Geographically, the campground is located in a slightly wooded area at the beginning of a sagebrush prarie. The sagebrush prarie then continues all the way up to the mountains. A large grazing buffalo was the first thing to greet us as we pulled into the campground. We were warned that there were multiple black bear and wait for it... GRIZZLY bear sightings in the area. Oh but have no fear, bear spray was available for purchase. It would confuse the bear for a solid 7 seconds. That would probably be enough time for to lose all control of my limbs... and bowels. Since our campsite is for large groups only, it is seperated from the rest of the camp. Also, the bathroom is a good 200 meters away, and there is no shower. I can't outrun a bear in 200 meters!! While we were cooking dinner, the largest bison I had ever seen started roaming through our secluded camp area. It got as close as 100 feet away before continuing on towards the sagebrush prarie. Pheebs and I threw down our dish towels and hugged eachother with fear as though we were the stars of a bad Animal Planet show.
Despite my over active imagination when it comes to darkness, wildlife, and the combination of the two, the campground is absolutely amazing. Through the crystal mountain air we have an unobstructed view of the mighty Tetons. I felt like I was immediately transfered back to the Baldlands and was again looking at a green screen. The beauty of this place is almost too rich for my mind to process. I have finally found my picturesque nature valley commercial!!
The next morning we woke up to travel to the Gros Ventre slide. Brace yourself because this landslide is one of the largest movements in the world. On June 23, 1925, the ladslide fell from an altitude of 9000 feet. The movement lasted on three minutes, but in that time 50 million cubic yards of rock one mile long, 2000 feet wide, and several hundred feet deep moved down the mountain at 50 mph. The slide dammed a river at it's base. Two years later, the dam of the river broke, and a giant wall of water washed over a local town downstream called Kelly. The town was completey wiped out and 6 people drowned.
After we viewed this monstrosity, we decided to take hike that was supposed to be at a distance of about one mile. The hike was mainly up hill with few areas of flat ground. Since all of my running has been pent up, I thought I could walk the flats and run up the hills. BAD IDEA. After my second hill sprint I was dead and trying to find an inhaler. There is not much air at that altitude, and the flat areas quickly dissapeared to reveal only steep uphill climbs. Our group moves at different paces. The majority of the group gets to the destination rather quickly; however, our three fearless leaders are always in the back. This is not because they are tired, they have more energy than me. Drs Ranson and Garihan are either looking at rocks or nature, while Dr. Suresh being the Nat Geo photographer he was probably born to be, is always taking pictures. Pheebs and I were then awkwardly in the middle as we contemplate nature slower than the rest of the group, but faster than the professors.
Finally, the two of us arrived at the peak of our mini mountain. The view was worth the climb in every way. As we breached the top, a new world unfolded with each step. The view from atop this steep slope was uniquely beautiful in that one was able to view three drastically different landscapes. On one direction, the mighty Tetons could be seen, casting their shadows over the sagebrush prarie. The other direction showed gave us a full view of the aftermath of the Gros Ventre slide. Lastly, the third view represented uncharted territory, golden foothills that extended so far into the horizon, they seemed to melt into the sky.
I stood, looking at the majesty of our country, and thought that maybe the most beautiful secrets in nature are hidden I the hardest places, and maybe they are not always the most popular sites. They are hidden within a valley or atop a slope, away from the mass public. That way, they can be truly appreciated by those who are willing to find them. Or maybe the most beautiful places in this world, are the places we chose to make beautiful, or the places that mean the most to us. I will probably never see that view again, but I will always remember what it means to me. I have found that it is not about just reaching the peak and taking social media worthy pictures. It is not about seeing, rather, the views I have seen are more memorable in how they made me feel, and how they changed me for the better. To truly understand nature, I believe it is important to out down cameras and phones, and to just sit and listen. It is important to understand what it all means and how you are a part of it.
Ok so anywaysss after this adventure we went the touristy route (heck yes) and traveled over the the Moose Visitor Center (the parks visitor center). Ironically, we saw a moose swimming in the Snake River which was the cutest thing I have ever seem (thus begins my obsession with moose). After viewing the history of the park, we all bought souvenirs. I bought multiple things along with a book called Wise Women about Native American women trailblazers. The purchasing of this book shows my obsession with trying to be the Disney version of Pocahontas.
We were going to go on another hike, but after seeing our tiredness, the professors decided that we could make a trip into Jackson! CIVILIZATION.
We arrived in the over touristy part of Jackson. Even though it looked to be straight out of a picturesque mountan hallmark card, I could not help but appreciate the cuteness of Jackson. It started to lightly rain but we didn't even care. We jumped out and immediately started frolicking around the city like we never had human contact. Let me tell you all something important. I am on a quest to find Native American jewlrey and I will stop at nothing to obtain what I want. I went into several stores, but it turns out that price does stop me, so I had to scurry out clutching my wallet. Finally, I saw a store that was calling my name (probably because of the strong Indian presence). I went in and met a woman about the same age as my grandmother who was also from the same place as my grandmother, Hamburg, Germany. This was a sign form the universe. I ended up buying a kokopelli necklace, which symbolizes the god of fertility.....
But hey I just rolled with it. It might be handy one day!
Our professors were agian super awesome as they said we could eat in Jackson, which meant we would not have to go back to the campsite and cook in the dark rain where I just know a bear was lurking. Overall it was a great day as we got to experience the beautiful solitude of nature, and the bustle of a tourist based city. Oh and I got a sweet fertility necklace hollaaaaa.
Candid friendship photo with Pheebs
Climbing on up!!
SPIRIT ANIMAL
We are the same.
No comments:
Post a Comment