The Final Stretch!
July 8, 2025
Our final stretch of adventure was one for the books. It all began with a McDonald’s run and a surprise road trip through Washington and Oregon. Marion kept us laughing in every gas station by pointing out the quirky Pacific Northwestern snack options. After eight sleepy hours in the van and a victorious road trip, we rolled into McCall and went straight to McCall Anglers, where Lock stood out once again, catching three beautiful rainbow trout and grinning from ear to ear. Riley showed up in style with her fishing hat from her grandfather and was a great sport the entire time, enjoying the peaceful rhythm of the river.
Back at camp, Harley and Hollis launched a full silly string attack that had the whole group laughing and ducking for cover, reminding us to never take ourselves too seriously. Later, Liza tagged along for a grocery run with James and kept things lively by dancing down the aisles and cracking jokes the whole time. She took over aux on the drive home and queued up a playlist that had the entire van grooving. That night, Ella was an absolute rock star in the kitchen, helping prep a stir fry masterpiece that hit the spot. Grace took the lead on group games and got a full beach volleyball match going at Ponderosa State Park, bringing everyone together for a heartfelt evening after a long and wild travel day.
The next morning, we hit the road early once again and made our way to Bruneau Sand Dunes. We stopped at Costco on the way, which was a magical first time experience for Louisa, Marion, and Grace. Lunch was a giant Caesar salad feast at the picnic tables with a perfect view of the towering dunes. We hiked to the top where Liza and Marion soaked up the breeze and the views. Harley could not get enough of the climbs and was sprinting up and down the sand with endless energy. Louisa took her sleeping bag to the top and rolled down laughing the whole way, while Lock struck his best dramatic poses for some unforgettable scenic candids.
Later that afternoon, we chilled back at our dune campsite. Riley absolutely crushed a three mile run through the hot desert landscape with trip leader James and made it look easy. Meanwhile, Marion, Grace, and Liza took it upon themselves to clean the van, which had definitely seen better days. The showers that followed were well earned and very appreciated. Hollis spent some time recharging in the hammock, soaking in the stillness and quiet of the empty desert.
That evening, Ella brought the crew together for another round of beach volleyball, and we wrapped the night with an epic dinner of Jambalaya. As the sun set in pink and orange streaks across the dunes, we held our second to last Moonup, reflecting on how far we had come and how close we had grown. Later, we snuck in one more round of scary stories under the stars. Louisa was especially excited, already knowing some of the endings and watching everyone’s reactions with glee.
The next morning, we packed up and hit the road back to Wyoming, making a final stop in Pocatello for lunch and a group visit to a local Goodwill. It was an absolute blast. Everyone balled out and got goofy disco outfits except Hollis, who found a true worker’s uniform that cracked us all up. We then headed to Freddy’s for lunch and got delicious smash burgers that hit the spot. Once we made it back to Jackson, we spent time downtown and watched the Wild Western shootout. It was extra fun walking around town in our silly outfits and soaking in the final moments together. We took a final group picture in front of the Grand Teton National Park sign before heading to Picas Mexican Restaurant for our final banquet and one last big dinner together. Afterward, we drove to Gros Ventre to pack our bags and then made our way to Mormon Row for one final Moonup. Harley and Riley were our final leaders of the day and sent us off with an emotional closing Moonup where we all reflected on what we learned and how we helped each other grow. We finished the night with a quiet drive, looking out at the Tetons silhouetted on the horizon. The next morning was airport day, a flash of emotions and tears, and just like that, it was over.
As we wrap up our final update, it is impossible not to feel a little bittersweet. These past few weeks have been filled with belly laughs, quiet moments of reflection, and a whole lot of heart. Whether it was navigating muddy roads, sprinting up sand dunes, cooking dinner in the woods, or simply dancing in the grocery store, each student brought their full selves to this trip and it showed. They supported each other, lifted each other up, and made every challenge an opportunity to grow. From all of us here on Big Wild, thank you for sharing your incredible kids with us. We will carry the memories of this crew long after the tents are packed and the vans are cleaned.
– Bella + James
Flying Fishing and Times Flying
July 5, 2025
After an epic night cowboy camping under the stars, we woke up and piled into the van for a winding drive up to Brundage Mountain Overlook. The view of McCall and Payette Lake was unreal and gave us the perfect backdrop for our mid trip check ins. Spirits were high and everyone was loving life out here.
We cruised into downtown McCall for lunch and then met with our Salmon Raft guides to prep for our upcoming river days. Then it was time to hit the water for fly fishing instruction with McCall Anglers. Lock and Grace instantly stood out as the seasoned pros in our group while Harley surprised everyone by picking it up like a natural. His casting form was on point. After learning the basics we headed down to the river to try it out firsthand and learned how to match our bait to the local insects. Marion and Riley could not resist jumping in and had a blast catching crawdads and exploring the riverbank.
