Overnight in Jackson Hole, then on the Yellowstone!

I had booked us a hotel for Saturday in Jackson (Hole), Wyoming.  (The town's official name is Jackson, not Jackson Hole, just sayin'.)  Our plan was to drive over, check out the town, and the beautiful Grand Teton Mountains.  Then on Sunday, we would get up bright and early and head up to Yellowstone once again, but thru the south gate.

Our drive over from Rexburg took us along Highway 33 through the beautiful farmland within Teton County, Idaho.  Throughout the two hour trip, the Teton Mountains loomed in the distance.  Not a bad drive!

Tetonia is known for growing seed potatoes, barley, and wheat

 Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Our first stop when arriving was to grab a bite to eat before checking into our hotel.  We found the Snake River Brewery restaurant near the hotel that was OPEN for dine-in business!  Yes!  We decided to give it a try while waiting for our room to be ready.  Dennis ordered the Truffle White Pizza with the Dark Horse Lager and I had the Walnut & Gorgonzola salad with the Jenny Lake Lager.  All were an excellent adventure in which Ted would have approved.

After checking into our hotel, compliments of Marriott bonus points, we walked around downtown until it was time for our dinner reservations at the Gun and Barrel Steakhouse.  Dennis ate every bite of his Cheyenne Tenderloin to the point I thought he was going to lick the plate.  I made the ultimate mistake and ordered the french onion soup and forgot that it was made with beef broth.  So after much debate, I returned it and settled on a huge slice of cheesecake for my dinner.  Desert and wine for dinner?  I think I'm going to make this the new norm!

Yellowstone once again!
Sunday morning had arrived and it was time to begin our journey of the eastern loop of Yellowstone. This time we will be entering from the south gate.  For those of you that have never visited the park, there are 5 gates in all. 

1. North Entrance – through the town of Gardiner, Montana.
2. Northeast Entrance - through the Beartooth Mountains
3. East Entrance – through the town of Cody, Wyoming
4. South Entrance – through Grand Teton National Park
5. West Entrance – through the town of West Yellowstone

Our goal on this trip was to see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the Artists' Paintpots.  I have to admit that these two ended up being my favorite stops.  The views of the waterfalls within the Grand Canyon were unbelievable!  You hear stories about how beautiful the prismatic spring is or about all the wildlife but I have never heard about the canyon.  It is a must if you visit this park.

The Lone Elk!                                               D in the sudden snowstorm

The Upper Falls

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

The Artist Paintpot Trail

Well, our visit had come to an end and it was time to head home.  The trip was a success despite the brief snow showers and the lack of roaming wildlife.  We will just have to return another year!

Dennis' two cents: I found out a few days later that we JUST missed seeing a grizzly with cubs as we eased thru Grand Teton National Forest!  The mom bear has a "name", it's Grizzly 399.  lol