Daily Doily

Jackson, WY \\ Day 2

We went to Yellowstone National Park and on the way saw an elk and a grizzly bear.  We headed to Old Faithful Geyser first and then ate lunch at the Inn.  We bought baby button an arrow and a map to put on his wall.  We also saw biscuit basin, midway basin geyser, grand prismatic spring, fountain paint pots, and artist paint pots.  We spotted a coyote (really wished it was a wolf, but I don't think it was) and lots of elk.  We had dinner at Trio and it was AMAZING!!!  I had the best lemonade, fish and hazelnut cake ever.  After dinner we took some pictures of the elk antler arch by our hotel.

Jackson, WY // Day 1

We took SO many pictures it's hard to narrow them down :)

I was so excited I woke up really early (plus the geese were going crazy outside our cabin).  We decided to go to Grand Teton first since it was going to be the warmest and driest day.  We took the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake and hiked hidden falls, cascade canyon to inspiration point.  It was crazy to be hiking in snow one minute and then pulling jackets off because you're hot the next.  We saw lots of marmots.  They are so cute!  One stopped and looked right at me.  It was so beautiful and worth the tiring hike.  We ate lunch at Signal Mountain Lodge at the Trapper Grill and had the most massive mountain of nachos ever.  Then we drove to the top of signal mountain and the views were gorgeous.  We also saw the Chapel of the Sacred Heart and Jackson State Dam.  That night we ate at Rendezvous Bistro, doodled baby names and drew each other with crayons on the paper table cloth. We were so tired and passed out once we got back to the room.

 

Adventuring

This past Sunday Zac + I went exploring.  He wanted to metal detect and I wanted to sketch and take pictures.  It was a beautiful day and we all needed the exercise.  Vera loves going hiking.  We stayed on an old road for the most part, but when it ended we kept going deep in the woods.  I was starting to question whether Zac knew where he was going or not, haha.  Good thing we had cell service or I might have been a little more worried.  Zac didn't find any treasures, but I found 5 ticks on me.  Eek, I was totally freaking out the rest of the day.  The good news is I don't think any were attached.  The drive was long but scenic.

Savage Gulf Day Hike

We had so much fun this weekend!!!  SO MUCH :)  Friday night we drove to Manchester, TN to spend the night since it is close to Savage Gulf.  We had to find a pet friendly hotel too since Vera was coming.  It was her first night in a hotel.  I'm not sure she really enjoyed it, but she was such a trooper.  She sat at the door for most of the night and we imagined she was saying please let's go home, haha.  The next morning we woke up early...so early that we missed the free breakfast.  That has never happened.  We drove the curvy roads to Savage Gulf and saw the most white cows we've ever seen, beautiful old wooden barns and fog over the mountains.  I love driving in the country.

We decided that it was too wet and the forecast still called for more rain and thunderstorms to do the backcountry camping.  I didn't really want to go if we couldn't make a fire and Vera would have been soaking wet.  We decided to day hike instead and it was just as much fun! 

Vera had so much fun playing in the water.  I think it may have been the best day of her life :)  Haha.  We took our shoes + socks off and played in the water too.  We talked about jumping in, but didn't (yet!).  Zac thought I was going to, because he said I get really quiet before I'm about to do something.  He said the more I talk about somthing I won't do it (I think he's right). 

We made it to the swimming hole and decided that this was the spot if we were going to do it and of course we had to!  I mean how often are you alone at a swimming hole on a beautiful Fall day where it just might be warm enough to do it or cold enough to be crazy.  It was on my 29 before 30 list 26.Skinny Dip afterall :)  It was cold...take your breath away COLD.  It was even hard to swim back to the rocks.  We got lucky and the sun came out to warm us up.  Zac said he wouldn't have done it if I didn't.  I love when that happens, because usually he is the rebel ;)  I like to take him by surprise every now + then.   

We did the Laurel Falls Loop, Stone Door Trail and Greeter Falls Loop Trail.

Vera slept the whole way home :)  Here are some of the videos I took:

Packing for our hiking trip

I always like to be over prepared, but lately I have been trying to pack lighter and only bring the essentials.  It's more fun to have a lighter pack on your back.  Right?  :)  This time I made a packing list so I wouldn't forget anything and so I could plan better.  Zac never plans for trips and I am such an over planner, it's pretty funny!  He almost always packs the night before or morning of.  I like to create lists days in advance.

This time the weather was going to be pretty warm so I wore some light pants that could be rolled up into capris like these, a moisture wicking shirt,  active mesh bra + hipsters and two pairs of moisture wicking socks (these are my favorite for running too), buffband, bandanna, a hat and rain coat for during the day.  I also packed some capilene leggings that you could put under the pants if you get cold + also to sleep in, a t-shirt (usually I will pack a capilene top too but I didn't think it would be that cold), a warm flannel shirt and warm socks for night.  If it had been colder, I would have worn warmer pants, throw in a zip capilene extra top, thermal beanie and a pullover fleece or puff jacket.

*We ended up not needing most of what we packed because we decided just to day hike due to rain. 

Do you go on hiking or backpacking adventures?  What are some of your favorite items that you can't go without?

Welcome Fall.

This weekend we walked the Tour d' Wolf mountain bike trail in Shelby Farms.  We wanted to see how Vera (our wheaten terrier) would do before we take her on a longer hike.  She loved every minute of it.  Vera was running wild through the fields and sneezed for the rest of the day.  She has allergies just like her momma ;)  Later that day I made a gruyere chedder apple pie, old-fashioned spicy chili and buttermilk cornbread.  It was the perfect meal to welcome Fall. 