We wrapped the afternoon with a stop at the Dips ice cream truck and headed back to Ponderosa. That evening was magical. We swam in Payette Lake and hung out on the dock during golden hour as a group. We ended the day with pasta marinara, s’mores, and Moonup by the water before resting up for our rafting adventure.
The next morning started with pancakes and a drive to Hammer Creek where we met our Salmon Raft crew and hit the water. The day was packed with exciting Class II and III rapids including the rowdy Green Canyon stretch. Grace kept yelling I love this so much every time we got splashed and her energy was contagious. We stopped for lunch and feasted on gourmet sandwiches before settling into a scenic riverfront campsite. Ella and Harley crushed a tough climb up the canyon wall and were rewarded with a stunning view. After dinner, Moonup, and riverside bonding we fell asleep to the sound of the river.
Day two on the water was full of action. We scouted two Class IV rapids and Devil’s Drop stole the show. Between rapids we swam at a calm beach, passed by massive rock columns, and had a full on raft water fight. Hollis went all in and kept the energy high. As we pulled into our next campsite the rain started to fall which felt amazing after the heat. This beach was covered in smooth pebbles and sat next to the historic remnants of old Chinese miner homesteads. We explored, had pork chops for dinner, and closed the night with Moonup under the stars.
The next morning we hit a cliff jumping spot with rock heights up to 25 feet. Hollis jumped off the tallest one six times while Harley joined in and Lock’s can opener made everyone laugh. The rapids mellowed out and we told stories and learned about Nez Perce pictographs. Louisa was especially engaged with the cultural history. At lunch Marion launched off our raft slide with the best facial expressions and had the whole group laughing. That afternoon we reached the confluence of the Salmon and Snake Rivers and did a river hop. We tied the rafts together and motored through Blue Canyon into Hell’s Canyon. That night’s campsite was a hidden gem. About a quarter mile downstream was a secret orchard full of apricots and blackberries with deer and turkeys walking around. Liza loved the quiet beauty of the spot. Louisa showed compassion by feeding apricots to a resting fawn and Riley wandered around finding the best photo spots. We had tacos for dinner and huddled up for Moonup before falling asleep in the sand beside the river.
Our final day on the river started calmly. We motored about eight miles through towering canyons and arrived at Heller Bar for takeout. From there we packed the van and hit the road. We were cruising along when we saw horses and people sprinting the other way. A massive mudslide was coming straight toward us. We quickly turned around and rerouted. The only road back to McCall was shut down so we changed plans and found a peaceful campsite at Dworshak State Park. Liza and Grace helped keep everyone laughing and positive through the whole situation. That night we worked together to make a giant nacho bar for dinner and Bella put together a red white and blue fruit salad to celebrate the Fourth of July. No fireworks were allowed so we made do with bubbles and good company before getting some rest ahead of our alternate route through Washington and Oregon the next day.
Hey mom and dad, having so much fun, love you and miss yall. See you soon!! Love, Marion
hi mom and dad! big wild is so awesome, Idaho is pretty cool. i miss you guys and am excited to see you!! -love yours truly, Ella
Hi Mom and Dad! I am so thankful for my experience so far and i can’t wait to see you guys!!! Love you! Love GRACE!
hey mom and dad! thank yall so much for this trip, i am having so much fun. Love you and miss you sooooo much! love Riley
Dear Mom and Dad, thank you so much for sending me in the trip. having so much fun. see birdie and yall soon. Love Lock
Dear Mom And Dad, I miss yall and can not wait to see you guys and lily and especially scouty pouty please give him all the pats before i see him Love and Know I am in good hands Love, Hollis
Dear Fam, This trip has been awesome, I feel like I’ve already had so many new experiences. Thank you guys and miss you. Love, Harley
Hey guys, i’m having so much fun. Thank you a lot. ❤️😁Love, Liza
hi mom and dad, I’m having so much, I love yall so much!<3 love, Louisa
Shoutouts!
