Category: National Parks

adventures IN RUNNING

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, National Parks, Running, Shop, Uncategorized3 Comments

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So…this past weekend was THE hardest run I’ve ever done in my life, ok that’s only a true statement if I exclude Speedgoat 2015 but anyways REALLY hard! Emotions grow strong the more miles you pound out during the day. My goal 34 miles, piece of cake right?! I had already run 42 miles and felt great a few weeks ago! At one point during the last 10 miles of my run, I sat on a rock and cried. I wanted to jump in the creek and meander my way downstream to Jenny’s Lake so I wouldn’t have to take another step.

I continued on because I had to. No one was going to come rescue me and my poor knee. I had to put one foot in front of the other. I did NOT get a sense of accomplishment as I ran across the bridge at String Lake. But what I did feel was gratitude. I can do hard things. I mentally can do hard things. I realize most people are not as stupid as me and sign up for a 100-mile trail run but really, we can push ourselves a lot further than what we think we can.

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My dad was waiting there for me and I was never so happy to see someone. I’m blessed to have many people behind me, encouraging me to continue on and reach my goal. I’m slow. Really, SLOW. But I put one foot in front of the other and know my mom would have loved to be on top of Hurricane Pass that day and that’s what keeps me going.

Don’t give up. Challenges make us better human beings. Some of us sign up for races bringing on those struggles ourselves, but most people have challenges without asking or wanting them in their lives. Keep going, one foot in front of the other. I know I can do it and so can you. As Babe Ruth said: ‘It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.’

 

Teton Crest Trail | Grand Teton National Park | Trail Running 

Shoes | Insoles | Food | Sunscreen | Keep Running | Shorts 

 

moments ALONG the WAY

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, National Parks, RunningLeave a comment

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Most people ask me why I sign up for super long crazy ultra trail running races, and I always say, because what else am I going to do with my time? But really the reason I signed up for my first 5K to my first 100 mile race was because of the experience to the finish line. The training, the tears, the worry I won’t make the cut-off times, the struggles to continue on during a training run at mile six when you’re exhausted and dying but you have 20 more to go, the people I meet along the trail and their cheers, ‘You go girl!’, the accomplishment at the end and most of all, I do it for those who love me and are cheering me into the finish line.

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It’s a lot like life. It has it’s ups and downs, accomplishments and failures but at the end we have someone giving us a hug and saying, ‘you did the best you could.’ Whether you won the race or came in last, we accomplished something for ourselves. We’re all doing the best we can. It’s the little things that matter. The effort and dedication we put into crossing the finish line, to those who support us through the good and the bad, the rain, sunshine and snow. To the constant cheerleaders in my life, I say THANK YOU!

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Stop and enjoy that moment right now, because you’ll never get it back. I always stop and take a picture. Ya, it slows me down and I always like to stop, smell the flowers and enjoy that exact moment in time because it will be forever engrained in my memory, captured in a photo most of the time. That’s what gets us to the finish line of any race or life. Moments along the way. HAPPY RUNNING!

Wasatch 100 | Speedgoat | Coal Creek | Granite Canyon | Grand Teton National Park | Moose Lake | Lake Solitude | Cascade Canyon | String Lake 

 

path TO a MAGICAL forest

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, National Parks, Shop, TravelLeave a comment

‘Once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary day, nature gives us a MAGICAL FOREST.’

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A rainy day called for a weekend adventure to Yellowstone National Park. I wanted a week or two more to explore all the nooks and crannies of the park. There’s so much vastness and so many cool things to see in the park. As I started down the mile loop to Artists’ Paintpots it started snowing and I felt like I was on a path in a Magical Forest. I was a kid again exploring my make believe play land. Only now, I’m an adult playing in my grown up play land.

In 1988 a fire burned a majority of Yellowstone Park. I remember driving up to Island Park and into Yellowstone and watching the fires burn. It was crazy and so much smoke. Over 9,000 firefighters were brought in to fight the fire. It’s healthy for a forest ecosystem to burn and naturally regenerate itself.

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Lodgepole Pines affected by the fire of 1988.

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Fires approaching the Old Faithful complex Sept 7, 1988.

Weekend adventure necessities and they’re on SALE! (Click on Links)

PANTS | SHIRT | DRESS | JACKET |SHIRT | PUFFY | SHORTS | BAG | SCARF

 

RAIN rain, DON’T go AWAY

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, National Parks, Shop2 Comments

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I want to play in the rain, so rain rain, don’t go away, please stay today! I love when it rains and today was a downpour. Teton and I loaded up the car and went for a drive. I remember as a kid we’d always drive to Jackson or Yellowstone on rainy days. We’d laugh, talk and sing along to our favorite songs. I love the smell and sound of rain. It’s like nature is getting a fresh shower. The colors are more vibrant, the air is more crisp. Did I mention, I LOVE the rain?

Teton and I adventured to Mesa Falls. I’ve been coming to these falls since childhood. My great grandparents would snowmobile me into them in the winter, my grandpa would take me for motorcycle rides up to Mesa Falls. Each time I visit them I’m in awe of their beauty and massiveness. They are just off the road on your way to Yellowstone Park via the West Entrance. If you get the chance, take the scenic byway to see them. It’s worth the extra 20 minutes. We were at Upper Mesa Falls today, info HERE

Part of the fun of playing outside is being dry and warm. My favorites to bundling up. Oh and yes, I like layering and Puffys!

