Wild Wonderful Wyoming
Wyoming. The state that was my home for a short time. The state in which I wed my husband. The state that calls me back, speaking to my heart, the mountain air speaking to my lungs. Like an addiction, I think about it, long for it, aching to put my feet on the trails that scar the mountainside.
Scott mentioned in the early part of 2016 that we needed to get back to Wyoming. We hadn't been there since our wedding in 2010 and it was time to introduce our children to our favorite piece of land.
As summer came to end and we looked for a fall escape, our eyes landed on the western part of the states. Plane tickets were booked and room accommodations were made. The mountains had called and we were on our way.
As our plane landed on the tiny runway of Jackson Hole, the bright yellow aspen dotted the landscape in every direction. The mountains rose up towards the heavens shining brightly in the sun. And there with my little family in the shadow of the Tetons, I felt a peace that only these mountains can give.
We checked into our hotel and within minutes Paisley began asking when we could go hiking. Wanting to run with the excitement he was feeling, we quickly pulled on our hiking boots, checked out a can of bear spray, and into the mountains and through the woods we hiked.
Lila happily rode in her carrier on daddy's back and Paisley raced ahead. I often yelled for him to slow down as I didn't want him to be mistaken for a small snack to one of the predators that call this land home. Both kids did excellent as we logged a couple miles before heading back to our hotel, The Rustic Inn.
It was our first time staying at this resort and we were beyond pleased!! As the sun dipped below the mountains fire pits were lit and we gathered around them roasting s'mores. Lila curled up in my lap and with marshmallow stickiness in the corners of her mouth gave in to sleep and slept in my arms under the starry sky. These types of moments burn themselves into my head to revisit in the future.
The next morning we relaxed at the resort letting the kids play in the pool and dangle their feet in the hot tub. By mid-day Paisley was ready for more hiking (who is this kid?) and Scott plotted our path. This was a longer hike that lead deep into the mountains and ended with mountain top lake. It was absolutely beautiful.
As we passed other hikers along the trail they were full of positive words towards our little hikers and gave them encouragement on what "big kids" they must be to hike in the mountains with their parents. While Lila didn't log many steps on any hikes, she was more than happy to be along for the ride, literally.
Back at the resort we packed our bags and prepared for the following day in Yellowstone. We were sad to leave our beautiful cozy little cabin at the Rustic Inn but the kids were ready to see bison and thermal areas. I was ready to drive alongside the Tetons, my favorite mountain range in the world.
The next morning we headed into Grand Teton National Park, returning to the exact area I had lived in 13 years before, the spot I had married Scott 6 years prior, and now returning with our 2 wild and carefree babies. It was as if life came full circle and that moment of being there, in my favorite place, with these 3 people that make my life complete, was absolute perfection.
We met up with some friends that were also vacationing in the Tetons and we shared a cabin in Colter Bay Village. The accommodations were small, but when we're on vacation, we're only in the room to sleep and get dressed. Snuggly memories were made as Lila and I slept in one twin bed and Scott and Paisley were a few feet away in another twin bed.
We set off to Yellowstone bright and early with the plan of driving the lower loop. The kids were beyond excited to see bison up close from the safety of our car. They were hypnotized by the steam escaping the thermal areas and loved pointing out the different colored bacteria growing in the pools. We did a few small hikes inside the park and soaked in the beauty of the falls.
We knew 1 day in Yellowstone wouldn't be enough but with the sun threatening to set on us, we started making our way back to Jackson Lake Lodge. We arrived just in time to watch pink and golden hues kiss the tips of the mountains good night and sink below the horizon. We ate dinner on the back deck of the lodge, within eyesight of the spot Scott and I said our vows. We were joined by our friends from back home as well as a friend that still lives in Wyoming. We cuddled our sleepy babies and listened to Elk bugle in the willows below us. We knew our memories of our day in Yellowstone were imprinted on all our minds and would have to satisfy us until we had another opportunity to return.
There is never enough time in the mountains. This vacation, while not nearly long enough, filled my soul. It was everything I wanted for our family vacation. It was time together, it was time with friends, it was time in the mountains exploring and learning, it was seeing wildlife and having fun. It was a trip none of us will ever forget.
My recommendations on a few things:
In Jackson Hole, the place to stay is the The Rustic Inn
Located in town, very clean, nicely decorated, kid friendly, with an excellent buffet breakfast included! Beautiful property with fire pits, teepee and boardwalk around the creek.
Place for breakfast, Pearl Street Bagels
My favorite was an egg salad with banana peppers on an everything bagel. It will make your tongue slap your brains out.
Dinner and show, Bar J Chuckwagon
Family friendly, serves delicious western dinner, songs performed by the Wranglers dotted with humor and wit. It was a little pricy, but the kids loved the music and we were happy with the food.
Souvenir for kids/adults, Passport to Your National Park
This book has a section for each of America's National Parks. The book is colorfully done and includes maps and a section to place a stamp in each park visited. Most visitor centers will have a stamp for each specific park as well as a date stamp. Our kids clutched these passports from the moment we bought them and frequently ask to see the stamps we received from GTNP and Yellowstone NP.
Hikes, Taggart Lake GTNP
3 miles round trip leading you to a beautiful natural lake. A few inclines but easy enough for a 5 year old. Beautiful views of the mountains, forest, and wildlife watching. This is a popular trail.
