Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Fun on the Fourth of July

Our last days at Teton Springs were fun and relaxing.

Right Maddy?
The girls played...

...swam...


...wore huge helmets that must have been for preventing aliens from disrupting brain signals...
...and rode bikes.
On the Fourth of July we went to Teton Village outside of Jackson Hole for a delicious dinner and a ride in the gondola.
I absolutely HATE gondola rides and was coerced by the entire family to get in and ride to the top. Even though I am smiling in these pictures, if they had been snapped a few minutes earlier you would have seen a look of sheer terror on my face, mixed in with a few tears.
Isabelle finishing dessert at Il Villaggio Osteria. This restaurant makes their own pastas, cheeses and sausages. Sooo delicious!
After dinner we played on the playground...
...danced to live jazz music...
...and practiced "To infinity and beyond!"

The next morning we were sad to say goodbye to Teton Springs but were excited for the next leg of our trip. On to Yellowstone!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Grand Teton National Park

The morning after our cowboy adventure we woke early to head over to Grand Teton National Park for a day of hiking. Yes, we really are that brave with our two little ones. Our hotel had printed out a day tour that was just right for us - only about five miles of hiking but we were able to see some beautiful sights. They even recommended a couple of great local places to eat. We had the best breakfast ever at Nora's Fish Creek Inn, even though it took us over an hour to eat. The town of Wilson only has a population of 200 but I'm pretty sure all 200 were eating breakfast the same time we were.

Back over Teton Pass we went, this time stopping at the summit for a great view of Jackson Hole.
After entering the park and driving several miles down an unmarked, dusty, windy road we made it to our first trailhead. Two miles round trip to see Phelps Lake. Madeleine was strapped in and ready to go.
Grand Teton is probably one of the most beautiful national parks I've been to. In comparison to Yellowstone there was hardly anyone there and it was far less commercialized. Look closely below and you'll see Jason, Isabelle and Madeleine making their way up the first mountain.
Isabelle was pretty proud to make it over numerous streams and rivers all by herself.

At the top of the mountain, overlooking Phelps Lake. We could have continued for the next 20 miles around the lake but that would really be pushing it.
Maddy was as conscientious as ever about not over-exerting herself.
After safely making it back to civilization we toured the visitors center and checked out some animal tracks, which came in handy when we got to Yellowstone.
Then it was on to our next destination - a boat ride across Jenny Lake! Maddy wasn't sure what to make of it...
...but Isabelle thought it was fantastic!
On the other side of the lake we hiked a couple more miles until we came to Hidden Falls.
Here we are at the rapids gushing down the mountain about a 1/2 mile from the falls.

We made it!
After riding the boat back to the other side we made one more trek up Signal Mountain and came to this jaw-droppingly beautiful view of the Teton Mountain range and Jackson Lake. The picture really doesn't show how gorgeous it was but it's definitely a must-see if you're near the area.
Of course all that hiking and clean mountain air made us pretty hungry so we stopped at this great wood-fired pizza place on the way out of the park. Isabelle and I shared a delicious appetizer of pita points and assorted tampenades. Yummy!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Cowboys for a Day...

...if cowboys start their day with a dip in the pool.

After several days of seeing the sights we all needed a day to sit back, relax and eat lunch by the pool.

Isabelle couldn't wait to dive in and practice her swimming skills.
Maddy preferred floating leisurely and letting Mommy do all the work.
In the splash zone Isabelle enjoyed giving herself a colonic.
Madeleine got out of the pool early and quickly managed to arrange herself comfortably, put on her shades...
...and partake in her favorite beverage.
After we'd sufficiently recuperated we headed over to the Bar J Chuckwagon, a working cattle ranch for dinner and a show. Isabelle was on the lookout for "real live cowboys" and she hit the jackpot.

Before dinner we had some time to explore the ranch and were able to taste some yummy biscuits straight from the kettle, cooked over the open fire. There was fresh honey too, which we eagerly slathered over our biscuits. All you parents out there have probably already realized that the honey stuck around for the remainder of the evening, finding its way onto clothes and into hair. You know, all the places it should be! Wagon ride!

Another bear sighting - this time Maddy got up close and personal. I believe she's discussing proper chin care in this picture.

Maddy also modeled the latest in coonskin fashion.
Finally it was time to eat. They loaded our tin plates with barbecue beef and chicken, fresh applesauce, a baked potato, baked beans, cornbread and spice cake - just like the real cowboys eat. As you can see, Isabelle didn't waste any time digging into that applesauce.
We were then treated to a cowboy concert...
...which made Madeleine very happy.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Jackson Hole Happenings

After a very good night's sleep we took a short drive (thank goodness) over Teton Pass to explore Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Our first stop was at a kitschy children's park that had a giant maze and an area where you could pan for gems. Isabelle had a great time in the maze, hunting for clues. Alas, we do not have pictures of this fun time because a certain adult in our group (hint: it is not the author of this blog) felt the need to race his daughter through the maze and taking pictures would have slowed him down. Congratulations Jas. You beat a five-year-old.

We do have pictures of our little treasure hunt though...



Off to downtown Jackson Hole where we encountered our first bear!
Isabelle begged to have her picture taken with this prince. How could I not oblige?
Lunchtime! Are you thinking what I'm thinking? - That's a whole lot of dead elk, especially when you consider these archways were scattered throughout the city. Does PETA know about this?
In the summertime on Snow King Mountain there is a wonderful miniature golf course with waterfalls, bridges and intriguing obstacles. We played a round while waiting for the big attraction to reopen after a possible storm blew over.
Luckily the sun came out and held off the electrical storm that was brewing in the mountains. Isabelle and Jason headed up the chair lift for a wild ride down the mountain on the alpine slide.

When we got back to the hotel we couldn't keep the girls away from the pool any longer.

Spaghetti dinner at home after a long, exciting day.

All cozy, watching So You Think You Can Dance in bed. What a treat for Isabelle!