Jackson Hole / Yellowstone Recap: Day 4

DAY 4 - 8/23 (Sunday): Despite the rock hard beds at Old Faithful Inn, we slept relatively well and were once again lazy at getting up when our alarm clock went off at 6:15 am. We packed up again and checked out of the room, then had breakfast at the fountain bar we’d dined at the night before. There’s nothing like greasy eggs, hash browns, and sausage to give you a morning burst of energy for the day. We semi-hiked around the geysers nearby before loading into the Kia and trekking to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. This was one of the most beautiful and memorable hikes we’ve done. We started near the Wapiti trail head and took the South Rim Hike to Artist’s Point. The beginning of the trail followed Yellowstone River before entering the canyon. I have to confess it was relatively barren and a part of me was extremely nervous of being attacked by a bear in the middle of nowhere. Nonetheless, we made it to our final destination and the views were absolutely breathtaking. We could’ve driven to Artist’s Point, one of the most photographed areas of the park; however, would’ve missed out on so much beauty along the way.




As a side, I would like to point out that I absolutely love my hiking boots. I've had them for 2 years and worn them quite often, but every time I put them on I'm more convinced that they're my favorite pair of shoes, completely beating out my cute flats and heels.


We stopped for MRE #3: chicken pesto pasta with tabasco, New England clam chowder, granola with blueberries and milk (just add water!), peanut M&M’s, and cherry blueberry cobbler. The anticipation of unveiling the contents in each brown plastic bag has become one of our most favorite surprises each day.

Post South Rim, we decided to hike Clear Lake, most of which would through a peaceful open meadow, complete with wildflowers and picturesque views of the mountains in the background. It sprinkled lightly on our way back, and the weather was noticeably cooler and cloudier compared to yesterday’s summer heat. I know K was praying for rain so we could test out our new rain gear he bought us from Whole Earth. I agree that it’s nice to be prepared, but had absolutely no desire to be required to don a waterproof suit in the middle of nowhere during a torrential downpour. Thankfully the storms held out.


We took a picture with my new favorite gadget: Joby Gorillapod. Those that know me know that I'm all about taking pictures on timer. This thing is a photo lovers dream for wilderness trips!



After a brief stop at mud volcano (complete with humorous buffalo interatction - i.e. husband and wife separation due to wildlife blocking the path - poor guy was waving to her as she stood staring angrily at him with hands on hips, waiting for buffalo to pass in hopes of a safe reunion), we made our way back to Jackson Hole.





No buffalo blocking the road unlike this morning (these beasts cause serious traffic jams), and we were even lucky enough to spot 2 wolves – one grey and one black – through a kind man’s telescope on the crest of Hayden Valley. It was incredible!! On top of that, we saw a MOOSE on the way back to the hotel on Moose-Wilson Rd.!! We had an amazing dinner at Trio in town, sat next to Frank from Dallas (oil and gas guru – small world), picked up a bottle of wine, and retired to our same urban studio at Hotel Terra – room 562.

Jackson Hole / Yellowstone Recap: Day 3

DAY 3 – 8/22 (Saturday): Our ambition to get up at 6:00 am and hit the road this morning failed as we decided to sleep through our wake-up call. We rolled out of bed an hour later, ate our breakfast croissants from the Bunnery (which turned out to be delicious), then packed up and checked out of our room. Due to construction along the route, it took us probably about 2 hours to get to the South entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Once we passed through the gate we made our first stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin. Our initial experience of such natural wonders was truly breathtaking, and as the day went by I found myself continually amazed at God’s creativity in piecing together this Earth. We saw a female elk and her baby wandering through the steaming field of water with shimmering Yellowstone Lake in the background. So many different shades of blues and greens tarnished by the lovely scent of rotten eggs aka sulphur. Despite the odor, it all meshed together into a memorable 1st glance at what the park has to offer.




We continued along Grand Loop past Yellowstone Lake, past Hayden Valley, stopping at various look-outs such as Fisherman’s Bridge, Upper Falls brink, etc. I snapped pictures out the passenger window while K drove. Note to self: bring CD’s on next trip to Wyoming as radio stations are hard to come by in national parks.




