Tourist Day in Jackson Hole

We wanted to be tourists for the day...obnoxious, 'let's take photos of everything,' see the sights, and do what everyone else comes here to do. It was so much fun - just hanging with some good people, goofing around, taking lots of photos, being annoying, and having a great time! Here are some moments captured on this glorious day!

#ThisIsWhatYouAllLookLikeToUs

TheChristyBel

Marc in a TeePee?!?

Hats, Hats, Hats!

Unicorn Meets Stallion!

'I Am In Jackson Hole!!!'

Being Obnoxiously Adorable in Public!

Gotta Read About Cats While You're Here!

'Oh Look a Moose!'

Moose Meets Wolf?! Trophic Cascade?!

Story Time in the BookStore!

Being Read to By Marc
Enjoy the Video Below

The Hulk, Spiderman, & the Wolverine Came to Jackson Hole Too!

Last Teaching Program at Teton Science Schools

You would think I would be done teaching with the Teton Science Schools after graduation...wrong. The last week of August was my last week of teaching for TSS - I ended with an age group I was definitely not familiar with and actually, incredibly nervous to work with and teach - undergraduate college level! I was supporting the University of Wyoming's ENR1100 course where similar to TSS' Ecological Inquiry class where the entire class chose their own specific Wyoming Environmental Issue to research and interview stakeholders, this class focused on one issue and as a huge group. ENR 1100 dug deeper into the issues ecologically, politically, systematically, and within the community of the expansion/renovation/construction of the Moose-Wilson Corridor.

For those of you who do not know about this, the Moose-Wilson Corridor is a road that runs through the park on the southeast side of the Teton Range. Even though it is incredibly scenic and is a great place to spot moose, black and grizzly bear, and beaver, it also attract many people to use the road. You would think a scenic road in a national park would just have its occasional wildlife jams and idiotic tourists stopping in the middle of the road for various reasons, but the issue goes beyond that - this road also connects the Teton Village (a major tourist hot spot and recreational area for all people of Jackson Hole) to Moose (a town that is an entrance area into the park and a junction to get onto the major highway, US-89.

The concern over Moose-Wilson Road is that it is constantly used by many people and the road is in need of some repair in certain areas and grows concern about safety of not just the people that use it but the wildlife that live within and around it. There has been great concern that redo-ing the road would affect wildlife populations and migratory patterns, as well as influence the road to attract more people with a question of surpassing a 'carrying capacity' of the pureness and scenic qualities of the area around the road.

It was the job of ENR 1100 to dive into this issue, find the origin and background of this road, and go into the community and speak with stakeholders from every position and see the perspectives and passions that this road has within the people that use it. The students spoke with wildlife and conservationists, staff from the National Park Service, local economic businesses - like Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, residents of the Jackson Hole Community, Friends of Pathways, the Forest Service, and the list goes on...

Here are some photos of random moments from their experience here in the Tetons!

TheChristyBel

A Little Trail Management and Creation with the Forest Service

Wyoming Boys Will Be Wyoming Boys - Working in Some Fancy Cowboy Boots!

'Christy, Take an Action-Shot of Us!'

I am so Uncomfortable Right Now...

Jake and a Pick!

Got a Bike Bell As a Thank You Gift!
Best Gift Ever!

Supporting the VA Hunter Gatherers

Two of my good friends, Heather and Brent, have been recording and blogging their best and favorite paleo/caveman food dishes for the past few years. I have occasionally partook in many of their recipes and have enjoyed every single one I have tried. With Marc being a paleo-person, I introduced him to their website, Virginia is for hunter-gatherers, and we try to make a lot of their dishes. If you are interested in this lifestyle or just want to try some really awesome, tasty food, I suggest you check them out! You can even subscribe to their blog and get their recipes and blog entires e-mailed to you!

So one day, their blog entry about Cedar-Plank Salmon entered my mailbox, and of course, me and fish....well I absolutely wanted to make this! I forwarded the e-mail to Marc and it was a definite YES! And well, later that night, this happened! If you want to see the actual recipe and blog entry, go to Heather and Brent's website and check out the Ceda Plank Salmon with Thyme-Balsamic Glaze. Do it!

