Wyoming, Day 7

This is our last full day in Wyoming. After saying goodbye to the cousins (Alex was so sad to see Jack leave), we headed off to String Lake and Leigh Lake. Making a short stop in the town square of Jackson Hole to get CJ's cowgirl hat stretched to fit her head, we were at the trail head.

Everytime I get to a new location in the Grand Tetons, I am simply amazed at the beauty surrounding this area. If this isn't proof that God exists, I don't know what is.

Today's hike was fairly easy. It was a mile and half to Leigh Lake from String Lake. The kids didn't even flinch at this trek, since they were both on horseback trotting most of the time. It was hilarious. CJ kept switching her horses, while Alex continued to ride "cookie" most of the day. We had to stop to let the horses eat and drink on the trail side and then off we trotted down the trail.

Once we came to a trail crossing and another hiker let us know that there was a bear crossing the trail just up a bit. He had photos of the black bear and told us to be aware. With this new information, Alex started hiking up to "see" the bear. We cautiously went ahead and then encountered this freaked out woman who looked at us and then began to rant "there's a grizzly bear, adolescent, and VERY active, up the trail and my crazy husband went to go get a picture of it and he wouldn't let me bring my big can of bear spray from the car. I can't believe he is going after a bear." We nodded and continued on. Unfortunately, we saw nothing. Not even a crackle in the woods. Oh well.

The trail lead us to an inlet on Leigh Lake, where we all took off our shoes and waded into the cool water for some rock throwing and picnicing. Again, it was just so beautiful.

Then back to String Lake and we did a quick change in the car to go swimming in the lake. It was FRRR--RR-FREEZING, but we loved it. The kids got in and after 5 minutes of swimming around, they were full of goosebumps and teeth chattering. We did a few in and outs in the lake. Lots o' fun!

This is Jenny Lake. It was just the overlook -- again, beautiful.

Heading back towards town, we met Tai, Ruth, Stacy and Nick (Ruth's yoga instructor and husband who are out for the next week) for dinner at Teton Village. We enjoyed a beer at the Mangy Moose and then headed to the italian restaurant. Yummy food again.

Can't believe that it was our last day. We have had so much fun and adventure on this vacation. We will definitely be coming back in the future...

Wyoming, Day 6

This was the day that all our activity caught up to us. Zack and the nephews still had the rental bikes in the morning and made the most of it by going out again.

They had a tough ride up the side of the mountain in Cache Canyon Creek, but after a hour and half up ride, they figured they only had 30 minutes to get the bikes back to the rental place. So, slightly disappointed they took the road back down. While it was not as much fun as the day before, they still had a great adventure.

Meanwhile, back at the compound, I hung out with the Changs and my kids. We did a lot of talking about what we were going to do for the rest of the day. I played with the young kids (go fish with 4 people really is better than just two) and enjoyed the lovely couch and 78 degree weather. But once a tired Zack returned and an unmotivated self sat on the couch, we opted to hang and get ready for our backyard burger fest.

Like most plans that are outside, we were slightly put off when after making the food and getting our plates made, the black clouds crossed over the mountain and began to pour on us. Thankfully, we are an ingenius bunch and moved the party to the "pub room" of the house. The one house has this great party room with a huge bar, big screen tv, comfy couches and a walk-in fireplace.

Another great day in Wyoming!

Wyoming, Day 5

Today was Zack's day in Wyoming. He went single-track, mountain biking with his nephews Andrew and Spencer. They had so much fun! I was so happy to hear that after all the build up in his mind up to this vacation about this ride lived up to his expectations. He had perma-smile.

The trail was a steep incline with a long, fast decline with twists, turns and a river crossing.

I took Alex and CJ with me and Ruth/Tai/Nathan to another beautiful hike. It was to Taggart Lake. A do-able 1.6 mile trek (one way) to the lake which was gorgeous. On the way, we encountered two moose (or as we like to say meese) in the woods just 20 feet from the path. Those things were big. Once we got there, we put on some swimsuits, waded in the water, and fished along the bank. Alexander was so excited to fish. Didn't catch a thing, not even a bite, but it was his favorite part of the day.

View of the Tetons along the trail. That's Uncle Tai, Aunt Ruth, Alex, Nathan and CJ.

Then the adults went to a wonderful dinner in Jackson Hole called the Snake River Grill. I loved being able to leave the kids in the hands of the cousins and head out for a delicious dinner. While the food was really tasty, Ruth was only really there for the dessert. There had been a Food Network segment ("Best Thing I Ever Ate") on the dessert and it lived up to the hype. Three little brownies, topped with a layer of vanilla ice cream, dipped in chocolate and then served with carmel dipping sauce. Need I say anything more?

Wyoming, Day 4

Today was the big Yellowstone adventure.

We left at 7am for day long journey. True to form, CJ got carsick within 20 minutes in the car. Of course this occurred the EXACT moment we saw our first bull moose running in the field next to the car. For a nano-second I was torn as to take a picture of the moose or tend to my sick child. I made the appropriate decision. So, sorry, no pictures of the moose.

It was a long day in the car. Three and half hours just to Old Faithful, another hour or so to the mud pots (boiling, bubbling mud from underground thermal activity), then another 2 or so hours to Yellowstone lake, then back to Teton in 3.5 hours. We figure it was about 10 hours of being in the car total with only about 3 or 4 hours hiking and touring around. Long day. The kids were super great in the car and completely uninterested in the sightseeing.

I am glad we did it, but not sure I would try to pack that into the week if I had to do it again. It was like staying in DC for a week and then heading to Philly for the day. It's do-able, but not really recommended.

This is Jackson Lake in the Grand Teton National Park. Simply beautiful at the break of dawn. Notice, CJ is still hanging on to her sick bag. God bless her.




