Jackson, Sweet Jackson

Oh how we love Wyoming. Having left Casper and the Oregon Trail in our rearview mirror yesterday, we meandered to Jackson through vast open country and smaller towns until we reached Dubois. Seemed like a good time to stretch. When I saw the sign for homemade pies, well… you guessed it. Though we’d sworn off DQ for this trip, and we passed a few, there was no promise to pass by homemade pies. A slice of maple pecan with whipped cream for me and a slice of raspberry rhubarb a-la-mode for Skip hit the spot before continuing to Jackson.

Multiple road signs cautioned drivers to “Be alert! Wildlife highway… wildlife crossing.” My niece had echoed this sentiment, having recently traveled the same route and seeing multiple bears. We saw nothing, nada, no wildlife. Alas.

This morning, we headed out early for our first Jackson adventure…a scenic float on the Snake River with views of the Tetons. “Scenic” is a polite adjective for we wimpier folk, e.g. those who want to avoid white water. When making the reservation I apparently failed to specify “the tour with blue skies and 80 degrees.” We shivered through two windy hours in 53 degrees with cloudy skies as we traversed 13 miles. Though the mighty Tetons were shrouded in grey clouds, beauty still abounded. Multiple eagle sightings and tree lined river banks brought joy to my heart. Our twenty-one year veteran guide, Jeff, shared marvelous tidbits of knowledge, especially about the eagles. We enjoyed the float and felt grateful for the experience in spite of the cold.

A little shopping in Jackson made for an enjoyable afternoon. Now we’re off to savor dinner and precious time with our nephew, Kal, and his lovely wife, Beth. He explained our dinner reservation is at a restaurant “with animal heads on the wall and meat on the table.” Kal clearly gets his uncle… Skip will love this place!