Rainbow Hill Farm

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park

After saying our good-byes to Kate, Kenny, Jake, Aaron & Sophie and looping into Idaho, we went back to Jenny Lake. G wanted to go kayaking, and even though the Witte party of 10 was in front of them, they got a kayak pretty quickly. There was a fairly brisk wind and some choppy water, but that didn't deter them. They had a great time.

Heading out

It was amazing how quickly they were dwarfed by the mountains

Posing for Mom

My Own Private Idaho

G's goal is to visit all the states. We added another to her list this trip: Idaho. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision when we got to Jackson, Wyoming, and realized how close we were. We took Route 22, a switchback road with a 10% grade, into Idaho, then turned around and came back.

Looking back on Jackson from a pass on Route 22

G touches ground in Idaho

Gastronomic Notes

During this trip, I learned that national parks cater to a certain kind of people. There were more Priuses and Muranos per square mile than any place I have ever visited. Consequently, you can get just about anything with an "organic" label slapped on it. (Organic elk jerky? Anyone? Anyone?) At a pitstop in the Tetons, I encountered my first "Certified Organic Soda." To me, initially anyway, organic soda seemed right up there with organic Cheetos ... if you are putting crap in your body, what makes the difference? But the fact that "Blue Sky Black Cherry Cherish Certified Organic Soda" was made with cane sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup pushed me to dole out the extra shekels for a can. (Anyone who has ever had Kosher Coke versus Everyday Coke knows what I am talking about here ... What can I say?)

You will not be sorry if you visit these restaurants if you ever find yourself in the area:

Los Sombreros in Mitchell, South Dakota. After several stops, I say: Best. Mexican. Food. Ever. Try the Laredo Chicken

Chippy's in Wilson, Wyoming. Gourmet food in a town so small that if you blink you will miss it. Joy-inducing vegetable paninis

The Traveling Sheepshead Show

Guess it's not just a Wisconsin thing ...

In the car (with "Bendy")

In a tent

At a picnic table

Late at night

Before breakfast

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Last year we fell in love with the Grand Tetons, so we decided this year we had to stay for at least three days. We stayed in tent cabins (two wooden walls, two canvas walls and a canvas roof) at Colter Bay. By luck of the draw, we got a site with an amazing view. We could have stayed here for weeks more!

Exterior of tent cabin; G, Jake and Aaron eating sloppy joes by the firepit

Aaron & G test out the bunks

View from our site: full moon setting over the Tetons

G, Dan & Aaron, early morning, Jackson Lake

Blue relaxing

Kate at Jenny Lake

Dan, Jake, Aaron & G on a hike to Inspiration Point at Jenny Lake

The last group shot!

Ten Sleep, Wyoming

Ten Sleep figures prominently in Dan's family's lore. They camped there when he was a kid, and his brother Jamer and family rediscovered it on a trip in 1996. Kate & Kenny & Co. make it a stop in both directions during their annual visit if they can, because of its stunning scenery and great swimming. The place gets its name from the fact that it was 10 days (sleeps) from major Great Sioux encampments to the north and south.

The rain from Powder River Pass caught up with us while we were in town at "Dirty Sally's." We'd already set up camp, so there was no pushing on to Thermopolis. G had a blast in spite of the rain. I woke up with cold, wet feet because the rain had puddled between the tent and the tarp right under me. Obviously I lived to tell the tale.

Campsite at Ten Sleep

The view of the canyon from our campsite

Leigh Creek from our campsite

Jake, you know what the caption is for this! :)

The camp host recommended a new swimming hole on Ten Sleep Creek. It was a hit with everyone!

Group shot!

Monday, August 6, 2007

Powder River Pass, Wyoming

On our way to Ten Sleep from the Black Hills, we had to go through Powder River Pass, elevation 9,666 feet. When we left Grizzly Creek it was sunny and in the lower 80s; we watched the temperature plummet as we made our way through the Bighorns, and by the time we reached the summit, it was 48 degrees and raining. I was doing cartwheels (figuratively anyway) because I figured we could skip camping at Ten Sleep and head right for the hot springs and the Best Western in Thermopolis. It was not to be. As we made our descent, the sun came out and it was back up to 86. Pit toilets were in my future once again.

Grizzly Creek, South Dakota

Despite having only pit toilets, Grizzly Creek (south of Rapid City, a mile from Mount Rushmore) was beautiful. It is one of the quietest places I've ever been ... so when some early Sturgis-goer rode through the pass blaring Journey's "Send Her My Love," it echoed weirdly through the area.

G & Sophie scope out the campsite

G setting up the sleeping quarters

Our campsite

Firestarters!

What's camping without s'mores?

Jake, G & Aaron at the Rushmore lighting ceremony

Group shot!

Palisades State Park, South Dakota

The first stop on our trip was Palisades State Park, which is a beautiful spot just over the Minnesota border. The very large, drunk men who were tent camping next to Kate & Kenny's cabin were pretending to be Australian (although their accents and vocab seemed more Cockney to me), greeting anyone who appeared in their sight line with a hearty "Hi Neighbor!" It was annoying the first 20 times, but by the time we left, it was pretty funny.

G on our cabin deck

Kate & D and the breakfast setup

Swimming in Split Rock Creek

G, on a split rock

Saturday, August 4, 2007

We're Back!

We've just returned from our 10-day odyssey out to the Tetons and back. More details after we've imposed some cosmos on the the chaos. Here's an idea of what it was like ...