Elaine is in Jackson Hole

After suffering through the intense summer heat of Dallas,  Elaine has arrived in Jackson Hole and is relaxing, resting, soaking up the view and not sweating.  She spent her summer as Director of Parish Day Schools Summer Program.  With that job now over, she simply wants to do a whole lot of nothing here in Jackson Hole.

Elaine joined me on my first trip to Jackson Hole in 2007 when we were guest at the Trinangle X Ranch with the Butcher Family.  It is easy to say that the "Dude Ranch" was not her cup of tea.  She enjoyed the beauty of the area and being with friends, but the mouse that found his way into our cabin on the first night reminded her that she was not at The Four Seasons!  I do have to say that she did give a good effort to become a cowgirl.

Elaine on Matilda in 2007

Elaine with Head Wrangle TJ in 2007 !

Although Elaine's main desire while here in Jackson Hole is to simply "chill out,"  there will be some adventure for her.  It is a beautiful Friday morning as I write this and everyone (Elaine, Sara, Mary Ellen, Ranait) in the house is still asleep.  When we do get rolling today, we will be heading over to Jenny Lake for a bit of hiking.  Elaine will be leaving her comfortable chair where she has been catching up on her reading and "Friday Night Lights" watching to join the gang.  We are also taking a white water rafting trip on Saturday.  Stay tuned for more of Elaine's adventures here in Jackson Hole!

At Sweetwater for dinner 

Scenic Float Trip

On Tuesday, the entire group made their way to Moose Junction to take a Scenic Float Trip with the Triangle X.  We knew it was going to be a great trip because on our way over to meet the float trip, we saw a GIANT moose near the river.  It was way cool.  Our good luck continued once we arrived at the float trip parking lot.  Due to the number of clients scheduled for the trip that night, our little group of 6 had the luxury of a private boat.  Could it be that my boss did not want my group to mix with the public?  We can be a pretty rowdy bunch.  Our raft guide for the evening was Scott.  Our driver was Matt and he was quite the gentleman helping us into the raft.

Matt our van driver 

Scott or raft guide

  








It was a beautiful late afternoon / early evening on the river and Scott did a great job of guiding us down the Snake River.  He discussed the geology and history of the area and was a great spotter of the wildlife on the river.  We saw 6 bald eagles, 2 beavers, a moose and lots of geese.
It was a relaxing trip down the river and the beer was good too.

Rashawn relaxing on the float trip

Scott teaching the group about the area

Lil searching for animals

  

Me and Sara enjoying the float

One of the bald eagles we saw

Great view

Elaine enjoying the river

Sara took advantage of the learning experience and had Scott teach her how to paddle and steer down the river.  It was quite amusing and much laughter took place.  Sara did a great job of keeping us moving down the river.

Scott teaching Sara

Sara getting us down the river

The "small world" connection of traveling in Jackson Hole continued after we finished the scenic float trip.  Rashawn and I found out a few days ago that Doug and Melissa Scarfeo were going to be in Jackson Hole on vacation.  Doug's daughter Daniella graduated from La Jolla Country Day with Rashawn and I played basketball for me for four years.  Rashawn and Daniella also ran cross country together.  Doug and Melissa were always in the stands cheering the kids on to victory.  We arranged to meet Doug and Melissa for dinner at Dornan's after we finished our float trip.  It was great catching up with them and remembering years past.

Doug Scarfeo and Rashawn

Horseback Riding in Bridger National Forest

Bridger National Forest

Today was another horseback riding adventure but this time we explored the Bridger National Forest which is south of Jackson Hole.  It took us just over an hour from the house to drive to meet Grant at the meeting location.  After signing the safety waivers, we drove an additional 14 miles up into Bridger National Forest to meet Mark our "Wrangler of the Day."

Sara meeting her horse Penny

Mark introduced each of us to our horse and got us saddled up.  My horse was named VEGAS and she had some crazy eyes!  The Bridger National Forest was a lovely place to ride.

Cheryl meeting her horse Andrea

A great part of the day was watching Mark's trusty companion "Socket" enjoy the trail as much as we enjoyed the trail.

Sara, "Wrangler Mark", Lil and Cheryl

Mark, Cheryl and Lil

Sara on the trail

Socket taking a break !

