Haley's Vacation Out West
Yellowstone National Park: 4 States in 4 Days
TRIP PLANS:
My husband and I finally were able to take another trip out west. First off, if we were ever given the opportunity we'd drop just about everything and move out to either Arizona (Flagstaff to be exact), Idaho (Idaho Falls and become potato farmers), or to Wyoming (Jackson so we can hang out with the rest of the billionaires in fancy fur coats).
The West defiantly has both our hearts and our trip out to Yellowstone National Park goes down in the books as one of our favorite trips. We are both big outdoors people so planning this trip was pretty easy because we knew exactly where we wanted to go.
We began our trip with a flight out to Salt Lake City, Utah and landed ready to take on the snow capped mountains all around us. Most people will then take a connection flight to Billings, Jackson Hole, or some other place closer to Yellowstone but we were determined to make the drive to see all that we could. Also another fun aspect of our trip is NO CELL SERVICE so we got to go a little old school and use a map to get to the park.
We mapped out a circle that we wanted to take to and from the park which laid out we'd hit Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park (Old Faithful and other geysers, Canyon Village and any waterfalls in the park), come back down all through Idaho, and finally end up back in Salt Lake City to catch our flight home.
We are what most people would consider ambitious travelers because we pack everything in to just a few days. For example we saw all of the Grand Canyon in 3 days and now we knocked out Yellowstone in 4 days! We mainly do that because we are young and crazy, time off work, and my husband in a Delta employee so we fly standby and have to be extra flexible. It's all a big blessing and a little hectic but we love every minute of it.
DAY 1
We buckled into our bright red Kia Sol rental and began our trek. It takes close to 4.5 hours to reach Jackson, Wyoming so we got going pretty quick. Along the way there are some gorgeous views with frosty snow capped mountains, elk that stand way too close to the road, and sunsets that will take your breath away. Once we reached Jackson, the only major city along our route, it was littered with people exploring the square and it's unique shops with an array furs, art galleries with handmade pottery and jewelry, and one of a kind restaurants serving fresh bison meats.
Right in the middle of the town square is an elk preservation spot that has four massive gates to enter the area made completely of elk antlers. These animals shed their antlers every year and after seeing these massive gates it is incredible to see just how many elk there are. We explored the town weaving in and out of shops trying on coats that were over $50,000, tasting bison jerky, and sipping on cold brews made right in town. We ran into a local that told us to hike a small trail past "Mouse Junction" to watch the sunset. We took his advice and took the trek up the mountain walking carefully on rocks that didn't seem too stable.
Once we reached the top we had a view that only some people will ever see in their lifetime: The Tetons. I've never felt anything like it before as we gazed at the sun slipping slowly behind the peaks. There were chills up my back as the wind tangled my hair around my neck. The air was crisp like cool ice cubes touching your tongue just enough to make you thirsty.
Nathan's arm slipped around my waist as he said something I'll never forget standing on top of that mountain side, "how can you not believe in God when you see something as incredible as this?" I just remember looking up at him in what seemed like a dream and said, "I don't know but they don't know what they're missing."
We sat up there for close to an hour watching birds dart into their nests, laying on our backs watching clouds, and finally watching the sun sink like a ship headed to its next destination out to sea. It seems cheesy but I know that was one of the best nights of my life. I would have been fine if our trip ended right there.
DAY 2 & 3
I yanked the map out of the console and threw my camera bag in the backseat smiling at Nathan the whole time. Today was the day we made it to Yellowstone! It was about an hour and a half drive to make it to the south entrance of the park and we got to drive through Teton National Park to get there. Of course the drive was breathtaking while we kept the windows rolled down low. I let my hand wander out into the wind gliding up and down and my fingertips traced the tops of the mountains.
Once we reached the park there was snow alongside the highway that sometimes passed over 6 feet high. We don't see snow like that in Georgia so we both were mesmerized by the rolling hills of snow. We pulled over for photos in what we though was a field of snow but it turns out we were standing on top of a frozen lake. It was incredible.
We hiked, drive, and walked a lot of the park going around tangled roads and taking to heart the signs that kept saying "be bear aware." We enjoyed the afternoon seeing Old Faithful erupt, a picnic on top of the falls, and snapping pictures of bison and any other animal that crossed our path. To end our day long journey through Yellowstone we saw Tower Falls. It was a huge waterfall that spilled over a Canyon inside the park. Gods magnificent creations.
DAY 4
After Yellowstone, we began the trek back towards Salt Lake City through some of Montana and Idaho. We stopped finally to rest in Idaho Falls which was a little quaint town that offered lots of potatoes, and awesome restaurant called "Jackers," and a sweet and cozy hotel. We stopped a few times along the drive in pastures for pictures and of course for coffee at a place cold Beans & Brews that served the most delicious cappuccinos...the perfect road trip drink. The scenery was again gorgeous and all in all if you make this trip you have to drive it to fully appreciate all the west has to offer.
Once we arrived in Salt Lake again we visited some shops and of course some gun stores for Nathan. He is a big fan of a lot of YouTube guys that review guns and have stores of their own. Of course we visited some of those places and he enjoyed every minute of it.
We drove our to the actual Salt Lake and sat on the shore and watched the sunset sink into the dusty hills. That night we took a late flight back home and dreamed the whole way home about planning our next trip out west.
