YNP, GT and Driggs 10 day trip 8/13-8/22 - great time was had by all!
Aug 24th, 2014, 11:18 AM
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YNP, GT and Driggs 10 day trip 8/13-8/22 - great time was had by all!
Thanks to all of you for your advice and trip itineraries. I started planning this trip and year ago and can't believe it is over! We ( dh and kids, 10 and 12) stayed in Signal Mountain Lodge for 2 nights, then on to Canyon Western Cabin for 2 nights then to Snow Lodge Western Cabins for 2 nights, and then to a lovely home in Driggs Idaho for the final 3 nights. A lot of folks questioned the Driggs part but I have to say it was a peaceful and relaxing way to end this wonderful vacation, and we loved meeting the locals. Also, after sharing a hotel room for 6 nights, having the extra space and ability to do laundry was lovely. The delicious restaurants, hot tub and perfect Teton views weren't bad either!
We had heard that August was very crowded in the parks. I was dreading the crowds but we did not find either park to be very crowded. The weather in the parks was lovely-70s with hardly any rain, no humidity and no mosquitos. Wildflowers were all over. A woman in YNP told us the crowds dropped off on the 13th-the day of our arrival! We also saw a lot of animals. Friends of ours went in early June and had cold weather, snow, etc. Am much happier we went in August.
Last month I tore my meniscus and have surgery scheduled for Sept. I was a bit worried about my ability to hike but a cortisone shot and knee brace really helped. We did not hike as much as I wanted but did more than I expected with this injury.
We flew into Idaho Falls and stocked up on breakfast and picnic lunch items at Walmart and one of many bad hamburgers on this trip at McDonalds. The 2 hour drive to Signal Mountain Lodge started out with scenic views of the dark green pastures and the golden wheat and hay. This quickly changed to dark dark skies and rain and thunder. Scary ride over the Teton Pass.
Weather cleared when we arrived at LSR at 3:30 to do the Phelps Lake hike. We fist toured the visitors center and then started the hike. We were almost to the lake when some folks told us they saw 2 black bears farther up. We did not have bear spray.
Conceptually, I love the idea of hiking in such a natural habitat but the actual thought was quite scary! We started singing and chatting to make our presence known. Kids got too scared so we turned back. We then met some other hikers and continued on with them. We always felt more secure in numbers. We did see the bear but it was about 50 yards away. We arrived at the lake-its was lovely. We saw a bald eagle right above us. Creaped out by the brown squirrels (we don't have these on the East Coast) that make awful sounds. Chipmunks adorable. On the way back (my husband and I were now very alert for bears) my husband stopped and alerted us to a black bear that was no more than 20 feet away! He saw us but continued playing in the meadow. Phew! 2 bears and we just arrived.
We left LSR and checked in Signal Mountain Lodge. We reserved a rustic cabin with 2 br and 3 double beds. It was fine but dark and rustic. Beds comfy. I originally had cabin 101 but kept calling to see if we could get one on the lake with a view and we got room 144 due to a cancellation-on the lake with a view. Kids went down to lake and played a bit. We saw kids with floats and tubes-great idea for next time. We then ate outdoors and had the mound of nachos for dinner with a beer and a great view. Unpacked and went to bed early to be on the early boat for Jenny Lake. Lovely to go to sleep hearing the waves lap on the shore.
Awoke early (6 am) to find it was raining. We knew the next day was supposed to be sunny so we decided to do the Jenny Lake hike tomorrow and do the Taggert Lake hike today. By 9 the sun had come out and we were on our way. This was a favorite hike. It was more open than Phelps and views were spectacular. Green clear lake and glacier views. Folks told us a mama moose and her baby were swimming in lake but they were gone when we arrived. A lot of folks were swimming and wading in the lake. Wish we brought kid's swim suits. We met a nice woman from Jackson who taught us how to find huckleberries-mmm! Really enjoyed hiking along the river. The sound was so soothing. A bit nervous about another bear sighting but we did not see any animals on this hike.
We at lunch at SML-another awful hamburger. After lunch, we did the String Lake hike. Lovely lake, great views, folks paddle boarding and swimming-seemed like a very popular place. Kids went in to their thighs and want to return with swim suits another day to swim.
