I am to arrive in Grand Teton tomorrow. I had hoped by the time this trip arrived, Gabby would have been found - safe. If not, I hoped to maybe run into her on a trail, where she was soaking up a a carefree and youthful experience in an off-grid adventure, and was simply having so much fun she forgot to phone home. Sadly, it was not to be.
I feel torn as I begin my own bucket list trip to the same places Gabby hoped to visit. She will never see Yellowstone or Glacier Park. Or anything else a young woman dreams to see or do.
I had already planned to do a short hike in GNP in memory of Jenn Coleman, who loved hiking, but recently lost her life to the perils there. But I don’t know much about Gabby. She had bookmarked some hikes. Maybe she liked to hike, maybe she really didn’t. She liked to take beautiful photos and document her travels. I will do the same, and if I see or hear anything noteworthy about the case while in Teton (and have cell service) I will try to share back here.
And although it is late in the season for it, I really hope I see a beautiful butterfly to photograph in memory of Gabby in this beautiful picture.
Fly high, Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Petito.
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