Jackson Hole, Wyoming, United States
Motel 6, 600 South U.S. 89, Jackson, WY 83001, USA
Even though I was up fairly early - 6:38 am, I didn't manage to leave the motel until almost 9 am. Then I stopped for gas and supposedly cleaned my windshield, but I noticed later that the back window had major streaks and missed spots. But I did buy wome windex spray today.
I had debated on my route to Jackson Hole but when I checked Mapquest and Waze and they both opted for the shortcut, I decided to chance it. It turned out to be gorgeous and, even though it was over at least one mountain pass, windy and hilly, it wasn't so bad and there was a flat stretch before I hit Teton Pass. While still in Idaho, I took photos of the Upper Snake River and the gloriously brilliant cottonwoods. I do love those cottonwoods - they shimmer and shine. I wish I could capture their magic. I stopped on top of the Teton Pass and took some photos. It would have been nice to take a hike on the trail and climb up for a better view but by then it was probably close to 1 pm and the original ETA was 11:30 am since it really wasn't that far.
Once I got to Jackson Hole, I went directly to a visitor center giving info on both Grand Teton and Yellowstone NPs. The fellow was very informative and helpful but somewhat disdainful. I had thought that demand for the parks and accommodation would drop off precipitously after Labor Day. Indeed, I did get into Glacier NP's Road to the Sun without a reservation, and maybe hotels seemed less fully booked, but he gave me the impression that everything was booked. He told me my first order of business was to find a place to lay my head this evening....asap, so I booked the cheapest place I could find - Motel 6 - at over $200 per night. I opted for only one. He gave me some tips on driving the loop of the Grand Teton NP and warned me of the size of Yellowstone and the extra time it would take to see even a bit of it. As far as accommodations, campgrounds he said were booked in the parks and the only place to stay would be West Yellowstone. After looking at the map and getting further info from a ranger at the Grand Teton Visitor Center, I decided to do as much of the west loop of Grand Teton today and the rest tomorrow and then drive to West Yellowstone where I booked a room just now before starting to blog.
I staved off my hunger with some chips from the big bag, some cucumber gatorade, and a few swallows of this morning's coffee. Gourmet repast! I was hoping for a nice dinner but there don't seem to be any restaurants near Motel 6.
I looked for the Subway that was supposed to be close, but it was already dark, so I went in and got some deli food from Albertson's supermarket. I was saving my cheese and crackers for camping should I have been able to do it tomorrow night - which I will not.
Anyway, I stopped at the visitor center briefly, then headed up the loop road and stopped at turnoffs as I gazed awe at the Tetons. They are truly awe-inspiring - masses of rock, just kind of sitting there on the plain. My jaw dropped the first time I glanced to my left and saw them there. Then I stopped at the South Jenny Lake stop and the North Jenny Lake stop where I took a loop road and missed the Jenny Lake Lodge - not huge like some of the park lodges but rustic- looking. I made a stop at the Jackson River Dam and the Oxbow overlook where I saw some ducks and more of those luminous cottonwoods along the river. I also stopped to check out the chapel of the Sacred Heart. When I came back from taking photos of the rocky beach and the lake - not sure which one - a couple asked me if I saw the coyote.
Coyote?? No, I guess I hadn't seen it. I looked. Then looked again where they indicated and I saw this fluffy white and light brown animal. I will say she - she looked like a very healthy and satisfied animal as she lay sunning herself in the late afternoon sunshine. It was just about 5:30 pm then. The ranger had told me that it gets dark at 7:30 pm and I know yesterday was light at 7 pm, but I felt 5:30 was definitely turnaround time for me. I stopped a few more times to try to get some photos of the Tetons in the setting sun. Since I was east of them, I was not expecting much but it would be all I could get at this time and place.
I put the name of Motel 6 in the GPS and got there without much problem. It seemed to be on the outskirts of town....on the south side...but not too far and I got there by 7 pm and I am glad it was no later because by the time I went in search of food, I needed my phone flashlight to get back to the motel. Now I have eaten dinner, blogged, gotten my stuff sorted and only need to upload the Nikon and try to get to bed early. I was feeling a bit chilly in my room even with the heat on. I need to bring in some clothes for tomorrow but stupidly am putting it off until the morning when they will have spent a cold night in the car. Luckily I have my beret, gloves and down vest inside with me.
2025-05-22