A Wild Ride: Wilderness Expedition

Well, we've started our first week of class.  It's been a great start so far - a little bit of class, natural history, risk management, process of programming, and of course, getting outside and HIKING!  I can talk about what we've done the past three days, however, I think Day Four's Day should be discussed first! :) By far, the one of the best days of my life!

So this morning, we went on a 7:00AM MST tour with TSS' Wildlife Expeditions tours.  So besides the Graduate Program, environmental education programming, their K-12 Journey's School, and the Conservation Research & Teacher Learning Center, Teton Science School also offers Wildlife Expeditions.  Wildlife Expeditions are these phenomenal tours where naturalist guides will take you out and locate and observe some of the outstanding and special wildlife around the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

So our three guides, Kevin, Jared, and Paul met us at the Kelly Campus and took us to go scope out some big mammals in these awesome observation vans.  These vans have huge windows great for viewing animals from inside when danger lurks, and have these awesome roof viewing holes where you can observe from inside the van but getting a higher view of the land.

Good Morning!  From the Grand Tetons!

The morning was a little on the crisp side, roughly 50 degrees F, and they had us wake up mad early to grab some breakfast and be in the vans by 7am.  The sunrise was yet again, beyond beautiful and there was a low fog at the base of the Teton Range which looked like the mountains were floating in the clouds!  So pretty!

So we set off down Ditch Creek Road, and of course, you cannot go five minutes without seeing BISON (Bison bison)!  I really love these animals, even though they are highly dangerous if you get in their space, they are pretty remarkable creatures.  The are part of the Bovidae family and our largest land mammal in North America.  Out guide Kevin explained that there are more than 3,900+ bison located in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.  

Found in grasslands and right now, found amongst the sagebrush, they primarily graze on grasses and sedges.  Their massive hump on their back helps support the strong muscles; not to mention they are pretty athletic (who would have thought) - they can also jump 6 ft.  Kevin showed us a back vertebrae of a bison.  This bone was crazy!  It was long - roughly 1-2 feet in length.  Can you imagine that?  Their vertebrae is clearly distinctive to them and I believe it helps create a strong back for when they plow through snow and carry themselves all across the grasslands of Wyoming.

We learned that this month into the next few is beginning their breeding season, which in turn means, Bison are going into Rut.  The males get pretty energetic and want to show off for their ladies, which in turn means we have to be pretty careful and cautious when we are around them. 

OH: SIDE NOTE: So yesterday morning, after breakfast before class, a HUGE STAMPEDE of bison came running through the entire Teton Science School Kelly Campus.  It was crazy!!!! I was in my cabin and all of a sudden, I heard and FELT rumbling!  I go outside and there is jump a few hundred brown, HUGE, bison just running down our hill and stampeded through campus.  They ran through the forest, down the hill, past my cabin, through campus, around the dining lodge, and around the main lodge, and then second rounding it towards Ditch Creek Road.  It was crazy!  I wish I got a video of it to explain the craziness (and danger) they cause coming through campus.  Luckily no one was hurt, but it was something to remember and talk about!

Oh, Hello, Bison!  Do you see me?

We asked Kevin about what it means when you just see a lone bison in the field.  Kevin explained that a long bison, especially this time of year, usually means it's a male that is on the older side of age.  They are mostly scrounging around and looking for food - mostly in prep for the winter season.  They are probably too old to continue to breed and are just focused on prepping for the colder months.

They are pretty beautiful, aren't they?!

We also saw some Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus), the black-tailed counterpart to my friends back east, the White-Tailed Deer.  These are really cool and very different from the white-tails.  Mule Deer reside in areas from desert to forested habitats, but especially in mountain regions, and can be found in huge herds or by the handful or lonesome.

Distinguishing traits different from the White-Tail are that they have a black tip on their tail, larger ears, about 2/3 the length of their head and have a darker patch of fur on their forehead.  Another key trait is that the male antlers are incredibly different from the White-Tails.  The white-tail has one main antler beam from which the tines will branch off and rise vertically.  The Mule Deer have two main forks and branch into smaller forks (bifurcation). 

