A beautiful morning greeted us and we were off to Lupine Meadows, just below the Middle Teton peak. A 7 mi hike up, rising @ 4,000 ft, it would be a long day ahead of me.

My ankle was painful but I was going to do this or have to be drug out of there. With help from my Dad, we wrapped my ankle and I prayed it would make it.

The awesome nature surrounding me on the trail kept my mind off the pain but my mind now became much more focused on all the rocks. The rocks that jutted out along the path and sometimes would lie half buried and camouflaged from my view. One miss step on my injured ankle and my trip would be over.

The steady incline on the never-ending switchbacks truly tested my endurance. I regretted missing out on more cardio work the last 6 weeks due to plantar fascitis. I probably should have lost more weight before I upped my intensity and distance of my training walks.

All I could think about was seeing that breathtaking view of the Middle Teton towering over a canyon that was full of rich green pines, beautiful rock formation, wild flowers and a crystal clear stream of glacier water. Those images I fell in love with after my dad's first trip out there.

I was becoming so fatigued and the altitude was really taking its toll on me and I tried to keep thoughts of despair from entering into my mind. Dad was doing a fabulous job being my cheerleader. He was so patient with me. With my preoccupation on my every step placement on the trail, I started to round a corner and .......there it was!!! I was truly overcome with emotion. I couldn't believe I was seeing Garnet Canyon with my own eyes. There were no words to speak. God's creation has a way of doing that to you. My dad had done me such a solid by letting me come upon this sight without any introduction. I knew we were getting there due to his pep talks, but as we approached, he just let nature take it's course. Thank you Dad! I'll never forget that feeling EVER!

After a brief rest we carried on toward the boulder fields and ultimately Lupine Meadows. The size of these rocks carved out of the mountain were incredible. What was not nearly incredible was the flexibility in my injured ankle. I had no agility whatsoever and the rocks were winning. Though my ultimate goal had been to see the meadows that just lie out of my reach, I sufficed to enjoy my victory of reaching Garnet Canyon.

Dad knew of a great spot to rest by the glacier stream, snack a little and just soak in the nature. This spot also served as a mini spa for me. The temperature of the water was probably around 40 degrees. I couldn't get my shoe off fast enough. I soaked my ankle, I know probably a good 30 minutes. It was long enough that I had to let it thaw and get feeling back in it before I could bare weight on it!!

We rested, reloaded with fuel, talked, laughed and just sat in the quiet. Now it was time for the return journey.

Overcompensating with my good leg in the boulder fields had provided me with a very strained left quadracep. Dad once again came to my rescue with a compression wrap he pulled from his backpack.

Several hours later and we were back at the car. I was completely spent....physically and mentally. After cleaning up back at the hostel, we headed out to eat. I had the best ahi tuna and seaweed salad ever. What a victory meal!

I had accomplished my goal, whether it had been very pretty or not. Thanks to my dad's proposal and my love of nature, I had persevered and made it from 265 lbs. to Garnet Canyon in 9 months. What a reach, right!?!?! Ha!