This is the Castle Geyser. It erupted for like 30 minutes. It was far superior to Old Faithful.

Old Faithful.

Stinky Fountain Mud Pots. Yummy, sulphur.

Thermal pool called Morning Glory.

Picnic dinner at Yellowstone Lake.

Wyoming, Day 3

Zack stayed home with the little ones, and the rest of us adventured out for a horse trail ride. Luke (our 8 yr old nephew) was SO excited and John (my 40+ bronx-breed, brother-in-law) was hilarious up on the horse for a first time. I was last in our trail line just laughing the whole time. John, not comfortable at all; Andrew, our 17 yr old ambivalent teen; and chatting it up with the 19-yr Texan ranch hand. It was quite the wonderful experience. Again, just gorgeous views of the Tetons and a spectacular experience.




Then we all headed out to Phelps Lake. It is a little over a mile hike to this wonderful, picturesque lake at the base of the Teton range. It was freezing water, but that was not a deterent. All the boys swam out to a rock (including cautious Alex) and the women and 4 yr olds stayed on the edge to throw rocks. It was cool. Most of us had a ball, but Nathan (cousin, 4 yr old) was like a tortured soul getting to the lake. I need to post the photo his mom (my sister) took of him face down on the trail's path pitching a fit and yelling "I CAN'T GO ANYMORE". Afterwards... we all laughed.

Here's the photo!!!

Then we finished the day with one of the most toursity things I have done to date. A chuckwagon dinner. You ride on a horse-drawn wagon up the side of Cache Creek Canyon, then sit in a tent, eat a bbq dinner, and watch a mildly inappropriate skit about a woodsman looking for a woman to capture and killing Indians. It was entertaining, but I am glad it was only 2 hours. CJ got to participate in the group sing along and of course commanded a front and center position. She was in her prime.



Another busy day out in the Mountains.

Wyoming, Day 2

Incredibly, the kids and we are acclimating to the altitude and time change really well. I think the kids are sleeping so well because of two key reasons: 1. they are walking, running, hiking from the moment they are awake until they crash at 9pm, and 2. they are playing ALL day with their cousins. Sheer exhaustion works wonders.

Yesterday, everyone but CJ, her cousin (and favorite playmate) Nathan, and her Uncle Tai, went on a river float down the Snake River. It was a three hour tour, but luckily our guide wasn't named Skipper or Gilligan and we arrived at the end successfully. It was a gorgeous experience to see the Grand Tetons from the river and all the splendor of this amazing landscape. We floated in the exact spot that Ansel Adams took his famous photo, "Grand Teton and two bends of the Snake river". Pretty cool

.

Our Pictures of the day are below.

We also did some touring after dinner looking for wildlife. Alexander has a checklist of the animals we need to see before leaving. It includes Bear (grizzly or black, or both), a Moose, Beaver, and a Bison. Some are definitely going to be harder than others. While our goal last night was to see some beaver activity in a place called Schwabacher Landing, all we got was a mucky pond, a few beaver dams, and some bugs. John, Zack and I were perfectly content to hang out after sunset and wait for these nocturnal animals to emerge, but alas the rest of the group wanted to set off.

"Seen" Wildlife Counter:
Moose = 3
Elk = 2 (mama and baby)
Bison = hundreds
Bald Eagles = 4 (including an eaglet)
Fox = 2
Porcupine = 1
Osprey = Several
Chipmunks = Several (they are different out here. small, grey and black with fluffy long tails.)

Our Wyoming Adventure - Day 1, Part 2

More pictures!

Our Wyoming Adventure - Day 1

I think everyone in America knows that our summer vacation this year is in Jackson Hole, Wyoming - at least it feels like we've told everyone in earshot because we have been so excited for this trip. We had a great flight out (yeah Frontier Airlines!) and a fantastic first day. The weather is great, the views are amazing, and (as always) the company is warm and loving.

So, we won't be too wordy, but let the pictures speak for themselves...

Garden Bounty

Nothing like finally reaping what you sow.

Liz C. eat your heart out...
Bags of spinach, romaine, curly bibb lettuces, few new potatoes, lots of sugar snap peas and a few early peas.



Carrots and broccoli are disappointing so far. Must be the weather. Stay tuned.

First the rabbits, now this.

Living out here in the country is becoming bothersome.

In case you don't remember all of our posts over the years, Ripley (our dog) is a hunter. She loves being outside ALL day long and chasing birds, chipmunks, squirrels, groundhogs, cats, deer, and anything else wild that enters her perimeter. (Ripley Kill Count update, add another bird this week.)

On occasion this has put our previously "city" dog in trouble. She has been sprayed by a skunk 3 times. (Okay, she doesn't learn very quickly that black and white cats are bad news).

All this leads me to yesterday after dinner. While finishing up with dinner dishes, I looked out the back window to see two white things bouncing along the edge of our yard. Since it was right past the playset and sort of through the rabbit fence around the garden, I was having trouble seeing exactly what it was. At first glimpse, it looked like a white ferret. Well that is odd, I thought. Until a second glance clearly determined that it was two young skunks. ACK!!!! I screamed.

The kids were frightened and Zack was looking at me like I was a crazy person. I bolted out the back and yelled for the dog. That's when the skunks heard me and scooted under my neighbor's shed. The shed 20 feet from our garden. The shed 30 feet from our playset.

Unfortunately, this is going to be something I will obsesses about all summer. Until I see two dead, decaying carcasses lying about the yard, I will worry when we have summer evening bonfires, when the kids are out after dark catching fireflies, and since they were out in daylight hours (it was 6:30pm) when I head to the garden, when the kids are playing on the playset, when the dog is out in the yard. Let's hope our neighbor takes his gun and waits up one night for some target practice. Because, this is what people do in the country, right???