Two Male Mule Deer in the Sage Brush

As we drove along Antelope Flats Road, we also saw some Pronghorn (Antilocapra americanus).  These creatures are beyond interesting!!!  These animals are part of their own family, Antilocapridae.  They are the fastest mammal in North America, because at one point in time, North America used to have a North American Cheetah that would hunt on the pronghorn.  Since the Ice Age, the N. American Cheetahs have long been extinct.  However, these guys are still kicking around!  This is because they do well in extreme weather conditions, except deep snow.  

We also learned that Pronghorns break the rules between mammals that have antlers and horns.  Even though the Pronghorns have horns, which mean they would not fall off during their lives, in reality, both the males and females grow these horns and will shed them off annually after breeding season.  Crazy!

We then parked off the side of the road and walked up a hill to gaze at Blacktail Butte where the three guides had spotted some Black Bear (Ursus americanus) before picking us up.  So we went back to see if we could see them through some binoculars and scopes.  Sure enough, we spotted one trekking up the butte along an edge.  Kevin talked that this time of year is not only breeding season for many animals, but it's also a time where animals are getting ready for the cold, winter months.  He explained that the Black Bears are getting into hyperphagy (fast eating mode).  This means that the bears will ear up to 28,000 calories per day to develop enough fat to get them through the winter.  That's a lot of calories!  Black Bears are also a pretty omnivorous creature, however, they can have a diet that is solely consisting of berries or insects!  Imagine, 28,000 calories of bugs and larvae....Ew. haha!

We then headed into the Gros Ventre Campground in Kelly and we encountered two beautiful creatures.  I literally cried tears of happiness when I saw these two boys!  Just look at those racks!  Haha.

Two Bull Moose just lounging in the Gros Ventre Campgroud!

This totally made my day!  I mean, the first time I saw a moose (Alces alces shirasi), I was driving, and was not able to see the two bulls on the side of the road.  And today, to stand about 50+ feet away from these animals, I was literally in Heaven!  Waking up at 7am to see these two was incredibly worth it!  The morning is a prime and excellent time to catch moose.  Moose enjoy shady, cool ecosystems, and for them to be even found in this dry, and hot at times region is really impressive!  Kevin told us that this area is the southern-most part that the moose will reside in.

Getting a Close-Up through the Scope!

The two bulls were lying in and around a favorite food source of theirs: Bitterbrush, that is commonly found among the sage.  They are mostly 'growzers' that will move out into the sagebrush to eat the Bitterbrush, depending on the snow-depth and temperature of their food source habitat.

I just learned a new little fun fact about the moose this morning.  Their beard plays a significant part in their day-to-day needs.  Both males and females have them (males tend to be much bigger), but these beards are called 'dew-laps.'  These serve as a bib when they drink or eat vegetation from lakes and waterways.  Instead of the excess water dripping everywhere and all down their chest and legs, the dew-laps serve as a bib and create a one-point of dripping for excess water to drip off them and away from their body!  How crazy is that?!

Seeing the moose was just a wonderful sight and moment.  Then as we look to the south of us, we could see a double rainbow!

Ahhh, Double Rainbow!  What does it mean?!

So not only were we freaking out about the moose, but it brought more question of this double rainbow!  From that funny YouTube video of the Double Rainbow, the phrase, 'What does it Mean?' came to mind...and well, instead of a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, we saw a pot of three grizzly bear at the base of it!  How lucky were we?!?

As we look back onto Blacktail Butte, through a scope, we could see three little, well not so little, Grizzly Bear Cubs!  Then we saw her, the infamous momma who has been making news around Jackson Hole the past few days.  Grizzly Bear #399 and her three triplet cubs!  She has been seen multiple times the past week and is famous because she was the one grizzly that has brought grizzlies into the area AND has had multiple set of triplets throughout the years!  She has never posed a threat to the community, just very tolerant to humans, and very comfortable being in the Jackson Hole area and within the National Elk Refuge.

