WEDNESDAY
Since it is about a 4½ hour drive, we decided to break things up for the kids and stop at Bear World in Rexburg. We drove through the park and saw elk (including a rare white elk), deer, turkeys, and (of course) bears. Lots and lots of bears.
Then we got out of the car and the twins rode 5 or rides that were very age appropriate. Lexi could only watch.
Brayden talked and talked about riding two trains. One was actually a roller coaster, but he could not be convinced that it wasn’t a train. Makenzie really liked “going up in the big tree that went ‘CHHHHTTT’ when it went down.” Brayden squealed with delight—or according to Andy, “screamed like a girl”—when they dropped.
There was also a pretty cool petting zoo at Bear World. It had chickens, mountain goats, pigs, deer, ducks, etc. Brayden didn’t really like the deer, however, because they were trying to nuzzle or lick him. He kept yelling, "NO! Don't eat me!"
We woke up to beautiful blue skies and enjoyed panoramic views of the Jackson valley from our condo in Teton Village. Brayden especially enjoyed watching the hot air balloons ascending into the sky. (I wish I would have taken a picture of that!) We knew the nice weather wasn’t going to last long and headed into the park hoping to get a quick hike in before the rain came.
We took the ferry across Jenny Lake and hiked the ½ mile to Hidden Falls.
We were hoping to make it up to Inspiration point as well, but it started raining while we were eating our lunch. Andy pulled out ponchos for us and then showed off his mad MacGyver skills by fashioning some for the twins using a pocket knife and two kitchen size trash bags! We got a lot smiles and compliments on them.
It was an adventure high-tailing it down the mountain and riding the boat back across the lake in the rain.
After that we headed to Jackson Hole where we had pizza for dinner. Makenzie later told us that eating pizza was her favorite part of the trip. Seriously?! It was good, but not that good.
THURSDAY
We woke up to beautiful blue skies and enjoyed panoramic views of the Jackson valley from our condo in Teton Village. Brayden especially enjoyed watching the hot air balloons ascending into the sky. (I wish I would have taken a picture of that!) We knew the nice weather wasn’t going to last long and headed into the park hoping to get a quick hike in before the rain came.
The view of the Tetons at 9:45 am.
We took the ferry across Jenny Lake and hiked the ½ mile to Hidden Falls.
We were hoping to make it up to Inspiration point as well, but it started raining while we were eating our lunch. Andy pulled out ponchos for us and then showed off his mad MacGyver skills by fashioning some for the twins using a pocket knife and two kitchen size trash bags! We got a lot smiles and compliments on them.It was an adventure high-tailing it down the mountain and riding the boat back across the lake in the rain.The view of the Tetons from the back of our boat at 11:45 am.
It rained the rest of the day. :(
FRIDAY
We woke up to snow on the mountain just above us! We had been checking the weather constantly hoping that the rain would clear up. The forecast was for the showers to move out by 2 pm. So we drove to the other side of the park to have lunch and hike around Colter Bay. Unfortunately, the forecast was wrong. Many rounds of Rain, Rain, Go Away! were sung, to no avail. Our sense of adventure was gone. But we decided to get out and make the best of it anyway. The kids were very excited to try and fill up the lake with rocks, but their hands got too cold too quickly. So the mittens went back on and we kept walking.
Then, as any child would, Brayden and Makenzie decided that it was more fun to walk through the puddles instead of around them. By the time we got back to the car they were soaking wet from their toes up to their knees. Oh well, from the smiles on their faces I’d say they still had fun.
Our last day in the park boasted beautiful blue skies and a view of the mountains that we hadn’t seen in two days.
Our agenda for the day included a moderate, 4-mile hike on the Taggert Lake trail and a long, 374-mile drive home. It was 1.6 miles to the lake and the twins walked the entire way!
It rained the rest of the day. :(
FRIDAY
We woke up to snow on the mountain just above us! We had been checking the weather constantly hoping that the rain would clear up. The forecast was for the showers to move out by 2 pm. So we drove to the other side of the park to have lunch and hike around Colter Bay. Unfortunately, the forecast was wrong. Many rounds of Rain, Rain, Go Away! were sung, to no avail. Our sense of adventure was gone. But we decided to get out and make the best of it anyway. The kids were very excited to try and fill up the lake with rocks, but their hands got too cold too quickly. So the mittens went back on and we kept walking.
The trail was very pretty, even in the rain.
The views across the lake weren’t bad, but would have been spectacular if it wasn’t for the clouds and the mist.
Then, as any child would, Brayden and Makenzie decided that it was more fun to walk through the puddles instead of around them. By the time we got back to the car they were soaking wet from their toes up to their knees. Oh well, from the smiles on their faces I’d say they still had fun.SATURDAY
Enjoying the views from our condo one last time.
Our last day in the park boasted beautiful blue skies and a view of the mountains that we hadn’t seen in two days.
Our agenda for the day included a moderate, 4-mile hike on the Taggert Lake trail and a long, 374-mile drive home. It was 1.6 miles to the lake and the twins walked the entire way!
On the way up the trail we encountered a large pile of horse crap. Makenzie yelled, "Eeeew! Look at the horse crap. Uncle Brad needs to clean that up!" I'm not sure why that is Uncle Brad's job, but if your reading this Brad, please take care of that steaming pile ASAP!
We stopped for lunch at the lake where, as Makenzie is pointing out, two of our furry friends tried to join us.
Almost a nice family photo. . .if only my eyes were open and I didn't look like such a dork.
Lexi was a happy hiker! She LOVED every minute of it.
Brayden had a great time too.
The loop back around to the trailhead was 2.4 miles. We started off with Makenzie in the backpack and Brayden walking and planned to switch them out every 30 minutes or so. But Brayden fell asleep in the pack and Makenzie got tired of walking. Andy had Lexi on his back and carried Kenzie on the Daddy express for a while, but soon only the Mommy train would do. So this is how I finished off the hike. Now that was a work out!
Almost a nice family photo. . .if only my eyes were open and I didn't look like such a dork.
Lexi was a happy hiker! She LOVED every minute of it.
Brayden had a great time too.
The loop back around to the trailhead was 2.4 miles. We started off with Makenzie in the backpack and Brayden walking and planned to switch them out every 30 minutes or so. But Brayden fell asleep in the pack and Makenzie got tired of walking. Andy had Lexi on his back and carried Kenzie on the Daddy express for a while, but soon only the Mommy train would do. So this is how I finished off the hike. Now that was a work out!
It was sad to leave, but I was definately ready to sit down and trade my hiking boots for flip-flops!
