Category: Travel

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

 

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