Me, Tanner and Cristina at The Virginian last night. So much fun!
Today proved
that I would too! But first, let’s go to the adventures of yesterday. After
posting yesterday’s blog update, I headed out to the lodge’s pool with Tanner
and Jesse. We met Cristina, Maggie, and some of our other friends there. On the
warm sunny day, it felt really great to be in the water. Yesterday was one of
the warmest days we’ve had here so far (I’m not complaining about it though,
since I know my friends in SA would kill me if I complained about an 80 degree
day in July). After enjoying the water for a while, we sat by the pool and
relaxed in the sun before going back to the dorms to get ready to go into town.
We left the lodge at about six in the evening; Tanner and I rode with Cristina,
and our friend Colin drove, with Maggie and Alyson riding with him. Nate and
Brian met us in town at a small Mexican restaurant for dinner that Brian had
picked out. It couldn’t hold a candle to the Mexican food I can get in San
Antonio, but it was still better than the EDR. After dinner, since we had some
time before karaoke started, we all walked over to Albertson’s, which was right
across the street, and picked up a few things to have back at the dorms. By the
time we were done with that it was almost nine, so we headed over to The
Virginian Saloon, arriving just as the karaoke music was getting started. Throughout
the night, everyone in our group took the microphone for at least a couple of
songs. We stayed at The Virginian until after midnight, singing and having fun
with friends. It was a great way to spend my “Saturday” night.
I slept
fairly late this morning after being out so late last night. I was actually
woken up by Tanner knocking on my door saying that he was going to meet Brian,
Maggie, and Alyson over at Gros Ventre Junction, on the way to Jackson, where
they had camped last night. They were going to hang out and do some cliff
jumping in the area, and he asked if I wanted to get a ride with him and join
them, which I of course said yes to. I put on my swimsuit under some hiking
shorts and a t-shirt, grabbed my hiking backpack and water bottle, and we left
the lodge at a little after eleven. Though I’d heard there was a chance of rain
later in the day, it was sunny and warm as we headed out.
After about
half an hour of driving we met Brian, Maggie and Alyson at the edge of the Gros
Ventre campground where they’d stayed, and from there we drove for about
fifteen more minutes, following Brian. The road got pretty small and twisty as
we continued down it, and it eventually lead us to the border of Grand Teton
National Park, where it connects with Teton-Bridger National Forest. Grand
Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are surrounded by a total of five national
forests, all of which together makes up the largest intact temperate ecosystem
on the planet (part of the reason that Wyoming is the least populous state in
the US).
Almost
exactly at the border of the park, we turned and parked just off the main road,
near the Gros Ventre River, which we’d be jumping into. Phelps Lake is probably
the most popular spot for cliff jumping in the area, and Tanner and I agreed
that we’d go there sometime too, but part of what made the Gros Ventre area so
nice is that not too many people seemed to know about it.
We all got
out of the cars and took the short hike from the parking area to the spot where
a part of the rock we were on jutted out a bit farther than most. Below the
rock was about a thirty-five foot drop into one of the deepest parts of the
river. We put our bags down near the rock and spent some time just relaxing,
joking around with each other, and just enjoying the absolutely beautiful view
that was all around us. It was truly spectacular.
After doing
some exploring around the area and hanging out by the edge of the rocks for
about half an hour, Brian agreed to be the first of us to make the jump. This
is his third season out here, so he’d done this multiple times in the past. He
got a running start, then jumped off the rock and out into the air. We watched
as he flipped in the air and landed pretty awkwardly in the water. He
disappeared for a few seconds, then popped up a ways down the river. The
current was pretty strong, but the water didn’t stay deep for too far beyond
the jumping point, making it easier to get back out. Seeing as how Brian didn’t
die, I said I’d go next. I decided to leave my shoes on since I’d have to hike
back up to the top after jumping. After taking a deep breath, I ran off the
rock and out, then fell the thirty-five feet into the icy cold, fast moving
water. It felt like I was falling for a long time before I hit the water, and
the feeling came with a huge adrenaline rush. I also hadn’t quite expected the
water to be as cold as it was; I was only in it for about a minute, but that
was enough for my hands to go numb.
Everyone
ended up jumping one time, then we relaxed and dried off on the rocks again
before heading to Dornan’s for a late lunch. Tanner ended up turning in the air
and landed flat on his back on the water, and came back up with his back really
red. Alyson went last, and needed some reassurance from everyone else before
finally working up the courage to take the jump.
Colin
invited me, Tanner and Cristina to go camping with him and a few other people
tonight. Cristina and I don’t have to be at work until three tomorrow, and
Tanner’s off again, so we said we’d go. We’re borrowing Maggie’s tent and
heading out pretty soon. At first I was hesitant to go, but I figured I might
regret it if I didn’t. It should be a good night.
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