Grand Tetons National Park, Wyoming

In all of my dutiful research of the past several months preparing for our Great Adventure, Jenny Lake Campground in the Grand Tetons was the epitome of tent camping in the national parks. In season, this campground often fills by 7am. One guidebook even described the before dawn “ritual” needed to obtain one of the coveted spots in this beautiful secluded campground. All of the campgrounds in the Grand Tetons are first come only, no reservations and we were arriving at the cusp of the busy season early June. Our dream (of course) was a spot at Jenny Lake, our realistic goal was a spot anywhere in the park. After all we were driving from Utah, a 7 hour drive that meant we would arrive no earlier than 4pm. What joy and delight when we arrived to find several prime spots still open at Jenny Lake. (by the next day the campground was full by mid-morning) We couldn’t believe our luck as we pitched our tent in a big site, with a variety of beautiful trees all around, a view of the Tetons as we opened our tent door and the sun rising on our backs. The highlight of the day was Louisa’s ability to correctly identify the two piles of skat as Moose without first consulting her “Scoop on Poop” book. What a Jr. Ranger! The next day we took the ferry across Jenny Lake and began to hike up to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Still feeling energetic after 2+ hours we started on the trail into Cascade Canyon. We meant to hike only 10 minutes in and then turn around. An hour later we were still hiking in, fascinated by the sights and the trail that was completely covered in snow. I’m sure we looked quite bizarre, we saw so few people attempting the hike. Joe and Louisa had elected not only to wear their more comfortable crocs, but also declined the offer of warm socks. So there were my African children clamboring around nearly barefoot in the snow and loving it. By the time we turned around to begin the hike back down to the lake, Joe and Louisa were making ever larger snowballs and balancing them on their heads as the walked. It was a truly magical hike and we collapsed weary but satisfied that night in our little home under the stars.