Wild and Wonderful Whitewater
Our internal alarm clocks overrode our plan to wake up at 7am. Instead, we slept in until almost 8am, filling out our full eight hours. As we opened our tent flaps, we saw menacing storm clouds approaching. There was no quick start option as in the game “Oregon Trail.” We scurried around the campsite trying to get everything into the van somewhat neatly before it got too wet. After doing a final sweep of the campsite, we jumped into the Wagon and enjoyed a simple, sheltered breakfast of Pop-tarts. Morale dropped as our morning of hiking seemed to be thrown off track. As we dried off and listened to the Jackson, WY, news, we filled out the online waivers for our whitewater trip. Soon after, we pulled out of the campsite, and yelled goodbye to our neighboring camper and newfound friend, Bob. While disappointed to say goodbye to Bob, our Pop-tart sugar high rejuvenated us as we left the Gros Ventre Campground. Although Sam pointed out the external temperature on the car display as 43°F, we could not be prepared for the whitewater experience looming and unfamiliar before us.
After leaving camp we tried to explore a few parts within Grand Teton National Park including Mormon Row and the Kelly Warm Springs. Approaching the Mormon Row in the now heavier rainfall, I expressed a bit of hesitancy to go down the gravel road. We passed it saying maybe we would come back, and went to see the town of Kelly (of which my father was apparently the mayor) and the Warm Springs. We partially respected the National Park Service (NPS) recommendation to not go into the 80°F water by instead just dipping in our hands.
Sam and Ben approach the Kelly Warm Springs
Wandering and compelled by Sam’s confidence, we decided to try going up Mormon Row again. We made it about halfway before I began to feel I didn’t have control over the van. As if in slow motion, the van came to a halt. After a moment of silence and perhaps quick prayers that we weren’t dug in too far, we all got out to survey the situation. Fortunately the tires weren’t too caked, but we were halfway down the road (when Sam showed me the GPS of where we were I laughed – of course we were almost perfectly in the middle). Fortunately we were in good hands; Sam is a mudding expert. He quickly offered to push the van. As I attempted to steer the van backwards, Sam pushed the front. In less than five minutes, we were out of the muddy situation. This was undoubtedly one of the grueling scenarios the Mormon community and pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail would face on their journey. Because of this challenge, it only seems fitting as part of our journey.
Sam pushes the van backwards on Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park
After throwing in the towel on visiting the Mormon settlement, we drove into Jackson to stock up on lunch supplies before eating in a park once the rain subsided. We discussed how cold we thought the whitewater experience would be, and enjoyed our turkey and ham sandwiches.
Clouds cover the Teton range
After finishing lunch, the real adventure began. We arrived at Dave Hansen’s Whitewater Shop to gear up for our trip. To keep ourselves safe from grueling conditions, we invested in a full wet suit. We were advised that this was a must for our trip; we quickly realized it’s importance.
Ben, Sam, and I suited up in our wet suits to brace for the 55 degree water and 45 degree air temperature.
After suiting up and a short bus ride to the drop off point, we were on our way with our guide, Roger, down the Snake River. The water was frigid, but we nonetheless enjoyed flipping and jumping into the water as well as paddling over the “meat” and “guts” of the rapids. Our eight miles on the Snake seemed to fly by. Shivering as much as a leaf, we changed into whatever dry clothes we had, and jumped back on the bus waiting for us.
When we got back to our Wagon, we said farewell to the Teton range and started our drive up to Yellowstone. On the way, we passed a field of bison lounging, so we pulled off to get a closer look (observing 25 yards of distancing, of course).
Bison lounging in a field along our drive from Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone
After about an hour of driving, we arrived at the Yellowstone entrance in hopes of getting a campsite in the park. Fortunately, as soon as we pulled through the gates we saw a sign warning us that all campsites were either closed or full. We turned around and drove to a campsite only five miles from the entrance of Yellowstone (Flagg Ranch campground).
The gang of three standing in front of the Yellowstone sign before abruptly turning around
We hope to have an early morning tomorrow to beat a lot of the crowds (if there are any) in the ‘Stone. We’re having a dinner of tortellini and red sauce (leftovers from the other night!) and some Chicken Noodle Soup to top it off. We also made a fire and some s’mores. Sam and Ben ended the day with warm showers in the bathroom at the site. A cold night is predicted, so we are bundling up.
Sam, Ben, and I have one week left together out here. One week left in our oasis from the madness of the real world. I am enjoying that our campsite tonight doesn’t have wifi or cellular service. Disconnecting with the outside and reconnecting with ourselves and each other is what this is all about. This is when it gets real. The three of us are beginning to work well together as a unit. We are better understanding how to read each other, know where we have each staked out our “personal” areas in the van, and are all taking ownership for the execution of the trip. We are developing well through the group dynamic stages, forming, norming, storming, performing. It’s exciting.
Preparing to enter the Yellowstone is both overwhelming and exhilarating. I hope we can continue to keep spirits high and focus on the present moment rather than the future. It’s time to embrace the here and now, similar to what Sam reveled in at our hotel in Longmont. Stay tuned — our upcoming updates may be delayed due to our remote locations. Thanks for reading.