We drove to Church and toured Mormon row. To see a basic small house and the majestic Tetons in the back was a favorite moment and photo. We saw a moose on the banks of the Snake River. Cool!
Leeks pizza for dinner-funky place with good music and beer and decent pizza. Huge ice cream cones made my kids happy. Another very good day. Amazing stars and constellations tonight-clear skies. Super dark here.
Initial thoughts-am really appreciating the absolute openness of the land, the glaciers, the majesty of the Tetons, the sense of peace, the weather systems that make it look different moment by moment. Kids enjoying hiking more than I thought, especially 12 year old daughter. Suncreen absolutely needed and keep drinking water. It does help.
Tomorrow is son's 11th birthday and we will do Jenny Lake hike.
We had heard that August was very crowded in the parks. I was dreading the crowds but we did not find either park to be very crowded. The weather in the parks was lovely-70s with hardly any rain, no humidity and no mosquitos. Wildflowers were all over. A woman in YNP told us the crowds dropped off on the 13th-the day of our arrival! We also saw a lot of animals. Friends of ours went in early June and had cold weather, snow, etc. Am much happier we went in August.
Last month I tore my meniscus and have surgery scheduled for Sept. I was a bit worried about my ability to hike but a cortisone shot and knee brace really helped. We did not hike as much as I wanted but did more than I expected with this injury.
We flew into Idaho Falls and stocked up on breakfast and picnic lunch items at Walmart and one of many bad hamburgers on this trip at McDonalds. The 2 hour drive to Signal Mountain Lodge started out with scenic views of the dark green pastures and the golden wheat and hay. This quickly changed to dark dark skies and rain and thunder. Scary ride over the Teton Pass.
Weather cleared when we arrived at LSR at 3:30 to do the Phelps Lake hike. We fist toured the visitors center and then started the hike. We were almost to the lake when some folks told us they saw 2 black bears farther up. We did not have bear spray.
Conceptually, I love the idea of hiking in such a natural habitat but the actual thought was quite scary! We started singing and chatting to make our presence known. Kids got too scared so we turned back. We then met some other hikers and continued on with them. We always felt more secure in numbers. We did see the bear but it was about 50 yards away. We arrived at the lake-its was lovely. We saw a bald eagle right above us. Creaped out by the brown squirrels (we don't have these on the East Coast) that make awful sounds. Chipmunks adorable. On the way back (my husband and I were now very alert for bears) my husband stopped and alerted us to a black bear that was no more than 20 feet away! He saw us but continued playing in the meadow. Phew! 2 bears and we just arrived.
We left LSR and checked in Signal Mountain Lodge. We reserved a rustic cabin with 2 br and 3 double beds. It was fine but dark and rustic. Beds comfy. I originally had cabin 101 but kept calling to see if we could get one on the lake with a view and we got room 144 due to a cancellation-on the lake with a view. Kids went down to lake and played a bit. We saw kids with floats and tubes-great idea for next time. We then ate outdoors and had the mound of nachos for dinner with a beer and a great view. Unpacked and went to bed early to be on the early boat for Jenny Lake. Lovely to go to sleep hearing the waves lap on the shore.
Awoke early (6 am) to find it was raining. We knew the next day was supposed to be sunny so we decided to do the Jenny Lake hike tomorrow and do the Taggert Lake hike today. By 9 the sun had come out and we were on our way. This was a favorite hike. It was more open than Phelps and views were spectacular. Green clear lake and glacier views. Folks told us a mama moose and her baby were swimming in lake but they were gone when we arrived. A lot of folks were swimming and wading in the lake. Wish we brought kid's swim suits. We met a nice woman from Jackson who taught us how to find huckleberries-mmm! Really enjoyed hiking along the river. The sound was so soothing. A bit nervous about another bear sighting but we did not see any animals on this hike.
We at lunch at SML-another awful hamburger. After lunch, we did the String Lake hike. Lovely lake, great views, folks paddle boarding and swimming-seemed like a very popular place. Kids went in to their thighs and want to return with swim suits another day to swim.
