2025 Thoughts on the Jackson Hole Trip

Thoughts on the Jackson Hole Trip

I’ll tell you, I packed really well for this trip. I managed to travel with only my carry-on luggage and my personal item. Speaking of that personal item, I ordered a TravelPro bag that’s the exact right size to qualify as "a personal item." Between the two pieces, I had plenty of room and was honestly impressed with how much I could bring without overdoing it.

This time, I promised myself I wouldn’t pack for “what if.” You know the kind - what if we go to dinner, what if it rains, what if there’s a pool. Instead, I packed only what I knew I’d actually use. That mindset worked perfectly. The only thing I didn’t end up needing was a pair of winter lace-up boots. In fact, after the trip, I returned two pairs I purchased before we left because I never touched them. My Brooks sneakers were all I needed. Since there wasn’t deep snow, comfort won out over bulk or warmth.

Speaking of warmth, I got lucky and found a The North Face jacket at Ross for $99 - it retailed for $350. It was absolutely perfect and made all the difference. I layered well too: warm pants, cozy tops, sweatshirts, good hats, gloves, and a pashmina scarf. I was never cold or uncomfortable the entire time.

Another small win was deciding not to fuss with TSA bottles for toiletries. I just bought a small bottle of conditioner after we arrived. That worked out great and convinced me that for future trips, I should make a little grocery list of travel essentials to buy once I get there instead of trying to cram them all into my bag.

Our hotel was fantastic - centrally located, cute, clean, and comfortable without being over the top. I didn’t care about having a luxury room since I wanted to be out exploring most of the time. My only complaints: the toilet was tiny and round (I cannot stand that), and the water pressure could’ve been stronger. But overall, it was perfectly fine. Two queen beds made it easy to spread out and sleep comfortably.

We also made one very smart move before heading home - we stopped at TJ Maxx and bought a piece of checked luggage. We filled it with our big coats and boots, and Ahnika added a bunch of her things since she was preparing to move home. And, as luck would have it, that luggage was another TravelPro! My favorite brand, once again proving it never lets me down.

If I have one regret, it’s the hike. It took up the entire day, and honestly, it nearly killed me! There were a few other things I would’ve liked to do, but that one long trek used up all my energy and most of one day.

Even so, the trip was amazing. I’d go back to Jackson Hole in a heartbeat. I can only imagine how stunning it must be in spring and summer. Fall was gorgeous, and winter must be magical. It’s a beautiful, friendly town, and every person we met was kind and welcoming.

JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING 2025 - Crossing Teton Pass

Today we weren’t sure whether to drive up to Yellowstone or take the Teton Pass. Since Aaron loves to drive and we hadn’t done the pass yet, we decided to go for it. The Teton Pass rises to over 8,400 feet at the state line between Wyoming and Idaho, and it’s one of the most scenic drives in the region. The road twists and climbs through steep grades with incredible panoramic views of the valley below. It’s a favorite route for locals, skiers, and adventurous travelers who don’t mind a few sharp turns and some thin mountain air.

The drive was beautiful, especially with the fall colors still holding on. Every overlook offered a different view of the Teton Range and the distant plains. It’s easy to see why so many photographers and outdoor lovers come here. Aaron enjoyed every minute behind the wheel.

We stopped at a gas station in Idaho for gum and water, then turned around and headed back to Jackson. Once we got back to the hotel, we started packing up for tomorrow. Earlier in the day we picked up a large piece of luggage to check on our flight home. We plan to fill it with our big coats and boots, and then let Ahnika add some of her things too. She’ll be moving back home on November 4, so it feels good to help her get a few of her belongings started on their way.

If only we had one more day, we would go to Yellowstone. A lot of the national parks are closing due to winter being on the way and also the government shutdown. But I know we could have at least gone back to Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic. Alas, we only have as much time as we do. Our main focus on this trip was seeing Ahnika and exploring the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole, and I think we achieved that.

JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING 2025 - Evening in Jackson

After our drive over Teton Pass, we went back to the hotel to start packing. Just as we were getting settled, a text came from Ahnika - she had spotted a lot of wildlife. We threw our jackets on, slipped into our shoes, and rushed out the door.

