Jackson

 We load up two vehicles with family and canoes...
and the adventure begins!

The colors were just about to peak.  What a beautiful time of year. We had great conversation on the trip up, just wish we could  have all fit in one vehicle together. For breakfast we stopped at the Ender Hotel in Soda Springs and had a picnic breakfast served off the bed of the trailer...croissants with cold cuts, cinnamon rolls from Great Harvest, granola, fruit and  juice! We browsed around the museum, watched the geyser go off and headed on down the road.

Sweetwater Restaurant...a new place we decided to check out.  They are VERY busy all the time but the wait was worth it! My choice was a veggie sandwich with Parmesan Crusted bread and salad.  The seafood options were great as well. We will definitely go back.  One regret of the trip was missing Nora's Fish House.  Just not enough time.

 We floated the river our first night. We put in at Jackson Lake Dam and take out just as it is getting dark after a three hour leisurely float. It is so beautiful and peaceful. There is a spot we always pull over to pose for sweetheart photos.  Once we get going again the sun has set and this time of year the elk are bugling and it is heavenly.  This is the first time EVER we have not seen moose.  I guess with our big group we were a little noisy.  Lots of birds, beaver and bats though :)  and the size of the trout! Really unbelievable to look down into the large schools of this beautiful fish swimming right below us. I love breathing in the smell of pine and just listening to nature.

We got to meet a family member!  Steve, the son of my mother's cousin lives in Jackson...and has for over ten years.  We had no idea until this past year.  He met us at Bubba's for breakfast and we had a great visit with him.

 The whole crew!

 We sure love this beautiful valley!

And the art galleries are always a treat to visit.

We picked out a new project for Mark to create...

you know, in all of his spare time!

The second night we drove back down by the river to listen for the Elk again. It was pitch black, a little spooky but very exciting to listen to all of the wildlife in the river. We are lucky to have friends who rent their home out in the perfect location. There were a couple of fires in the area so we didn't get spectacular shots, but we certainly had an amazing trip together...we made great memories and will never forget that BYU-Utah game at the sports bar! My parents were troopers in the canoes.

 Two of my brothers, one sister and my parents joined us.  I have a sister and two other brothers who couldn't make the trip.  I love my family!! In-laws especially included in that last statement!!

Several years ago I took this photo on a morning float 

- Oxbow Bend.

Already looking forward to our next trip!