Early Thoughts on Jackson Hole
Growing up in Wyoming, I've spent my fair share of time in Jackson Hole. From speech meets in high school to work trips during college, I'd make it up here at least once every year or so. But now it's been almost ten years since my last visit, and we're here for a soccer tournament with my daughter. It's good to be back, but it's also interesting how I now have a different perspective on this town given my current living situation in Bozeman.
- Dropping into Jackson from the 'wrong' side: From where I lived in Wyoming, we'd always come into Jackson from the east - over Togwotee Pass. This meant you'd see the Tetons about an hour before you hit Jackson, and the drive was spectacular. Now that I'm in Bozeman, we drop down through Idaho to get to Jackson. The drive is certainly scenic, but nothing like what you see from the Wyoming side. That said, the drive from Ashton to Driggs is a kick - winding roads through farm land that remind me a lot of the roads you'll encounter if you drive west of Bozeman through Amsterdam and Churchill. And the back side of the Tetons ain't that bad...just not as good as the front side.
- Jackson Hole is tourist central: Jackson has always been Wyoming's 'tourist trap', but it feels more touristy than ever on this trip. While Bozeman gets its fair share of tourists - the instructor in my fly fishing class threw out a number of 1 million visitors a year to the Big Sky/Bozeman/Yellowstone area - it still retains the feeling of a 'real' town. No such thing in Jackson. From the over-the-top twang of the bouncer at the Cowboy Bar to the knick knack shops lining the square, things are overdone. Jackson is definitely the classic, "great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there." Not so with Bozeman. When you first visit Bozeman, your thought is - "I think I could spend some time here."
- Bring your wallet: Jackson has always been expensive; I'm pleased to note that nothing's changed in that department. We got a pretty good deal on rooms at the Snow King through the team, so no complaints there. We wanted to hit the Mexican food restaurant that used to be in the basement of the Cowboy Bar, but as my wife headed down the stairs I noticed the menu: $10 a plate enchiladas had been replaced by $40 a plate steak dinners. Looks like someone determined that a steak house was a more appropriate use of the space. We headed a block away to Mountain High Pizza Pie and had a decent (not great - just decent) pizza on whole wheat for $20.
- Golf is crazy-expensive here: Golf is like food - it's best when it's plentiful and cheap. Granted, you're dealing with a pretty short season in Jackson (May-October), but $160/round (Teton Pines)? The Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club is even higher. I've golfed both of those courses in the past, but I won't be doing so this trip. We're heading back over the mountain today to Driggs, ID for a round at The Links at Teton Peaks, where 18 will set you back $30. The course gets good reviews - we shall see. [Who am I kidding? Golf is golf! - I'm gonna love it.]
