Jackson, WY

Made a couple last minute sales calls this morning, in Thayne, and then broke camp for the trip to Jackson. Arrived around 12:30 and got settled into our site. We’re on the end site, with a view of the mountain ridges around us. Jackson is a booming town….population is 8600 and there is construction for new buildings going on in town. A woman at our last park said that there had been a rock slide and the road between Alpine and Jackson was closed for a short while this spring and it was quite a blow to the town of Alpine. There is a municipal bus that travels from Jackson down to Alpine and as far as Etna and that was disrupted too. We could see where the road has barricades at a certain point. It appears that there was damage to the road when the slide occurred.
The park here has 104 sites….no vacancies tonight. We are staying at the Virginian Lodge….the RV park is in the back, behind the restaurant and lodge. The managers told us that there used to be many more RV parks around but they have all closed. There used to be one right across the street but it is no more….a public library is there now. We drove up to Moran Junction to pick up guides from the other park we’re doing and what a gorgeous drive…past the Grand Tetons.
Still lots of snow on the mountains. I wonder if it will all melt before winter comes again. Lots of cute shops and nice looking restaurants in town. I can see the attraction of folks coming here year after year for their summer vacations. Weather is great…usually a nice breeze even on an 80 degree day, great shopping, lots to see and do in the area. Anxious to go out and explore while we’re here…

Thayne,WY Attractions

Afton Elk Horn Arch - There are some really neat attractions in this area. As I mentioned in a previous post, the world’s largest elkhorn arch is in Afton, about 20 miles away from Thayne. The arch was constructed in 1958 and contains 15 tons of antlers, totaling 3,011. The horns were picked up on the elk feeding grounds in Alpine and Jackson as the elk shed their horns every spring. The highest point of the arch reaches 24 feet high and spans Highway 89 for 75 feet. Based on the current value of elk horns, it would cost over $400,000 to build the same arch today.

Palisades Reservoir – The reservoir consists of 1.25 million acre feet, the Salt River, Snake River and Greys River converge here. It was completed in 1959, and forced the relocation of Alpine to its current location. It has excellent trout fishing and several public access boat ramps.




Elk Refuge in Alpine – Is located one mile south of Alpine on Highway 89. A 6 foot fence and hay sheds mark the area where over 500 tons of hay are fed to as many as 1000 elk fro late November until early May. This site has been in use since the 1940’s and is managed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The cost of this operation is supported by game and fishing license fees.

About Star Valley: Nestled on the western border of Wyoming and surrounded by the Bridger-Teton, Caribou and Targhee National Forests lies Star Valley. Originally known as the Salt River Valley, the name was changed to Star Valley around 1880. With no written explanation for this name change, perhaps our ancestors felt it self-explanatory. Indeed, the beauty and serenity found here truly makes this a start of all valleys. Approximately 12 miles wide and 45 miles long, altitudes range from 5,600 feet in the north rising to 7,000 feet in the south. The Salt River Mountain Range with peaks rising to 10,000 feet, is its eastern border. The Caribou and Webster Ranges, with 8,000 foot peaks, lie to the west. Those who traveled north on Hwy 89 have experienced crossing the Salt River Pass with its breathtaking view at 7,610 feet.
This valley was a good place for outlaws on the run long before it was settled. There were gold camps to the northwest and salt freighters coming in and out to the southwest. The major outlaw who surfaced as a Star Valley resident was Butch Cassidy. He earned his nickname from working in a butcher shop in Rock Springs. It is said that Cassidy made his famous trip to South America soon after the Winnemucca Bank Robbery.
Interesting things to see and do in and around Thayne…..

Sunday Drive….

Took a great drive today…left around 11 this morning and got home around 4. We drove to Jackson, an hour away and then went over the Teton Pass….When we met fellow Escapees Molly and Bob the other day, here in the park (thanks to an introduction from Bobbie), they told us about taking their motorhome over the Pass. Although we didn’t take our rig, it’s still a 10% grade (Jim, you’d be really proud of Linda !).


Gorgeous views from on top of the Tetons… Once we came over the Pass, we were in Idaho and continued on to Victor, took a turn onto Route 31 and continued towards Alpine. There is a great recreational area, called Palisades Reservoir that you drive along for many miles and extends all the way down to Alpine. What a great resource for boaters, jet skiers, etc.

This is at the base of the reservoir….

A gorgeous day on the water…

We found a place where we could stop and let Boomer go swimming. For some reason, unknown to us, there were a number of butterflies that were attracted to this area of the shoreline. Couldn’t see anything special about it. There was a lot of wood pieces washed up on shore and this mushy black stuff on the gravel.

Beautiful pattern on the butterflies…

Drove along this view for many miles…. Clouds so fluffy and white and snow capped mountains in the distance.

As I mentioned in a previous post, there has been flooding in the area. With the extensive snow pack and melting, the Snake River is huge and over its’ banks in many areas…..perfect conditions for the rafting companies. Saw several groups taking on the river today. Not a time for novice kayakers or boaters to be on the water….
It was great to drive around in Jackson and check it out. It’s a good sized town…population is over 8000. The campground, where we’ll be staying, is right in the middle of town so it will be very handy for selling and going out to eat or checking out all of the cute shops. Have about another week here in Thayne to get our work done. Hope everyone had a great weekend. Back to work tomorrow….