Jackson Hole Obstacle Course

In the midst of trying to accomplish a difficult task, people often ask themselves: "Why did I think this was a good idea?" I have experienced this during various events in my life, including performances of challenging music, moving, and childbirth. Sometimes the sentiment comes as drama unfolds during family travel. Planning and executing a trip with loved ones--and trying to have fun--can be a difficult task!

Once these types of challenges are complete, however, feelings of regret and doubt fade away. I feel relieved, happy, and changed. All of the pain and effort expended seems worthwhile.

Our family recently took a short trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and as you might guess from the opening paragraph of this post, this trip was a challenge. For me and Forest, it often felt like some kind of obstacle course in parenting. The girls each took turns melting down, freaking out, and whining throughout the day, so there was almost always a damsel in serious distress (one in particular who took the drama queen role very seriously). To make matters worse, any efforts to calm or discipline these little ladies kept backfiring this particular week, leaving us feeling drained and discouraged much of the time. I am pretty sure there were moments when we asked ourselves: "Why did we think this was a good idea?"

Now those travels are finished, and I feel triumphant. We did it! We overcame, together, and made lots of good memories . . . look at all the happy pictures I have to show for it:

Our first morning, we took the aerial tram up to the top of Rendezvous Mountain, overlooking Teton Village.

There were several paragliders out that day. We got to watch one go airborne from the side of the mountain.

Once we got off the tram, a significant obstacle was apparent: Ramona was terrified to be at that particular altitude, and kept saying she felt like she was going to fall off the mountain. We took a couple of pictures and hoped her fear of heights would wear off.

But it wasn't that easy.  We tried one hiking trail--but there were too many tears, so we turned around . . .

. . . and tried another one.

We saw a woodchuck . . .

. . . and lots of pretty views, but Ramona was still upset, and the other kids were starting to get restless, as well. We made quite a scene there, on the top of the mountain, as crowds of more efficient hikers passed us by. The thought "Why did we think this was a good idea?" definitely crossed our minds.

We almost turned around again to take the tram back down to the village, but decided to take "hiking shifts" instead. Forest let me go off on a trail with Paula on my back while he stayed on a picnic bench with Ramona and Mika. I felt a little guilty for leaving part of my family behind on the trail, but not too much. The semi-alone time in nature was a much-needed recharge.

Once I got back from my little adventure, it was Forest's turn to hike. Miraculously, Ramona asked to go along. Apparently, after an hour and a half, she had finally acclimated to the altitude and was no longer paralyzed with fear. They took a completely different trail that went down the other side of the mountain.

Once they got back, it was time for some waffles from Corbet's Cabin.

Then, a few more photos . . .

. . . and we were back on the tram . . .

. . . and down in Teton Village.

That evening, we drove over to Jackson town square for pizza, the shootout show, and ice cream.

Paula didn't appreciate the gunshots during the shootout so she stayed with Daddy a little further away.

But Ramona and Mika loved watching the saloon girls, cowboys, and "fake dying."

Everyone loved Moo's ice cream.

We made it through day one of the Jackson Hole Obstacle Course!