Made it to Jackson...

The next morning we packed up the car and hit the road once more. The entire time we drove through South Dakota we saw signs for "Wall Drug" - 5 cent coffee, free ice water, and more - so naturally we had to stop and see what this was all about. Apparently Wall Drug started out in 1931 as a small pharmacy with poor business until the owner's wife had the idea to advertise free ice water to parched travelers making their way to Mount Rushmore. There is still a pharmacy, however, it has now expanded to include other stores, museums, and other western cowboy themed attractions.

Erin, Adam, and myself at the fake Mount Rushmore while visiting Wall Drug.

Me helping the old cowboy with his mule.

After an entertaining afternoon at Wall Drug, we continued driving through Wyoming. Once the sun went down a storm rolled in and we had to pull over to stop for the night because of heavy hail and lightening. We rose with the sun and drove our last day through Wyoming. We stopped in Dubois, the last town before you pass through the mountains into Jackson, and found a laundry-mat to wash up and take much needed showers. We treated ourselves to lunch at a local organic store, where I got the most delicious veggie wrap. As we drove through the mountain pass it was as if we were traveling back in time. More and more snow built up on trees and the road around us as we gained more and more elevation. It looked like winter by the time we hit around 8,000 feet. It even started snowing! We made it back down to the valley and finally made it to our ultimate destination: Jackson Hole, Wyoming! After walking around town, we drove to the Gros Ventre campground, where we would be staying the next few nights until I moved into my housing for work.

Our first full day in Jackson we drove into Teton National Park and went for a hike up Death Canyon. We had an amazing view looking down on Phelps lake and even came across a moose!

Looking down on Phelps Lake from the Death Canyon trail. 

A moose we came across.

As we gained elevation on the trail the snow became deeper and later in the afternoon it started snowing. Once the snow became too deep we had to turn around. 

Me on the trail through Death Canyon. 

The next day we woke up to blue skies and a great view of the Teton Range.

The Tetons!

We went for a gorgeous hike around Phelps Lake and saw a lot of wildlife - mule deer, ground squirrels, geese, and more.

Ground squirrel stranding up on it's hind legs.

The trail to Phelps Lake.

A female mule deer on the trail. 

We also stopped by Mormon row, a line of old homestead buildings where mormon farmers settled in the 1980's.

Mormon row with the Tetons in the background.

There were ground squirrels scurrying around everywhere!

The remains of Mormon Row with the Tetons in the background. 

A herd of bison grazing near an old homestead.

Our last sunset before moving into my new home.