After work, Marc Came Home With These Flowers! And They Were Purple!
'Just Because!'

We Didn't Have Cedar Plank, But Cedar Paper Worked Just Fine!
And It Was DELICIOUS!

Thanks Brent and Heather for sharing this delicious dish!

TheChristyBel

Cleaning the Outreach Closet

Over the past three weeks of August, I not only helped teach some other programming at Teton Science Schools, but I offered my organizational and cleaning skills to the Outreach Closet. I wish I had taken a photo of the 'Before,' but those who have seen the outreach closet right after the summer capstone, can attest that the room was 'non-livable' - where you could not see the floor or even navigate through it. Below are the after photos of 45+ hours of blood,  sweat, tears, frustrations, 4-bags of trash, lots of Ke$ha and Beyonce listening, and removing everything into the Earth Science Classroom and back into its home!

The Teton Science Schools faculty was pretty impressed and Kate Bodey was beyond thankful for my help. I hope that the current TSS Grads will take care of that room! A lot of time and work went into making it beautiful to start the new outreach year out with a clean and organized bang!

I am pretty awesome...I know! 

You can see a floor!

Keeping It Clean, Organized, & Labeled!

Jordan and I Even Made the Specimens Beautifully Organized!

Keep It Clean! The Key to Success is to Maintain and Follow Systems!
TheChristyBel

Jaclyn Visits the Tetons

So, it only took about a year, but I was able to convince Snuggles (Jaclyn) to make a visit to the Tetons. Showing her around the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and having her explore this place, I think definitely showed her how much I loved it here and why it may take some convincing otherwise to leave this place. Unfortunately I had to work the week that she visited, so she did a lot of exploring on her own. Here are some photos of the moments we shared together!

TheChristyBel

Jaclyn and My Main Man, Abe

Liberty Burger Food Shot

Moments with Marc at the Dinner Table

Our Whiskey Celebration of Jaclyn's Visit

Four-Person Spoon

Cloudy Tetons...Please Come Back Out

Babes in the Granite Hot Springs

Snuggin' 24-7

Tender Moments

I Think Marc Enjoyed His Time With Us.

Not Unusual.

Mountain Biking at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
(Of Course in Patterned Pants)!

She Was a Natural

Wings & Things at the Mangy Moose

Grounded From Hiking...And All Other Outdoor Things Fun

So, I finally gave in and scheduled an appointment with an orthopedic doctor to examine my knees. After the two Teton peak summits, the attempt up Mt. St. John, the steep hike to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Yurt, and some intermediate hiking around the GYE, my knee has expressed 'enough is enough, Christy. You need to take me to the doctor. Something is really wrong!'

And yes, after a day of hobbling around and in lots of pain, I made an appointment to see what the deal is. It was not as bad as I was anticipating (you know...surgery), but I was told that I was grounded from hiking for two-months and that I had a few weeks of physical therapy in store for me, as well as a lifestyle change for my knees.

My Hurt Zones

Patello-Femoral Pain Syndrome - is when you get lots of pain in the front of your knee. Caused by overuse, injury, excess weight (mainly my entire life of 14+ years of dance/color guard, lots of hiking and backpacking, and probably carrying more weight in my packs) that the kneecap is not properly aligned or changes under the knee cap. As the doctor tested out a bunch of stretches and movements with my legs, he showed me with his finger over my knee cap that the cap actually does move off alignment! It was sooo gross!

Since the knee cap does not properly align and slide over the right spot in my knee, it slides over bone, causing the bone to rub against the back cartilage of my knee cap, which in turn makes my knee so tender and irritated, causing incredible amounts of pain and a terrible time trying to walk.

My Knee Just Moves All Around When I Hike/Walk...Gross.

I know it seems really bad, but the doctor stated that I had beautifully strong legs (IT Bands were great, my tendons, and other muscles were great, it is just those muscles that connect to my knee cap that were weak and needed to be strengthened. He stated that by strengthening my knees, hips, and core, I can make my legs stronger and can help me not feel little to no pain when I participate in my favorite activities again.