Rashawn and Sara PARAGLIDE !

This morning at 7:45am both Rashawn and Sara "took the big step" and jumped off the mountain for their paragliding experience!  They both enjoyed the experience a lot and had huge smiles when they landed.  From the ground it was tough for us to see if Rashawn or Sara was the first parachute.  As they got closer to the ground, it became evident that Sara was the first off the mountain because we could hear her screams of laughter and excitement!  Rashawn was his usual cool and casual self as he landed.  He had his iphone out in front of him filming the whole experience and ride/glide down!

Sara is top left and Rashawn is in the middle

Rashawn gliding down

Sara gliding down with screams of excitement

Rashawn coming in for his landing while filming himself on his iphone

Sara and her pilot Matt after she landed

Rashawn and his pilot John after he landed

All that morning activity and early wake up call made the group very hungry, so we headed to town for a great breakfast at Genevieve's!

With full bellies and a beautiful morning view of the Tetons, the group headed home for a bit of relaxation.

Rashawn did not even make it to the bed

Sara, Lil and Cheryl made it to the deck

This mornings view from the deck for after paragliding relaxation !

Whitewater and an Afternoon in Jackson Town Square

LUCKY to have such great friends and the opportunity to spend time with them in Jackson Hole

Today was "whitewater" day for the group.  After a lazy morning in the house, we headed into Jackson to meet Vicky, Kevin, Marla, Lauren and Tim for another whitewater adventure down the Snake River.  On our way to town we ran into a few "characters" and had to stop to grab a picture!

It was a beautiful day and the warmest I have experienced in the last 10 weeks.  A perfect day on the river.

The whole group before heading to the river

Wet suit ready !

Our trip down the river was a blast.  We made it through all of the rapids keeping everyone in the boat.  Rashawn and Cheryl had the tough job of paddling in the front of the boat.  They kept us moving along nicely but got a bit tuckered out from all the physical work.

Rashawn sleeping on the bus after the rafting trip

Once we returned from the adventure on the river, we headed to middle of town to grab some lunch and hit the shops.  Great fun walking the town square on such a beautiful day.

A bit of belt shopping

Rashawn getting a kiss from the downtown bear

The Pingry girls with Big Blue !  "Let's Go Big Blue."

It was a great day and we were worn out by the time we got back home.  After I grabbed a quick shower, I was looking forward to relaxing in the family room for the rest of the evening.  Imagine my surprise we I entered the room to see the "spoiled boy" in my chair and looking quite comfortable.  Please notice that he is warmly tucked under a blanket and enjoying a chilled chardonnay!

Really ??????

Jersey In The House ! Rashawn Here Too!

On Monday, Lil and Cheryl arrived from New Jersey.  I worked with Lil at Pingry and it is always great to  spend time with her and Cheryl.  It has been fun watching their reaction to the beauty of the area.  They loved their day in Yellowstone and have really been taking advantage of all that Jackson has to offer.

Hanging out with Cheryl and Lil at The Deck bar (elevation 8600).  The Deck has a beautiful view.

Our transportation to The Deck

Another view of our transportation

Vicky, Marla and Lauren joined me, Lil and Cheryl at The Deck!  It was a great "girls happy hour out."

"Girls Happy Hour Out" on The Deck

Today (Friday) Rashawn arrived around 1:30pm.  I was able to trade my late shift in the office with one of the other office workers so that I could be done with my shift in time to pick him up at the airport.  Once Rashawn was in the car, we headed to the town square to grab some lunch.  Lil and Cheryl spent the day driving over Teton Pass and exploring Idaho.  After lunch, Rashawn and I found our way to the old fashioned candy store on the town square.  Rashawn really was a kid in a candy store!

Rashawn and his candy shopping bucket

Sara also arrived today (Friday) around 7:00pm.  This was perfect timing to enjoy a beautiful Teton sunset and a few beers at Dornan's.  Just being together again caused enough laughter that other restaurant patrons looked our way.  It was simply a blast to be hanging again with my Jersey buddies.  Hanging with Rashawn isn't so shabby either.

At Dornan's with the sun still up

At Dornan's as the sun is setting and the temperature dropping