Fairy Falls Yellowstone NP
This 5 mile hike is a flat (easy) walk that takes you through thermal areas, new growth forest, and ends at a beautiful pool of water being fed by a 200 foot waterfall. Not as crowded as other trails but popular enough the ground is packed hard.
Scott mentioned in the early part of 2016 that we needed to get back to Wyoming. We hadn't been there since our wedding in 2010 and it was time to introduce our children to our favorite piece of land.
As summer came to end and we looked for a fall escape, our eyes landed on the western part of the states. Plane tickets were booked and room accommodations were made. The mountains had called and we were on our way.
As our plane landed on the tiny runway of Jackson Hole, the bright yellow aspen dotted the landscape in every direction. The mountains rose up towards the heavens shining brightly in the sun. And there with my little family in the shadow of the Tetons, I felt a peace that only these mountains can give.
We checked into our hotel and within minutes Paisley began asking when we could go hiking. Wanting to run with the excitement he was feeling, we quickly pulled on our hiking boots, checked out a can of bear spray, and into the mountains and through the woods we hiked.
Lila happily rode in her carrier on daddy's back and Paisley raced ahead. I often yelled for him to slow down as I didn't want him to be mistaken for a small snack to one of the predators that call this land home. Both kids did excellent as we logged a couple miles before heading back to our hotel, The Rustic Inn.
It was our first time staying at this resort and we were beyond pleased!! As the sun dipped below the mountains fire pits were lit and we gathered around them roasting s'mores. Lila curled up in my lap and with marshmallow stickiness in the corners of her mouth gave in to sleep and slept in my arms under the starry sky. These types of moments burn themselves into my head to revisit in the future.
The next morning we relaxed at the resort letting the kids play in the pool and dangle their feet in the hot tub. By mid-day Paisley was ready for more hiking (who is this kid?) and Scott plotted our path. This was a longer hike that lead deep into the mountains and ended with mountain top lake. It was absolutely beautiful.
As we passed other hikers along the trail they were full of positive words towards our little hikers and gave them encouragement on what "big kids" they must be to hike in the mountains with their parents. While Lila didn't log many steps on any hikes, she was more than happy to be along for the ride, literally.
Back at the resort we packed our bags and prepared for the following day in Yellowstone. We were sad to leave our beautiful cozy little cabin at the Rustic Inn but the kids were ready to see bison and thermal areas. I was ready to drive alongside the Tetons, my favorite mountain range in the world.
 |
| The Tetons |
We met up with some friends that were also vacationing in the Tetons and we shared a cabin in Colter Bay Village. The accommodations were small, but when we're on vacation, we're only in the room to sleep and get dressed. Snuggly memories were made as Lila and I slept in one twin bed and Scott and Paisley were a few feet away in another twin bed.
We set off to Yellowstone bright and early with the plan of driving the lower loop. The kids were beyond excited to see bison up close from the safety of our car. They were hypnotized by the steam escaping the thermal areas and loved pointing out the different colored bacteria growing in the pools. We did a few small hikes inside the park and soaked in the beauty of the falls.
We knew 1 day in Yellowstone wouldn't be enough but with the sun threatening to set on us, we started making our way back to Jackson Lake Lodge. We arrived just in time to watch pink and golden hues kiss the tips of the mountains good night and sink below the horizon. We ate dinner on the back deck of the lodge, within eyesight of the spot Scott and I said our vows. We were joined by our friends from back home as well as a friend that still lives in Wyoming. We cuddled our sleepy babies and listened to Elk bugle in the willows below us. We knew our memories of our day in Yellowstone were imprinted on all our minds and would have to satisfy us until we had another opportunity to return.
There is never enough time in the mountains. This vacation, while not nearly long enough, filled my soul. It was everything I wanted for our family vacation. It was time together, it was time with friends, it was time in the mountains exploring and learning, it was seeing wildlife and having fun. It was a trip none of us will ever forget.
My recommendations on a few things:
In Jackson Hole, the place to stay is the The Rustic Inn
Located in town, very clean, nicely decorated, kid friendly, with an excellent buffet breakfast included! Beautiful property with fire pits, teepee and boardwalk around the creek.
Place for breakfast, Pearl Street Bagels
My favorite was an egg salad with banana peppers on an everything bagel. It will make your tongue slap your brains out.
 |
| Enjoying a cast iron biscuit at the Bar J |
Dinner and show, Bar J Chuckwagon
Family friendly, serves delicious western dinner, songs performed by the Wranglers dotted with humor and wit. It was a little pricy, but the kids loved the music and we were happy with the food.
Souvenir for kids/adults, Passport to Your National Park
This book has a section for each of America's National Parks. The book is colorfully done and includes maps and a section to place a stamp in each park visited. Most visitor centers will have a stamp for each specific park as well as a date stamp. Our kids clutched these passports from the moment we bought them and frequently ask to see the stamps we received from GTNP and Yellowstone NP.
Hikes, Taggart Lake GTNP
3 miles round trip leading you to a beautiful natural lake. A few inclines but easy enough for a 5 year old. Beautiful views of the mountains, forest, and wildlife watching. This is a popular trail.
Fairy Falls Yellowstone NP
This 5 mile hike is a flat (easy) walk that takes you through thermal areas, new growth forest, and ends at a beautiful pool of water being fed by a 200 foot waterfall. Not as crowded as other trails but popular enough the ground is packed hard.
 |
| Do you have your passport? |
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