On the way, we saw plenty of wildlife ourselves - elk, buffalo, and the most incredible sunset I’ve ever witnessed. The sky exploded in pink and red behind the Tetons, like a painting too vivid to be real. Life here must feel like a series of photo ops you eventually stop noticing, no matter how breathtaking they are.

When we got back, we decided to walk over to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and have dinner downstairs. It’s a cozy old-time steakhouse with great atmosphere. The food was amazing, and we even had enough leftovers to share with Ahnika later.

After dinner, we picked her up from work. She had a long day guiding her safari trips and was busy cleaning the trucks and putting her gear away. We handed her the box of leftovers - a small care package of comfort food - before heading back to the bar together.

The place was packed, with pool tables and a lively crowd. Aaron and I ordered one of our favorite drinks without checking the price first, and of course they turned out to be $25 each. Ahnika had a gin cocktail, then later a Cosmo, while I tried an Old Fashioned. Aaron stuck with water since he was driving.

Ahnika got a little tipsy, which made for such a fun night. We laughed, told stories, and enjoyed every minute. It was so good to see her relaxed and happy after all the hard work she’s been doing. She wanted to stay out longer, but we needed to get some rest, so we dropped her off - reminding her about all those leftovers waiting for her. Hopefully she remembered them in the morning.

JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING 2025 - Stargazing in the Tetons

 Tuesday evening, Ahnika took us stargazing beneath the breathtakingly dark skies of Grand Teton National Park. She brought out her pride and joy, an 8-inch Celestron telescope equipped with computer control and WiFi. Within minutes she had programmed it to glide to specific coordinates in the sky, finding objects that would have taken us ages to locate by hand.

We saw Saturn, its tiny golden rings crisp and clear. We viewed the Andromeda Galaxy, glowing faintly like a distant cloud. We looked at a binary star system and several beautiful star clusters, each one a glittering pocket of the universe. Ahnika used a bright green laser pointer to trace shapes and constellations overhead, her voice confident as she guided us through the night sky.

The temperature was in the twenties, but we were layered up and ready for it. She set up two folding chairs for Aaron and me, gave us super warm blankets, and handed us hot cider in travel cups. The steam curled up into the cold air as we sat in the quiet, looking up at the Milky Way, a soft, hazy river of light crossing the sky. Every few minutes, a shooting star streaked across, quick and silent, and we all gasped like kids again.

It’s hard to describe how proud we are of her. Ahnika moved to a place she had never been before, built a life for herself, and found a way to turn her passion for science and nature into work that inspires others. She now leads both wildlife and stargazing safaris, navigating through the parks and the constellations with equal confidence. Watching her in her element, smart, brave, and doing what she loves, was one of the most beautiful experiences of our trip.

Under that vast Wyoming sky, surrounded by mountains and starlight, we couldn’t help but feel small in the best possible way.

JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING 2025 - Hidden Falls, Hidden Peril

The Hike Around Jenny Lake

The hike around Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls sounded like a dream: a gentle stroll around a sparkling alpine lake, a dainty waterfall, maybe a photogenic squirrel or two. Instead, it was a five-mile, five-hour death march, three hours up and two hours down, with a 620-foot elevation gain starting at 6,783 feet above sea level.

I had finished 33 sessions of radiation just four weeks earlier, so I figured a “nice little nature walk” would be a great way to celebrate. Spoiler alert: the mountain disagreed.

I’m from Florida. My lungs are built for humidity and alligator sightings, not this thin Jackson Hole air that feels like breathing through a cocktail straw. By mile two, my optimism had filed for bankruptcy and my lungs were sending SOS signals.

It started cold. I was bundled up, smugly confident, feeling outdoorsy. Halfway up, I was sweating like a rotisserie chicken and shedding layers like an emotional breakdown. Near the top, it was freezing again. This trail has microclimates. I was prepared for exactly none of them.

The path was a slippery obstacle course of rocks, mud, and ice. Every step was a new opportunity to re-injure my dignity. I clung to trees, stumbled like a baby giraffe, and crawled up stone steps whispering “why” to no one in particular.

