After driving five hours from Utah, we immediately got out of the car and began our first hike around Taggart Lake. Those mountains were our background as we began our trek to the lake.
It was about a four-mile loop and the kids started out in high spirits as we crossed bridges, examined wildflowers and waterfalls.
I was in heaven. I mean, the views were incredible.
We also walked through a part of the woods that must have had a fire at some point. It made for a mystical atmosphere and we came up with stories of what magical creatures we thought might live in this section of the woods.
We made it to the lake and we could have played there for much longer than we had time for.
It felt good to dip our toes in the water and cool down after hiking in the hot afternoon sun.
And it was so picturesque with the high peaks in the background.
The water was green and clear and we all wished we had time for a swim, but we had to get back to check into our hotel and we had a fun dinner planned. We also knew that we would be visiting more lakes the next day.
I think after the fun at the lake, the excitement of hiking wore off for Kendrick and he spent the next two miles whining incessantly.
In his defense, less shade and peak sun during the middle of his nap time can't be good, and it did seem like a rather long two miles getting back to the car. At least the bears all knew we were coming and could keep their distance because boy was he loud, whining and complaining, and it was a struggle to keep those little legs going.
Eventually, we made it back to the car and checked into a fun little place in Jackson Hole called The Hostel. Basically, you have your own room and bathroom, but everything else is communal. They have a living area with games and a fridge and microwave and a tv. We didn't really have time to use the living area, but it worked out great for us since we just needed beds for a night.
After washing up and dropping off our stuff, we headed out to try dinner at Bar J Chuckwagon. They promised an authentic BBQ dinner with a great show and the reviews were good.
We enjoyed a train ride and other small activities while we waited for dinner to be served.
The dinner was everything promised, big and hearty, delicious and nostalgic. There's something fun about drinking lemonade out of a tin cup.
When the fiddles first started my kids weren't sure about the show, and as the temperatures dropped I wasn't either. But then the performances really started and we were blown away!
So much skill with the fiddle, yodeling, and silly jokes. The kids talked about the show for the rest of the night. I loved how they could appreciate true entertainment with live talent and musicians. Really, it was impressive.
We were done late at Bar J and basically collapsed exhausted into bed when we got back to the hostel. Ivy settled right in her bed with her characteristic burp rag over her eyes.
We set out first thing to Jenny Lake the next morning. We knew that this is a high trafficked area and that it gets crowded early so we hurried to beat the crowds.
Despite our busy day before, the kids were in high spirits and ready for more adventures in the Teton Mountains.
To get to the hikes on the other side of Jenny Lake, you have to take a boat ferry ride across the water. We all looked forward to a fun boat ride, but unfortunately, Ivy was terrified of the boat and screamed the entire time, making it miserable for everyone on board.
I felt bad for everyone trying to enjoy their experience crossing the lake, but there was nothing I could do to get her to stop crying. Luckily the boat ride is only about ten minutes.
Once we were on dry ground, Ivy stopped crying and we began our hike to Hidden Falls.
They had some cool steps carved out of the rock and a pretty river and smaller waterfalls as we trekked to the big falls.
On the way up to the falls, an animal was spotted on the mountainside, high up. You'd never see it in this picture because it blends in the rocks, but we spent a little while watching it move around on the hillside. I still have no idea what kind of animal it was.
Hidden Falls is a big and rugged waterfall. You can't tell from the picture, but it is pretty impressive.
We continued higher up after Hidden Falls to Inspiration Point which provides views of the valley.
Oh, those rocky mountains were so fun to explore. My happy place!
My heart skipped a couple beats on some of the rocky ledges, especially with eight-year-old Ammon a-hop-skippin' around without a care in the world.
At the top Kendrick asked me to take his picture after he climbed "a mountain."
I'm surprised Lydia didn't get a nosebleed just from the high elevation.
The views were spectacular.
More waterfall views on the way back down and another boat trip back across the lake with a screaming Ivy.
We took a break from hiking to eat lunch and play at String Lake.
Unfortunately, it was much cooler our second day in the Tetons and it wasn't quite the swimming weather we would have liked. However, Brigham and the kids were undeterred.
Kendrick "walked in the water but did not swim" with Lydia while Ivy splashed herself to soaking.
Ammon caught a frog and nearly tortured the thing to death until I finally insisted he let it go find some peace.
And Brigham swam across the lake and froze to death. He was happy to get his swim time despite the cold.
Once we toweled off and changed, we drove on to visit Colter Bay. Half the kids were asleep in the car so it ended up being a shorter visit. I checked out the visitor's center with those who were awake while Brigham snoozed with the sleeping kids in the car.
And then we were off driving to our house we were staying at for our trip to Yellowstone. That drive was looooong and windy, but we did get to see elk and a moose.
How I treasured that little trip with my family in the great outdoors. It rejuvenates my soul and it brings us closer, working and playing together. The Tetons are magnificent and I'm so glad we explored what we could of them. I felt like John Smith in the cartoon version of Pocahontas as he sings, "All of my life I have searched for a land like this one. A wilder, more challenging country I couldn't design." He's swinging over waterfalls and jumping from boulders to logs with giant mountains and cliffs behind him as he sings and that's what the Tetons remind me of. I don't know that we really needed more than the day and a half we spent there, but there were a couple areas we didn't see so who knows. What I do know is that we really enjoyed our time there.
Up next is the final stage - our family trip to Yellowstone!