Our final stop before making our way back down south was Mammoth Hot Springs:



While it was a lot of driving in one day, we saw many sights and honestly preferred viewing it all sitting down instead of hiking due to the limited amount of sleep we got the night before. In Mammoth we consumed MRE #2: chicken and noodles with vegetables, New England clam chowder, crackers and cheese, and Skittles again for dessert. After a short hike around the springs, we headed back to Old Faithful Inn, our resting spot for the night...



While it was one of the most expensive hotels we’ve ever stayed in relative to quality, it was worth it for the ambiance. Checked in and ate cheeseburgers and fries as a fountain shop just down the road before watching Old Faithful erupt.



This to me is such an iconic American landmark – kind of like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, for example – and to be seeing it in my own country in person made me feel proud and honored in a weird way. We finished the evening with a beer on the upper porch looking over the geysers, then hit the sack early on our uncomfortable double beds hiding mousetraps underneath. Yes, ambiance...

Jackson Hole / Yellowstone Recap: Days 1-2

DAY 1 – 8/20 (Thursday): Arrival!! Sit next to local, Dick Aurelio, on the plane who gives us several outstanding recommendations for our trip. After getting our bags and picking up our stylish yet rugged, silver Kia Sorrento from Alamo, we head into town and stop at Dick’s 1st suggestion: The Granary Bar at South Creek Ranch. There’s an amazing view of the Tetons through the window we sit in front of at the bar. Steven’s our server – a 23-year old from Rochester, NY who quit his job at Budweiser to move to WY and become a ski bum. His sidekick Matt went to Auburn and has been bartending all his life. They both offer additional itineraries for the duration of our stay. We order 2 burgers – 1) a buffalo burger with cheddar cheese and greens, and 2) a combo buffalo / elk burger that is essentially served raw. Those that know me understand that I enjoy my meat cooked well, as far from bloody as possible; however, my vacation, “when in Rome do as the Romans” attitude kicked in, and I have to say the squishy, bright red meat was actually quite satisfying. K downed a couple local beers – Snake River pale ale and lager, while I stuck to a glass of Malbec.

After a later dinner we checked into our hotel in Teton Village – Hotel Terra. It’s about a 20 minute drive from downtown Jackson Hole. Our urban studio is surprisingly spacious – Murphy bed, fully-stocked kitchenette, entry way and all. We pack for the next morning’s adventure then hit the sack.




DAY 2 – 8/21 (Friday): Wake up call for 7:00 am, depart for Grand Teton National Park around 8. Moose-Wilson Rd, is closed, so as opposed to taking the entrance that’s 1 mile from our hotel, we take a 30 minute detour through Jackson and past the airport to get to Moose. After a stop at the Visitors’ Center, we drive to Jenny Lake, take a boat ride across, and hike up to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and through Cascade Canyon. The views are picturesque and remind me of South Lake Tahoe. We meet a precious family with 3 kids from DC, and offer to take a couple pictures of them and send via E-mail as their camera batteries have died. Our paths cross a couple more times on the trails, each time reminding me how excited I am to have a family one day to travel and hike with...


We stop near an opening in the shade in front of a small lake for lunch. My Eagle Scout hubby brought 4 MRE's (meals ready to eat) for the trip, and today tired cheese tortellini. While the taste was less than spectacular, I was intrigued and impressed with how comprehensive 1 small brown plastic bag could be. Absolutely everything we needed was enclosed. We shared pears, apple slices, crackers and peanut butter, skittles, and the main course. K filled a green plastic bag with less than an inch of water, it started steaming, and viola! 6 minutes later we had hot (ok – warm) Italian food! It did the trick of filling up our bellies.