I didn’t drink much water because what if I had to pee in the wilderness? My nose ran nonstop. I forgot tissues. By hour three, my gloves were an OSHA violation. Dignity? Left that at the trailhead.

Normally I hike in “horse mode” - head down, keep walking, don’t think. But this trail demanded “mountain goat mode,” and I was running on house cat energy. Other hikers bounded by like woodland sprites, cheerful and fresh-faced, while I looked like an oxygen-deprived swamp creature. Some passed us twice. I started to suspect they lived there.

Even the wildlife mocked me. A pika squeaked like it was laughing. A squirrel sprinted across a log just to show off. A mule deer stared with open disdain. 

Nature: 10. Mitzi: clinging to a rock.

And then there were the liars. Every hiker who chirped “You’re almost there!” should face trial. For three straight hours, “almost there” was the biggest scam in Wyoming.

Finally, I reached Hidden Falls. It was stunning, roaring, misty, and cinematic. I stared for a full thirty seconds before thinking, “Was it worth the hike? No. Was it beautiful? Sure. Would I ever do it again? Absolutely not.

I survived Jenny Lake. Barely.

Hidden Falls: 1.

Mitzi: wheezing somewhere near zero.

JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING 2025

The flights weren’t too bad. I was glad to stop at DFW just to stretch out and walk around. The American Airlines seats were surprisingly decent for a long day of travel.

Our hotel is nice and centrally located. My only real complaint is the toilet - it’s short and tiny and round, the absolute worst - and the water pressure could definitely be better. We’re staying at Mountain Modern on Broadway, right in the heart of Jackson Hole, which makes it easy to get anywhere in town.

We ended up with a fantastic rental car: a 2024 Toyota 4Runner 4WD. And that four-wheel drive really matters here! The roads can change in an instant from smooth pavement to rutted, muddy tracks.

We made a quick stop at Smith’s grocery store for snacks, apples, and a gallon jug of water. The water here tastes a little odd - probably because it’s river water - but we’re getting used to it.

On Sunday we drove all over the place. Having Ahnika as our tour guide is amazing! She knows her way around and took us to so many beautiful spots. We started with breakfast at The Bunnery, which was excellent, and grabbed coffee at Cowboy Coffee before heading out to explore Grand Teton National Park.

We saw buffalo and ducks along the way, though no other wildlife yet. Maybe soon! One of the most memorable stops was Mormon Row, with its old barns and ruins from the early Mormon settlers. It’s incredible to imagine what life must have been like out here back then.

The Grand Tetons themselves are breathtaking - so massive and striking that every new view feels unreal. The glaciers nestled between the peaks are enormous, and the whole area is just stunning from every angle.

It’s also funny to see all the tourists walking around in cowboy hats and full-on western getups. You can tell most of them bought their outfits just for the trip. Between the oversized hats, fringe jackets, and shiny boots, it feels a little like a movie set sometimes. It definitely adds to the charm of the town, though - everyone seems to be leaning into the Wyoming vibe.

It’s fun to see the Jackson Town Square in person, with the famous antler arches on each corner. We’ve watched the YouTube live feed of this area so many times, so it feels a little surreal to actually be standing here. Maybe we’ll even stand under the cameras and wave this week!

One thing we noticed right away is how seriously they enforce the speed limits here. It’s a bit of a bummer to have to drive so slow, especially with all the open space and scenic roads. Parts of town drop to 15, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 miles per hour - and they mean it. Everyone seems to follow the rules exactly, which probably keeps the wildlife and tourists safer, but it definitely takes some patience when you’re used to faster Florida driving.

My hair and skin look so much better here! I can’t quite figure out why. Maybe it’s the cool, dry mountain air or the difference in humidity. Even though the air feels crisp, my skin looks smoother and my hair has more body. Maybe it’s the lack of Florida heat and humidity that usually weighs everything down. Whatever it is, I’m not complaining.

So far, I’ve been happy that we’ve been going back to the hotel early each night. The extra rest definitely helps after long days of exploring. We have two queen beds, and it’s funny because when it’s time to sleep, we each automatically drift to our own spots with our own pillows and blankets. It’s comfortable, quiet, and honestly kind of perfect after spending the whole day out together.