I know it sounds cliche, but words cannot describe how amazing today was. But I will do my best to hit some of the highlights. Today was our first day to raft on the Snake River. We woke up early to do a combination float followed by some whitewater rafting. The sightings of bald eagles and osprey were fairly common. I think my favorite sighting was of a juvenile bald eagle still in the nest. We floated for a few miles and then stopped for an amazing breakfast. Jenny and I were reminded of our rafting trip in the Grand Canyon. For those of you who don't know, I proposed to Jenny while we were on a 15 day rafting trip. We both realized that this was the first time we had been in a raft since that incredible trip, so our experience was accompanied with a strong feeling of nostalgia.
After breakfast, we got back in the raft to hit some whitewater. It was exhilarating, and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We both realized after the fact that we were really spoiled by the trip in the Canyon because while these rapids were enjoyable, it is hard to compare the massive waves that you see at several points in the Canyon. That being said, I still highly recommend fitting a rafting trip in if you are in this area. We went with a company called Barker-Ewing. They were well-organized and professional. One of the highlights for me was when I voluntarily went into the 45 degree water. "That was refreshing" were my exact words when I climbed back onto the raft. My talent for downplaying experiences knows no bounds as it was in fact brutally cold.
The day did not end there. We had an excellent lunch at a place called Sidewinders, and then because the temperatures have been in the mid 70's (I hope that does not upset the Houston crowd too much), we decided to for a little stroll at a place called Cache Creek. It was an amazing walk through a myriad of wildflowers surrounded by majestic snow covered peaks and beautiful pine trees next to a rapidly flowing creek, simply breathtaking. To end our evening, We are going to go out for a nice dinner and watch a gunfight (yes, a staged one) downtown. I hope it will be an amusing end to an already amazing day.
I am not sure when my next post will be as we leave Jackson tomorrow to head into Teton National Park followed by Yellowstone, and I understand cell phone reception is nonexistent, so I will continue with my thoughts when I can.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Hiking in Jackson Hole
Hiking in Jackson Hole is breathtaking, literally. Had we thought this through a little more, we probably would have saved hiking around the summit of Rendevous Mountain for our second hike of the day, after we were better acclimated to the altitude. But we didn't.
Some of you may remember that I have an almost paralytic fear of heights, so just riding the tram to the top was enough to get my heart racing and my palms sweating. The best part was when our tram operator received a walkie-talkie communique about the 50 mph winds and the need for caution. (This, thankfully, was on the ride back down). I had 12 minutes each direction to ponder why the mountain is named Rendevous, and all I kept coming up with was time to meet your maker.
We made it to the top, still covered in snow. One guy said that they have 800 times the amount of snow that is normal for this time of year. (Of course!) And the winds were gusting 20-30 mph. So it was a bit freaky for me. But the views are undeniably gorgeous and
amazing, and I was happy to be up there!
We started hiking on the only accessible trail (other than the tiny loop at the top) and were descending the mountain at a very steep angle. The trail was wide (thankfully!) so I was OK. At some point, we realized if we kept going, we were going to have to commit to hiking all the way to the base, which I didn't want to do because the trail was completely covered in snow and difficult to find and follow. Plus, one of the big draws is to eat fun-flavored waffles at the little cabin at the top of the mountain. So we turned around and proceeded to hike back up. Straight up. My calves were screaming at one point and we were breathing very laboredly. (OK, I was. I'm sure Eric would have had no problem sprinting to the top).
After enjoying our waffle, we took the tram back down, survived the 50 mph wind, and decided we wanted to explore some more. So we followed a beautiful trail up through the trees, across rushing streams of melting snow, and through some grass lands. The trail was steep, but we were hiking at a lower elevation, and the vertical climb was spread out more than at the top! Doh! We should have done this hike first! Oh well, next time!
I will tell you that Jackson Hole and the town of Jackson are beautiful, fun, and must-see. On our drive back to Jackson, we saw giant birds' nests at the tops of the street poles with one juvenile bird in each nest. I think they were eagles. It was completely surprising to see this, and made the day even more magical!
Some of you may remember that I have an almost paralytic fear of heights, so just riding the tram to the top was enough to get my heart racing and my palms sweating. The best part was when our tram operator received a walkie-talkie communique about the 50 mph winds and the need for caution. (This, thankfully, was on the ride back down). I had 12 minutes each direction to ponder why the mountain is named Rendevous, and all I kept coming up with was time to meet your maker.
