The drive was beautiful, climbing into the foothills of the Teton Range. We drove up past Warm River campground and just kept going. The road turned into one I was a little dubious Whitney's sedan should attempt, but she hung in there. Eventually, we came to a beautiful lake.
Actually, Whitney had beaten us there because Skyler had taken us up to see their "secret" campsite, waaay back in the woods with the deer, elk, and bears. Bears! Funny story. Sky had taken his sister Kensey along to camp there a few weeks ago. He had done such a good job of describing the hazards of meeting with the local bears that Kensey was a bit more than concerned. Sky volunteered to fire off a shot or two from his pistol to make sure the bears kept their distance. I guess it worked. Kensey is still with us.
Anyway, we caught up with Whitney at the lake. The best picnic spot was across a little stream that was the overflow for the lake. It didn't look like much sitting in Millie's Suburban, but we weren't sure about Whitney's Chevy. But, Sky said he had a tow strap in the back and just charged on across the stream leaving Whitney to fend for herself. She did and came rolling up behind Sky at the fire pit. We all jumped out and started setting up chairs and dragging out picnic stuff.
It didn't take long for us to realize the light jackets we had worn weren't going to be sufficient. Sky started building a fire, so we decided we might be okay. But, our Jeremiah Johnson was a little slow at getting a decent fire going.
Most of us were beginning to shiver and hiding behind trees to block the wind. That wind! It would have been plenty warm enough without that wind.
The big decision came down fairly quickly. It would be Smores only. So, after several burned tongues, sticky fingers and marshmallow wads on shirt sleeves and blue jean knees, Sky poured water on the small fire he had started, we packed up and headed back. On the way, we were blessed with a good view of a moose strolling in a roadside meadow.
After traveling across North Dakota, much of Montana and through Yellowstone, we finally saw a moose just a few miles from Ashton. It was a fine finish to a fine day...except for that sharp wind.
