Out in the Wild

I was lucky enough to be put on a trip the third week of girls season and it was SO fun! We left bright and early on a Sunday morning to the trail head where we watched our cowboys (legit ones) pack the mules with our stuff. My friends Jackie and Julie (below) were the other staff members on the trip, and we were able to help get the horses ready for the girls.

This handsome steed is Curly, my half (or quarter?) Draft horse. He is ginormous.

He was kind of a bully. Got in a fight with another horse right before we left. Literally kicked it in the butt. The ride in to our campsite took about 3 hours. 

I took the back to keep an eye on the girls and take lots of photos. Unfortunately I also got most of the dust from the trail up my nose as well, but whatever.

The view of the Tetons five minutes into our ride. 

[Fake Tour Guide]: On your right you'll see the Buffalo Fork River. Watch your horse so you both don't plummet down the steep incline to your demise.

Down by the river is where we (finally) had lunch at around 1:30 and I learned how to use the iodine pills for the first time. They don't taste too bad, in case you're wondering. The water at camp is well-water with lots of, shall we say, minerals, that love to turn your white clothes orange and the water taste like blood.

 We spent the night in our lovely camp...

This is the food tent, where our lovely trail cook Ellie prepared deliciousness for all of us.

This is the tent we slept in. See that white jacket there at the end? That's where I slept. It got to around 35 degrees one night - and let me take full advantage of using my new wool long johns! Yay!

The view of the meadow from our campfire pit. It really was gorgeous there.

The next morning we got up early, had breakfast and then went on a day hike. Now when I say day, I mean the WHOLE day. 7 hours. 

Counselor Julie and I after we crossed the river. Our trip leader Razz (real name Alex Razzolini but it confuses us when people call him Alex) was waiting with camera in hand to catch one of the girls falling in but Ha! We didn't. Surprisingly...

I did not mind being in back - these girls have been on 4-6 day backpacks and could hike all day long. 

More to come later - it took forever to get the pictures to upload and there's so much more to show you!

TB Takeover/Supervillains Beware

Top Hand; Teton Valley - very artistic!

The summer is almost over! I can't believe it! 

Gracie-Poo, one of our little overnight guests, dressed up as  a "random old man" for her campfire that night. 

 The trailblazer  (our oldest group in camp) girls have a tradition where they "take over" camp for a day. They run activities, do games, and plan dinner with a theme. This year the TBs did "superhero/supervillain night" and the place was decked out. The infirmary gals (minus Catie as she was on an overnighter with some artist campers) decided to do Powerpuff girls.

There were like four groups of Powerpuff girls. Surprising because the show hasn't been on since like 2004.

 One of the Trailblazer counselors Emmy told us we were the best threesome because we were committed. Hey if we're dressing up it's going to be a big deal. 

Oh yeah. Watch out. 

"My name's Buttercup, what's your story, sister?"

 Jess looking like quite the superhero in the intense Wyoming sky. 

Another Grace, who won the costume contest with her rendition of "Vector" the other villain in Despicable Me. Note the Piranha Gun made from her water bottles. You should've seen her fake gut. 

A Justin Bieber. Although I'm not sure whether she was going for superhero or villain.....

Check out this great sky! Oh and speaking of great pictures, I will be taking some very very soon.I was chosen to go on a pack trip, which means I will be out in the wilderness (more so than now) for 5 days, 4 nights. Going out to the campsite on horseback with legit cowboys and our trail cook Ellie. We do day rides, day hikes, chill out at the campsite and eat. I'm so excited! So wait for it, I'll post some wicked pics later!

Marvin

We had a visit from a local... Moose that is.  During breakfast, girls flew to the window to see it out on our playing field. I felt like I was on our Alaskan cruise and someone saw a whale.  Blow-horns, dogs, and our ranger vehicles were all necessary in moving him along. He was just a little guy (in moose-size, he still could've trampled all of us), and he really enjoyed camp. Then we all started talking like him in a Canadian accent. "For sure, eh. You bet these are the greatest willows around. Can I have some bacon?"