We drove to Church and toured Mormon row. To see a basic small house and the majestic Tetons in the back was a favorite moment and photo. We saw a moose on the banks of the Snake River. Cool!
Leeks pizza for dinner-funky place with good music and beer and decent pizza. Huge ice cream cones made my kids happy. Another very good day. Amazing stars and constellations tonight-clear skies. Super dark here.
Initial thoughts-am really appreciating the absolute openness of the land, the glaciers, the majesty of the Tetons, the sense of peace, the weather systems that make it look different moment by moment. Kids enjoying hiking more than I thought, especially 12 year old daughter. Suncreen absolutely needed and keep drinking water. It does help.
Tomorrow is son's 11th birthday and we will do Jenny Lake hike.
Aug 24th, 2014, 11:48 AM
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We were planning to leave GTNP this morning but changed plans and did Jenny Lake hike today. We were able to cancel the Roosevelt cookout that we had scheduled for tonight's birthday celebration without charge. We were not very excited about this anyway - reviews were very mixed and it sounded corny.
I was sorry to leave SML. The folks were so friendly and accommodating here. Room a bit dark, weak shower and plugs a rarity in the rooms but lake views, comfy beds and free coffee in lodge made up for it. Woke up to a spectacular day-blue skies with clouds hugging the mountains and lake. On 8:15 ferry to Jenny Lake hike. Had planned to walk it but knee a bit sore. The ferry was not crowded at all. Hidden Falls magnificent and heard the falls and river for almost the whole hike. Inspiration Point views -so lovely. No animal sightings. Went to Cascade Canyon-loved being inside the canyon. Lots of rocks to climb on for kids. I am scared of heights and was hugging the inner wall up to Inspiration Point! Glaciers visible from this height. Great views for the entire hike.
Glad we got started early for this hike-we did not see many people. Was a 2 lane hike on the way down. DD got a t shirt and son got 2 books (on bison and black bears) in bookstore. Long waits for bathrooms here. Saw deer near parking lot-seemed used to human contact.
Went to Leaks pizza for lunch and celebrated with huge ice cream cones. Good start to son's birthday!
We drove to Yellowstone in the rain. Cleared up when we arrived at West Thumb Thermal Springs. Amazing and creepy at same time. Otherworldly knowing you are standing on top of a super volcano. Blue skies quickly turned ominous with thunder and lighting and then HUGE HAIL THAT HURT! We actually had bruises on legs and arms. We were 3/4 of the way done with boardwalk when hail started. Some folks opened their umbrellas and did not invite anyone under. Steam from the earth and ice from the sky! Son freaked out a bit now. Birthday quality quickly declining! Hid in visitor's center until hail stopped.
Blue skies again. Drove to mud volcano-son scared again! and then to Sulphur canyon-stinky! I had read about these feature and seen photos but to see them is truly amazing. A scary truth is that the lovely rolling hills in this area are actually rolling bc of the magma.
Drove to a favorite spot-Hayden Valley. oh so lovely. Snaking Yellowstone River with green hills and blue skies and bison all over! Traffic jams due to bison crossing road a hoot!
Checked into Canyon Western Cabin. P 46-way nicer than expected. Bright end unit. Quiet and decent views. Ate more bad burgers at Canyon soda shop. Played games after dinner and then to bed. Another really good day. This trip is way better than I expected.
I was sorry to leave SML. The folks were so friendly and accommodating here. Room a bit dark, weak shower and plugs a rarity in the rooms but lake views, comfy beds and free coffee in lodge made up for it. Woke up to a spectacular day-blue skies with clouds hugging the mountains and lake. On 8:15 ferry to Jenny Lake hike. Had planned to walk it but knee a bit sore. The ferry was not crowded at all. Hidden Falls magnificent and heard the falls and river for almost the whole hike. Inspiration Point views -so lovely. No animal sightings. Went to Cascade Canyon-loved being inside the canyon. Lots of rocks to climb on for kids. I am scared of heights and was hugging the inner wall up to Inspiration Point! Glaciers visible from this height. Great views for the entire hike.
