An Amazing Experience

     If you ever get the opportunity to go on the Teton Science Trip, I suggest that you take that chance. It is one of the most fun and interesting things I have ever done. I know what you are thinking, "Cross-country skiing all day is fun?" I thought that same thing when I signed up. But it is more then that, it is a relaxing place where you learn some very cool things about science and the environment. They also don't make the learning boring, they do it in a fun way. So it's like you are learning things, but you don't realize it because you are having too much fun. It also gives you a better understanding of the environment.

     If your reason for not going is because of the cross-country skiing, then that is the wrong reason for you not to go. The cross-country skiing is a lot of fun. They don't make it too hard, and they also add games and fun activities in while cross-country skiing and during breaks to make it more exciting. Even though it does take a little work, at the end of the day, you will be glad you did it. Believe me, I was a little skeptical at first, and I also didn't want to do work and be cold. But that barely happened when I was on this trip. While cross-country skiing and snowshoeing I actually had to take off my jacket because I was getting so warm. The view of going while outside is also magnificent. I mean look at the Teton Mountains:

Picture credit to en.wikipedia.org

    These mountains are even better in person. 

     I have had a lot of fun on this trip. While on this trip, I made my first snowman ever! It was a lot of fun and I loved it. I loved being there, it was an amazing experience. That's not all you can do though, you can also make a lot more friends from this trip. And you get to have so many new and exciting experiences there. It is also a place to relax and be yourself, and you don't have to worry about school as much. It is just a great place to be and have a lot of fun. You may be skeptical at first, but believe me, if you take this opportunity and go on this trip, you will never forget it.

Cold, wet, soggy but overall fun

This basically describes my day, but that is why I will never forget it. Today we had a lot of fun. Starting with an inspiring and fun individual ski and ending with a gallon of water soaked up in my clothes. 

So we went on a long hike where we read quotes on the way but the thing I focused on the most was the beautiful trees. It was like I was in fairy land! 

Then on our way back we down this hill that looked to be huge but it was actually like an 8% climb so yeah. I went down and face planted! Then from then on I fell, and fell and fell. I spent more time on the ground than I did on my skis. Also, I got to hug a tree! But it turned my shirt black. I went up to my dream tree and wrapped my wet body around the tree and my shirt ended up a completely different color. Well, my tree is obviously rubbing off on me but it was being unsanitary so we divorced.

When we got back to the bus, the only thing I could feel was my tongue. We had to wait a while for the other groups so we played a super fun game!

If I say so myself, it was a pretty successful day and couldn't have ended better.

A Successful Week at the Tetons

This week has really been amazing here in the Tetons! I've really enjoyed my time on and off campus, and the people I spent it with just made it better. It's too bad we're leaving tomorrow, from the fabulous meals, to the great science lessons; every moment was a good one. We had a lot of great lessons, learning all about snow and how animals adapt, along with a lot of other lessons. I loved the meals and having to check the weather, and just being able to hang out I normally would not ever have if they weren't on this trip. It was great to make new friends and explore the Tetons! I loved how we were able to go around the park, and explore the GYE (The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, that is). The views practically everywhere were amazing, and the fact that we could hike or ski all around was really cool. I don't think there was one second that I didn't enjoy, even though there were many points where I was frustrated because I kept falling on my skis, or was really hungry during the day. I even had fun when we were skiing, I fell on my face, and got a scratch from the sharp snow. Overall it was an amazing time, I'm so glad I have these experiences to go home with! I wish I could come back every year!

Me yesterday!

Learning New Things with the Mule Deers

I surely wasn't expecting this trip to be so much fun.  Every day we do something different and interesting.  When the instructors teach us, you can tell how much they enjoy it.  My group is the Mule Deers, and our instructors are Anna and Josh.  We have SOOOOOO much fun, and yesterday we played, "The Best Game Ever."  Seriously, it is the best game ever.

My favorite part of this whole experience has been getting to know people from TMJH that I wouldn't normally hang out with.  It has really allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and make some new friends.

This was our first day out doing a communication activity. 

This is the one and only, Mule Deer Tribe. 

(L to R) Cameron, Naomi, Me, Daniel, Sophie, Gustavo, Josh, Easton, Nicole, and Anna

(L to R) Me and Sophie

From this trip I have really began to understand how important the environment is.  I always knew there was many species and important factors for creating a working system, but from this trip I have been shown why things are necessary.  For example, we learned about the Conifers vs. Aspens and how they can protect different animals.  It has been very eye-opening to realize the important and unique things certain areas can provide for species of plants and animals.  

Overall, I am so happy I came on this trip and everything that has happened here has been so fun;  I would come back in a heart beat.   

Blizzard...ish

Today here at TSS, we got something we have been severely deprived of back in Park City...SNOW!  We, the Buffalo, were the only group that decided to ski agin today as opposed to snowshoeing, and boy did it pay off.  We decided to wait and have our lunch latter, 12:50, in an effort to make it to Coyote Rock.  On the way up, everyone was sweating and stripping layers, but once we were at the top, it was blustery and cold.  There were spectacular views from the top allowing us to see the surrounding mountains until the storm blew in. The storm was the first real snow (not slush) that I have seen in a long time.

The snow is coming in.

A panorama from lunch.  This does not do justice to the views we had.

Everyone was all smiles because of the snow; powder skiing!

Once we were close to the bottom, we stopped and discussed how animals, including ourselves, expend energy through conduction, convection (oven), radiation (cancer), and evaporation (crying).

It was a great day to be up in the Tetons, and hope to have a good last day tomorrow.

New Friends and Experiences- Sophie Adelman & Courtney Ruttan

     This trip has been life changing! New friends, experiences, and knowledge. The Tetons has provided a fun, interactive learning environment. It has brought this group of students closer together and increased our knowledge of the environment. Everyone is constantly moving and active. There is never a moment to stop learning.

      The dorms have made students become closer and get to know each other better. Some friendships have been made and some have grown. Great food, great people, and fun learning makes this the funnest trip ever and the highlight of this year.