Jackson Hole and The Grand Tetons

Jackson

It's definitely starting to get colder as we head north, We had our two weeks of summer in California and now it's back to winter/spring. We've heard so much about Jackson and the Tetons so we figured it was about time we came and saw them for ourselves. Sometimes I think it's worse when you have all of these expectations of a place... the anticipation builds and you can only hope that it is as great as everyone says, We have a little crush on the northwest so I am sure we will love it.

We had a little bit of a hard time actually finding Jackson Hole because there are a lot of areas considered "Jackson." We drove to a ski resort nestled up on the side of a mountain. It still had snow on it.... in May! We must be in Wyoming. Haha!!! We soon figured out this wasn't the "Jackson Hole" everyone was talking about and we were just about to head out and find it when it just started to pour down rain. So we hid out under a closed gas station canopy for a while. After our huge windstorm in New Mexico we weren't sure if the roof was still leak proof, so we figured better safe than sorry. 

After about a half hour we head back to the main highway to find Jackson Hole, it was just a little farther north! There was all sorts of construction going on and it was really hard to find a place to park. The sun was setting and we had no idea where we were going to stay that night. Probably not the most graceful entrance to a town but sometimes it just happens that way.

We finally found a place to park right in the town square. It was pretty awesome. Almost all of the stores were closed but we walked around anyway and found an open bar/restaurant that served some hot food. We got a drink, refueled and were in much better spirits. Sometimes we forget to eat in the midst of big driving days and it definitely can affect our moods. Jackson Hole turned out to be a really cool little tourist town. 

After that we went to the grocery store, since there was actually a real one (not a little tourist market) in town. We needed a few last minute things to stock up before heading up to our tiny little town for the summer. We ended up seeing a few people sleeping in their cans in the back of the parking lot so we decided to be rebellious and try to do the same. The worst that could happen is that they would just ask us to leave. 

A few cow elk wandered right past Destiny after we parked and they were our only visitors the whole evening. It was a blessing because we were tired and needed a full night's sleep.

In the morning I was able to run into Starbucks and grabbed us some strong coffee to start our day It was a treat and the perfect way to start our adventure from Jackson to the Tetons and into Yellowstone!

The Grand Tetons

This national park is just a huge piece of land, actually its over 300,000 acres. It's not full of attractions like other national parks that we have been to but man it sure is filled with some amazing views and spectacular nature! We saw the Tetons from a distance still covered in snow but we had to see them closer up and preferably with a lake in front, like we have seen in pictures. So we continued on the road.

It felt amazing being back to the part of the country. Our windows were down just so we could breathe in the crisp, fresh air. All the trees and flowers were awakening from their winter slumber and the streams were filling up as the mountain snow was starting to melt. Aww... the North, we love it!

After a few wrong turns we finally found it, the perfect viewing spot! It was 100% worth the wait. It was absolutely incredible. We had a picnic lunch on the lake side and just soaked in everything around us. 

Now we are off to see Old Faithful! 

Old Faithful

We entered Yellowstone through the South Entrance this year, something we've never done before. It was great to start out the summer seeing something new and exciting. It was pretty crazy because as soon as we passed into Yellowstone National Park snow was everywhere. Last year we saw a little bit of snow but this year there was A LOT of snow. The berms on the side of the road were over 12 feet tall and that's taller than Destiny. We were looking up at walls of snow.

It really did make the park look so beautiful though. The trees were crisp and very vibrant against the pure white. We made our way past Lewis Lake where we camped out at last year and it was still mostly frozen. It was absolutely stunning. This California girl has never seen a frozen lake before so as you could imagine my mind was blown. As you stared across the lake you could see steam vents and bubbling pots all around the shores. Those areas were all defrosted and slowly waking up the rest of the lake.

From Lewis we drove up to Old Faithful, through a mountain pass and over the continental divide. Right about then it started to snow, pretty intensely too. We could only laugh because haven't ever driven in the snow before and we were just hoping we could come out alive!!! Luckily, it was a quick storm and the sun came out by the time we got to Old Faithful

IT was amazing watching her blow! Pretty crazy that after all of these years she's still got it. We wandered from there to the Old Faithful Lodge, which is basically a giant tree fort. The architecture for it's time is absolutely mind blowing. We stood in awe for a while. 

As nightfall was quickly approaching we were growing anxious to get to West Yellowstone, our home for the summer. So we booked it the rest of the way through the park and found our RV spot in town. Aww... feels good to be home!

Travels in Destiny (Currently on the green route)