our trip // lodging

A good thing about all this rain and chilly weather we've been having so far this week is that it's forced me to be inside and tackle all the elements of our trip - going through photos, video, adding up receipts of expenses, etc. The photos have been downloaded and edited, the loads of laundry complete and folded, the camping gear aired out and stored, and the costs/savings totaled. It's a good feeling.

I thought I'd break down our trip into categories so I don't have one huge blast of photos all in one post. Plus, this way, I can look over our photos just a few more times and relive the beauty of the week.

Today's category is...

Our main "home" of the week was our REI Half Dome tent, and while I usually sleep pretty awful on the ground, my bro-in-law was kind enough to lend me one of the poshest Thermarests I've ever seen in my life. We're talking 6 inches of padded, insulated comfort as opposed to the usual 2 inches. Add in a quilt, sleeping bag, and real pillow = I slept like a baby.

One thing of the week that we both loved was getting on nature's schedule. We were usually up with the sun (and the birds) around 5:00am and cozied into our sleeping bags by 9:00pm. It was so wonderful. And the stars....oh, the stars! When I'd wake up in the wee hours of the night thinking my bladder might burst, checking to see what the stars were like was my motivation to crawl out of my warm sleeping bag cocoon.

Our camp site for 2 nights by Mammoth Hot Springs. The camp host told us that if we had to get up in the middle of the night to look around a little first because buffalo frequently hang out in the camp ground. And while I didn't have any midnight run-ins with a buff, there were plenty of cow pies right around our tent.

How cozy is that?

A view of Grand Teton from our camp at Jenny Lake Campground.

Our one night of "luxury" - the Buckrail Lodge in Jackson, WY. 

away we go

via

I have been waiting for this week for a long time. For the past couple of years, I've been daydreaming of taking a trip out west. Just me, my man, the open road, and the great outdoors. And this week, my dream comes true. We have spent the week cooking, freezing, packing, prepping, downloading, and charging in preparation to hit the road early Saturday morning for Wyoming where we'll split the next week between Devil's Tower, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park. Our itinerary is set, the campsites reserved, the maps highlighted and routed, the bear spray purchased, and the road trip playlist finalized. All that's left is one more night's sleep and we're off into the wild blue yonder! Stay tuned for what I'm sure will be an obscenely large photo blast documenting our trip after we return. It's going to be epic.

river days

I was introduced to canoe trips a few years ago and haven't looked back since. So when Zach asked if we wanted to take a fall canoe trip, we were all for it. We set out for the Rum River early Saturday morning, with two full travel mugs of coffee, several layers of long flannel+long underwear, and tubs full of firewood, fishing gear, camp food, and tents. What ensued was nothing less than fall/fishing/camping/canoeing in all its glory.

Mark and Zach rounding the bend

Enjoying the sunshine and fishing

One of many beaches along the way

We ate goooood! Roasted potatoes, veggies...

...and marinated steak. With s'mores for dessert. Hello.

the morning frost

Tim cooking a breakfast of bacon, sausage, corned beef hash, and eggs.

My bass!