Overachievers...Maybe?

Mrs. Sissom at Inspiration Point at Jenny Lake

OK…so we may be overachievers. Sleep has not been a high priority for us on this trip. To go on the ranger guided Jenny Lake hike, you have to have a token, and there were only twenty-five given out each day on a first come first served basis, so the group was waiting at the visitor center before it opened at 8:30, but it was a 45 minute drive to Jenny Lake and we had to be at  breakfast at 6:30AM. However, the first six tokens were ours making it worth the trouble.

A 600 ft elevation gain - Mrs. and Mr. Hawkins are number 2 and 3!

Jenny Lake from Inspiration Point

Our Jenny Lake hiking experience was full of history, geology, and fun. The lake was formed by glaciers, but got its name from a Shoshone Indian woman who married an Englishman named Richard “Beaver Dick” Leigh. The Leighs assisted the Hayden Expedition of 1872 in the Teton area, thus, Leigh and Jenny Lakes were named after them.

Ranger Ann with the Ph.D. in Geology

The ranger that took us on the guided hike was a geologist cheerleader meaning she was very enthusiastic and passionate about Jenny Lake and the Teton Mountains. Her backpack was full of teaching materials such as wooden blocks showing us how mountains were formed, examples of rocks that we would see in the mountains we were hiking, a yardstick with red tape marking off geological time, and pictures of the plants and animals that lived in the area. There were a couple of things that stood out in my mind. Her arms made a V shape indicating the groove that melting snow makes as it runs off the top of the mountain. Sometimes the snow and ice turn into glaciers making a U shaped groove then as it melts and runs off, it returns to the V shape. Also, she told a story about Angie Algae and Freddy Fungus who took a lichen to each other, and their relationship has been on the rocks ever since. Our students will groan, but I’m sure Mr. Hawkins will be repeating it. The story was her explanation for how plants grow on top of the rocks.

Mr. Hancock, Mrs. Sissom, and Ms. Bowen on the on the 4 mile Jenny Lake Hike.

Cascade Canyon - Is it a U or a Y?

Now, the fun part of this adventure comes from pestering Tracy. There is a certain way she wants the suitcases to be packed in the car so naturally, the rest of the group puts our bags in first so Tracy can pull them all out and repack them while we watch. There is even a video of this because it has been a BIG part of our trip.

Our travels started thirteen days ago meaning six adults have been within one hundred yards of each other nonstop. One would think we would dislike each other immensely at this point, but I feel a closeness and have gained a new respect for each one of them. During our travels, personal stories have been shared and passions of each one has come to light, and these passions are the characteristics that make this bunch a great group of teachers. Minds have been working all week about how to use the knowledge and experiences gained on this trip in the classroom. Tracy did a wonderful job writing this grant, planning our days (and they were packed), and keeping us in line.