granite canyon || the road is home



Granite Canyon || 12.9 Miles
Teton Village, WY
Trailhead Elevation: 10,450 Feet


we end up stopping at a different trail head than the one we pinpointed on our map back at camp. we have a limited amount of time-- and this trail is closer. Granite Canyon, the sign says, and my dad and I both agree that canyons are cool.

I have a backpack with sunscreen and water and probably some other junk I forgot about. dad has a thermos coffee and bear spray in the side pocket of the drivers side. first we decide that we probably don't need the bear spray, because what are the chances? a sign a hundred yards in sprouts up and tells us in red letters that there are indeed chances.  

so dad walks back for the can with the red pin. I wait. I see a deer. 

the trail cuts through a meadow that looks like something out of the sound of music. the big blue/gray shapes of the rocky tetons crop up around us, laced by ragged pines and a river swollen with melt. the trail loops off into the woods, climbing gradually. there's evidence of bears everywhere; fur tufts, droppings, claw marks on trees. I'm giddy with excitement, though we never catch sight of one. we see something like a woodchuck instead, not wanting to let us by. it eats grass for a long time, dad contemplates and i take it's picture.

we pass a group of hiker dudes who haven't showered or probably seen civilization in awhile; friendly beards wearing bandannas. the light comes in through the trees and the now deep-forest around us looks like a scene out of prince caspian. we ditch our stuff on an embankment and climb some rocks to drink up the views of the foothills, and the rocky giants above. 

we stop at the river and reach down to let the water run through the gaps between our fingers; liquid ice, fresh from the top. on the way back we weave through clusters of wild, fragrant sage and patches of native birches. I feel like this is ages ago, with the golden sunlight on my face; everything is ancient but new, rich, yellow.






lOVE,
kATE

what was your greatest adventure this week? and who's pumped for thankgiving and christmas? because, dang am I ever.




granite canyon || the road is home
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  1. "green pastures, quiet waters. i lack nothing." GAHHHH Your writing is divide, and those photos.....gahhh <3<3

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  2. Your pictures are gorgeous. I feel like I am at the Granite Canyon with you.
    And yes! I am so ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas like you have no idea!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Hannah! Your comment made me so so happy.

      ME TOO. I can't wait for Christmas!!!! I hope you had a lovely thanksgiving!

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  3. this is stunning and peaceful and wow. it does look like sound of music!! love the 'young restless and still rising' sign - is that where you got the phrase on your about page?

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    1. Doesn't it though? it was a gorgeous day. Yep! I got my bio line from the Tetons! I was uber inspired. <3 Thank you so much, Andrea!

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  4. GAH! These pictures, and the description and story you give!? = all the <3!
    ALSO, THANKSGIVING, BUT MOST OF ALL CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    XOXO

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    1. AHHHhhh Hannah, thank you!! <3 your comment made me smile big.

      YES YES YES. CHRISTMAS. I am so excited for Christmas. <3

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  5. Wow, the way you brought it back to psalm 23 - that was perfect. You impress and inspire me every time, Kate. xx

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    1. thank means the world to me, Jessica. Your posts do the exact same for me! xo

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  6. wowowowow your posts always just make me want to cry they are so beautiful.
    I love that sign. Is that where you got the phrase for your page?

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    1. Yes it is! I was wondering if anyone would catch that. :) I was so inspired by that phrase and I could so relate to it, so that's why I made it part of my bio. Thank you so much, Grace Anne! <3

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  7. These pictures are beautiful and I absolutely adore the way you tell a story. Simply, yet poetically and beautifully. Ah I live for your posts.

    And yes yes Christmas and thanksgiving and peppermint mochas and the music and lights and snowmen. AND JESUS
    You could say i'm a tad excited.

    Elizabeth

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    1. Your comment really made my day, Elizabeth. :') thank you so much.

      AND YESSS, dude, you nailed it. all the Christmas <3 I am soo pumped for it

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  8. "green pastures, quiet waters. i lack nothing." <--T H I S

    Absolutely stunning. Love.
    <3

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  9. WHAT ABBY SAID ^^^^^

    this is inconceivable

    INCONCEIVABLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

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  10. I love the warm, vintage feel of these photos. And the "young, restless, and still rising" picture was everything. Thanks for letting me live vicariously through these wonderful shots! These pictures are seriously like something from a postcard. :) Then the writing on top of it...wild, adventurous, funny, sweet, maybe even a bit nostalgic. I DIG IT.

    "green pastures, quiet waters. i lack nothing."

    Love.

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