Welcome to the Tetons...

Well, for a situation I was partially dreading, I would say that it has turned out quite nicely. I think I am quickly learning that a) in this job, we only go to beautiful places and b) if a person works for for this company, they are most likely incredible! Such are all of the people here in this region.

Its been a whirlwind of a month. My first few days here, I stayed at the office in one of the 5 beds we have for when leaders are prepping trips, and helped set up the office and got to know the Regional Manager, a couple of TS's and some other leaders (awesome people). I did a FAM, or familiarization, for the Multisport camping and Inn trips for 3 days with another new leader (again, awesome), starting with the Day 1 drive that is 3 HOURS to the West entrance of Yellowstone. We actually got to help out with pre-search, as we camped both nights with 4 other returning leaders (two of which are the trip specialists) and our RM in Yellowstone and Teton National Park because we were both out researching at the same time. Great experience, not only having a hand in the trip development, but we got to know the leaders and our manager really well. Its the kind of thing that gets you really pumped for the rest of the season. After this FAM, I feel so comfortable and way more knowledgable about this area than I could have ever imagined, and surprisingly, I am more excited about the family camping trips than anything! We do some really, really awesome stuff with these people, and by the look and sound of it all, these camping trips are super deluxe. We spoil these people, let me tell you...

Did I mention that we hiked in a snowstorm, and it was crazy cold the entire time? It was really sort of fun. It's June but it feels like February! I've had to invest in a ton of warm clothes this past week. But snow or no snow, this area is beyond words when it comes to trying to explain how beautiful it is. The Teton mountain range is like nothing I have ever seen before. There's something really intimidating about them, and also really intriguing. There are so many awesome hiking opportunities around here. I am thinking that with one of my weeks off later on, I want to climb one of the Tetons. Probably not the Grand, though...not yet, anyway :)

Sorry for the sporatic style this post, I am at the Victor, Idaho library using internet since we have not hooked up wireless at the house yet. In Victor, there is a library, a small market, a pub called the Knotty Pine and about 2 restaurants. Its really pretty charming. You can ride your bike here in about 20 minutes, across the gorgeous flatland valley just behind the Tetons. Ya...not bad. Not bad at all!