Going to Jackson...

The town of Jackson is about 45 minutes south of us... assuming there are no bear, moose, or bison jams along the way. Traffic was light when we left the Colter Bay area. Even though we've made this drive every week, the view still takes my breath away.

The clouds added to the dramatic look of the mountains, and the colors have started their seasonal change. Some of the low brush has turned brown, there is just the start of yellow in the aspen trees.


Traffic was very light in Jackson, the first that we've seen it that way this season. We found a parking spot along the square and walked around; first to the bank, then past shops and galleries, making our way to the Cadillac Grill. Lunch was a big ol' Billy Burger for me and an elk meatloaf sandwich for Joan... both very tasty.

The photo above shows just one block along the square, with the Snow King ski area in the background. We walked around town a bit more before making our weekly trek to Smith's for groceries and supplies.

Jackson has made our stay here easy: good places to eat, two big grocery stores, a couple hardware stores, K-Mart. In years past, we have taken in all the t-shirt shops, art galleries, trinket shops, and white water raft ride guides. This year, it has been more as a re-supply stop and a weekly get away. It is most definitely a tourist destination, but it has been our nearest town this summer.

When we first came here in the 70s, Jackson was much smaller... a few little tourist shops around the square, one photo/art gallery, and my favorite: a guy who made hand routered signs. Since that time, Jackson has been "discovered"... the wealthy have second homes here, property prices have skyrocketed, there are many art galleries and upscale boutiques. It still gravitates towards the name Jackson Hole (actually the name of the entire valley)... it sounds more old West romantic, I guess.

Besides being a big summer destination (and the gateway to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone), Jackson is a major winter destination, with 3 ski areas nearby: Snow King (as pictured above) right in town, Jackson Hole Ski Area (at nearby Teton Village), and Grand Targee (on the other side of the Tetons).

For us, the Tetons have been the real draw here, but Jackson is our nearest town... and has helped to make our seasonal stay here much more "civilized."