Driving through Jackson Hole

Yesterday we slept in a bit at the Yellowstone campground, and around 10AM set off to drive through Yellowstone some more. We actually thought it was 11, because we are having some issues with technology/the time zone changes :) 

We did the northern loop through Yellowstone, driving past some beautiful water falls, hot springs, and a herd of bison! Taking our time, we stopped occasionally to check things out (one time we even walked around a hot spring for 20 minutes!).

Eric in front of a currently dry hot spring area- white from salt deposit!

Eventually, we made our way out of Yellowstone around 2. We took the southern wyoming exit and started following a route from our "Scenic Drive of America" book, through Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole.

This was by far the most beautiful drive yet. At one point, after driving through wooded mountains for some time, we suddenly came upon a clearing at a huge lake. (Jackson Lake). This view was breathtaking. Out beyond the lake are the huge Teton Mountains, massive  and snow topped. Again, we were enjoying another fantastically sunny, blue-sky day, so the overall effect was just mind-blowing. The pictures below hardly do justice to the actual sight. 

After taking this in for a while, we continued our drive down through Wyoming. The mountains were around us the entire time. We went through the town of Jackson, which is a very cute town that is probably a great resort type place in the winter for skiing! Eric was obsessed with Jackson and already began planning his next vacation back. Don't worry- there is an airport there too!

We continued driving down through the mountains of Wyoming. The mountains gradually got a bit smaller, and we entered a primarily farming area, with some random cool houses on a few mountainsides. After driving through a lot of tiny towns, (like Smoot, Wyoming: population 100) we eventually crossed into Idaho.

This picture was taken for us by a family of lost Swiss tourists.

Right inside Idaho, we were stopped for a long time due to construction. The guitar came out to help pass the time. Being about 6:30, we were definitely ready to stop for the day. We finally made our way to a KOA in Montpelier, Idaho. This campsite is much smaller than Yellowstone's, and basically in the middle of potato fields. But we pitched our tent, and then drove into the actual town of Montpelier to have dinner at a place called "Ranch Hands". By this time it was 8:30 and we were ravenous. Luckily, the food was good :)

Not really tired by the time we were back and it had gotten dark- we listened to the first six chapters of Harry Potter, book four. (The Goblet of Fire!) We are slightly obsessed. 

This morning, we pulled our car over to the vacant campsite we were really supposed to be in last night (except the campsite owner, Stewart, had put us out on the edge of the site, apparently wanting us far away?? haha) Anyway, this site has a hookup, so we are charging up my laptop, ipod, and other various electronics. 

Oh yeah, on a side note, apparently my hair-dryer is broken. Cool.

So after we charge up a bit more, we'll be heading out of here to Salt Lake City, Utah. We need to get an oil change! (It's been almost 3,000 miles!) Then we'll continue driving along a scenic route from our book, and we'll be camping in Green River, Utah tonight. 

xox

Laura and Eric

Stats:

Total miles driven so far: 2,914

Most expensive gas: $4.69

Harry Potter books listened to: 3

Actual meals eaten in the past 4 days: 5

Bears spotted: almost one

Most states in one day: 3

Giga-bites of pictures taken by Laura: 1 googleplex.

Best town name: Smoot, WY