July 1, 2025
Camper Shououts:
hey mom and dad!! I hope you guys are having fun on your road trip! I am having so much fun and I miss yall. See you in a week, love you guys! -Ella
Hey guys! i’m having so much fun with my great group. i miss you guys so much. see u in a week! -harley
Hi mom, dad, griffin! i’m having the best time and I miss you guys so much. I can’t wait to see you! Love you!- Grace
Hi mom and dad! i’m having the best time ever! i wish i could stay here forever! love yall<3 – louisa
hi mom and dad, I am having so much fun. Can’t wait to fish tommorow. so yall soon. love lock
hi mom and dad i am having the best time here at moon dance and please give scouty pouty all the pats and i love yall and cant wait to see you guys again – love hollis
hi mom and dad, moondance is so much fun and I am having the best time. We have been doing a lot of hikes and I can strava it too. I can’t wait to see yall soon and i miss you! love riley
hey mom and dad, having so much fun we are on a hike right now and got to Idaho yesterday, tomorrow we are fly fishing. Love you and miss you!! 🔥❤️ Marion
Hi bakas, I’m having a blast. Love you. Liza
Sun Seeking and Adventure Lovin'
June 30, 2025
Big Wild is off to an incredible start! The trip has been jam packed with adventure from the very beginning. After a slightly delayed start, we welcomed most of the group and kicked things off with a bold cold plunge in the Gros Ventre River. It quickly became clear that this crew is full of daredevils and sunseekers. Louisa dove headfirst into exploring every nook and cranny of the river and was the first to spot a massive beaver – a super cool wildlife sighting to start us off. Once we picked up the rest of the group, we grabbed Pinky G’s pizza and headed to the iconic Wedding Tree for sunset. With the Grand Tetons in the background, we covered logistics, shared laughs, and were thrilled to see all nine students already beginning to bond.
The next morning we hit the ground running with rock climbing in Teton Village, guided by the pros at Exum Mountain Guides. We began with bouldering and rappelling before progressing to a multi pitch climb. Harley stood out for her enthusiasm and willingness to try everything, while Ella climbed with calm, quiet bravery that inspired everyone around her. Despite some early nerves, every student stepped up and conquered the challenge. After climbing, we visited Phelps Lake and spotted a grizzly in the distance – an awesome sight that encouraged us to hike back a bit early. Later, we returned to camp and cooled off with another Gros Ventre River plunge, where Lock absolutely thrived, staying in the freezing water for a full ten minutes. After a hit Mediterranean dinner, we drove to Schwabacher’s Landing for a serene evening and Moonup, beautifully led by our Leaders of the Day, Hollis and Louisa. We wrapped up the night early, tired but fulfilled.
Our next full day brought even more adventure. We returned to Exum, this time meeting at Jenny Lake. After a ferry ride to Hidden Falls, we hiked to a boulder field and split into skill based groups for climbing. Lock flew up the rock faces with ease, and Grace shined during the rappelling sections. Riley impressed everyone on the hike out, her cross country stamina on full display. We celebrated with a chilly plunge in Jenny Lake – Marion and Liza fully committed, diving into the icy water. Afterward, we explored downtown Jackson and grabbed Moo’s ice cream before heading back to camp. The girls cooked up a delicious pesto pasta dinner while the boys, always in the water, made one last trip to the river. Hollis showed off his uncanny upstream swimming – we are convinced he is part salmon. We ended the day with a Moonup led by Harley and Ella, followed by a spontaneous night drive toward Yellowstone, where we saw a massive elk herd crossing the road – one of the coolest animal encounters we have ever had.
Our final day in Jackson didn’t disappoint. We started at Snow King with North America’s steepest zipline, offering stunning views of the Tetons and Jackson. The group tackled the ropes course next – Harley and Lock crushed the toughest obstacles – then rode the alpine slide and cowboy coaster to finish. Later, we hosted a burger and hotdog cookout at a park near the National Elk Refuge, playing frisbee, listening to music, and soaking up the sunshine. The real surprise came next: we took the group to the Jackson Hole Rodeo. Riley wore a cowboy hat and she, Louisa, and Ella all took turns on the mechanical bull. We wrapped up the night with Moonup at the historic Mormon Row barn, led by Lock and Grace. It was the perfect way to close out our time in Jackson.
The next morning, we hit the road early for our long drive to McCall, Idaho. We had breakfast on the go and made a much anticipated stop at In N Out – a fan favorite among the girls. We rolled into Ponderosa State Park just in time for dinner and capped off the evening with a cozy mac and cheese bar. After dinner, we took a sunset swim in the lake and ended the night with scary stories under the stars. Moonup was held on the dock and beautifully led by Riley and Liza. Our new Leader of the Day is Marion, who has had us laughing all trip and is beyond excited to take the lead. It was the perfect end to an unforgettable first chapter.
Hello from Big Wild!
June 26, 2025
Hello Big Wild Families!
We heard from our leaders that the group has landed safely in Jackson Hole! The trip is off to a great start, and we are so excited to hear more stories as they begin their adventure.
Please remember our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will be posting trip updates throughout the next week! This will allow you to follow along with the trip. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
-Moondance HQ