Then we also saw 2 additional Grizzly Bears in the surround area of #399 and an additional Black Bear!  So many bears!  Do not worry, we were VERY FAR AWAY!

Infamous Grizzly Bear #399 and her Three Triplet Cubs on Blacktail Butte.

Today was a pretty magical day.  Seeing the moose and a grizzly bear (from afar) really set the day's bar very high!  Not to mention the views of the mountains and the sky was incredibly gorgeous!

Looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday and then to spend most of the weekend working on two assignments due before our Backcountry Backpacking Trip to the Teton Crest Trail on Tuesday!  Boom!

Until then,
TheChristyBel

Double Rainbow!  Photo Credit goes to Tootsie, fellow TSS Graduate Student.

Teton Science Schools: New People, New Nature, A New Place, A New Community

So I would like to introduce to you all the new 2013-2014 Teton Science School Graduate Program (students and staff).  On our first day of orientation, we all went on a full day hike around the TSS grounds.  The hike went from our Kelly Campus up into Moose Meadow, past the Rock Garden and Lightning Tree, into Upper Meadow where we exited the Grand Teton National Park into the Bridger-Teton National Forest onto Coyote Rock Gully towards Coyote Rock and back down into the Park through Lower Meadow back to campus.

The 2013-2014 20th Graduate Class of the Teton Science School!

The hike was beyond awesome.  Not only was this hike great to finally hike the trails around campus, but we were able to share our 'path maps' on how we arrived here to the Teton Science Schools.  This hike was a wonderful way to welcome us all here, have some great ice-breaking and community bonding, and to get us all into our element we all love: outside!

We also had some great natural history lessons as well!  I learned some awesome new plants, or at least new ones of the Western Region.  Did a mini-lesson, 'It's Not A Pine, All the Time!'  So we learned to identify some 'Flat, Friendly Firs,' some 'Spiky, Square/Round Spruces,' and some 'Packeted, Pointy Pines!'  We also did some trust and interpretation exercises too.  Other fauna I learned for the Life List are: Fireweed, Limber Pines, Douglas Firs, and the invasive Pine Beetle.  There were a lot more identifications throughout the trip, but I definitely lost track.

Kelly Campus Scavenger Hunt: Learning the Evolution and History of the Dining Lodge

The next day, we learned more about the history of this organization and school.  My team was given the challenge of learning about the Dining Hall.  This was pretty interesting.  And the best part of this was: there was a shout out to the Abbott's Mill Nature Center of Delaware in one of the books I read!  Very cool!  But I learned that the dining hall we eat in for meals, was originally located and built on Shadow Mountain around 1947 and was recently moved on HUGE trucks to the Kelly Campus of TSS in 1991.  Very cool to see photos on how they moved buildings around here!

Sunset Over the Teton Range

That evening, a few of us went to Uhl Hill to look for wolves.  Very cool!  We drove about 40 minutes north of Kelly Campus to see if we could pick out some wolves that rendezvous near Elk Reservoir.  Sure enough we were able to spot 2 adult wolves playing in a field (through a scope of course!).  Apparently they were dining over a dead pronghorn of some sort.  And the most magical part about this sighting was, we tried to howl over to them (out of silliness) and just a few minutes later, we hear about 10-12 wolves howl into the night!  It was so cool!  My heart literally exploded with joy!

Sunset looking over Elk Reservoir on Top of Uhl Hill

We also saw and heard Sandhill Cranes.  I tried getting photos through my phone with the scope.  So do not judge me and my photography for these next few photos!  It was a really cool sight to see these birds, since I had never seen them before out in the wild (only through photos and taxidermy).

