Family Camping in Yellowstone & the Tetons — Backroads-Style!
August 10, 2007
Wow! Where do I start!?
Family camping is definitely a TON of work, but it’s also good times!! Andrea, Brad, Mason & I had a terrific trip — although at times it really was a “sh*t-show” (a rather loving term that leaders use when describing events/parts of the trip that are not going as planned).
We had 22 guests on our trip — 3 Doctors, a lawyer & a general contractor (in addition to wives + 12 kids) & from Day 1 we could tell our group was going to be fun. I drove the trailer & van up to West Yellowstone from Jackson (through the Teton Pass) & gave the safety talk before biking. We cooked each meal for them (I cooked vegatable lasagna for 26!) & I was also able to hike, kayak & bike on this trip! Everyone interacted well & the parents had great things to say about us in the end (the kids were crying on the last night because they didn’t want to leave). The kids labeled it their “best vacation ever!” LOL! & the tip$ at the end were amazing too.
I also met some very cool people working for OARS (kayaking outfitter), TMBT (Mountain Biking Company) & Jenny Lake Boat Co. It was so refreshing & fun to chat with these outdoorsy people living in Jackson, as I immediately fit into their lifestyle out here. I feel that I’m in the right place right now, not to mention I’m in total Teton-love. The mountain peaks are so beautiful, I just can’t help but wonder in amazement each time I’m around them.
I’m even seriously considering a stay in Jackson Hole for the winter to see what it’s like full-on to live in a ski town. One of my ideas is to work 2 or 3 days a week (doing whatever, could be Marketing or waitressing LOL) & then volunteer to work for the big mountain 2 days a week as an information host to get a free season pass (normally sells for $1,800!!). That way I can ski for free all season & finally learn how to board this winter!
But for now, a bit of R&R is absolutely necessary! The physical part of this job can be very waring over time. I’ve been getting by on 4-5 hours of sleep each night while camping & I am a bit banged up. Cuts, scrapes & bruises are the norm after supporting a camping trip with 20+ peeps! My muscles are hurting in places that are not-so-good (I couldn’t even lift my left arm this morning). I think that was due to my taking a bike down off the rack on top of the van, losing my balance somewhat & the weight of the bike bending my arms backwards . . . Ah yes, the pitfalls of being an active travel guide! Perhaps working for Tauck next year would be a bit easier for me LOL
So! To relax a bit, I’m off to Ventura, California to meet up with Demian!
Ahhhh . . . Sailing & surfing for a week with a hang-loose kinda guy that grew up in Hawaii — what more could a girl ask for ?? Except of course, to go to Hawaii! LOL, it’s on my list of very important things to do 
Happy trails!
Subscribe to The “Backroads Rose” Blog 
by Email
All pics can be found here: share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AcsWzRq5ZNW6g
