Celebrating the 4th of July in Jackson Hole, Wyoming:

 Allison and family invited us to celebrate the 4th of July in Jackson, Wyoming this year and as it is one of our favorite places to visit we circled the dates on the calendar, rented our room and without too much additional planning were on our way.  Jackson is situated at the base of Grand Teton National Park and just about an hours drive south of Yellowstone National Park.  Roger and I have both visited the area as children, honeymooned there, sent our children (Evan and Allison) off to work there, and over the years claimed it as our own to hike, canoe, camp and yes, shop, in.  We love Jackson and the national parks close by.

 Though we have been setting records for extreme heat and are worried about drought this summer, I was surprised and pleased to see how green the journey was up through Utah, Idaho and finally into Wyoming - breathtaking views all along the way.


 Here are my girls!  We met up with them shortly after we arrived.  Plans were made for dinner and we took off to tour the town square and see if any new stores had opened up.  I miss some of the great rustic log buildings I remember from my childhood with dark interiors where you could buy souveniers only a child would treasure.  I really must be getting old - new stores, new sights are what my granddaughters will build their memories on.                                  

North of the city there is the National Elk Refuge.  During the winter the herds come down to this area to graze.  When the spring and summer come the Boy Scouts of the area are allowed to go onto the refuge and gather up the antlers left after the rutting season.  These are then auctioned off to support their program.  From my first time there as a child the iconic elk antler entrances to the park at the center of the square have stood out in my mind. 



 On old West town has to have a stage coach for the tourists!

 The next morning we joined families from the town as well as tourists just like us to
watch a typical small town 4th of July parade.

 There were horses,

 bands,

 Old tractors and cars,

clowns,

 and Roller Derby beauties.  Boy I didn't see that one coming!

 After the parade, Roger and I took a short ride up into Grand Teton National Park (thanks again Kim and Alan - we are still using your pass).  Here are two views of the
Grand Tetons.  I know I've taken hundreds of photos of them over the years even though Roger keeps telling me they haven't changed and they aren't going anywhere.

Back to Jackson and it's time for the fireworks!  We arrived at the viewing area separately and quickly found that there was no cell service due, I guess, to the large crowds (now there is a thought during a natural disaster???).  We soon were found, however, and enjoyed the live bands, people watching, and the fireworks together.

 The next morning Roger and I took off bright and early so we could take a side trip to the Green River Lakes and the headwaters of the Green River.  While Roger and the kids have camped and canoed on the three connected lakes over the years, this was my first time to view them.

The world is huge and there are amazing places throughout - but the western U.S. does
it all for me.  Love it!