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.