Dreams To Reality
It all begins with an idea.
It all began as an idea. A trip I had written into a Miro note map when trying to figure out what I even want to film with a camera (2/26/24). From that date on, this trip was rarely ever discussed again and just another trip that sounded amazing, but would never get executed.
Fast forward to May 9th, 2024. After I had just completed my first “backpacking” trip through Kings Mountain and Elk Creek Campground in Tillamook, Ore. Once I completed this trip, I was hungry to not only complete more, but to figure out a big backpacking adventure with me and my entire friend group to end of the summer as the final “HOOORAHHH!” before heading into college.
On May 28th, 2024. All of the dreams, aspirations, and goals came to my mind when attempting to plan “The Grand Oddessy” (trip to Yellowstone). It was like a rush of ideas was sent from God into my brain cells. I felt overly joyous and confident that if I truly take the planning stage serious and can figure out all of the logistics; campsites, trails, costs for gear/equipment, food, gas, daily itinerary, safety tips, permits, and put in answered questions that I know will be asked regardless if they’re on the notesheet or not, it should be a piece of cake right?
First backpacking journey - Sunset on King’s Mountain Summit
The Preparation
It all begins with an idea.
It was nowhere near easy. Not only was finding budget friendly gear that was still very suitable for this trip hard, but Recreation.Gov doesn’t make it any easier when trying to book campsites along these trails. The other constraint in the beginning that I faced is that I didn’t want to only witness one part of the park while we were out there. With so much natural beauty to see; Geysers, waterfalls, open wetland fields, vast mountains, and free wildlife (just to name a few). I wanted the opportunity to see it all.
I then began researching if it was even possible to backpack through multiple spots on one trip. But what I realized is that this is something that has never really happened. But no one else would know how to make this idea feasible other than ChatGPT! I proceeded to ask it, “Create me a 7 day itinerary driving from Beaverton, Ore. to Yellowstone, with 2 days being travel days and the rest be days backpacking through Yellowstone. But instead of doing one long trail, I want to backpack from spot-to-spot and see all of the best spots possible.” The software then wrote an entire book including itinerary, how many miles each route would be to get from TH to campsite, how far each spot is from each other, and told me, what it thought, were the best places to backpack throughout Yellowstone.
Instead of just copying down the plan it built for me, I used it’s work to help design my own plan and itinerary. After that, I scavenged through YouTube damn near watching every trail, in every area of the park, to find out all the trails that I thought would allow us to not only have not to heavy of a day-to-day load, but also see the most exciting and jaw-dropping parts of the park.
Booked the first campsite on July 31st.
The Waning Moments
It all begins with an idea.
With everything finally in place, gear bought, and permits submitted. I finally had a moment to realize this goal and dream of mine that was created last February and May is finally going to become a reality.
10 hours before takeoff, everyone gathered at the Peery’s house to celebrate and embrace the journey we’re all about to take the next day. Laughs were shared, memories from previous trips this summer being told, and the expectation-less thoughts of the journey ahead. With no one ever doing anything like this, this is an experience that each of us will take on together and learn from each step of the way.
As the night concludes, we created a car seat draft so that there were no brawls over who sits in what seat. With over 30+ hours in the car, if I woulda had to sit in a middle seat there would’ve been a war for sure.. After the draft concluded, the final HOORAH’s were chanted and the final “meals” were devoured. It’s now time to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Yellowstone Car Draft
Car seats available
A Step Into the Unknown
August 31, 2024...Today is the day. After a month and a half of true planning and over 5 months of praying, dreaming, and manifesting, it was finally time. Everyone arrived at the Peerys at 7am to quickly pack cars, hug parents, and then takeoff take off for the adventure. before fully hitting the road, we stopped at Mcdonald’s for a mandatory plate of hotcakes.
Once on the road, the beautiful sedimentation and landscapes the gorge offers are out of this world. This being the first time I have traveled this far east via car, the views did not disappoint one bit. From the rocky, tree filled mountains around cascade locks, to the quick switch to the desert biome around Arlington, the entire drive kept my eyes peeled to the window.
As we reached Kennewick, WA., we needed to stop for a few necessities in REI, I needed to grab an SD card, and have lunch at one of the best sandwich spots I have ever eaten at (@eatatgraze). After killing the Steak sandwich in a matter a seconds, it was now time to head back on the road and complete the rest of the drive to St. Regis, MT., to camp at Sloway Camground for night “zero”.
After another blessing of a drive through the rest of WA, across all of Idaho, and into Montana, we finally arrived at our first destination. For this night, most of our activities consisted of setting up our tents, learning how to cook our food, enjoying the scenery, and talking about the fears, excitement, and the unknown that is yet to come. I could write for days about how this night went, from the fishing, to swimming, to pots getting fire, but i’d rather you get the chance to watch all of that happen instead of just reading about.
