I am so grateful that Lily encouraged us to stop at a cabin an hour outside of the Tetons instead of getting in at 1:00 to set up camp. I’m not always thinking clearly when I’m trying to save a buck. Because we all got rest, we were able to have such a fun day today. We were to String Lake by mid-day and we had a wonderful picnic together right next to the lake. Lily had made the most amazing Panini sandwiches and the balsamic vinegar in them really made them pop!
Then we all enjoyed String Lake together. Honestly, I was afraid of the temperature of the lake, so to confront my fear, I just jumped right in really quickly. It was cold, but actually very refreshing and it got better over time….until it stopped getting better and then I started shivering and left. But before I left, Lily joined me and we both had fun swimming in the lake. Lily especially got some good laps in swimming to and from rocks.
The kids had fun playing on the beach.
At one point it got a little windy, and a toppled tree that was hanging over our heads (stuck on another tree) started to creak. We got freaked out (especially Clarissa) and decided to wrap up our time at String Lake. No trees falling on us to today, thank you!
In the car, Clarissa showed off her fishlips.
Then we all went on a short (I think about 2.4 miles) hike to Heron lake.
We loved looking at this beaver dam which seamed to be a true beaver mansion. The water was really low, which was a theme throughout our Teton’s trip (Jackson lake was at 33%) so we actually saw a dam higher up on the shore too (which we assumed was built when the water was higher). If you look closely in the picture below, you can also see the dam higher up on the shore.
We said, “Hey Bear!” multiple times to help stay safe.
Ammon and Clarissa LOVED looking at the beautiful and massive mushrooms all around. We also found a friend on the trail who taught us about mushrooms. She thought these were edible, but that they were older, as in past their prime for eating.
It was very tough getting Clarissa to walk, but things turned around when I encouraged her to tell me all about a Halloween party she was planning in her imagination. She talked all about it as we walked.
After hiking Heron lake came my favorite part of the day, and a highlight for the entire year for me. I got to cook Lily and Mary’s tin foil dinners on the fire, and then we had the MOST delicious family meal together. I LOVE seasoned roasted vegetables. The weather was perfect, and it was so wonderful to be together. Then we all had banana boats, and they were the yummiest ones I’ve ever had. They were cooked perfectly. Then after everyone went to bed, I sat by the fire and pondered and wrote a poem. I was feeling very inspired with thoughts and felt so grateful for every moment of life (which is what my poem was about). What an incredible gift life is!
