The Summer of a Lifetime, Part 1: The Grand Tetons

What a year it has been. Yesterday was Christmas, and 2022 is right around the corner. Life has been so full, the seasons so busy. The kids are growing in every way, and I'm not a quick adjuster to the schedule as it changes. Staying on top of pictures and documenting our experiences has not been a priority lately, but I do want to try and play a little catch up before the year ends.

This summer was extraordinary. For quite a while we have dreamed of road-tripping out to the Montana area. This dream came true when Uncle Bo and Aunt Bonnie got the opportunity to stay for a week at a resort in Big Sky and invited us to join them. As is our style, we loaded up the tent and lots of food, squeezed our family into the minivan and started driving. We left on a Monday afternoon and drove without stopping (except for gas and bathroom breaks) until we pulled into Rock Springs, Wyoming on Tuesday night. After recovering for the night at the best 2-star hotel we've ever stayed in, we took it easy the next day. We explored the town and found an awesome family recreation center where we enjoyed a family game of basketball, got some batting practice in the indoor batting cages, and even swam in the indoor swimming pool complete with lazy river, a rock wall, and a huge tunnel slide! Even after the whole trip, this rec center is one of the highlights the kids still talk about.

Then it was back into the van to head to none other than the Grand Tetons!!!

We got to the campground (Gros Ventre) with enough time to set up camp, start a fire, and get a little sleep before getting up to explore the next day!

Thursday we packed as many snacks and as much water as we could hold and set off on the Lupine Meadows Trail. It was a gorgeous hike, one of the harder hikes we have ever done, and the kids did an amazing job.

The terrain started off more green and meadow-like, but soon turned steep and rocky.

Before long it turned into true rock climbing!

When we got back to the bottom of the trail, there was another little offshoot that led to a pretty lake where we rested for a while.

That evening we had one of our favorite people drive all the way from Oregon to spend some time with us. Sweet Amber and Roosevelt showed up at camp on Thursday night and the next day we found some more adventures together. These adventures included an overconfident minivan dad trying to drive up a narrow mountain pass, a little bushwacking by some of our party, and lots of mountain biking.

 

We saw some bison on our way back into the Grand Teton National Park...

And then by the grace of God we managed to miraculously snag a campsite at Colter Bay, right next to Jackson Lake. It was glorious.

The kids spotted and followed a beaver...

The next day we visited the lodge, hiked a little around that area of the Tetons, and enjoyed the amazing views.

Owen pointing to a peak called "Mt. Owen"!

And for our final hike in the Tetons, we found the most random trail in the middle of nowhere which led to a beautiful creek.

Oh how I love this girl.

In all, we hiked/biked over 30 miles in the Grand Tetons in three days. It was for sure the most hiking we've ever done as a family, and everyone was exhausted...but so happy. 

Amber had to head back toward Oregon, but on the way we decided to drive through Yellowstone and see if we could make to Old Faithful in time to see it erupt. We saw this guy along the way...

And then by another miracle made it just in time!

The Grand Tetons did not disappoint. It was probably our favorite place we've ever hiked/camped, and was made even better by getting to see one of our favorite friends. We're so grateful that you drove so long to see us, Bray. Now that we had experienced the Tetons, it was time to head toward Montana and meet up with Uncle Bo, Aunt Bonnie, and Justice for more adventures!