The sun-soaked Tetons are okay to fall asleep next to... I guess...

On Wednesday, Mieka and I bid Jackson adieu and headed for the Tetons. Originally, our plan was to hike a medium-sized loop (we were told everything between 16 and 20.5... the signs said 19.2 so we'll go with that) in two days.

To begin our backpacking day, we slept in. Two days of hiking up and down and rapping and singing without much sleep had left us tuckered. Then a lovely brunch with a lovely lady, then back to Ev's house to pack, then out around town to get water purification and food...

3:30 pm arrived to find us frickin' STILL in Jackson, getting more and more grumpy. Mieka proposed, in a stroke of genius: What if we chilled out today and hiked tomorrow? What if we decided to do what would be FUN, instead of hiking 5 miles uphill with heavy packs under approaching darkness with tired muscles and a foul mood? Eh?

Um, yes.

We talked to a ranger about our plans for the next day's hike. The world is tiny and rad, so, of course, the ranger was friends with a friend, Nick, who was in the Environmental Leadership Program with a bunch of friends and dated my old roommate's old roommate. I think this makes him my ex roommate-in-law, once removed. He gave us the insider scoop on an amazing free place to camp. If, that is, our car was up to the approach.

Bernadette? Ridiculous roads? Heck yes! (The picture was on one of the smoother bits, but you get the idea.)

She braved gravel roads that alternated between streambed-style rock gardens and 1.5-foot-deep ruts. Yeah, girl!


Still, we tolerated the drive, somehow:



On the way, we got cozy with a herd of bison who were crossing the road. (Note to parents/trip leaders/other responsible parties: Not too cozy! Don't worry! We respect wildlife! Yay!)

It was nice of them to pose right underneath the Tetons. Thanks, Bison.

They were giant and totally unconcerned by all the gawking tourists.

  We knew that we'd reached our campsite because a chorus of angels sang out, complete with heavenly rays.

We took a little while to just wander between the aspens in silence. It was both glowy and drizzling, a landscape of rocky fortresses and delicate mountain plants. Some places in this world are magic.

 
We were no longer grumpy.


We spent the evening writing/drawing postcards, journaling, and sipping on whiskey while the sun set. Mission rest day was a resounding success.

(Imagine angelic chorus sound here...)