Glad we got started early for this hike-we did not see many people. Was a 2 lane hike on the way down. DD got a t shirt and son got 2 books (on bison and black bears) in bookstore. Long waits for bathrooms here. Saw deer near parking lot-seemed used to human contact.
Went to Leaks pizza for lunch and celebrated with huge ice cream cones. Good start to son's birthday!
We drove to Yellowstone in the rain. Cleared up when we arrived at West Thumb Thermal Springs. Amazing and creepy at same time. Otherworldly knowing you are standing on top of a super volcano. Blue skies quickly turned ominous with thunder and lighting and then HUGE HAIL THAT HURT! We actually had bruises on legs and arms. We were 3/4 of the way done with boardwalk when hail started. Some folks opened their umbrellas and did not invite anyone under. Steam from the earth and ice from the sky! Son freaked out a bit now. Birthday quality quickly declining! Hid in visitor's center until hail stopped.
Blue skies again. Drove to mud volcano-son scared again! and then to Sulphur canyon-stinky! I had read about these feature and seen photos but to see them is truly amazing. A scary truth is that the lovely rolling hills in this area are actually rolling bc of the magma.
Drove to a favorite spot-Hayden Valley. oh so lovely. Snaking Yellowstone River with green hills and blue skies and bison all over! Traffic jams due to bison crossing road a hoot!
Checked into Canyon Western Cabin. P 46-way nicer than expected. Bright end unit. Quiet and decent views. Ate more bad burgers at Canyon soda shop. Played games after dinner and then to bed. Another really good day. This trip is way better than I expected.
Aug 24th, 2014, 11:55 AM
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Sludick, thanks. I rely on trip reports to plan my vacation so just giving back.
More thoughts..hiking sticks a must and so far, the lines for the bathrooms are the most crowded locations in the park. The quality of the bathroom facilities varies greatly. Some are awful and smelly.
More thoughts..hiking sticks a must and so far, the lines for the bathrooms are the most crowded locations in the park. The quality of the bathroom facilities varies greatly. Some are awful and smelly.
Sep 1st, 2014, 05:45 AM
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This morning we focused on the south rim of the canyon. Kids and I did Uncle Tom's trail-328 steps each way. Was well worth it with waterfall and double rainbows. Loved the feeling of being inside the canyon. we then did the Inspiration Point hike-really awe inspiring-blue green intensity of the river against the ochre canyon walls.
Rather than returning the same way, wee did the 5 mile Clear/Ribbon Lake hike. Kids were scared of bears and getting a bit tired. This hike was a favorite of mine. Experienced a bit of vertigo looking down into canyon. Spectacular views and then you hike into the back country. You pass a lake with water lilies on way to Clear Lake and also see thermal features. One way to lake, a bison came out of nowhere and walked right in front of us. So cool to bison up close and in their natural habitat. Kids felt a little differently-were terrified!
End of hike is through a meadow filled with wild flowers. Pretty spectacular.
Walked back to car and we ate pb and j sandwiches for lunch.
Rather than returning the same way, wee did the 5 mile Clear/Ribbon Lake hike. Kids were scared of bears and getting a bit tired. This hike was a favorite of mine. Experienced a bit of vertigo looking down into canyon. Spectacular views and then you hike into the back country. You pass a lake with water lilies on way to Clear Lake and also see thermal features. One way to lake, a bison came out of nowhere and walked right in front of us. So cool to bison up close and in their natural habitat. Kids felt a little differently-were terrified!
End of hike is through a meadow filled with wild flowers. Pretty spectacular.
Walked back to car and we ate pb and j sandwiches for lunch.
Sep 1st, 2014, 08:28 AM
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Headed to Norris Geyser Basin -amazing, eerie, colorful thermal features and geysers. Felt like it was the end of the world destruction -smoke and bareness. Geysered out and returned to room to relax. Headed out to Lamar Valley at 5:30. Thought Hayden was pretty but boy did we see animals! Pronghorn sheep, tons of bison-babies too- and alot of interesting bison mating rituals. Since it was August we were told the bison were in an "agitated" mating state! Loved the male's snorting. We stopped and watched them for a good time. Same some folks w scopes so we pulled over. A wolf pack were dining on some bison carcasses. We saw the mama and her babies through the scope! While everyone was looking for wolves, I looked down and 5 feet in front of me was a coyote! Returned and ate another sub par burger-kids got ice cream-all good!
