It's Like Deja Vu All Over Again...

(Posting for Wednesday, June 11th)

Today started out like so many of our other days here in Wyoming – a fresh coat of snow on everything. When we drove into the Tetons yesterday, we were struck by the absolute lack of snow on the ground. It was a winter wonderland this morning. We’re starting to wonder if the snow if just following us around – maybe the van is causing some freak weather disturbance wherever we travel. We’ll put that theory to the test when we head to Las Vegas in a week or so…

Since it was cold and snowy, we make an extra pot of coffee and took our time getting ready to venture out for the day. Around 11am or so, we all ventured out and headed south to Jackson Hole for the day. We made a quick stop at Jackson Lake Lodge to borrow some internet and upload pics from the past couple of days. The lodge has massive windows that seem to frame the Tetons. Yesterday, the view was spectacular. Today, nothing but a white fog. There could have been a garbage dump 100 yards from the hotel and none of the guests would have been able to see it in the clouds and blowing snow.

As we were leaving Jackson Lake Lodge, we came upon a moose cow and her calf. This was our first moose sighting of the trip, so everyone was excited. Steph braved the blowing snow to snap some great pics.

After the moose jam, we headed on to Jackson Hole for lunch. We found our way to the Snake River Brewing Company for some amazing food and great beers. We enjoyed nachos, pizzas and pasta that warmed us all on a cold, blustery day. After lunch, we walked around Jackson a bit and did a little shopping. We took the obligatory pics under the arches of elk antlers on the town square, then set off on a quick stagecoach ride around downtown Jackson. One of the “cowboys” running the stagecoach rides told us that Jackson Hole was the coldest place in the USA today. Not sure if he was correct, but it certainly felt like it. Maybe we’ll take a side trip to Death Valley so we can hit the hottest and coldest places all in one trip…

We poked around Jackson a bit more then decided to head back to our cabin at Colter Bay before the snow picked up any more. We took a detour at the ranger station and visitor center in Moose, WY. The kids worked on their junior ranger badges some more before we decided to call it a day and head back to our cabin. Local forecasts are calling for another 1-4 inches of accumulation tonight, and it’s been snowing steadily since we got back to the cabin around 7pm.

We had a light dinner in the cabin (everyone is still reeling from lunch) and started to settle in for another cold night in the Tetons. The weather may be cold and snowy again tomorrow, so we’re probably going to hang close to Colter Bay and work on some indoor activities for all. The weather is supposed to improve dramatically and Friday and over the weekend, both here and in Yellowstone, with temps climbing into the 60’s and a much lower chance of rain. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.

The Grays