Daily Doily

Fourth of July weekend

We went to the farmer's market, hiked Herb Parsons lake, got fireworks, cooked out and went to the splash park!  We had a busy, long weekend but it was so much fun.  Sweet Everett fell asleep on the hike.  I set him down by a trickling water fountain at the splash pad and then all of a sudden it started spraying water.  Poor guy.  I guess I should have watched the spray park water cycle first haha.  I think he still liked going (maybe a little).  He's always such a happy, good sport wherever we decide to take him!  So thankful for that.  

Ghost River

For Zac's birthday I set up a canoe trip down the Ghost River section of the Wolf River.  We had a lot of fun.  It didn't feel like we were near Memphis anymore.  The scenery was beautiful and I loved the cypress trees.    It was challenging to maneuver through and some parts had no current.  You had to really watch for the blazes and trail signs or it would be easy to get lost.  

Jackson, WY // Day 3

We decided to go to the other side of Yellowstone that we missed the day before.  We saw yellowstone lake, lake village, mud volcano, sulphur caldron, hayden valley, artist point, lower and upper falls. There was a buffalo right outside our car window and we saw another grizzly bear :)  Before dinner we walked around downtown and got our picture taken under the elk antler arch.  We had dinner at Snake River Grill in a romantic corner booth.  They had the best (and HUGE) onion rings and of course we had to get the eskimo bars that were on the show best thing I ever ate.  I wish we could bring back the restaurants in Jackson to Memphis because they were THAT good.  That night we saw that the fire pit was lit in one of the tee pees and had to go check it out.  It was so peaceful and relaxing; I knit some of the baby blanket too.  It was a perfect ending to a perfect trip!

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.