Day Thirteen

If ever there was a day of two halves this has got to be it.

The morning started badly with the worst breakfast we have had so far. Just very poor for the amount of money we paid for the room. We decided that Buffalo Bill Cody who founded the town would be turning in his grave. The town was just not very nice, nothing like we had pictured a smallish western town.

Checked out at 10.30am, stopped for gas, supplies and to give the car a wash. Windscreen was so dirty you could not see anything. It was a do it yourself wash on a timer, which meant hilarity ensued as I ran around the car with different hoses whilst Ann selected the wash type and shouted out how much time was left. We just about managed it.

Headed 50 miles west into Yellowstone National Park. Expectations were high for a bear sighting. Ann tried to pour cold water on my bear with a gun theory saying it wouldn't be able to hold it in its paw. I replied it had two paws and it would hold it between both in an action cop stance. The conversation ended there as she knew I was right.

We soon realised however that the chances of seeing anything were minimal. Although it is a very scenic place it appeared you wouldn't really be able to explore it without trekking miles off the road. Trees along all sides meant you couldn't see anything beyond a few feet away. The only accessible roads were the main ones around the park which everybody else is on too. At one point we came across a bunch of people who had all pulled over and were staring into the forest taking pictures. Bear, we thought, but alas it was just a deer. At that point we realised that if one deer could cause that much excitement then you obviously don't get to see much wildlife at all. We may have been wrong and other parts we didn't get to may be better, but we decided that we would head up to see the main attraction before moving south towards our next port of call.

Arrived just in time to see the Old Faithful show which was good timing, although the actual eruption wasn't quite as big or explosive as I had imagined. Ate a really ropey lunch in the cafe alongside. At that point we were quite miserable about how the day had been so far.

So we made our way south out of Yellowstone towards Jackson Hole, where we would be staying the night. Experienced some interesting weather on the way.

However, our day took an upwards turn from that point on. As we headed into Grand Teton National Park, we suddenly found what we had been missing in Yellowstone, stunning scenery but the space to be able to see across it. The thought of spending tomorrow in this area cheered us up immensely.

Grand Teton's impressive vista

Arrived in Jackson Hole, which is just south of Grand Teton, at 6.30pm. Checked in to the Lexington and immediately impressed by it and the town. Every other place we have been in the last few days, has looked the same, McDonalds, Burger King etc, full of rubbish places, no identity of their own. Jackson is completely different, a place with its own character.

Headed out for dinner and went to the Bunnery. http://www.bunnery.com/ Ann had a burger, I had the marvellous dish from the menu of scrambled egg and coffee cake! Great little place, great service, left a big tip.

Wandered through the streets, browsing in shops before heading to the best night's entertainment you could wish for. Here the videos do the talking.

Getting ready for bed soon, safe in the knowledge we have found somewhere really quite special compared to lots of the tat we have seen recently. A great finish to the day. Looking forward to tomorrow!