Jackson Hole Day 1 - The adventure begins!

Aerial view of somewhere over North America on the way to Denver
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Pretty uneventful start and that's really what you want on vacation, isn't it? Our flight wasn't full and I was lucky to get a window seat and Mel was happy to have his aisle. I kept my camera out and got what I hope will be some interesting aerial shots. Check one out.  As we were crossing the Rockies-still covered in snow in June- I couldn't help but wonder how people had the where with all to actually cross them. What kind of determination and hope they must've had. I don't think I would've been one of those people. It makes perfect sense to me why some people stayed in Denver. As I am writing this, though, I am thinking how much they missed out on by not going all the way to the sea! And how daunting to cross all that desert to get there! How did they ever figure out how to make it all happen?

Jackson airport
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The Jackson airport is quaint and small.  Think Santa Barbara airport.  Where they practically hand you your luggage right off the plane.  We got our luggage faster than we got our rental car.  They had signs posted on the carts "Please return to the luggage claim area when you are done." No charge, no bag check guys.  It smells like fresh cut grass here - and looks like it too.  Everything is so green.  We stopped to take a couple of photos of the airport and its proximity to the Tetons.  People leaving the parking lot actually stopped while we took photos so they wouldn't cross in front of us!  Amazing!  Just makes you want to be nice to everyone.  Less than half a mile from the airport we see our first buffalo and antelope!

Travelers cross Rockies and live to tell about it!

Buffalo!
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As we drive in to Jackson, population approx 8600, we are greeted by a sign "Dairy Queen is now hiring."  Hmmm.  Good to know.  At the stop light we see an old red van with a sign taped to it "Cowboy Cab" and a phone number.  Also good to know.  But scary.  Our hotel is great - although we were a little scared when we pulled in.  We thought some serious photoshopping had been done on the website photos.  Our "condominium suite" is probably pushing 1000 sq ft., full kitchen, fireplace, 2 bathrooms and closets.  Very nice set up.  Much better than the internet photos.  We scoped out the town, and after nixing a couple of pricey restaurants (steaks starting at $35) got some dinner at Bubba's BBQ - great food and service (very important!) - and good value.  Got buttermilk pie for dessert - kind of like a custard, but not.  It was OK.  Started to sprinkle on the way back.  We're really tired and hoping to sleep well.  An early day tomorrow as we hit Yellowstone.  Stay tuned!