Sep 1st, 2014, 08:42 AM
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plambers - Waiting for more of your report!
We head out to GTNP on Sept 23rd and are there and then in Yellowstone through October 1st. We're staying at Signal Mountain Lodge too while in GTNP. Three nights. A double cabin with fireplace. Hope it's on the lake.
Did you do a Snake River Float?
Unfortunately, some roads will be closed (in Yellowstone) adding time to our drives. But we're excited anyway.
We head out to GTNP on Sept 23rd and are there and then in Yellowstone through October 1st. We're staying at Signal Mountain Lodge too while in GTNP. Three nights. A double cabin with fireplace. Hope it's on the lake.
Did you do a Snake River Float?
Unfortunately, some roads will be closed (in Yellowstone) adding time to our drives. But we're excited anyway.
Sep 1st, 2014, 08:46 AM
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Next day we were tired! Went to ringer talk on animals in the park and saw skulls and felt pelts. On way to Mammoth we did Wraith Falls hike- unremarkable. Checked out of Canyon.
think we all hit a wall today. Not too much enthusiasm for anything. Mammoth ok-least favorite area of park. Walked lower area and drove upper. Wish we did Trout Lake Hike or Baretooth.
Could not bear another bad park meal so we headed to Gardiner. Saw tons of elk on way in the Gallatin river. We exited park and had BURGERS! AAAAH! After lunch we headed down to Snow Lodge for check in. Too much driving today. Stopped at Gibbons Falls - very pretty. Passed alot of thermal features that seemed to be popping up everywhere. A bit disconcerting.Took a scenic drive that was suggested and we saw a waterfall and the thermal pool, Firehole, where you can swim. Kids and I wanted to but dh just wanted to check in. We intended to do another day but the next threatened a storm and the next day the road was closed. bummer.
Finally arrived at Western Cabin. Great shower. Liked that we could walk to OF lodge and to geysers etc. Lacked any personality. Saw OF erupt and then Beehive started to erupt! Ate at grill-better than canyon dining.
Next day did suggested 8:30 ranger hike around geysers. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. My son was scared of falling in so we made a deal that if after 40 minutes he did not like the hike, we could leave. He ended up loving it . So proud of him! The anenome geyser was a favorite since it sounds like a toilet bowl flushing when it empties. Saw bison bones in a geyser too. Great informative walk.
Went to lower geyser basin - lot getting crowded at 10:30- sapphire pool spectacular. loved setting on river. Did Mystic Falls hike. Good bang for buck-pretty walk, wildflowers and great waterfall. Then went to Midway Geyser and saw grand prismatic. Amazing. Really starting to hat the sulphur smell. Saw alot of hats in the hot springs that folks lost.
kids again getting geysered out so got them ice cream and we sat in the rocking chairs at the OF gift store. Son got a t shirt with lessons form a buffalo on it and got a stuffed bison that he named Benny. Benny came everywhere with us from this point on.
Did the 7pm ranger talk on wolves and bears-very entertaining and informative. We decided to eat in Obsidium dining room. Do not eat here-expensive, bad food and service nonexistent. Went to OF lodge after dinner and we sat on 2nd level and watched OF erupt again. Loved the lobby and open spaces here but heard from many that the rooms are very rustic.
A great end to our stay in YNP.
think we all hit a wall today. Not too much enthusiasm for anything. Mammoth ok-least favorite area of park. Walked lower area and drove upper. Wish we did Trout Lake Hike or Baretooth.
Could not bear another bad park meal so we headed to Gardiner. Saw tons of elk on way in the Gallatin river. We exited park and had BURGERS! AAAAH! After lunch we headed down to Snow Lodge for check in. Too much driving today. Stopped at Gibbons Falls - very pretty. Passed alot of thermal features that seemed to be popping up everywhere. A bit disconcerting.Took a scenic drive that was suggested and we saw a waterfall and the thermal pool, Firehole, where you can swim. Kids and I wanted to but dh just wanted to check in. We intended to do another day but the next threatened a storm and the next day the road was closed. bummer.
