(Wyoming) Weekend Wrap-Up

Sorry for the radio silence last week folks, the smartest and I were galavanting in the northern reaches... where there actually IS radio silence. To make up for it- I have an absolutely ridiculous number of photos to barrage you with, aren't you excited?

We hopped on an early flight on Thursday morning and jetted away to the open range enjoy some much needed time with the artist parents. Something about going north always makes my heart breath a little deeper. On Thursday morning, the smartest and I dashed to the airport and embarked on a morning of traveling- the highlight of which was landing at the airport in Wyoming and seeing this lovely lady out on the wing, putting gas in the plane. If I'm not mistaken- this is also the lady that carries all the bags, helps the plane land and checks you in. I do love small towns.

Thursday evening, we celebrated my birthday with a cook-out and some incredibly tasty banana pudding and buttermilk pie. My grandparents came over for dessert, and the BHO even called in from central america! It is always so nice to spend time with family- and having a birthday celebration was an extra special treat! Mama artist had very cleverly sifted through a few old birthday cards from my awkward younger days, and presented me with a stack of very hilarious past birthday cards. The highlight of the stack was a book of "IOU" coupons that the BHO apparently gave to me when I was 4 or so, that was the best present that a doting little sister could ever receive- full of promises for slumber parties and hours of reading. I informed her that I intend to collect here in a couple weeks, thanks to mama artist's ingenuity and ability to not lose things (something I rather wish she had passed down to me).

On Friday we hit the Grand Teton National Park for a day of picnicking in the mountains and even a little sojourn on the water. The way that the mountains feel to someone that grew up with them is sort of hard to explain- but seeing them on the horizon always makes me feel safe (apparently I am the opposite of claustrophobic... whatever that would be). We also had some huckleberry ice cream at this gorgeous lodge that has the best view I think I have ever seen. So. Pretty.

We also had the great fortune of seeing a mama bear and two cubs just off the road- showing off for the very excited motorists. Seeing bears, even in the Tetons, is pretty rare, so we think that nature was probably trying to show the smartest a good time.

On Saturday, we ventured up a local trail to a place called "Sinks Canyon". It climbs up this mountain until you see a series of lovely waterfalls that feed and enter twine with each other- it is very pretty. And surprisingly difficult for those of us who live in a low elevation that provides virtually no outdoor activities whatsoever. Which is code for: the artist is getting soft in her old(er) age. We followed up our hike with lunch at a grill I used to waitress at... and a nap. Because the artist parents have energy that far exceeds mine.

Sunday consisted of a brief visit at church, and one of the worst flights I have ever been on.  Not only was the air completely smokey with forest fire fumes wafting from various parts of Colorado, but there was an incredibly alarming siren that went off occasionally- which essentially led the smartest and I to believe we might crash and die at any moment. We spent most of the flight peering at our prospective propellers to see if they had stopped functioning yet (I should probably mention that there were 4 people on this flight, the craft for which was a 16 seater prop plane). Fortunately, we successfully landed, and with the help of some thoughtfully bought sea-bands, I even avoided re-experiencing lunch.

Yay for birthdays, chipmunks, mountains and ice cream. Summer really doesn't get much better than this.

** Any photo that is actually any good was taken by mama artist**