School is finally out for all of us and now it’s time to make the final preparations for our soon-to-be epic trip to Yellowstone. It’s hard to believe that in a few days we’ll be watching wolves in Lamar Valley and marveling at the geologic wonders of our nation’s first national park.

Trip co-leaders, Greg and Rory, have been busy packing, studying, and finalizing logistics here in Raleigh. Over in Yellowstone, co-leader Melissa is eagerly awaiting our arrival. In the meantime, she’s been scouting out the wildlife activity in the park – such as this recent sighting of a bear on a carcass.

Our Yellowstone Team teachers have been sharing updates with the group about how they’ve been getting ready as well. Whether it’s hitting the trail or practicing their packing skills we’re all excited for the upcoming adventure! Here’s how a few folks have been preparing:

Jacob: Leading up to Yellowstone, I’ll be on a mission trip to Mexico! I’ll get my workouts in slinging cinder blocks to build houses. We will also spend a lot of time journaling, an essential skill for our journey. I’m excited to compare the ecosystems I see in Mexico, back home in North Carolina, and those in Yellowstone itself. 

Anna: My husband and I hit the greenway for an evening walk this week. It was such a beautiful evening that we ended up walking way farther than we intended. Six and a half miles on a paved greenway may not be quite the same as hiking trails at higher elevations, but it was a lovely bit of exercise.

I finally decided to start organizing my packing. That has been the most challenging part for me. I’m thinking about what to bring, what I need to buy, and what to live without all the time. Laying everything out so I could take inventory helped a lot. I realized I bought several items that I don’t need and was able to return those things. I’ve got a short list of things left to pick up, but I’m feeling much more confident that I have what I need.  

As the trip gets closer, I find myself thinking less about the logistics and more about the experience itself. I’ve been reading up on the history of the park and all it’s natural wonders, and every article makes me more excited.

Of course, there are still a few details to finalize, but most of the preparation is behind us now. The exercising, planning, and packing have all helped make the trip feel real. After months of anticipation, I’m looking forward to trading my daily routine for wide-open landscapes, fresh mountain air, and whatever adventures Yellowstone has in store.

Crystal: The countdown is officially on, and I am absolutely bursting with excitement! 🚲 To make sure I’m completely ready for this upcoming adventure, I’ve been hitting the pavement and riding my bike anywhere from 10 to 15 miles a day. But the preparation didn’t stop there—I also tackled my closet and cleared out three whole bags of clothes. The best part? It gave me the perfect excuse to do a little pre-trip shopping for a brand-new wardrobe!

Carrie: I took my family on a hike in the Appalachian Mountains to help prepare for my trip to Yellowstone. My family and I enjoyed playing in the cool water beneath the waterfall and finding critters such as salamanders, mayfly nymphs, and water striders. I look forward to hiking around Yellowstone in search of geysers and wildlife so I can teach my family and students using firsthand experiences.

It’s tough when you live in a place with so much, you don’t realize how much you’re losing. —Dan Hartman

Ever take your surroundings for granted?

Do you ever stop to think about all that you take for granted in your life?

Today pushed us to think about these questions. Yes, this is a new environment for us, but it’s also a place where people live day to day.

Our mentor today was Dan Hartman, a wizened professional photographer / videographer with a wide array of experiences. Through his passionate enthusiasm he drew us right into his world of aspen trees and hairy woodpeckers. His world is one of nature, of animals, of interconnections, and of bountiful wonder.

This world is typically looked at through obscured eyes until you take the time to zoom into the world that is in front of you — to stop and smell the proverbial roses. In today’s adventure we describe this as “stop to see the woodpeckers, dusky and ruffed grouse, recent evidence of grizzly bears, and mountain goats.”

Who would have thought that we would be on the snow-covered “top of the world” above the tree line after watching wolves, bison, and pronghorn run in Lamar Valley? Here on Beartooth Pass we further elevated — literally and figuratively — our observation skills. With binoculars in hand we spotted baby mountain goats lazing in 22 mph wind, gregarious marmots, and Beartooth Mountain in the distance. Even bald eagles and black rosy finches made the list thanks to the experienced eyes of our teammates.

Today’s top takeaways:

1. Give yourself time to observe at least one thing more closely today.

2. Be grateful out loud for at least one thing you normally take for granted.

3. Share something you’re passionate about with at least one other person today.

Learn to be a part of your environment, not apart from it. After all, when we realize just how interconnected we are with our world, we understand just how much there is to lose.