Ashton. ID to Victor, ID 78 miles (and we took the long way)

We spent a nice week with Roger and Mary in Aspen Acres RV Park just outside of Ashton, Idaho, but on Sunday it was time to venture out again. Check out time was at noon, and check in at our next destination was at one, so we took the long way around the barn to get to Victor, Idaho. Victor is home to the Teton Valley Resort. This "resort" isn't....but it's certainly nice enough. It's a work in progress, with out site 14 being in the newest expansion, and therefor not much more than a paved street and a lot of gravel.

We are, unfortunately, on the west side of the park, with nothing to block the howling wind from taking us away! It appears that concrete pads and windbreaks will eventually be added, but for now, the $65 nightly rate is about a third high. But it's all about location. We didn't want to stay in the tourist areas of nearby Grand Teton National Park, so this rv park fits the bill.

Monday morning we decided that a day trip into GTNP was in order, so we started east on ID 22 over Teton Pass into Jackson. Along the way we crossed into Wyoming.

And, indeed, the yellow sign turned out to be more than accurate! This route is the preferred escape route for us as we're going south toward Colorado, but after driving it in the car, we decided to find an alternate route!

Our first glimpse of Jackson Hole (the name of the valley that that town of Jackson is in) came as we were about half way down the east side of the mountain range.

We passed through the hamlet of Wilson and on into Jackson. I didn't take a photo of anything in Jackson because the traffic was very heavy and the sidewalks were shoulder to shoulder with unmasked tourists. Not willing to risk our health, we continued on to US Highways 189/191/26/89 north where we stopped at the National Elk Refuge turnout. It's easy to see why the animals love this place! Miles of meadow and abundant water must be Elk Heaven!

We scanned the area with binoculars, but didn't see any critters, so on we went north to the entrance to Grand Teton National Park. The three major peaks are over Donna's right shoulder. Mount Moran, Grand Teton, and Mount Bannon.

The mountain range from the east side is spectacular, and we snapped photos wherever we could.

We bailed off the highway at Moose (the town, not the critter), and began a southward loop on the Moose Wilson Road. Just as we turned, we noticed that a weather front was creeping over the valley.

A bit farther along this one lane road, we came across a "Moose Meadow". Didn't see any Moose (Meese?), but it was a beautiful meadow.

A quick look at the summer slopes of Teton Village imagines what this area must be like in the middle of winter. The Village is mostly acres and acres of condos, restaurants, and parking lots, so no photos here...

The nearby airport is suitable for small jet aircraft, and there were a dozen or more parked there. We saw yet another one about to land. See that tiny silver spot in the center at the base of the mountain?

We pulled off the road for a light lunch in an area with thousands of wildflowers.

After a pleasant drive, we climbed back over Teton Pass, 10% grades on both sides, and cruised back into Victor with memories of awesome mountain peaks dancing in our heads.