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We're goin' to Jackson, and that's a fact...
By: Cathy Burford

Hey everyone!

A little delay in getting this first travelog out, but we are finally on our way east. Stopped for a night in Hansen ID. Now, you may be thinking that nothing much exciting ever happens in Hansen ID, but a famous couple from there captured the attention of the nation when they attempted to float down the Colorado River in 1928 and were never seen again. Google Glen and Bessie Hyde, it's quite the story...

Now, neither Wm or I have ever been to Jackson Hole, WY, so that was our next stop (made even more fun by the fact that we surprised some of our friends when we walked into a saloon there). Definitey worth all the secrecy. Since we're on the subject of saloons, if you're looking for the nostalgia of smoking indoors, you can do it in the bars in Wyoming.

To get to Jackson we came over the Jackson Pass, which has seven miles of a 10% grade-wouldn't really recommend it if your vehicle, like ours, weighs 15 tons. The town of Jackson Hole really restores your faith in the American consumer, as nearly everyone there was carrying shopping bags. Loads of retail opportunities, but the best were the art galleries with amazing bronze sculptures and western art. If you have even one artistic bone in your body, you couldn't find a better landscape to inspire yourself . Mist-covered mountains, grass-carpeted meadows full ot lupine,and a profusion of yellow wildflowers that I've already forgotten the name of, rivers snaking throughout and abundant lakes. See attached photo...

If you love the outdoors, there is something for you in every season. We wasted no time, and drove to the Grand Teton National Park, just a few miles outside of Jackson Hole. We drove the entire length of it and didn't run out of oohs and aahs. Wish they were named something else, but I guess the Tetons does sound better than calling them 'The Breasts'.

A bike path runs for miles beside the main road in the park and many hearty souls were making use of it. The weather has been less than summer-like here, but it doesn't diminish either the beauty of the place, or the effect it has on you while you're here visiting. I can tell that many have been unable to resist the pull of this place, as many people we spoke with here used to live somewhere else.

All of the signs in Grand Teton remind you to 'Be Bear Aware', but we didn't spy any of them. However, buffalo, elk, and deer are visible from your car, and can be found on many menus as well. I'm leaving that experience for someone else.

Off to Yellowstone next, in search of all things geothermal...

Signing off from the road,
Cathy & William