Kelly with the Kiddos

My weekend. (By that of course I mean my weekend with Kiddos... Divorce... Leads to split time... Only downfall) It also happened to be Jeremiah's (my little broheim) Birthday on Saturday. In the spirit of celebration, and Spring, and a Facebook Memory, we headed out to the pioneer cabins that are on Lower Gros Ventre Road just north of Kelly Warm Springs. Not a true hike but we spent a good hour exploring the cabin and near by structures. Throwing sticks for Pi, watching him crash through the softening snow pack. Hysterical. Taking the photo op in that majestic window framing the Tetons. We reluctantly vacated the cabins when a group of ladies in their 40's stopped by for their photo op. Pi was off leash, ran to greet them but came back when called. Then ran off, then came back. Then followed us to the car.

After the cabin photo op we headed down to the warm springs. (After all it was the weekend of the State Swim meet, just cus we weren't there doesn't mean we couldn't get our swim on... Well the kids anyway)

This also marked the first time Pi intentionally swam. I mean he has fallen in a few creeks, but those don't count. This was full on Pi swimming lesson day. He and the kids spent an hour splashing around in the mucky water.

One of my favorite things about no-goal-hiking, is the freedom it gives the minions to explore and learn and discover. It gives them opportunity's to entertain them selves, find their own comfortable zones. Engage and interact with each other, and only each other, for company and stimulation and imagination.

Emma isn't all that into the muck of Kelly, she tends to linger in the shallow end, where the algae is sparse and yes the water is only a few inches. She gathered 51 snail shells and tiny beautiful pebbles, which she took home and made into necklaces and earrings.

Lucy the adventurer swam through the deep center of Kelly and slogged through the mud and muck and covered every inch of the springs leaving no side stream untouched.

Jack followed her until the mud that was squishing up and around him became to much to bear and he swam back to the deeper spot to 'clean' off. They got to be them. They got to choose. They didn't fight or yell or argue. Until of course it was time to go.

It was a beautiful way to spend the day.

A Day Like no Other

Recently I was given the privilege of taking a short term resident on his one and only park trip since he was a wee lad. As he was days away from leaving the valley without setting foot in either of our glorious parks, I felt it my duty to rectify this unfortunate situation (he is not the kind of person who should be allowed to miss these treasures).  The difficulty in this endeavor was the addition of our two dogs, as we all know National Parks are not pet friendly. I had hoped that we could hit up the Pacific Creek trail head that sits just outside GTNP off Wilderness Road, alas it was snow bound and inaccessible. We decided as we were already in the park we might as well see the sights and took the mini road trip north towards Flagg Ranch, that gem of wilderness snuggled between GTNP and Yellowstone.

Once there we decided to walk from the road closure towards Yellowstone, which unbeknownst to me was a mere 2.3 miles ahead. When I realized we had arrived within the gates of the park, My hiking companion, turned an abrupt right and headed down a steep slope to the Lewis River. The dogs were set loose and we enjoyed a scenic detour. We had a slight mishap when Jude, the hiking companion's pet,  fell through some ice into the frigid waters. Pi of course felt he would be of assistance and demolished the ice in his attempt. Pi managed to get out  of the water without assistance, however Jude thought that following Pi would be the best route. Unfortunately for Jude this lead him further from saftey. Jude was rescued when his attentive master used rocks to break the ice confining the poor pooch and he was able to swim to safety. 

We used our extra layers to dry out the sopping canine and then snuggled him inside the warm embrace of his loving owner's arms, which were conveniently wrapped inside a down jacket, that had just enough extra room for the shivering beast.  Body heat, as we all know, being a quick fix to hypothermia. Once Jude was no longer a pupsicle we climbed out of the river valley and headed back to the car. 

Upon our arrival into the parking lot, my wonderful asshole of a dog decided he no longer wished to hear let alone heed any commamds and went galavanting amongst people, pets, and their engine fueled beasts. This day was just not what I had intended.

Once Pi had be wrangled into the car (simply opening the car door and shouting load up) We devoured the delicious lunch we picked up from Creekside Deli back in Jackson and headed South towards Jackson Lake dam and the remainder of our day.

On the drive my unbelievably patient copilot said he had more hiking in him, if I was amenable. 

Yes. Always yes.

So I took him to the tried and true, always decent, winter road closure of the Gros Ventre  just past Slide Lake. 

We hit the trail with no expectations. And were delighted with our adventure. The road was a bit of a mess, icy and slushy, slick and rough. It was just demolished by the heavy use of snow machines but it was a tried and true trail and took us to some excellent sights. Is it a true trail... No... Was it amazing.... Yes.

At one point Pi was behaving a bit more irradict which turned out to be a reaction to a herd of big horn sheep on the hill above us. When we discovered our company I did my best to distract Pi while our guest photographed away.   I headed further down the trail and spotted the bog boys, called over the photographer and let him snap away. After the sheep encounter our spirits were lifted. We trekked on. Later we encountered some elk and the wonderfulness of the day was solidified.

When we reached the trail head for Sheep Mountain at Red Hills Campground I broke the news that we must soon turn around. As it was sunset and we had hiked in 5.5 miles. 

On our return we witnessed both herds of ungulates we had previously trespassed upon . The sun sank, the stars did their darnedest to peek through the clouds as we ended our hike in the pitch black night of Jackson Hole.  We ended the day with 16 miles under our belt, wild life encounters, and a story for the books. Spectacular Day.

Time to Redefine

So, yes,  last August I stated that I was back at it. Here we go... Back to blogging. Well life has this funny way of throwing you a nasty curve ball when you least expect it. But hey, it is what it is, until of course you change it. Which I sincerely hope is on my horizon. Change. As many of you are probably unaware, I will soon celebrate having been on this Planet for 30 whole years. Three decades have galivanted away, with me just riding this pale blue dot around the sun. With me, defining myself, my lifestyle and my happiness, through the eyes and approval of those whom I loved most.

I believe it is finally my time to discover me. My turn. My spotlight. So through months of soul searching, head scratching, tears and triumphs. I believe I have figured out just exactly the type of human being I would like to be. The human being I was always to timid to be. A Badass. Plainy put, a Badass. Badass Woman, Badass Mom, Badass Advocate, Badass hiker.

So on that note this blog will be undergoing some changes. I won't erase the past. I believe that the trail blazed need not be forgotten. Though BIOS and info and photos all need a new polish. So bear with me on this journey. Or jump ship. Either way I am determined to sail on. And I always enjoy good company.

Best,
Angel Snow

River Bottoms 2013

The South Park Feed Grounds 2013

Adams Canyon

Adams Canyon; The Dillon Way.
This was one of my favorite hikes of all time. To those familiar with Adams Canyon you will know that it is not for the faint of heart. The kids are aware of the difficulty and steepness of this hike, so when faced with the known they (Lucy) chose to take their own route.... which proved more adventurous but far more difficult. Enjoy.