Westward Ho! Day 16 & 17 — Soul Stirring Views!
Wow, the last couple of days have been absolutely soul-stirring!
We hit the road from Salt Lake City, and the surprise gem of our drive was definitely Idaho! We were blown away by its beautiful mountains and streams. We pulled over in a little resort town and found a fantastic coffee truck. It was such a blessing to meet the owner and her son and try a "Raw Idaho Latte".
Soon after, we realized we were on parts of the old Oregon Trail! The kids had so much fun imagining the thousands of covered wagons that traveled the same valleys we were driving through. Entering Wyoming, the landscape changed again, this time to the breathtaking Teton Valley along the Snake River. We drove through Jackson, past the iconic antler arches, and into Grand Teton National Park, spotting a herd of bison on our way to the Colter Bay campground. This park is already a favorite! We ended the day
watching the sun go down over a snow-capped Teton range, reflected in Jackson Lake.
Day 17: Living the Teton Dream
Waking up to the smell of buttermilk pancakes, farm-fresh eggs, and coffee with the Tetons out our window is glorious. After a hearty breakfast, we headed out to get the kids their next Junior Ranger books and pick up our traditional park magnet and Christmas ornament. We then hiked out to a beautiful island on Jackson Lake for lunch. While we were eating, Caleb spotted a huge waterfall and cascade across the lake, roaring with recent snowmelt—an incredible sight from miles away!
Later, Caleb and the kids took a "polar plunge" in the freezing lake, a shivering but refreshing adventure. The boys finished the day as they do best: building an impressive camp in the trees near our site, their creativity and energy a constant joy to watch.
These two days have been filled with simple joys & awe-inspiring beauty in God's country. It feels like every park is becoming our new favorite!