Rain Coat | Puffy Layer | Puffy Vest | Shirt | Pants | Teton’s Vest | Shoes 

 

 

 

JERRY visits YELLOWSTONE national PARK

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, Backpacking, Hiking, National Parks, Shop, TravelLeave a comment

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West entrance of Yellowstone Park, Madison River

Jerry in the park. @jerryoftheday is one of my favorite Instagram feeds. No, not because they’re making fun of people, I don’t like that, but because it’s a feed about people trying to be AWESOME at something: skiing, a trick, a jump, anything but failing miserably. I couldn’t help but comment on the Yellowstone National Park tourists that recently put a bison calf in their car. To their credit they were sincerely worried about the small bisons’ safety. Full article HERE

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I feel bad for: 1) The little bison, it had to be put down because it never reunited with it’s herd 2) the concerned visitors. They thought they were doing a good deed but were fined. The name of the game: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. Check out the park rules HERE  Wildlife are not domesticated animals, they are WILD. Take caution and don’t try to pet the moose or get a close up of the bear you see just off the trail.

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North Entrance, Mammoth Hot Springs

I’ve witnessed too many times myself, tourist wanting to get that great shot with the wildlife. Take caution, wildlife in National Parks are not furry friendly animals. Look from a distance and get a tele-photo lens so you can enjoy the National Parks!

NATIONAL PARK SITE SEEING MUST HAVES: and they are on SALE

Fleece | Shirt | Vest | Pants | RainCoat | Hat | Puffy Skirt | Tent | Sleeping Bag | Sleeping Pad  | Camping Stove | Hiking Boots | Casual Shoes | Multi-Day Backpack

my FIRST love: THE grand TETON

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, Friday Favorites, National Parks, Shop, TravelLeave a comment

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I LOVE the Tetons…as in the Grand Tetons. I grew up in the shadows of them and thought they were pretty but didn’t truly fall in LOVE until my first time hiking over Hurricane Pass when I was 14. I’ll never forget coming up to the summit on Hurricane Pass after a BRUTAL, yes, it’s hard and yes, I was a teenager, hike to the top. As I reached the summit, there stood the Tetons and the Grand bolding applauding me for my accomplishment of the summit. Those mountains were mesmerizing and larger than life! I felt like I could reach out and touch them. That day, I fell in LOVE with the Tetons.

 

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I’ve spent many days since then in the Tetons, climbing the Grand, the middle. Hiking/running/backpacking/skiing in and around the canyons surrounding the Teton Range. There’s something magical, mysterious and captivating about the Tetons and their majestic beauty.

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Today my family biked in the Park with the Tetons overshadowing us all day long. I have many memories with the family adventuring in the Tetons, riding the boat across Jenny Lake, bear encounters and more. The family motto: A family that plays together, stays together. We’re missing a few siblings but it was fun to get out and enjoy NATURE. We laughed and had fun along the way.

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I think this is for the visitors from Asia. They have holes in the ground for bathrooms. It made us laugh. Not a typical sign you see daily.

Friday Favorites:

Hurricane Pass Hike | Bike | Bike Shorts | Bike Shirt | Biking in Park | Moms Bike

 

CROSS training: a PEDAL in the PARK

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, National Parks, Running, Shop, Tetons Corner, TravelLeave a comment

I was too tired to run today, so I decided on a cross-training day. Teton and I decided to bike through Grand Teton National Park. I personally KNOW how important cross-training is for your running training, whether it’s a 5K or a 50K, it’s important! The races I didn’t do any cross-training, I could tell. Check out this great article on why cross-training is important: HERE  My cross-training is fun and casual, biking, water-skiing, hiking. I keep it light since my training days are more intense.

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It’s early season in the park so not too many people. There’s still snow in mountains so we biked from Taggart Lake parking lot to Jenny Lake. A must do! The views were splendid. And Teton LOVED it! Fitting don’t you think?!

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Grand Teton National Park: Trail/Bike Map: HERE

Safety While Biking in Park: HERE

A Pedal in the Park Essentials: ON SALE!

Casual Shorts : Patagonia Button Down : Day Pack for Buddy :  Sunglasses

 

Fridays FAVORITES: jackson HOLE

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, Hiking, National Parks, Shop, TravelLeave a comment

Teton and I decided to be tourists in our own backyard. It was fun exploring Jackson Hole and with it being the off-season we had the place to ourselves, almost. There’s so much to do in town and in the parks. And did I mention, IT’S BEAUTIFUL! Bring your camera, you’ll need it. Stay tuned this summer, I’ll be posting my favorite hikes, places to shop and eat and summer fun in Jackson Hole!

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One cannot leave Jackson without the famous antler pic!

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The drive home was my favorite because the sunset was amazing over Glory Mountain. It really is the SIMPLE things in life that bring us the most HAPPINESS. One of my favorite quotes.

Favorites: 

  • Hike in Jackson Hole area: AMPHITHEATER LAKE
    • Check the blog in the next few weeks for photos and more of my favorite hike!
  • Place to shop in Jackson for all you adventure needs: SKINNY SKIS
  • Good Food and Best Desserts EVER! SWEETWATER RESTAURANT
  • Best View: Eat Dinner while watching the sunset over the Tetons: DORNAMANS