"Action Jackson" - Adventures in Wyoming's Wild West

Jackson and the Grand Tetons were a bit of a happy accident in our trip planning last year. We thought, “The Tetons are just a stone’s throw away from Yellowstone, only an hour and a half or so. Why not swing by for a few days? Besides, we might need a breather after the whirlwind reunion to recalibrate, reassemble, and find our groove as a family of six before we set off for the grand finale in Alaska, the so-called ‘Last Frontier.’”

Turns out, we nailed it. When we weren’t meandering around Teton Village in Jackson Hole, checking out the beautiful arts and crafts fair, or taking in the quaint charm of Jackson proper (a town that could easily double as a movie set for a cozy Western), we indulged in some much-needed downtime. We listened to music, dove into a few good books, and even squeezed in a few movies, curled up on the couch of our Airbnb. It was the perfect pause, a mid-trip reset that set us up beautifully for our Alaskan adventure.

This is not to say that we didn't have our fair share of action in Jackson! I'll go into that. But, first things first: Ice Cream and a Wild West Shoot-out. This weekly shootout reenactment is a rollicking slice of the Wild West that brings history to life with a blend of spectacle and good-natured fun. Every summer, the main street of Jackson transforms into a stage for this entertaining event, where local actors in period-appropriate costumes recreate the thrilling gunfights of the frontier days.

As the clock strikes 6:00, the streets fill with the sound of clanging spurs and bustling excitement. Spectators line the sidewalks, eager to witness the high-stakes drama unfold. The scene typically kicks off with the arrival of the local lawmen, setting the stage for a lively showdown that might involve notorious outlaws, quick-draw duels, some jail time (and jailbreaks), and plenty of exaggerated gunfire and fisticuffs. The popping sounds of six-shooters echo through the street, produced by blank shots and theatrical effects, while smoke from the pistols adds to the atmosphere. The event is a nod to the town’s history and while I didn't follow the storyline one iota, it's a family-friendly spectacle that has been in existence since 1957.

We followed up with Ice Cream at the Jackson Drug Co., a delectable treat sure to destroy your waistline and your wallet. We spent more on ice cream than we spent on most dinners out. Jackson, Wyoming isn't for the scrimp-and-save types but you can't beat the atmosphere! Restaurants, art galleries, and high-end souvenir shops set in the rustic style of the Old West. Along the reclaimed weathered wooden boardwalks that frame the central square, tourists mill about the place in their country tres chic attire.

The entrance to Jackson's town square is marked by a distinctive and iconic feature: the antler arches. These impressive entryways, crafted entirely from shed elk antlers, are a charming and unique symbol of the region's wildlife and heritage.

Each arch is a grand, sweeping structure, standing about 20 feet tall, spanning 30 feet wide, built from thousands of antlers meticulously arranged to form graceful, curved doorways. The antlers, collected from local elk in their natural shedding process, are mounted on sturdy wooden frames that create a striking contrast against the backdrop of the town's picturesque landscape.

Rafting Take Two! On this outing, we swapped the Gallatin River for the Snake River for an experience that was equally relaxing and thrilling...and one part chilly. The Snake River winds through the stunning landscapes of Grand Teton National Park, offering a dramatic backdrop of rugged mountains and lush forests and our guide Izak was there to take us through the twists and turns.

At one point, Izak got a gleam in his eye and decided it was time for a little game of "Let's Test Our Balance Skills." He instructed each “volunteer” to clamber onto the boat's bow. “You mean, the top of the big, squishy orange part?” one kid asked, to confirm. “Yep, that’s the one!” Isak said with a mischievous grin.

Liam, Quinn, and Kip took turns, deftly maneuvering their way to the bow of the boat and perched like warriors bracing for an epic battle. Izak then commanded the rest of us, “Right side, paddle forward! Left side, paddle backward!”

The boat began spinning like a floating merry-go-round. The brave souls on the bow clung to the rubber surface drawing strength from their toes, desperately trying to maintain a low center of gravity while their stances became increasingly wobbly with each rotation. It was a sight to behold—until each one inevitably made a dramatic, splashy exit into the icy water.

Back on the bus in dry clothes with the sun pouring in the windows is a recipe for sleep. Within seconds of our bus ride back to the Lewis and Clark River Trip's parking lot, Onora fell asleep sitting up. I happened to snap a photo just as she opened her eyes.

As we headed home to Teton Village, the landscape transformed, and alder trees lined the way. Their eyes—those dark knots in the bark—seemed to follow my every move. It's like they've formed their own secret society, whispering among themselves as I drive by. I half expected them to start a slow clap. Every time I pass a grove of them, I can't help but feel like breaking into song, "I always feel like somebody's watching meeee."