But until then, when I enroll in some physical therapy (which will have to wait until I get to Laramie), I am grounded from hiking, backpacking, jumping, dancing, mountain biking, etc.

Hearing those words were the most terrible words you can ever say to a dancer/outdoor enthusiast/hiker. But I know, that once I start getting myself better, the sooner I will be able to do awesome things again. Maybe Laramie came at the right time? Who says I'll have time to do fun things anyway?!

Just Breathe...

I'm Gonna Get Better.

TheChristyBel

A Sly Fox Had Way Too Much Tequila Last Night

Just Bringing You All a Little Moment of Happiness & Laughter to Your Morning!

Marc's Fox Had Way Too Much Fun Last Night

Xoxo,

TheChristyBel

Teton Peak #3 - Attempting Mt. St. John

After Static and Albright, yesterday, I was a little iffy about going on another mega-adventurous hike. I mean, hiking to Static and Albright in a 12-hour day with 17-miles of ascending and descending 5,000+feet really put some stress on my knees. But to be given another really good weather day in the Tetons, you have to consider pushing yourself for another hike through the Tetons. So, it was decided to try...and I am going to emphasize, TRY to summit or at least hike up Mount St. John.

Since we started at 9:30am (a little late for a 5,000+ft elevation gain), we got to the connection of String and Jenny Lake, followed the Jenny Lake trail towards the boat dock at Cascade Canyon, and found the flaggstaffed rocks that outlined the base of Hanging Canyon trail (there is also a 'H.C.' and an arrow pointing in the direction of the trail engraved/carved in the tree at the start of it).

Myself, Marc and one of his fellow-mountain bike guide, Jeff, all started on the trail up Hanging Canyon. The grade is much steeper than Static and there were much more rocks to climb over. About an hour into the hike up the canyon, that's when I started to feel it - the tightness above, around, and below the ball of my left knee. Crap. I decided to tell the two boys I could not keep up with them, so they took the lead as I hobbled slowly up with my trekking poles. But, I kept pushing forward.

Up in Hanging Canyon!

Looking Down on Jenny Lake!

We Encountered a Marmot, Who Was Not Afraid to Get Too Close!

I Mean, Look How Close Marc Was Getting To Him!?

The Marmot and I Even Shared an Intimate Almost Kiss! Just Kidding!
Photo Credit to Marc Sweet

After another hour, my knee was at a 6-7 out of 10 on my pain level...and it got to the point where I told the boys that when we got to one of the lakes, they could proceed up to the summit without me. Marc then decided that he did not want to leave me, so it was then we would just stop at one of the lakes and then proceed back down. The summit could wait.

Note: If you do proceed towards the summit, head to The Lake of Crags - where the lake pinches like a peanut, head north between the two prominent fins, this will get you to the top. When you hit the top of the ridge, hike the ridge east and that's when you'll make it to the summit! (Remember this for next time!)

Arrowhead Pool at Elevation 9,200-feet.

Jeff, Marc, & I at Arrowhead Pool
Elevation 9,200-ft.
Photo Credit to Jeff Silliman

Looking Up Towards Symmetry Spire, Rock of Ages, Ramshead Lake & the Lake of Crags, and Mount St. John.
(From Left to Right)

Western Sheepmoth
Photo Credit to Marc Sweet

On our decent back down after having lunch at Arrowhead Pool, we encountered some really cool wildlife - like a western sheepmoth! But let me just say, the descent was much worse than the ascent for my knees....looks like theChristyBel should not hike summits two days in a row...must take a day or two break before another long trek. Deal.

When Your Knee Hurts and You Have To Go Over a Log - This is The Process You Should Take!
Photo Credit to Marc Sweet

Nerding Out Over a Western Sheepmoth
Photo Credit to Marc Sweet

Overall, despite the knee stress and pain, it was another beautiful day to be hiking in the GTNP. And the whole not summiting Mount St. John...it is still one of my top 3-favorite Teton mountains, and gives me another excuse to always come back and try again!

TheChristyBel