Sleigh Rides on the National Elk Refuge - Jackson, Wyoming

The elk of Jackson are an important part of the culture and history of this area.  You can see their presence hanging in art galleries throughout the downtown area, at the entrance of the square as you walk through the antler arches, and at the preserve itself where winter sleigh rides are advertised. 

We were determined to push through the chaos and for our last day in Wyoming and so, we booked a sleigh ride through the Elk Preserve before heading back to Salt Lake City.  I did this my first time in Wyoming and loved seeing the elk up close while being pulled in a horse-drawn sleigh all while learning about the elk's history in Jackson and how the refuge operates.  

Day 5 & 6 - Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole, Wyoming

I remember the first time I got off the plane and wandered around the state of Wyoming almost 10 years ago.  I'm not sure how else to describe that first week I spent in Wyoming but I know I was smitten.  It was my first time out west and I was fully thrown into this land of cowboys and ski bums. It was love at first sight, I was convinced Wyoming was the place for me.  

I went to Yellowstone National Park and we rented snowmobiles to see sleepy bison and Old Faithful with a fresh snowfall.  I got my first taste of powder as we skied this famously hard mountain and ate sushi at the top on a perfect sunny day.  I saw my first moose and bald eagle in Grand Teton National Park.  I watched a service for a ski patrol member and watched the culture of this ski town come to life as everyone paid their respects with a flask of whisky in Teton Village.   I drank cold beer at the Mangy Moose and I fell in love with this part of the country so far from home.  I chatted with the taxi driver on how I could feasibly move myself (and my horse) out here.  Turns out I never made it to Wyoming but believe me when I say I was in love. 

Utah - Day 4 - Snowbird, Pretty Bird Chicken and Normal Ice Cream

It's been almost a month since I posted here, and nearly 3 months since the trip I am posting about.  Let me catch you up quick.  First off, we spent February packing up Adam's house and moving it into mine.  By the end of February, he had closed on his house and we were off to Disney World for five days.  As we prepped for Disney, the Coronavirus was just becoming a real thing.  It was new and far away still and we went to Disney loaded with hand sanitizer more for the norovirus and flu than anything else.  We got back from Disney and adjusted to life in my 1,000 SF into the month of March.