Sand Hill Cranes through a Scope

Again...Trying to Capture the Moment

So it was getting dark and we decided to head back to the car.  Charlie (another graduate student) and I were just discussing about getting the bear spray out for the 'just in case' events when sure enough, we look down the trail and see this huge black blob in the middle of the trail path.  We were like, 'What on Earth is That?!'  We were all standing there motionless trying to not scare or threaten it, when all of a sudden it moves up the hill.  A HUGE BUFFALO starts walking up the hill away from us.  We'll take a buffalo over a bear any day!

It was too dark to get a good photo of our scary friend.

On Friday we got trained in using Bear Spray and working and living in the Grand Teton National Park with some pretty amazing wildlife.  We also toured the TSS Jackson Campus.  This was really was fun because the Jackson campus is incredibly beautiful and the staff is really awesome and welcoming as well.  Not to mention a lot of staff at both the Jackson and Kelly campuses are graduate program alumni!  So this is a great way and resource to learn more about the program I am in!

On Saturday, myself with three other graduate students decided to volunteer/work at the Teton Science School Auction.  This was a really fun event, where TSS holds an auction of assorted furniture, certificates, and other little treasures and gems up for bid to raise money for the organization.  A fellow graduate student, Tootsie, and I were helping with parking.  This was fun, we were able to sit and drive golf carts all day and escort visitors into the auction.  It was also a agreat way to meet the community and some TSS people!

Funniest Item Up for Auction: a horse galloping exercise machine?!

Also, saw some cool natural history too: a Mormon Cricket and my new favorite flower, Indian Blanket!  That cricket was HUGE!!! and I almost ran it over with my cart!

Biggest Cricket I've Ever Seen in the Wild! - Mormon Cricket

New Favorite Flower: Indian Blanket!

This morning, (Sunday), a few of us decided to go on a hiking adventure: Delta Lake.  This lake was in between the Middle Teton and Mt. Owen with some great views of the Grand in the middle!  We hiked the Lupine Meadows Trailhead and hiked off the main trail up some switchbacks where we had to scramble up some boulder fields and finally into this little valley where the lake resided.

Not going to lie, I am STILL acclimatizing to these high elevations!  But it wasn't just me that was on the struggle bus, the whole group is still getting used to it too.

On our way up we saw some cute new animals to add to my Life List: a 'mountain beaver' aka a marmot and PIKA!

I couldn't get a decent photo of an uncommon black marmot!  But he was so cute!

The views from so high up!

A New Love and Favorite Animal: the Pika!

So we started around 11:08 AM MST and finally got to Delta Lake around 2:45pm.  Such a great group to hike up with: everyone was so supportive and patient to get to the top as a group!  We traveled also roughly from 6,700 ft to 9,700 ft.  I was so impressed and proud of the group, not to mention myself and my knees for getting through a tough hike!

TSS Grad Students Make it to Delta Lake!

Totally converting everyone to summit pose with me!

So I will leave you with my summit pose that is almost at the Grand!  I start my classes tomorrow, and I am beyond anxious, excited, and nervous!  However, I am more excited than anything else.  For the next three weeks, we will be in our first class, 'Introduction to Field Science Teaching.'  This class also includes a 4-Day backpacking trip into the Back Country!  So excited!

More to come in the next few days and weeks as a Graduate Student!  Still can't believe I'm here!

Xoxo,
TheChristyBel

Almost to the Grand!  Stopping at 9,700 ft!

A Letter To Self

This afternoon, the faculty took us up to one of the top points on the Kelly Campus, I think they said Lobo Hill (not sure still getting used to the trails here) - anyways, it was a great hike all around to get some bearings for the trails, see some examples of some lessons we could use to teach our students, and an opportunity to sit and re-think about the 'big why' - the reason of being here.

The faculty instructed us to write a letter to ourselves - a little weird and uncomfortable for me to grasp, but it was a good way for me to sit and reflect on 'why I am here in the Tetons?' I am not going to re-tell all that I wrote in that letter (some of it is kind of personal), and not going to lie - I am not really quite sure what I actually did write a few hours ago, but I can tell you there was reassurance, words of strength, and hope combined in one way or another.