We made it to the top, still covered in snow. One guy said that they have 800 times the amount of snow that is normal for this time of year. (Of course!) And the winds were gusting 20-30 mph. So it was a bit freaky for me. But the views are undeniably gorgeous and
amazing, and I was happy to be up there!
We started hiking on the only accessible trail (other than the tiny loop at the top) and were descending the mountain at a very steep angle. The trail was wide (thankfully!) so I was OK. At some point, we realized if we kept going, we were going to have to commit to hiking all the way to the base, which I didn't want to do because the trail was completely covered in snow and difficult to find and follow. Plus, one of the big draws is to eat fun-flavored waffles at the little cabin at the top of the mountain. So we turned around and proceeded to hike back up. Straight up. My calves were screaming at one point and we were breathing very laboredly. (OK, I was. I'm sure Eric would have had no problem sprinting to the top).
After enjoying our waffle, we took the tram back down, survived the 50 mph wind, and decided we wanted to explore some more. So we followed a beautiful trail up through the trees, across rushing streams of melting snow, and through some grass lands. The trail was steep, but we were hiking at a lower elevation, and the vertical climb was spread out more than at the top! Doh! We should have done this hike first! Oh well, next time!
I will tell you that Jackson Hole and the town of Jackson are beautiful, fun, and must-see. On our drive back to Jackson, we saw giant birds' nests at the tops of the street poles with one juvenile bird in each nest. I think they were eagles. It was completely surprising to see this, and made the day even more magical!
Eric's Thoughts: Day 3
We are still in Jackson and thoroughly enjoying ourselves. We went to the Jackson Hole area and rode a tram to the top of a 10,000 foot mountain. It was way cool both literally and figuratively as the ground was still completely covered in snow. It looked like it was still winter up there, quite a bit different from the near 100 degree weather we were having in Houston. The temperature itself was not too bad but the 20 to 30 mph wind gusts made for an interesting hike around the summit area. We could not go too far as most of the trails were covered in snow, but we enjoyed what we managed to explore. We ate at a little shack that sells waffles with brown sugar that were yummy. All in all it was an amazing experience.
When we rode the tram back to the bottom, we still had some energy to walk around through the woods near the bottom. Jenny made us walk around yelling at each other to make sure we did not surprise any bears. I must tell you it feels a little odd. We had an enjoyable walk, and then went back to town for an early dinner. We ate at the Sweetwater Cafe, and we were both a little disapointed with the food. Well, I am a little tired now, so I am going to sign off. I am looking forward to rafting the Snake River tomorrow.
When we rode the tram back to the bottom, we still had some energy to walk around through the woods near the bottom. Jenny made us walk around yelling at each other to make sure we did not surprise any bears. I must tell you it feels a little odd. We had an enjoyable walk, and then went back to town for an early dinner. We ate at the Sweetwater Cafe, and we were both a little disapointed with the food. Well, I am a little tired now, so I am going to sign off. I am looking forward to rafting the Snake River tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Eric's Thoughts: Day 2
We made it to our first destination, Jackson, WY, which I have been to once in Spring of 2000 to go skiing. While it was beautiful covered in snow, I must say it is even more amazing during the summer. The mountains, forests, and streams seem to be more vibrant when not covered by a stark, uniform whiteness. While on the road, we saw a variety of wildlife: a coyote, a chipmunk, many prong horned deer, prarie dogs, and multiple birds of prey. This also contributes to the living quality of the terrain.
Once we arrived in Jackson, we had a wonderful dinner at a place called Thai Me Up (no it is not a bondage bar, but rather one of the best Thai food places I have ever experienced). Jenny and I are both excited to be here, and we are looking forward to more exploration tomorrow.
On a side note, we have not had much luck with small town fast food establishments. We stopped at a McDonald's to get a couple of iced mochas. Well, I thought we were going to be trapped in there forever. My first indication that this might be the world's slowest fast food establishment was the guy waiting by the counter for 20 minutes for a milkshake. Not a good sign. There were two people taking orders, one who clearly was another relative of the Dairy Queen inbreeding crowd and the other who appeared to be a meth addict. Anyway, we finally get our drinks. I think these mochas had to be the strongest coffee drinks we have ever had. I am curious if that is normal. We plan on experimenting at a later date.
