Wonderful Wyoming!

It won't be long now until our European trip and we're so excited! Cooking class, tour of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and then on with our Foodie fest to Cartagena, Lisbon, Amsterdam and Copenhagen - eating our way through the Adventure. Oh, and did I mention a E-bike trip through Gibraltar - that's supposed to help wear off some of the many calories we've consumed along the way.

But before we head overseas, we've taken a few trips up to Jackson, Wyoming. Not too far from where we live in Pinedale, WY and an exceptionally beautiful drive through the canyon this time of year. As long as there aren't any avalanches to block the pass. For your viewing pleasure - here's some of the awesome scenery along the way.

The post along the right hand side of the road with the reflector on top just shows how high the snow can get through the pass. Not much this year but it's unusual!

On our way we pass through the small ranching community of Bondurant, WY. These ranch homes will be nestled in snow until the early summer months but isn't it truly a beautiful location?! Imagine waking up each morning with the view of these incredible mountain peaks or watching the moose in the area graze through the willows in the streams in the foreground. My kind of secluded winter spot.

Next, we come to the fun part - avalanche risk which can easily and sometimes does close the mountain pass. This can be a problem for us in winter since we don't have a hospital in our county and have to get to Jackson, WY for urgent medical care. If the pass is closed, a flight might be the only option. But when mother nature cooperates this is the most beautiful of views, the highway carves it's way through the mountain pass along the snowy stream. The water can be either open and flowing with snow melt or stacked high with icy glacier-like chunks along the way. You have to really crane your neck to see to the top of the slopes. No stopping or parking along this route - just in case an avalanche decides to interrupt your stay!

Then, just before getting to Jackson, WY, you find these veiled mountains. The clouds only accentuate the height and beauty of the mountain peaks that seem to extend forever skyward.

And then we arrive at our final destination - Jackson, Wyoming. Marked in its own unique way with the antler "sculptures" that are erected on all for corners of the downtown park. It was unusual to get this photo with no standing below the antlers posing for their photo shoot!
We stayed at the brand new CLOUDVEIL hotel which was exceptional well suited to this mountain town.

This warm welcoming lobby! With all you'd expect in this high class mountain lodge.

Behind the registration desk and on each of the floor hallways are screen with breath-taking images of the local mountains, lakes and valley. And the screens in the hallway show a variety of the local wildlife .. no not the cowboys ... the fox, elk, bear, bison .....
If you're planning a trip to Jackson, first check the weather forecast, then next reserve your stay at the Cloudveil - you won't be disappointed!