Finally arrived at Western Cabin. Great shower. Liked that we could walk to OF lodge and to geysers etc. Lacked any personality. Saw OF erupt and then Beehive started to erupt! Ate at grill-better than canyon dining.
Next day did suggested 8:30 ranger hike around geysers. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. My son was scared of falling in so we made a deal that if after 40 minutes he did not like the hike, we could leave. He ended up loving it . So proud of him! The anenome geyser was a favorite since it sounds like a toilet bowl flushing when it empties. Saw bison bones in a geyser too. Great informative walk.
Went to lower geyser basin - lot getting crowded at 10:30- sapphire pool spectacular. loved setting on river. Did Mystic Falls hike. Good bang for buck-pretty walk, wildflowers and great waterfall. Then went to Midway Geyser and saw grand prismatic. Amazing. Really starting to hat the sulphur smell. Saw alot of hats in the hot springs that folks lost.
kids again getting geysered out so got them ice cream and we sat in the rocking chairs at the OF gift store. Son got a t shirt with lessons form a buffalo on it and got a stuffed bison that he named Benny. Benny came everywhere with us from this point on.
Did the 7pm ranger talk on wolves and bears-very entertaining and informative. We decided to eat in Obsidium dining room. Do not eat here-expensive, bad food and service nonexistent. Went to OF lodge after dinner and we sat on 2nd level and watched OF erupt again. Loved the lobby and open spaces here but heard from many that the rooms are very rustic.
A great end to our stay in YNP.
Sep 1st, 2014, 09:06 AM
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Torn between DeLacey lake hike or another ranger lead hike. Chose poorly and showed up at 9 for a 9:30 hike so we just finished the boardwalks ourselves and checked out. Way better to do with ranger.
Found out an 8 year old girl from Ca had slipped and fallen to her death on north rim of Canyon. Cannot imagine how her family is.
Left park through West Yellowstone. Yuck. Started our drive to our rental home for the last 3 nights in Driggs, Idaho, the quiet side of the Tetons. We were all excited to have a bit more space, to eat some good meals (Driggs and neighboring town, Victor know for good dining), to do laundry and relax a bit.
Drive to Driggs boring. Ate a good meal at Hacienda C in Driggs-yeah! Checked into house-lovely views of Tetons, hot tub, spacious, 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths!!, lovely front and pack porches, well appointed, flat screen tvs and wifi for kids-we are all very happy! House backs up to a dairy farm so we love the open views and the mooing from our neighbors.
All went in hot tub and loved watching the storm with lighting over the Tetons. Ate at Teton Thai-delicious. Shrimp and mango curry so fresh and flavorful.
Woke up to our mooing neighbors and cloudy skies. We were really fortunate and had great weather in parks but our weather in Driggs was not very good. We had planned to do white water rafting on the Snake River and to rent double inflatable kayaks from Peaked Sports on the Teton River, but the stormy weather did not allow this. Bummer.
Went to Grand Targhee and did the chairlift. Very pretty views, small nature center and a few small hikes on top. Storm came in so we got the last chairlift down. Fun to watch the mountain bikers going down the trails.
Ate a great lunch at the Royal Wolf - good food and super friendly people. Beer from Grand Teton Brewing really good too. Kids went to Victor Emporium for the first of many milkshakes. Went to Warbird to see vintage planes and then to Wildlife to pick up a take home pizza for dinner. Funky brewpub but not very good pizza.
Really enjoying the vibe here. Folks really friendly and laid back. Glad we had pizza to bring back to house bc huge storm blew in. Played some games and sat in hot tub. Storm so dramatic and clouds so dark. At times our Teton view totally disappeared.
Found out an 8 year old girl from Ca had slipped and fallen to her death on north rim of Canyon. Cannot imagine how her family is.
Left park through West Yellowstone. Yuck. Started our drive to our rental home for the last 3 nights in Driggs, Idaho, the quiet side of the Tetons. We were all excited to have a bit more space, to eat some good meals (Driggs and neighboring town, Victor know for good dining), to do laundry and relax a bit.
