Yeah, I'm goin' to Jackson.....

Ahh how Johnny Cash was ringing in our ears as we headed south from Yellowstone... "Yeah, I'm goin' to Jackson....." Well it was ringing in Mark's ears as I was singing the only one or two lines I knew...

As you leave Yellowstone through the south entrance, you enter straight into Teton National Park. The Tetons are a much more rugged range of mountains and very spectacular.

Its hard to gauge here but we are mostly around 7,000 ft above sea level and Grand Teton Mtn is over 13,000 ft. Big! Again every possible thing that could be open, was shut for the season. It seems they have distinct summer and winter seasons with breaks of 2 months twice a year when it is deadsville.

It meant we got through the area faster than expected and were at Jackson Hole mountain resort for lunch.

Thank goodness there were places open. We chose the Snake River Resort and Spa for a drink and lunch.

We had the most delicious burgers. Marks cheese is gorgonzola in case you are wondering. My coleslaw had a light balsamic dressing instead of creamy mayo type. Mark was regretting his choice of fries once he tasted it. But I shared!

After lunch I decided to hang with the bears on the front drive. We checked in to our hotel in Jackson town around 2pm and used the time for laundry and reading before a planned night out.

I had read of the Stagecoach Bar and that they have had the same band play every Sunday night for the past 40 odd years. No doubt some members have changed but one old guy looked like he was an original member. He was so great on the banjo and yodelling and singing. The bar is mostly stand alone building about 15 mins out of town.

This was early in the night. Still a little light outside. It was clear we were the only tourists there for the first hour or so. Then as it got busier we spotted another 6 odd tourists. Otherwise it was clearly all locals. The crowd was also predominantly over 40 yrs old so we fitted in ok. We did not however dance. They were dong all this country type dancing which was just great to watch but beyond us for sure. The closest way I can describe this and only a few of you will know this... it was like being at the dance in Yaraka hall only bigger. Such fun and full of cowboys old and young. Many of the women had denim jackets with diamante's in patterns on the back, lapels and sleeves. Fabulous boots and large belt buckles also with sparkling trims. The men also had fab boots like white snake skin, fancy 'going out' buckles and cowboy hats.

We had dinner here as well and these were a winner. Green beans with onion crumbs. Didnt taste at all oniony and were delicious.

The next morning we walked into Jackson old town. It is so great. We loved it and shopped up ... if not a storm at least a flurry. Most the footpaths are timber and they have kept an old country style feel without feeling rundown. This was on the side of one of the buildings. We were on the prowl for decent coffee and as luck would have it they have a place here roasting their own beans. Coffee nirvana for us deprived souls.

One of the streets. There are many old signs around. It has a great retro feel.

The town square has an arch like this on each corner. It's made completely of elk antlers and is threaded with fairy lights. I was thinking it a bit ghoulish (we heard it was hunting season) until I learned the elk drop their antlers every year and the local boy scouts go to the elk reserve and collect them. Then auction them for fund raising. Man I was so tempted to buy some in a shop. Only $50 for a set!!! Just need the ranch to go with them. I saw a few in the windows of real estate agents for $12,000,000 +++ Those antlers didnt seem so cheap any more.

Then it was home for a drink by the fire before heading out for dinner again. Its amazing how quickly a bottle of wine disappears when one is relaxing.

We stayed in a great cabin here facing to the flowing creek. They said they often get elk, moose and other wildlife wandering through. Alas we didnt see any though I was keen for some moose spotting. Dinner was at a local brew pub. Not bad ribs but nothing spectacular.