Back in the village, we heard about a music festival in the park. Aren't we lucky? We packed a frisbee, sketchbooks, dinosaurs, and a deck of cards—just like an American Express ad. Our motto? "Don't Leave Home Without It." After all, you never know when you’ll stumble upon a patch of open grassy space perfect for an impromptu frisbee session, or find the ideal moment to deal out a game of hearts while dinosaurs roar in the distance.

We are like a traveling circus, ready for any whimsical turn of events the day might throw at us. Because in our world, you just never know when a spontaneous picnic might turn into a full-blown talent show.

"Where there is a creek, children will play." I actually don't think that's a real quote but it sure is accurate in our family.

With the headlining band, "The Young Dubliners" in the background, food trucks served everything from pit beef and roasted corn to pizza by the slice. Everything in our magic bag of tricks was put to good use before camping out on the lawn and taking it all in.

The next day, we were geared up for a short boat ride to a trailhead with views overlooking Jenny Lake, a crystal-clear gem in Grand Teton National Park. This breathtaking lake was carved by glaciers 12,000 years ago and is still fed by pure glacial meltwater.

Our adventure for the day was a hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, a gorgeous 5-mile loop. But here’s the inside scoop: If you hop on the delightful ferry boat, you shave off a cool 2 miles from your trek. Naturally, we couldn't resist the allure of a shorter, more scenic route.

"Why walk when you can sail?" we thought, as we boarded the ferry with the enthusiasm of kids on a Disneyland ride, reading the accompanying literature that helps pass the time. Jenny Lake is named after Jenny Leigh, a Shoshone woman known for her connection to the area and her significance in local history. Jenny was married to the well-known mountain man, trapper, and guide in the 19th century named, believe it or not, "Beaver Dick Leigh". We had a good laugh over that one. I bet you won't forget his name either.

The boat glided across the smooth waters of Jenny Lake, giving us a front-row seat to the breathtaking alpine scenery. It was the perfect way to start our journey, with the added bonus of a little less legwork and a lot more photo-worthy moments.

Our first stop was the thundering Hidden Falls. Tucked away off a small trail, it's astonishing that you can't hear its thunderous roar until you're almost upon it. In truth, we felt its presence before we heard it—the air cooled significantly, and a refreshing breeze picked up as we rounded the final corner.

We pressed onward on this delightful hike, winding past burbling streams, crossing charming little bridges, and scrambling over rocks like amateur mountain goats.

Along the way, we encountered some undeniably cute chipmunks. Despite my repeated warnings to Gaelan, "Please don't feed the wild animals," he couldn't resist. He gathered berries from the bushes and played chipmunk waiter, delivering them by hand to the eager critters. One chipmunk even decided to climb right into his hand, probably leaving a five-star Yelp review for the excellent service.

At 7,200 feet elevation, we climbed to Inspiration point, where the kids were "clearly inspired." Can't you tell?

Well, perhaps Gaelan was done with this game of "Strike A Pose." He probably wanted to get back to his chipmunk restaurant business.

Liam always seems to take inspiration to a new level.

On our last day in Jackson, we had an entire afternoon and evening at our disposal before packing up and catching our flight to Anchorage. We faced a tough choice: Get organized (yawn) or dive into some spontaneous fun. Enter the Wild West Old Time Photo advertisement, which practically jumped off the page and roped me in. Naturally, we decided to ditch the boring option and play dress-up instead! Donning corsets, cowboy hats, fringe, fur, and six-shooters, we had the most fun in our respective role-playing attire for some hilarity that somehow turned into a serious tableau the second the shutter snapped. I'm still baffled by how the kids managed to strike such stone-faced poses. Meanwhile, Gaelan's sole concern was, "Why does Onora get the giant beer and I get this mini glass?" Ah, the injustices of Wild West life!

An early morning found us retracing our steps from just days ago—hello, Henry's Lake! Goodbye, Yellowstone! Hours later, just outside Bozeman International Airport, we made a pit stop at the Museum of the Rockies, home to the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the United States. Operated by Montana State University, this place is a paleontologist's paradise.

Gaelan's lifelong dream of becoming a paleontologist was reinforced as he marveled at the displays. However, while examining the intricate puzzle pieces of a triceratops skull, he mused, "Wow, you really need a lot of patience to put these skeletons together." His career ambition momentarily wavered as he realized it wasn't all roaring dinosaurs and thrilling discoveries—it was also about painstakingly fitting together prehistoric jigsaw puzzles.

And, we're off....nope, not in that contraption. You couldn't pay me. Here we come Alaska!