I drove Sunday AM to Jackson Hole via Yellowstone. I continue to have absolutely gorgeous weather--crystal clear although crisp in the mornings. I meet up with Paul at the Jackson Hole airport this afternoon and don't expect to have internet service at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Ride from Cody to Jackson is over 3 hours driving time[not the 5 hours presented by the hotel clerk in Cody].
Yellowstone is all it is claimed to be. Geysers spouting forth over the lake, water falls, buffalo walking along right off the road [no sign of aggressive activity]. I had wondered how the buffalo managed to move about in the Black Hills since I had thought of them as animals of the open plains but they manage just fine, moving a bit like a very large horse. Picture below has two buffalo in it -- the two dark lumps on either side of the tree.
The park is very quiet with many sections closed -- last week for lodging in Yellowstone until Christmas. I am looking forward to exploring more of it with Paul.
The road to Jackson through the Grand Teton National Park is spectacular. Nearly all of the park is completely closed to visitors as of Columbus Day. Will see more of it with Paul today as we head north.
Jackson, described to me as the town of billionaires by the hotel clerk in Cody, certainly seems extremely well to do. This is a lull in the season at Jackson - summer tourists have left and it is too early for the skiiers. Highest mountain tops are snow covered.I have seen numerous Audi's -- including 2 wagons just like my own.
The Best Western here even had a bell man available to carry my luggage. Most plush hotel room so far but not the most expensive. Rooms have decor of Elk antlers [town theme].
Had late lunch at the local sports bar next door to the hotel -- NFL ticket has lots of fans, all watching the NE -Dallas game. Next store was a ritzy grocery complete with lots of prepared deluxe foods available to non-cooks. The town is loaded with art galleries and expensive shops. New York Times for sale at the local book store for $6.50 but was the Sunday edition. Luxuries like the pet grooming van which comes to your home along with the magician van for kids parties are signs of $$. Nearly all the 'for sale' properties are 7 figures in the real estate window. There is housing that is more affordable-- apartments and trailers. Workers seem to be all kinds but include Eastern Europeans and hispanics [local Catholic Church has both a Spanish Mass on Sunday and an hispanic ministry].
Local hospital [must serve a huge radius] has large orthopedic section - evidently to handle all the skiing injuries as well as the usual hiking incidents. Ski season opens December 1.
Jackson is a former elk winter pasture [town has replaced 2/3rds of elk space]. Elk were out in full force when I drove by the Nat'l Elk preserve just north of town. I just missed the annual elk hunting on the preserve, open to 12-17 year olds by lottery.
6 comments:
Kath
The descriptions of the west are great. I hope Paul and you can work out the photography issue. Pictures would add to the story.(the story is already good but your selected photo shots would be an added relish).
There is a help section I found on Blogger.com. It does have a step by step protocol listed. If the problem is with the camera then a replacement might be a thought.
Kath, this is the first time that I logged onto your blog. A little bit complicated here in china because everything has to go through a google blog filter. No matter, i finally figured out what to do. Sounds like a great trip you are having and reminds me of some trips that i took driving across america. I like tims idea about pictures and i bet alan can get you set up for pictures. Are you listening to Rush Limbaugh every day. charlie
I agree, I would like to see some pictures so have Paul give you a lesson. I'm curious if the buffalo herd you've been seeing is part of Ted Turner's stock-he's suppose to have the largest herd of buffalos in the world(whatever that means)
okay, Kathleen, repeat after me...I will not decorate with elk antlers...I will not decorate with elk antlers....
I read that Ted Turner owns 13 ranches in 7 states--altogether 1.7 million acres of land--across the Great Plains. Sources vary on the number of buffalo he has--one states 24,000 and another 42,000. He reportedly has 4,900 head of buffalo on his 113,000 acre ranch, the Flying D, located outside Bozeman, Montana on the way to Yellowstone...and 49 restaurants across the U.S. that serve buffalo meat with plans to double that #...
Paul figured out my picture problem in 3 seconds [sad but true]. No internet service at Yellowstone so he is working on posting photos as he watches the ball game.
Ted Turner hasn't been mentioned -- the buffalo so far have been in Yellowstone. I don't think he has been able to buy that, yet.
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