Day 7 ~ Heading North and Father's Day

The morning started off with a hotel breakfast and then a few games of pool. 

I had wanted to go to Antelope island on Great Salt Lake and walk into the lake, but was out-voted.  Instead we went to a nature preserve, walked a mile on the boardwalk, and climbed a tower for a far-off view of the lake. 

After we got hot, sweaty, and tired, we started on our last long journey, a four hour trip to Jackson Hole.  Outside of Salt Lake, the roads were off highway and nearly empty as we only passed through a couple very small towns.  We left Utah and entered Idaho, and pretty soon saw longhorn cattle. 

We stopped halfway for a picnic lunch at a park with a geyser.  Their claim is it's the only geyser in the world that is manually controlled and is scheduled to go off at the top of every hour.  We sat around for an hour, eating and waiting to see it, and as we were leaving disappointed, we saw the sign that it was malfunctioning.  Oh well. 

After lunch we saw our first wild moose! It was off in the distance and we stopped for a picture as it ran away. That was the highlight of our drive!  

Further on our drive, we encountered beautiful rolling mountains, lush green grasses, and bright colorful wildflowers.   On our final road through Idaho, the mountains started to look like a Bob Ross painting.... taller mountains, "happy" pine trees, and Tincup Creek running along our route. 

We entered into Wyoming and stopped at a grocery store to stock up on supplies.  As we continued towards Jackson, Snake River was in view and we watched many rafters paddling down the rapids.  It looked so fun, but probably kinda chilly! After the hot temps in Utah, now we were experiencing 60s/70s!

Jackson Hole is a quaint, touristy town, and I love all the rustic, western touches.  Kevin had only one  "must-do" on his trip itinerary for this location.... eat at the Gunbarrel Steak and Wild Game Restaurant.  So we did.  It was phenomenal!  He ordered a plate of beef, bison, and elk tenderloins.  I tried each and they were so tender and tasty.  Tiger had the sea bass, which he inhaled in about 10 minutes.  I had adelicious salmon and garlic mashed potatoes dinner.  And Panda.... she got a pile of the biggest ribs we've ever seen!  Her plate of bison ribs, fried onions, and sautéed mushrooms and onions were so "her"!  She cleaned off those bones like she had not eaten in weeks.  It was so fun to watch everyone savor their meals!

Kevin and I walked around the town later that night while the kids stayed in the room to settle down for sleeping.  It was quiet and all the shops were closed, so we window shopped and enjoyed the fresh, cool air.

We are now officially starting our Yellowstone week with a couple nights at the Alpine Inn... a really old style, hole in the wall, (but clean) motel.