I wrote along the lines that this is a chance to start a new chapter in my life - no one should ever feel like they have come to a plateau in their lives or settle for routines (before coming here, I felt like I did), and that you should continually stimulate your mind, body, and soul to strive for continual growth and excitement. Not that I did not enjoy my life working as a core-staff volunteer coordinator for DNS, but I felt as if there was more than just working everyday in a human resources position - I needed more; part-time teaching was not nearly enough on becoming a better educator, anywhere. I wrote that I felt this is a chance to upgrade my talents and knowledge to a whole new level, gain experiences, and indulge in opportunities that I am pretty sure I would not have gotten back at home - dancing and color guard for the past thirteen years has been a wonderful experience and lifestyle, but I need to make sure that I am perfecting my scientific knowledge and naturalist mentality, and who knows, get more into my drawing, or even more out of my comfort zone - snow! I wrote this is an open door for me to realize what 'theChristyBel' wants and needs for her life and this will help find the correct path of where I need to be and go.

As I wrote my last thoughts down in that letter, I remembered some words of advice from one of my closest friends, 'Remember you can only go forward, nothing behind you is worth having because if it was, it would still be with you.' So, I consider this new chapter and a fresh start here in the Tetons and with this graduate program, I believe that even though leaving the comforts and routines of Delaware will be incredibly challenging and trying to overcome a four-and-a-half years' relationship heartbreak while pursuing school will be difficult, something beautiful will come from this sudden 3,000+ mile move - a realization of self and a clearer view of what I want to do with my life.

Here's To Figuring It Out,
TheChristyBel

Moving Out of Little Blue!

So, Monday was the day...I could finally move into the Teton Science Schools for their Graduate Program.  I was beyond excited and relieved.  Since about July 25 (I think), I've been living out of Little Blue, my car.  I bet she was beyond excited to have me move out of her and into my cabin I would be calling home for the next 11.5 months.  I know, crazy!

I left around 7:30am MST from Salt Lake City and drove about 5 hours back to Kelly, Wyoming to get to campus in time for Check-In.  There it was a really exciting moment to start putting names and voices with faces!  It's been about 6-months speaking with people I didn't really know or knew what they looked like.  

There I met one of the Graduate Faculty staff who showed us around and brought us to our cabins for move in.

It's Official...This is really happening!

Welcome, Miss Bel, to your new home, Cloudveil!

Originally I was supposed to move into Buck, a small room over the Maintenance Building, however, during the WFr course, I was informed there was an opening in one of the cabins.  I was beyond relieved and excited.  I was shown both rooms and was given the choice to choose which one I would like.  Buck was very nice, it was small, 'Christy-sized' however, there was only one window on the door.  Which I was a little taken-back when I found that out.  Cloudveil Dome was a small cabin that offered me TWO windows, a door window, a huge overhang near my door with room for a bench and seating!  Very nice to come out this morning and sit on the bench and read with my coffee!  So I bet you can imagine which one I chose!  AND..the best part, I have window room for some new plant friends!

Cloudveil and Buck are a little isolated from the rest of the Graduate Circle on campus.  A parking lot separates my cabin from the majority of everyone else.  But I think that will be ok if there is a total of 20 females and 4 males in the program.  So a little space is fine!

Also, the nice thing is about Cloudveil is that I practically have my own bathroom.  Not in my cabin, but a private bathroom next to me located in the Dining Hall.  So that is nice as well!

I think they knew which animal was my favorite!

So I moved in pretty quickly.  I am glad I didn't bring as much stuff.  Although I do have mom sending me a few packages of other things I forgot.  So below are the before and after photos of me moving into my new home.

Near the front door: my 'closet' and desk.

My bed area

I should have more to talk about, but last night was mostly just moving in and getting settled in.  Tonight, we will have a 2013-2014 Teton Science School Reception and Dinner welcoming all of the new 24 graduate students into the program with the faculty.  Finally, IT'S REALLY HAPPENING!