Fall Creek Falls // Day 2

We woke up + got the fire started again + made some hot tea.  There was frost on our tent + it was chilly.  We packed up + hiked back to the car.  That morning all the plants on the trail were frozen + there was even ice on the suspension bridge.  Once we got going, we warmed up.

We were exhausted by the time we saw the sign for the overnight parking area, haha.  It seemed like it took forever from that point to get to the car.  We were starving + stopped at McDonald's on the way home (it tastes so good after only eating ramen noodles + beef jerky!!!).  When we got out of the car, we could barely walk.  It was so funny.  We were hobbling around for days.

Fall Creek Falls // Day 1

Zac + I went backpacking at Fall Creek Falls the weekend before Halloween.  We did the Cane Creek Lower Loop overnight trail again (post from 2 years ago). It wasn't raining this time + we were so excited :)  It was cool, but a beautiful sunny day.  I'm always nervous before we go on a hiking trip.  I never even camped before I met Zac, but I really love it.  It's so peaceful (when you don't have teenage boys right behind you, haha), but it's also a lot of hard work. I love taking pictures + my favorite part about fall creek falls are the creek crossings + suspension bridges.  The leaves had changed colors + it was gorgeous on the trail: 

 

 

 

We got to camp, set up the tent + looked for firewood.  Once the sun starting setting it got cold, so we started the fire. I brought marshmallows this time + stuff to make s'mores :)  They were so yummy!!!  I carved the perfect forked stick for a skewer (I was pretty proud of it!).

 

We went to bed pretty early since there's not that much to do out there + we were exhausted.  I did have my usual panic attack (shivering + freaking out) but it didn't last long + my sweet husband gave me his jacket.  I don't think I was that cold. I think it was just in my head.  After that though, I slept really good.  Probably the best I have ever slept in the backcountry before.  I'm usually listening for every little sound.

I can cross this off the list now :)

28 before 29: #9 Go backpacking again (+ pack LIGHT as possible)

Adventure

I'm headed off on an adventure...

hiking + camping in the woods.

Buffalo River

This past Friday night Zac + I were walking Vera & all of the sudden he says "Let's go to Buffalo River!"  We hadn't made any plans for the 4th + I was craving being by some form of water, so I said sure!  I think he thought I really wouldn't go through with it, but we packed the car up on Saturday + headed to Waynesboro, TN. 

        (packing the car)

We had to stop in Jackson, TN because we forgot the hot dogs for dinner.  We got Steak N' Shake + it was Zac's first time!!! Can you believe it? We got burgers, fries + shakes :)

(4th of July flags in a small town along the way)

We made it to the campsite!  We pulled in + didn't really see a place to check in so we kept driving down the road until it dead end into the woods.  We went back + found a small trailed that had "office" written on the dead bolted door.  There was a buzzer to push + about 10 min later a lady came from out of nowhere.  She checked us in + told us we could just pick a spot anywhere.  Obviously they were VERY laid back, haha.  We drove back to the dead end + decided to make camp away from everyone.  We wanted a peaceful weekend to ourselves.  We were worried it would be very busy on the 4th weekend, but we got really lucky.  The campsite was very primitive.  There wasn't even a fire pit!  The last time we did a camp/canoe trip there was an electic outlet, picnic table, fire pit & grill.  It was fine with us though.  We put up our tent + then Zac got the fire started to try to keep the bugs away while I set up our "camp". 

We finally got a chance to use our eno doublenest hammock.  I was pretty proud of  myself for hanging it up :)

We got in the river, after setting everything up, to cool off.  It was pretty chilly, but it felt really good.  There were tons of little tiny frogs jumping around.  I wished we had brought out fishing poles. 

(check out my new buff band- i ♥ that thing! Zac was pretty upset that he forgot his.)

 

That night we roasted hot dogs + then went to sleep (I say sleep, but I'm not sure how much "sleep" I got.)  Once the sun goes down, my imagination starts to get the best of me, haha.  I imagine the craziest, worst scenarios you can imagine.  Zac was sweet about trying to calm me down + talk things through, but I think he thought I was pretty much nuts :)

 

We laid in the tent + looked at the stars.  That is one of the most amazing parts of being out in the middle of nowhere.  There are so many stars!

(We had no service the whole time we were out there [another worry!])

 

We got up early the next morning.  We ate breakfast + then packed up camp.  We were ready to go canoeing + we wanted to beat the rush.  We got back to the "office" + once again it was locked up.  We soon realized that there was no "rush", haha.  We were the only ones ready to go out on the water.  Someone eventually showed up + they took us in their pick up truck to the launch site.  The guy warned us about this spot in the river where everyone was flipping.  Thank goodness he told us!!! (see below for rest of story...) 

 

...Once we came to that spot we saw an overturned kayak that was beating underneath the rock wall.  We hoped they were ok.  We stopped at a rock bank nearby + asked if they needed help.  I'm so glad we got out of our canoe + walked it.  The current took you right into the rock wall + I didn't see any way of going around it.

We had so much fun!  We stopped at the "beaches" along the way to take breaks + eat lunch.  We saw a rope swing towards the end of the trip + I begged/dared Zac to stop :)  He wasn't going to because he didn't think it was safe (this doesn't really sound like the daring Zac, but it's true!). We did it (twice)!  Zac went first to make sure it was ok.  I was really nervous!

We made it back to the take out safe.  Then we changed, got in the car + headed home.

We got a flat tire about 30 min. away from camp.  Zac + I made it to a gas station to change it.  Fun stuff!  I'm not sure why, but Zac + I always get lucky with flat tires.  Haha.  We are becoming pros at changing them.

We made it home safe on Sunday night.