Seconds With Steff

Today we drove from Spanish Fork, Utah, all the way to Jackson, Wyoming — weaving in and out of Idaho a couple of times — but not before being met with a stunning sunrise right outside our hotel’s doors.

In the early morning, I rounded a bend in Cedar Hills, Wyoming, and there was Bridal Falls.

Woodruff, Wyoming gave us miles of wildlife warnings, and we spotted tons of Sand Cranes and another cow in the middle of the road! She meandered to the other side for me.

We passed under the World’s Largest Elkhorn Arch in the town of Afton, Wyoming,

Now, before we go any further, let’s get this part out of the way: Jackson is the town. Jackson Hole is the valley. Jackson Hole includes other towns like Kelly, Moose, Moran, Teton Village, and Wilson. Got it? Good. Let’s continue …

Our first stop was Rendezvous Park in Wilson to see the Mama Mimi troll by Thomas Dambo. This is Hunter’s second troll by the artist, so we went out of our way to find her. Dambo’s trolls are scattered across the globe — wonderfully weird and whimsical. Mama Mimi had kids climbing on her, and since she’s in a lake, their reflections were pretty magical. We didn’t walk all the way around her, though. The path was literally stepping stones, and I wasn’t about to tempt fate.

From there, we headed to Teton Village and rode the tram to the top at an elevation of 10,450 feet. I’m gonna be dead honest: Palm Springs tram was better. The views here are ridiculous — in a good way — but Palm Springs had a full visitor center where you could spend time. This was more of a tiny waffle chalet and a couple of viewing points. To be fair, this place is built for winter sports. Summer visits are a novelty, and I get why they don’t have more infrastructure up top. Still, the highest point where I took photos could really use a space to linger. We were up there maybe 15 minutes before heading back down.

We wandered around Teton Village a bit, then checked into our hotel for the next two nights and went into the town of Jackson with our first stop of course being the town square photo under one of the antler arches.

Hunter then spotted a horse-drawn carriage, and for the very reasonable price of $8 per person, we were aboard 15 minutes later. It was filthy. Absolutely filthy. I can’t even pretend it wasn’t. I cannot not make commentary about it. The experience was fantastic, but the inside of that wagon was devastatingly grimy. The woman who sold us our tickets was lovely, and the driver seemed pleasant — we didn’t speak to her — but still. Filthy. Hunter was very happy, though, so I’ll take it.

We meandered around the square for a bit in and out of shops selling souvenirs as well as preserving the local history.

My pride-and-joy photos are from inside the Million Dollar Bar. You have to be 21 to enter. Hunter is 20 years and 11 days old. So how did I get a photo inside? I asked the bouncer to take one for me — and she happily did. More than one, actually!

Coolest thing we spotted in Jackson so far: the old movie theater is a pizza place. Hunter saw it immediately. He didn’t want to eat there, but it was still a really cool find. They even kept the old ticket booth in the entryway.

Hunter was hell-bent on having spaghetti and meatballs. The first place recommended by a cashier had no availability, but I got a second recommendation — and Hunter feasted like a king…I had salad.

We each got a scoop of homemade ice cream at Moo’s for dessert – Vanilla for Hunter and Huckleberry for me…it’s no Olallieberry, but it was yummy

Winding down for the night…tomorrow is jam-packed.

Unreliable Summary: We made it to Wyoming!

PS – Hunter is talking all over the place without my prompting — I have to start keeping track so here is a pretty decent place.

• To the cashier today: Excuse me, can you tell me an Italian restaurant?
• To the hotel clerk last night: Excuse me, do you know where my mom’s credit card is? (I found it).