After a quick crackberry break (yes – in the middle of the wilderness picture K with his sunglasses on forehead, typing away on his electronic leash), we were back on the trail. [As a disclaimer, aside from an urgent E-mail that he had to send at the airport on our way out, K has been very good at disengaging from work and I can tell that he’s happily mellow and de-stressed. The main purpose of his BB break was to send a tranquil, mountainous picture to his boss with the subject, “Are you jealous?”] We took the boat back across Jenny Lake, made it back to the Kia, and drove the rest of the Grand Teton Loop, stopping at Oxford Bend and Mormon Row (our first official bison viewing). After that we headed back into town and walked the square. We picked up tomorrow’s breakfast – turkey and swiss croissants – at the Bunnery, then had the best Thai food we’ve ever experienced at Teton Thai (stellar suggestion #2 from plane friend Dick). Our dumplings, my pad Thai, and K’s green curry with noodles were all extremely authentic and delicious. It was clearly a local hot spot and was crowded by the time we left. We stopped by Albertsons on the way back to our hotel and picked up a bottle of wine. We relaxed and took a shower (felt amazing to get the ripe, sweaty stench off our bodies – I’m pretty sure K overheard someone at a store in the square say out loud that we stink), then went to bed...

Vacationed Out

K and I just returned from a 5-day trip to Jackson Hole / Yellowstone. While I don't have the energy to delve into the details of our travels, I do want to post a few of our favorite pictures. It was absolutely amazing - natural wonders that will take your breath away. More to come...

















And lastly - a video of snorting buffalo that were literally right beside our car as we drove through Yellowtsone:

www.texasvacation.com

If you are looking for "memorable vacations on the river or creek, quiet getaways secluded in the hills or out on a ranch, or a perfect place for wedding, reunions and retreats" then you should go to http://www.texasvacation.com/.

As a belated 60th b-day present for the Debster, the Bowen family made the trek to Wimberley, TX this weekend as guests of Wayne and Mary K. They were unbelievably hospitable, and their place is gorgeous! Despite the severe drought that south Texas is currently experiencing, they have natural springs underneath the Blanco River right outside the backdoor of their home, so we were able to tube and cool off in the stiffling heat after a morning of shopping in the square.

We also spent time at a local winery in town and fed the foxes, deer, and other "pretty girls" that came up to the K's back porch for a bite to eat (my favorite part of the weekend). You can't beat the beauty of Texas hill country...

Quote

“But in friendship we think we have chosen our peers. In reality, a few years’ difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles in between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another, posting to different regiments, the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting – any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances. A secret Master of the ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, ‘You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,’ can truly say to friends, ‘You have not chosen one another, but I have chosen you for one another.’ The friendship is not a reward for our discrimination and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others.” C. S. Lewis

Thank you, Lord, for the beautiful friends you have chosen for me.

A Night for Me

So as K has a night out with the guys (a movie and sushi - how manly), I find myself home alone and reminiscent of the times I lived in my tiny 1-bedroom apt in Uptown a few years ago. I spent many weekend nights out with friends, but also made it a priority to spend time reflecting on life in general. This most definitely involved music on my computer and likely Microsoft Word. I was either a) typing a new journal entry or b) reading an old one while either dancing to Usher or praising God with worship songs (ahhh how I love the shuffle option).

Tonight the only difference is that I'm in a bigger house and I have Abby as a dance partner. I am reflecting instead of documenting. As I've likely mentioned before, reading what I have come through reminds me where I am going. Shows me that if God has worked in my life before then He is sure to work in my life again even if I don't feel Him currently.

I need time to spend alone with God – it is absolutely invaluable. How precious are the times in which I’m in His presence, the times when I’m able to tell Him that He’s great and good and wonderful, the times in which I can lay on the floor with my arms outstretched, eyes closed, heart open, totally vulnerable to Him and His unfailing love. I don’t make this a priority. I get distracted.

Yet tonight is a night of few distractions - the perfect opportunity to recharge and regroup after a long and busy week. Though I miss K, I'm appreciative of our time alone. This evening included a fulfilling trip to Tom Thumb and Sams, handwashing clothes in the sink, berries and a salmon burger for dinner, and now - Brooke Fraser, Pat Green, Shawn McDonald, etc. play in the background as I sing and reflect. I have no shame in embracing the fact that this ia a perfect night for me...