Football on the lake

At first, getting into the kayak and attaching the skirt around the boat made me feel uncomfortable, like I wasn’t going to be able to get out. But since we just started out on the lake, there wasn’t really any reason to be scared. We played "football" with a sponge and I think everyone got pretty comfortable in their boats. They started teaching us how to Eskimo roll, but I think it’ll take at least one more day of practice before I get it. I can’t wait to be on the river tomorrow to see how I do. John and I were racing in our boats today and he flipped over! Everyone thought it was hilarious except for John, who was grumpy that he was the only one that fell in. So he started splashing EVERYONE with his paddle, even our guides, and we ended up having a 20 minute water fight! It was such an awesome day...
-Henry

Bonding in a boat

Sea kayaking is so different from white water kayaking, but I think it’s just as fun. Jessica and I were comparing our arm muscles today after all of this paddling, and you can actually see a difference! Sea kayaking is so relaxing too. Whoever you’re paddling with, you have all day to explore the shoreline and just talk. I feel like we’ve really come together as a group during this part of the trip because we’ve shared so many unbelievable things. It’s going to be weird to go home and show everyone my pictures – it won’t be anywhere near the same, and they won’t know what I know about these places. As much as I want to see all of my friends when I get back, I don’t want to leave the group!
-Callie

A break in routine

I know that my summer is busy. It always is. I play two sports, and it is hard to feel like there's enough time to fit everything in and enjoy vacation. This trip is such a complete change from the usual things I do. But it slows things down, and I feel like each day has more time than it normally does. And being in the Tetons is fantastic. My favorite place to sleep is in the pine forests; the pine needles on the ground are the best place to set up your sleeping bag for the night. It feels right, and though we've only known each other for a little while, I feel like I know everyone better than most of my friends back home.
-Brit

Hiking in the Tetons

The mountains were all snowcapped and beautiful and the hike to the plateau through the tundra was long and hard and in the distance was an elk herd. At the bottom of the pass they ran uphill but it was still cool to see. The hike uphill to the plateau was hard switchbacks but a lot of stops made it possible. We ate lunch close to the top and found snow to make snowballs! At the top of the plateau we saw Bighorn sheep in the distance. All around us was obsidian(volcanic glass) which I gave to everyone.
-Michael

Rock Climbing

I was really nervous when I woke up this morning knowing that we would be rock climbing today. I was thinking everyone else is going to be so good and I won't even be able to climb a little. Before I knew it though I was roped up and climbing!  And although it was hard, it was the COOLEST thing I've ever done in my life! Everyone in our group cheered eachother on like we were one big family. I already know that I want to climb the Grand Teton next year! Today was the greatest day!
-Alley