Grand Teton National Park Closure

Jackson Hole Favorites is not a political blog. But I can barely restrain myself when at one of the most magical times of the year in Jackson Hole – early October – the Parks are closed. I was angry the other day when I walked up the Moose-Wilson road from Teton Village. I thought I would be able to go as far as the Granite Canyon Trail Head in Grand Teton National Park. But no, the Government shutdown brought to all of us by our dysfunctional government reared its ugly head. I hit a literal roadblock.

Government Shutdown Grand Teton National Park

This is what happens with a disfunctional government.

Why are the Parks closed? Who is at fault?  Each of you has your own answer. But one thing is for sure, it is not the fault of Park employees. The rank and file who work for the Park service by and large does the job for the satisfaction it brings them.  Certainly not for the money they are paid or the living conditions they endure.

That is why the letter Jon Jarvis, Director of the Park Service, wrote to his employees hit the mark. He said in part:

“The functions we must perform under a shutdown are not the reasons any of us joined the National Park Service, but they are the duties we are required to perform by law and regulation… Park employees want to get back to the business of welcoming people to their public lands … Turning visitors away is simply not in our DNA.”

So, whatever your political views remember that Park Service employees do not want to be in the position they are in. They are forced to turn us away by forces beyond their control. And by the way, shame on any politician that attempts to use the fact that they are doing their job for political purposes.

Because you see, those Park Service employees are some of my Jackson Hole Favorites.

Consulting For Your Trip to Jackson Hole

What I Offer

If you would like some assistance on the telephone concerning your upcoming trip to Jackson Hole I would be happy to speak with you for up to fifteen minutes. In order to arrange a time and date please send me contact information using the form below. After we have spoken, if you believe it was worthwhile, then I would appreciate you paying me using the paypal button at the bottom. [Read more…]

Jackson Hole Real Estate Broker

My Real Estate Broker Recomendation If You Want The Straight Scoop!

I met Darren Kleiman in early 2003, when I first became interested in purchasing a property in Jackson Hole.  Our first contact was a cold call by me to the brokerage he was working for.  Darren was patient, informative and honest with regard to the inventory in the price range I was prepared to pay.  Shortly therefter I arrived in Jackson.  Darren spent considerable time showing several properties without pressuring me to make a decision on any of them.  Unfortunately, none of the listings met my needs.  I certainly gained by soaking up the voluminous amount of knowledge that Darren imparted to me, and if he felt any frustration in spending considerable time without any financial reward he certainly did not show it.

[Read more…]

Jackson Hole Land Trust

Last night, I went to what will become an annual event for me. It was the Jackson Hole Land Trust Picnic. The food was great, the scenery inspirational, and the common purpose of the guests uplifting. A large white tent on the Bar BC Ranch off of Spring Gulch Jackson Hole Land Trust PicnicRoad was the epicenter of the festivities. Music, a raptor demonstration, and an open bar with coolers filled with cans of local beer led off the meal. Of course, a shot of Wyoming Whiskey helped put me in the proper frame of mind as well. Then generous helpings of barbecue (and for those that know me well generous helpings is an understatement) – followed by cake, strawberries and whipped cream left me satiated.
The Jackson Hole Land Trust is a private, non-profit organization that strives to preserve the incredible vistas, necessary wildlife habitat and open spaces that all of us love. Despite the fact that 97% of Teton County is park land, the remaining 3% is privately held and without careful stewardship could result in permanently changing the unique character of Jackson Hole. The Land Trust strategically identifies critical land that must be protected for the enjoyment of future generation. It then works with land owners and local government to protect land from further development through donations, purchaseIMG_1018_0087s and conservation easements.
Whether you are a resident or a visitor there is something refreshing about mingling with more than a hundred people in a magical setting with just enough of a cool breeze to balance any heat generated from the setting sun. It was easy to spot friendships being renewed and new ones formed. We ran into friends of our daughter and their new baby. Just last year my twenty-something year old kids tubed the Snake River with them and had a fabulous time. Of course, once my wife spotted their newborn, she just had just had to hold that baby for as long as she could.
And by the way – if future years work like this one, you can make a last minute decision to show up. They were happy to register me at the door. Not being certain that I could do that, I drove to the location earlier in the day to make sure it was OK to sign up and pay my money at the event. I was looking for a “warm fuzzy” that it was fine since their web site said reservations need to be made by July 30, but was only able to get a telephone number to call. [Read more…]

My First Trip To Jackson Hole

Sixteen years ago I arrived in Jackson Hole with my family for a first family trip out west and had no idea what I was getting into.  I was a veteran flyer and avid traveler, accustomed to navigating my way through airports, baggage facilities, interminable rental car lines and endless airport traffic.  After flying for several hours, including a stop in Dallas with a long delay, by the time we approached Jackson Hole, my wife’s nerves were frayed from her fruitless efforts to keep three young children from de-composing  into a primordial display of pre-adolescent fireworks.  Of course, my attempts to remain in blissful ignorance of their impending explosion, was repeatedly frustrated by continued spousal reminders that I had responsibility for the kids too.

Suddenly, everything changed.  [Read more…]

Jackson Hole Trip Itineraries

I am providing a chart with short descriptions below in order to assist you with planning your trip to Jackson Hole during the summer.  It is best used for planning a three or five day trip.  I have grouped my suggestions in a manner that makes sense based on the geography of the valley (assuming you are staying near Teton Village or the Aspens) and in order to give a broad overview of what the valley has to offer.  [Read more…]