Once we arrived in Jackson, we had a wonderful dinner at a place called Thai Me Up (no it is not a bondage bar, but rather one of the best Thai food places I have ever experienced). Jenny and I are both excited to be here, and we are looking forward to more exploration tomorrow.
On a side note, we have not had much luck with small town fast food establishments. We stopped at a McDonald's to get a couple of iced mochas. Well, I thought we were going to be trapped in there forever. My first indication that this might be the world's slowest fast food establishment was the guy waiting by the counter for 20 minutes for a milkshake. Not a good sign. There were two people taking orders, one who clearly was another relative of the Dairy Queen inbreeding crowd and the other who appeared to be a meth addict. Anyway, we finally get our drinks. I think these mochas had to be the strongest coffee drinks we have ever had. I am curious if that is normal. We plan on experimenting at a later date.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Eric's Thoughts: Day 1
After fourteen hours of driving, I am a little brain dead, and I am having trouble putting together coherent thoughts, but I wanted to say at least something each day. The one thought that springs to mind is how blessed I am to have a loving companion who will accompany me on all kinds of adventures even if it means being stuck in a car for fourteen hours on our sixth anniversary. Our romantic anniversary dinner consisted of a quarter pounder, chicken nuggets, and fries. But we smiled through the whole experience, and while it may not have been the most romantic of locations, this is another memory that will be sure to last. The day went fairly smoothly with only two incidents: 1) Jenny being too grossed out by a small town Dairy Queen to eat lunch (I will admit it was pretty gross, and the people working behind the counter were probably related through massive amounts of inbreeding, but that still didn't stop me) 2) Me (Eric) being pulled over right before the New Mexico border. I know those of you who know me well are probably not surprised that I was pulled over, but the cop let me off with a warning (that seems to happen to me a lot). Anyway, I am looking forward to reaching our first destination (Jackson, WY) tomorrow. I will try to post something then.
Texas is One Big-Ass State!
Everyone knows that Texas is huge. In fact, when I first did the drive from California to Houston, I heard the statistic that El Paso is closer to the Pacific Ocean than to Houston. However, I thought this trip would somehow be shorter, since we're headed northwest. Twelve hours later, we are still in Texas! But it's been a fun drive and we are having a great time. Our goal is to make it to the southern part of Colorado, which we should be able to do in the next two hours. And we haven't been driving the whole time either. We just had a very romantic anniversary dinner at a McDonald's inside a Chevron in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. :)
If you are traveling this way:
It's about 9 hours from Houston to Amarillo if you don't stop except to get gas and a quick bathroom break.
Texas rest areas are really well-maintained along this route. Some even have 24-hour attendants
Stopping at Buc-ee's is a must for any Texas roadtrip!
If you are traveling this way:
It's about 9 hours from Houston to Amarillo if you don't stop except to get gas and a quick bathroom break.
Texas rest areas are really well-maintained along this route. Some even have 24-hour attendants
Stopping at Buc-ee's is a must for any Texas roadtrip!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Our Next Adventure
Eight years ago, Eric walked into the restaurant I was dining at in Nikko, Japan... and a lifetime of travel adventures for the two of us began. We created Jeneric Travels as a journal for ourselves and a way to keep in touch with friends and family. Jeneric Roadtrips is an extension of that journal, but with a focus on U.S. travel. We hope you will enjoy our musings, and maybe even find them helpful if you are planning a similar trip.
So, for our next adventure...
Houston --> Jackson, Wyoming/Grand Tetons --> Yellowstone --> Glacier --> Banff --> and back home again.
The plan:
Hiking, camping, relaxing, with some rafting and site-seeing thrown in.
The excitement:
Visitng places neither of us have been to, and returning to one of our favorites, Banff.
The anxieties:
Bear encounters and scary heights/cliffs while hiking (Jenny)
None (Eric) (Or so he says) :)
So sit back, relax, and enjoy this virtual ride. We always love to hear from you and appreciate any comments.
So, for our next adventure...
Houston --> Jackson, Wyoming/Grand Tetons --> Yellowstone --> Glacier --> Banff --> and back home again.
The plan:
Hiking, camping, relaxing, with some rafting and site-seeing thrown in.
The excitement:
Visitng places neither of us have been to, and returning to one of our favorites, Banff.
The anxieties:
Bear encounters and scary heights/cliffs while hiking (Jenny)
None (Eric) (Or so he says) :)
So sit back, relax, and enjoy this virtual ride. We always love to hear from you and appreciate any comments.
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