Drive to Driggs boring. Ate a good meal at Hacienda C in Driggs-yeah! Checked into house-lovely views of Tetons, hot tub, spacious, 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths!!, lovely front and pack porches, well appointed, flat screen tvs and wifi for kids-we are all very happy! House backs up to a dairy farm so we love the open views and the mooing from our neighbors.
All went in hot tub and loved watching the storm with lighting over the Tetons. Ate at Teton Thai-delicious. Shrimp and mango curry so fresh and flavorful.
Woke up to our mooing neighbors and cloudy skies. We were really fortunate and had great weather in parks but our weather in Driggs was not very good. We had planned to do white water rafting on the Snake River and to rent double inflatable kayaks from Peaked Sports on the Teton River, but the stormy weather did not allow this. Bummer.
Went to Grand Targhee and did the chairlift. Very pretty views, small nature center and a few small hikes on top. Storm came in so we got the last chairlift down. Fun to watch the mountain bikers going down the trails.
Ate a great lunch at the Royal Wolf - good food and super friendly people. Beer from Grand Teton Brewing really good too. Kids went to Victor Emporium for the first of many milkshakes. Went to Warbird to see vintage planes and then to Wildlife to pick up a take home pizza for dinner. Funky brewpub but not very good pizza.
Really enjoying the vibe here. Folks really friendly and laid back. Glad we had pizza to bring back to house bc huge storm blew in. Played some games and sat in hot tub. Storm so dramatic and clouds so dark. At times our Teton view totally disappeared.
Sep 1st, 2014, 09:24 AM
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Next day the weather is still not cooperating. All the cows were laying down and it was raining. I was a bit happy bc I was able to sit on the porch in my rocking chair and read a book while the kids hot tubbed and watched tv.
Went to Brakemans for an amazing burger and the Victor Emporium for milkshakes. Weather was improving and this was my window for the kayak trip down the Teton River. I was nervous bc these storms were coming in fast and furious so we did not do. Big regret-there were 3 hours without any storms. Instead, my son and I went bike riding - alot of fun.
Big storm rolled in and temps dropped over 20 degrees! At end of storm we saw a double rainbow . One was completely visible from end to end. Wow.
Brakemans was such a big lunch so we did not eat dinner. Hung out in hotbub and we all said how much we enjoyed the trip. Ending it in Driggs was a great idea. Kids start school 2 days after we return so this allowed us all to get good sleep, eat good meals, meet friendly people and enjoy and well appointed and comfortable house.
Left Driggs next morning for 2 hour scenic ride to Idaho Falls airport for trip home.
Went to Brakemans for an amazing burger and the Victor Emporium for milkshakes. Weather was improving and this was my window for the kayak trip down the Teton River. I was nervous bc these storms were coming in fast and furious so we did not do. Big regret-there were 3 hours without any storms. Instead, my son and I went bike riding - alot of fun.
Big storm rolled in and temps dropped over 20 degrees! At end of storm we saw a double rainbow . One was completely visible from end to end. Wow.
Brakemans was such a big lunch so we did not eat dinner. Hung out in hotbub and we all said how much we enjoyed the trip. Ending it in Driggs was a great idea. Kids start school 2 days after we return so this allowed us all to get good sleep, eat good meals, meet friendly people and enjoy and well appointed and comfortable house.
Left Driggs next morning for 2 hour scenic ride to Idaho Falls airport for trip home.
Sep 1st, 2014, 09:34 AM
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Kenav, we intended to do whitewater rafting rather than a float trip, but the weather did not cooperate. I am sure they are lovely. we did see a moose laying on the shores of the
Snake River near Moose.
Snake River near Moose.
Jun 26th, 2015, 10:55 AM
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We were really fortunate and think we had great weather except for the last few days and even they weren't too bad. I just didn't want to be on a river during a storm. They storms usually happened around 6 and they were amazing to watch.
Jun 26th, 2015, 10:57 AM
#18
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We were really fortunate and think we had great weather except for the last few days and even they weren't too bad. I just didn't want to be on a river during a storm. They storms usually happened around 6 and they were amazing to watch.
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