Jackson Hole/Yellowstone

Tige had an anesthesia conference in Jackson Hole last week, so we all tagged along with him. We took our time getting there, staying a night with David and a night with Andy on the way. We arrived at Jackson Hole on Sunday evening and checked into the Hotel Terra. It was the fanciest hotel I've ever stayed in--it had heated tile floors in the bathrooms, and the toilets had 2 different flush settings depending on how much water you needed. The kids had a hayday with that.

We ventured into Grand Teton National Park and stopped at the visitor's center. Then we drove around and saw TONS of bison and elk. Abby had pointed out every single cow, horse, and sheep all the way from St. George, so it was nice to see a "new" animal. She was very excited when she spotted them.

We also stopped at a museum in Jackson Hole as we went into town for dinner. Food there is VERY expensive and they only serve you a main dish. You'd think for over $30 you'd get a salad and a side dish too, right? Nope. It was rainy weather, so we didn't stay in the square for the gun show they do every night. Boo.

Andy, Rachel & Ryan came up and stayed with us for 2 nights. We rode the Jackson Hole Tram with them up to the top of the Tetons. It was sooooo snowy and freezing cold at the top with the wind blowing. But what a great view! Kason & Abby grabbed some ski poles and walked around in the snow. I tried to keep Taylor warm. He kept sucking in his breath as the wind blew on him.

More from the top of the tram...

We enjoyed the hotel playground and common areas. Also the gym. Kason went and worked out in the gym a few afternoons with Tige. There were 2 treadmills, and Kason ran side by side with his dad for almost 50 minutes. That kid has more energy than he knows what to do with! Taylor was a good boy in the car--check out this smile. We also played with bendaroos, swam in the pool, and blew bubbles while waiting for dad in his meetings.

Some more playground pictures

Tige had one day off in the middle of the week, so we went with Andy & Rachel and headed to Yellowstone. We'd been promising the kids they'd see lots of wild animals, so we were dismayed to discover 5-10 foot snow walls on each side of the rode as we drove into Yellowstone. Apparently they've gotten an abnormal amount of snow this past winter. (You can probably ski in the Tetons in August). We started first at Old Faithful and made our way around the southern loop. Had a ice picnic lunch with Andy & Rachel. Kason kept track of all the animals we saw throughout the trip, and they included: deer, elk, buffalo, bear, fox, chipmunk, bald eagles, a beaver, and a few moose.

The highlight of Yellowstone was when we stopped at some of the geyer pots, and there were 4 buffalo walking right over the wooden trail back and forth. We were only about a foot away from them at 1 point. I was nervous Abby would jump off the trail and try to "hold him" but she was fine.

We drove all the way home from Jackson in one day, so that was a very long day with baby and 2 year old in the car. Kason is a trooper and a good helper getting seat belts on and off. Overall it was a great trip being someplace new together.