Our Wilderness Adventure!

As most of you (who read this) know, Clay and I spent two summers and one fall working for an outfitter out of Jackson Hole Wyoming. Clay knew the owner of Yellowstone Outfitters from growing up in Star Valley and had worked for them during High School/before his mission. It was like a dream come true for me. I spent everday on a horse - I learned so much. I even learned how to cook (which was fortunate because that was my job!! :) I was the camp cook and Clay was the fly-fishing guide and Head-man-around-camp! We worked in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Our basecamp was north of Moran Wyoming at Turpin Meadows and we rode in, on horses, 30+ miles to camp for 6 day trips (2 days to ride in and out and 4 days in the wilderness) After our first summer we did the fall hunting camp as well where Clay and I both managed the horses and were packers. We packed elk to camp and out to the road, managed the horses and became extremely proficient with a cross cut saw (how I long for those biceps again!) It was so amazing to have that opportunity to do that. I long for those summers and the dirt and hardwork that we endured and the beautiful nature that we were a part of. We got to meet some pretty neat people as well on most of our trips. We took the Owner of Breyers horses on a Roving trip once and he ended up sending me like 5 different Breyers horses. There were wrecks and scary times but there were a lot more laughs and great experiences then the latter. Anyway, to get to the point...After our second summer Clay got offered a great job opportunity with Northern Title and we made the decision to finally grow up, leave the cowboying and outfitting behind, move to Kemmerer Wyoming and get real jobs!! :) Since we were growing up we decided we might as well throw a little monster into the mix and Nora Tess came along the next summer. I was 8 months pregnant in June last year when Clay, his Dad and Uncle Phil took their own personal pack trip back into the Wilderness. Man I was jealous and if they would have let me I would have been in that saddle and up at Hawks Rest 8 months pregnant and all!!! I met them in Jackson when they came out (I had to make sure my horses were okay) and It didn't diminish my jealousy any. Well, this year was my year!!!! We scheduled our very own packtrip for July 4th but there was too much snow still and so we ended up delaying it two weeks. We just got back Sunday night late and it was Fantastic!!!!!! This was the first time that Clay and I have gone into the Wilderness together just for ourselves! We rode in on Wednesday and spent three glorious days fishing (Cutthroat Trout the size of Salmon) and resting and riding. I missed my little monster but knew she was in GrEAt hands with Grandma Galloway (they are the best of buddies) and it was nice to sleep in and read a book and do whatever I wanted to do. I have alot of new bruises and one close call when my horses foot connected with the right side of my head but all was well and I can't wait again for next year and ecspecially when we'll get to the point when we can take our own kids up to that beautiful country that feels like home to us.
Here are some pictures of us fishing:


The fish were so huge - my shoulder was so tired that I finally had to quit.


This was actually Clay's fish. I look like a HUGE dork so try to focus on the fish. It was a tie between this fish and the very first fish that I caught for the title of the biggest. I think this one won - it certainly was the best looking/best picture!