreeing that our 3 days had passed all too quickly.

After they left the two of us packed up camp and drove back to Jackson to help Brenna pack for her move to Austin, TX. Most of the day was spent playing with Hunter and talking weddings. Tonight we will feast on home made hot wings and PBR. Tomorrow is another day.

WHITE WATER RAFTING THE SNAKE RIVER

This morning we awoke early and drove out to Sands white water rafting shop. By 9 we were on the Snake River with 4 others and a guide. Nikki sat on the front right, Jeremy the front left and needless to say we got soaked! The ride lasted almost 2 hr. and was full of exciting rapids that thrilled and chilled us to the core. Afterwards we returned to Brenna and Eds for a warm shower. Tonight we will take it easy hanging out with the newlyweds. Tomorrow Jeremy's good friends Brandon and Sara are meeting up with us. We plan to do some hiking and camping over the next few days. The fun just keeps on coming.

WEDDING BUSINESS

The following week has been a blur of fun and celebration. On Wed. morning we went hiking up to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point along the canyon of the Grand Teton. It was inspirational, to say the least. While at the top, Sue called and told us to hurry back down and meet she, baby Noah, Brenna, and baby Hunter at Brenna's place in Jackson. Once there we were met by Brenna's whole clan and then the real fun began. Jeremy, Ed, and Ryan (Sue and Brenna's husbands)went to a show in town while the girls played with the babies.

Wednesday morning we moved from our camping site into town to be closer to the festivities. Jeremy took off for a day of rafting and fishing with the boys. Nikki chilled with the girls, walking around the small town and eating Thia. When evening came along we all went out and broke loose (Grandma Cimi watched the little Hunter and Noah). Liz met up with us later into the night at the Cowboy Bar, along with Mary Beth. It was a wonderful reunion for our Crew.

The following morning everyone was a little slower than usual. After a day of exploring the Tetons some more with Sue, Ryan, Noah, and Liz, we went to this BBQ place called Q for the rehearsal dinner. It was there that the whole wedding party was finally brought together. Ed's friends/family mingling with Brenna's loved ones.
We feasted on local meats which were amazingly fresh and yummy.

Then on Sat. morning the bridesmaids met up at the Wort hotel for a bridal breakfast. We each presented Brenna with a gift to help her be a good wife. Nikki's was a hand embroidered bra and panty set that had the letters E & D sewn onto each breast. Other gifts resembled this sentiment. We then gathered at noon in Brenna's hotel room at The Wort and got ready for the big day over a bottle of champagne. At 2:30 we left for The Wedding Tree in Gros Ventre . The location has sweeping views of the valley below and the distant mountains. It was gorgeous! After the ceremony we headed back to The Wort Hotel for the meal and reception. There we all danced into the night.

Sunday morning the two of us went with Liz to the A-OK ranch and indulged in a 4 hour horse back ride into the mountains. One couldn't ask for a more beautiful location to ride. Afterwards we went back to Brenna and Ed's place for a backyard BBQ of buffalo burgers.

This is as brief of a summery as could be provided. In actuality this week was jam packed with fun experiences that will live with us forever. Congrats to Brenna and Ed!

Today (Monday) we are cleaning the car, organizing our things, fixing a crack in the car's windshield, and writing this blog. Greasecar sent us new filters for our system but there was a mix up and we received the wrong size filters. So this must also be fixed. We plan to stay in the area at least another few days and perhaps do a overnight hike. We'll let you know more as it happens.

JACKSON, WY

Tuesday

Set in a valley south of the majestic Tetons, Jackson is the kind of town that feels like one could ride his horse right up to the bar. In fact, the seats at the local Cowboy Bar are saddles. Antlers gather together in arches around the square, the walkways are made of wooden planks, cowboy hats are sold in each store, and the local food is Buffalo, elk, and moose. Surprisingly there are also several sushi restaurants. Today we visit one of them and are pleased to be enthusiastically provided with oil. Shogun Sushi had been saving their oil for another patron who runs his truck off of veggie oil and therefore had plenty for us to extract.

Afterwards we return to our campsite at Jenny Lake and enjoy a nice walk around the lake. The view of the Tetons is amazing from this area! The huge mountains peak out of the clouds covered in snow, then fan out into canyons, waterfalls and lakes. It is truly beautiful here!

WHY WYOMING

MONDAY

Up at 6, we pack and enjoy some oatmeal. Then we jump back on 80 West and take 287 North into the mountains. Shades of tan, copper, and shadow play constantly along the rocky mounds leading us North through Wyoming. The majority of the vegetation is sage bush and pine. We travel long gaps before seeing evidence of humans aside from the road and the fences. Passing through the Green Mountains we see the White Peaks looming in the distance. Ironically the scenery got greener afterwards. North of Landford we run out of veggie oil and now run off the diesel until Jackson. We begin following the Wind River. And where there is water... Cotton woods follow along the bank and we later see local farmers utilizing the water supply on their now lush crops. Seemingly out of no where a forest pops up, the Bridger Teton National Forest. We find a turn off that leads us up into the mountains to Brooks Lake. Along the shore we find a primitive campsite and declare it home for the evening. At this point we are very high in elevation, so much that there is snow around our site. It begins to rain a little and we ponder the possibility of spending the night cold and wet. Fortunately the mountain weather shifts and the sun comes back out. So we hiked around the lake for a few hours. And again we were in bed by early evening. The next morning we packed up around 5 and drove to Jenny Lake campground in the Teton National Park, set up camp and went into town to get ourselves some oil.