June 28, 2015 – Day 26
Jackson Hole, WY – Gillette, WY
411 miles/6.5 hours
Fairfield Inn Gillette, Rms 103 & 105
The hotel where we stayed in Jackson Hole was so nice that
we could have stayed there for the rest of the trip, and everyone one would've been happy. But sadly, not possible. It was really hard to check out. Really hard.
Before we left, we explored the town square and did a
little shopping. I also found a really cool bookstore, which I couldn’t pass up.
Today was a driving day. We crossed the state of Wyoming and
it was, you know what’s coming…so BEAUTIFUL! We started out driving along the Grand
Tetons and then turned east and traveled through the Grand Teton National Forest.
We came upon a number of little dude ranch towns: Moran, Dubois, Kinear,
Shoshoni. Once we passed the forest, the mountains took on a more rugged look,
and changed to an orangey color, reminiscent of the southwest. At one point the
rocks were as red as Sedona’s. There always seemed to be a river or creek
running alongside the highway. And then suddenly, you’re looking at canyon.
Incredible. Eventually the country side melted into grassy plains.
One town we drove through only had a population of 44 people –
so said the sign. And it had a post office! Cumming, GA only has two posts
offices (that I’m aware of).
I did the majority of the driving today, and it was a long
day. Gillette is a stop-over, because tomorrow we have a lots of sites to see,
on our way to Rapid City. Our hotel has a huge water slide/indoor water park,
but it’s not the cleanest facility. Unfortunately, there was no stopping the
kids, they didn’t look back. Rich and I were very uncomfortable. It was yucky.
We gave them 15 minutes.
I went to bed as soon as we got back from dinner.
Cammyism of the day:
Our waiter at dinner asked if everyone was enjoying their
meal. Cammy’s reply, “Next time, you have to lower the size of the kid
burger.” He opened his mouth wide, “Look, it won’t fit!” It was an
exceptionally big burger. If he held it up in front of his face you couldn’t
see Cammy.
