The Long & Winding Road Ahead - Day 8
- Ash Collins
- Oct 7, 2020
- 5 min read
Much to our chagrin, the penultimate day of our road trip had arrived far quicker than we had anticipated. Tracey & I had feelings of great satisfaction as we reflected upon what we had witnessed during our first 7 days on the road. With that sentimental nonsense put behind us, we prepared to embark upon yet another spectacular day on the road as we plunged South towards the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
In keeping with our road trip MO to date, we got off the main highway at the first possible juncture to take full viewing opportunity of the landscape being offered before us. With that thought in mind, I swung a hard left onto Hwy. 89 heading South towards the Grand Tetons. Once again 'The Cowboy' state put on a magic vista show. The undulating landscape was full of colour from the yellows of the wheat & husks that appeared to link up with the azure blue sky at every turn. Farm buildings both new and dilapidated coupled with the sky high wheat silos towering above the landscape appeared, from certain angles, to punch holes through the clouds.
Just when we thought the view could not get any better we came up over the top of a hill along this well traveled road that revealed the Grand Teton mountain range in all its glory. The storms that hit Yellowstone with a vengeance the night before had also left their mark on the Teton peaks that were now covered in snow. Driving through places with names seemingly lifted from Lewis & Clark's exploration notes (Elk Ranch Flats, Moosehead Ranch, Cunningham's Cabin) we were fast approaching the Idaho / Wyoming border and The Tetons.
Getting in and out of the Dodge was becoming hazardous as the winds from the previous night's storm were blowing with such a force that I could barely push open the car door. Coupled with the winds was the ice cold that chilled me to the bone...clearly I had become soft after 6 years in The Bay areas balmy conditions. The Durango pushed on through the conditions and terrain getting ever so close to the base of the mountains along the road ahead. The closer we got, the evidence of last night's storm became abundantly clear; flattened trees and snapped branches, covered in snow, littered the scenic byway on both sides. Fortunately the road was clear and unimpeded by the debris scattered about the landscape. The line of vehicles ahead were ploughing a track as we climbed the long and winding road through the Tetons. Fortunately there were a number of areas to pull in to admire the impressively vivid views across the landscape below. Proceed with caution was my warning to one's self as the snow had quickly formed into ice making each step treacherous for the unassuming visitor. Of course there is one in every batch of tourists...a youngish lady jumped out from her RV and ran towards the lookout area. She took perhaps 5-6 steps before she went flying through the air, landing on her delicate derrière!!! As I composed myself post guffaw, I managed to snap some images from the lookout point.
Having reached the peak, we began to descend quickly to the valley below as we approached the entry point of the Grand Teton National Park. Before we arrived the park, we took a 30 minute pitstop at one of the many ski resorts surrounding the Jackson Hole area to re-charge the battery and stretch our legs. The Grand Teton Village seemed as good as anywhere with its vast ski season car park almost empty.
With batteries recharged and weighing in a little lighter in the pocket after a contribution to the local economy, we headed down the road to the National Park entrance. A large brown brimmed hat appeared from within the log cabin quickly followed by a waving hand attached to the lone ranger at the station. The news was not good...in fact the update he provided was down right 💩house!!! The storms that rolled through last night had created carnage on the ground that warranted the immediate closure of the park. Trees lay across the roads, active power lines were brought down and the roads were saturated / flooded from the driving rains that soaked the park. To say we were disappointed was an adumbration as a news event.
Hot headed and extremely disappointed we turned the Dodge around and headed back from whence we came. In lieu of the National Park we opted for the warmth and comfort of the room that awaited us in Jackson Hole. With no shower this morning our bitter disappointment swayed towards a sense of joy knowing that a hot 'Robbie Flower' and a change of clothes awaited us both.
I have a number of friends that have made the skiing pilgrimage to Jackson Hole...I can tell you all with absolute conviction that this place is no hole. The town is beautifully set in amongst the mountain ranges that provide a wonderful backdrop. As we headed up North Cache Street into the downtown area, a rather frightening ski run lie straight ahead...the prospect of strapping on the 180's and ploughing down this slope in a displaced wedge position did nothing for my unstable knees.
With my skiing days well n' truly in the rear vision mirror, we strolled around town. You wouldn't know the US was in the midst of a pandemic as there were tourists from cities all over the US. Having secured our dinner reservation at The Local Bar & Restaurant, we decided to visit a very popular destination opposite the town square...The Million Dollar Cowboy bar is an icon downtown and a must visit venue when in the Hole. As a result of its popularity punters must begin queuing 30 minutes before opening time to secure a seat in a saddle at the bar.
Whilst waiting patiently in the queue, a group of 4 people started up a conversation with people up front they had met 3 RV parks back. As the clock ticked over to 3pm, people were waved in, including the queue jumpers. Of course they claimed the last of the socially distant saddled seats at the bar...well they thought they had. Social distancing was thrown out the saloon doors as I went toe to toe with the unneighborly Nebraskan knob jockey! Suffice to say and based upon the civil laws of queuing, Trace and I claimed the saddles that were rightfully ours! With feet dangling in the stirrups, we put our money on the bar and ordered up a round of beers. All was right in the universe once again!
Given the early reservation for dinner we made the responsible decision to head back to the room for that long awaited 'David Gower' and costume change. I'm surprised the fire brigade didn't show up given the amount of steam pouring out of the bathroom after 2 x 30 minute sauna-like soaks. Refreshed and ready for a good old fashioned nosebag, we headed out to the restaurant. You can read all about the culinary experience in my prior post under the Food N' Drink banner...
Well that's it for Day 8...another days driving filled with highlights packages at every turn. Stay tuned for Day 9 and our final day on the road as we dropped further South into the Mormon capital of the world, Salt Lake City.
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