More updates to come...let me just get settled in first. :)

TheChristyBel

Last Days of Freedom: Salt Lake City Trip

A 4.5 Hour Drive to Salt Lake City I shall go!

So Thursday, I woke up and drove back to Kelly to pack up some things I'd need while in Salt Lake City, placed all of my other things in the basement of the Main Lodge of the Teton Science School, and drove back to Jackson to spend the day in town while I waited to take my drug test later that afternoon.  I had some great coffee and breakfast at the Cowboy Coffee Co., called my mom for a little, and then met up with some of the WFR students before we all had to head our separate ways.

Took some time to gather myself and clean up my car and some financial and computer things, then waited around until 4:00pm MST to take my drug test.  After my test, around 4:30pm, I filled up the car with gas and was en route to Salt Lake City.  Since I had a few additional days until I could move into my new TSS home, I decided to spend the weekend visiting my friend Chris, from back home who has been living in SLC since college.

He has been trying to convince me to visit SLC for years, and so finally, 12+ years later, I have come to visit!  Haha.  I got into town around 10:00pm MST on Thursday evening, totally exhausted.  Had a drink on the back porch with Chris catching up talking about my new grad program, my WFR experience, and news and updates about home in DE and at DNS.

The next morning (Friday), slept in FOR ONCE!  While Chris was at work, I just did some shopping for school and wandered around SLC.  Had lunch with Chris and two of his friends at a Thai place (so delicious) and then went to visit the Patagonia outlet.  A good and bad thing!  Luckily, since every female is practically my size, there was very little to choose from.  Womp womp.  Which on the other hand, my bank account was thanking me!  Haha.  But I did manage to ramble through some bins and found a size xs/s top and bottom base-layer and a new pullover with thumb holes! Happy Day!!!!

Sunset from the Top of the Living Room

After my shopping day in SLC, I headed back to the house to wait for Chris.  When he came back, we headed up on a hike in back of the University of Utah's property up on Mt. Wire to a place called 'The Living Room.'

New type of tree to look up - Scrub Oak.  These were very cool.  Unlike a lot of Oaks back home that grow tall, these get to be 'shrub-level' in height!

View from The Living Room!

This was such a cool hike, although my body is STILL getting used to the altitude difference.  So I was kind of struggling up the incline.  In due time, I'll get better...DON'T RUSH ME!  haha.

Watching the view from some comfy seats! haha.

When we got up there, you could totally overlook the entire SLC and part of the Great Salt Lake.  Very cool!

Can I Try to Change the Channel?!?

The view was very cool from there, and what was really nice about it was that all the slabs of rock were placed in formations of chairs and couches!  Hence the name, 'Living Room.'  Clever.  There was even an old remote control on one of the arm chairs!  So funny!

Such a beautiful sunset over Salt Lake City!

On our way down, we found some remnants of a Mule Deer (from what I think)!

Chris was offered a new job during work, so we went out into the town to celebrate with some friends at some of his favorite bars.  Totally stumbled on some karaoke with some very 'talented' singers!

The next morning, we woke up went to a Farmer's Market in town and had some JERSEY Bagels!  Ok, fine, they were not really Jersey bagels, but the couple who made them were from Jersey and started making them out here.  They were pretty close to the delicious ones back home.  So home sick for a REAL bagel...wah.

After the hike we met up with some of Chris' ATO brothers and friends and hiked up Millcreek Canyon Hike in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest up to Dog Lake.  Took all morning to get up there and back to the cars.  The best part of the hike was the Female Moose Chris spotted when we parked the car.  I literally cried tears of joy and excitement!  She was sooooooo beautiful and so calm as I took a photo of her and with her from the side of the road.

We hiked about 5-6 miles to Dog Lake and back.

Up to Dog Lake, we hiked up the Lower Mill Creek Canyon trail and once we got to Dog Lake, took the Upper going down.

Stining Nettle as tall as ChristyBel...so glad we don't have it that intense back home!

Beautiful wildflowers...Still Trying to learn all of the plants out here!

Sheila, if you are reading this, you now have TWO reasons to come out west!!! Wish you were here with us on the hike!

12+ Year Friendship - Thanks Delaware Nature Society!

View from the top of Mill Creek Canyon!

Dog Lake was a really cool hike.  Mostly because this hike invites and welcomes Dogs to hike on the trail!  I couldn't even tell you how many dogs we saw going up and down the trails, not to mention how many we saw swimming in the lake.  Brenna, if you are reading this, I bet you, Ben, and Padfoot would LOVE this hike!

Dog Lake

After the hike, we got back into town around 2:30pm MST.  So, we went to grab some lunch then head into Downtown for the Utah Beerfest!

I know, ChristyBel does NOT drink beer, but it was a cool experience to see 14+ local Utah Breweries in one place and sample some of their beverages.  Tried a variety of beers.  From what I could remember (ha) I sampled:

Boulevard Brewery Boulevard Wheat

Bonnerville Brewing Company Antelope Amber Ale

Avenues Proper Gose the Goserian

Uinta Brewing Company Sum'r Organic Summer Ale

Wing Nutz Nut Job Beers Tree Hugger Organic Amber Ale

Squatters Bumper Crop Honey Lavender

I am definitely missing a few, but from what I can tell you, I liked most of them...surprisingly.  The one that I did NOT like was the Gose the Goserian.  It was terrible.  It had a sour tangy taste...actually it tasted like OLD, Salty Ocean Water and Lemon Juice...why would you create a drink like that?!?

Bonnerville Brewing Company Antelope Amber Ale

The one I most enjoyed was Squatters Bumper Crop Honey Lavender.  You could totally taste the Honey and Lavender in the beer!! Such a unique flavor!!

Wing Nutz Nut Job Beers Tree Hugger Organic Amber Ale

Sunday morning, we went out to brunch to meet up with some of Chris' ATO Brothers and Alumni and then headed to the Museum of Natural History of Utah, located on the University of Utah's property.  This museum was so beautiful and focused on the cultural aspects of the Native Americans that used to and still live in the region, the local geology, and local fauna and flora.  So cool!!!  Not to mention they had a special exhibit going on about Natural Disasters.

Sky Deck with Solar Panels Galore!

Also, this museum had one of the largest collections of Dinosaur bones!!! It was so cool, and some of them were even the real bones, not just the castings!  I felt pretty weird seeing real bones up close.  Nerd Moment.

Ancient Sloth...this thing was huge, twice the size of ChristyBel

Sure seeing my favorite dinosaur, the Triceratops was so cool and all, but seeing an over-sized Sloth, Mammoth, and Crocodile was pretty awesome as well!

Jurassic Park Time.

Don't tell anyone, totally stepped on the footprint to get a size for the size magnificence!

That afternoon/evening, we traveled about 45-min to an hour east of Salt Lake City to Park City.  Chris brought his Stand Up Paddle Board and he taught me how to SUP at Jordanelle Lake at the Jordanelle State Park.  Very cool activity.  I definitely want to continue to try that.  And the best park was I didn't fall even once when I was learning!  Although my legs were pretty shaky from being nervous on that thing! haha.

After eating some awesome Fish Tacos we went to High West Distillery and had Whiskey Desserts!  Very cool and very delicious!

Whiskey Desserts!

Woke up around 7:00am MST on Monday morning to make the 5-hour drive back to the Tetons to finally say, I would no longer be living out of Little Blue anymore and move into my new little cabin at the Teton Science School! Oh, Happy Day!

I thought this quote was pretty inspiring and a great segway into my new journey of going back to school. :)

So, now I leave you with one of my favorite pictures of my trip to Salt Lake City, a picture with my moose!

More to come on my move into my little cabin at the Teton Science School...stay tuned!

Xoxo,
TheChristyBel

Moose sighting at the Millcreek Canyon Hike!