MENOR'S FERRY

We visited Menor's Ferry in 2010 to visit the site of the first ferry across the Snake River, which began service in 1894.   But we returned again this year to take a ride on a replica of the ferry that was used for about twenty years to further the settlement of the Jackson Hole valley.

The ferry was the only way for new Jackson Hole settlers to cross the Snake River without traveling north about 35 miles to Moran where they could cross at the Jackson Lake Dam. That 35 miles on horseback or in a wagon would take the better part of a day to travel, so the ferry was immediately successful for frontier families. The ferry is long enough to put a small wagon and team of horses. Bill Menor charged $.25 for a rider on horseback and $.50 for a wagon with a team of horses to ride his ferry.

Previously, the Snake River was too high and swift for the National Park Service to put the replica of the ferry in the water. They tried in 2011, though, and the ferry immediately sank into the river and stayed there all summer until the water became low enough for the ferry to be hauled out.  Now, with much less winter snow, the river is just the right height to take a ferry ride.

The pilot turns the wheel of the ferry to point the pontoons so the river current can propel the ferry in the direction of the current towards the opposite shore. This method of propelling the ferry dates back to Egyptian times and is called a "reaction ferry". The photo below shows the two ropes going towards the pulley system attached to the cable,  which is how the pontoons are aimed.

Here is a close-up of the pulley system as the ferry reaches the west dock.

Captain Paul at the helm.

Bill Menor was the first person to take advantage of the Homestead Act and settle on the west side of the Snake River. His original cabin (not shown) is actually to the left of the photo below and was made out of logs. The left portion in the photo below was an addition to his original cabin and was made from lumber bought from a sawmill in the valley. In 1905 he opened the general store, shown on the right in the photo below.

He crafted furniture out of wood and sometimes antlers as seen below. Elk antlers frame the chair, and the seat is made from a moose antler. Notice the long sleepwear draped on the bed in the rear of the photo. Winter temperatures could reach to -20 F or colder.

This was a very enjoyable look back into the history of the Jackson Hole Valley.

LAKESHORE TRAIL HIKE

A day off in the middle of summer means time to take a hike--literally. We headed down to the marina to take a short hike from the marina along the northeast shore of Jackson Lake. The Jackson Hole valley has been covered with smoke from several forest fires across the Teton mountain range in Idaho for over a week now. Compare this photo with the second photo below which was taken in June. Not only is the level of Jackson Lake lower now, but you can barely see Mt. Moran.

Photo from June, like a picture postcard.

As we began our hike we were greeted by the following sign. The sign does make you stop and think! There have been several sightings of black bears in the RV park as well as the campground. However, thankfully, we did not encounter a bear during our hike.

Not much wildlife along the trail, although we did see several chipmunks and squirrels.

When we got back to Colter Bay Village, we did see Ms. Deer between the parking lot at the top of the steps and the amphitheater, which is used for park ranger programs.

Our friendly doe is trying to select her seat for the evening's ranger talk.

We had an enjoyable hike despite the smoky haze obscuring the views of the mountains.

WINE TASTING AT DORNAN'S

We received an invitation to a wine tasting at Dornans, a restaurant and "resort" in Moose, WY, which is about 12 miles north of Jackson.

Dornans has a pizza restaurant, a small grocery store, an outdoor shop renting bikes, kayaks & canoes, a float trip business and ...

 
there is also a Chuckwagon outdoor restaurant. On this night, the Chuckwagon was closed to the general public due to a wedding reception. You can see the wedding guests on the left in the photo below. What a location to have a destination wedding!

A true western welcome greets you as you walk towards the wine store.

Now who would think that, in the middle of this western oriented complex, we would find a fine wine store!  It seems so out of place, and we are not sure where their clientele comes from.  But the wine store has been here for years.  We got to sample four wines, two of which we enjoyed enough to purchase several bottles each. Added to our favorites are a 2010 Curtis Heritage Blanc Viognier / Roussanne Blend and a 2009 Monte Hiniesta Tinta de Toro red blend from Spain. The wine steward is pouring the red blend in the photo below.

After the wine tasting, we enjoyed a pizza on the second floor deck overlooking the Snake River. Dornan's pizza is the closest pizza to Chicago style pizza that we have tasted here in Wyoming. The views of the Teton Range as the sun set behind the mountains was priceless.

On the drive back to Colter Bay, we were treated to some more amazing views of the Teton Range. It is easy to see where "Purple mountains majesty" comes from.

Mount Moran is shown below with the sun just setting behind the mountains to the west. Notice the calmness of the Snake River, so the reflection of the mountain is clearly visible.

A close look at Skillet Glacier and you can see there is no surrounding snow, just the glacier being visible on this late July evening.

HAPPY HOUR WITH A VIEW

  

One of the most peaceful places to enjoy happy hour is overlooking the Jackson Hole valley from The Deck, an area in front of the Couloir Restaurant above Teton Village. The Couloir is a fine dining restaurant located at 9095 ft. in Teton Village. We had such a good time doing this two years ago that we just had to repeat the experience.

The gondola ride to the top is free and the drinks are half-price for happy hour. The mode of transportation to the top is a 6-8 passenger gondola, which takes about 15 minutes to rise over 3000 feet. The shadow in the lower left in the photo below is from the Teton Village logo which appears in white on the other gondola. 

The sun was intense at 9095 feet above sea level even though the air was cool on this afternoon. The Gros Ventre Mountains are in the distance. In addition to some ice cold Snake River Brewing Company draft beer, we enjoyed a "small plate" of sliders. The mini-burgers were grilled and topped with crispy onions, buttermilk blue, and dijon mayo -  a very tasty combination.

Included in the Deck menu was a quote from Benjamin Franklin, "There can't be good living where there is not good drinking".  We totally agree with that philosophy!

The spaceship looking device is the turnaround for the Bridger Gondola before it heads back down to Teton Village.

The highlight of our return to Colter Bay was a close-up view of Mr. Moose along the highway. Notice how large the rack is, especially considering moose lose their antlers in the winter, and this photo was taken in early July.

Another wildlife sighting on the way home in Flat Creek, which flows through the National Elk Refuge just north of Jackson.  It took us three summers here in Wyoming to see a trumpeter swan. The reflection is of the Gros Ventre Mountains which are to the east of town. 

We had a very relaxing time on a pretty summer day in the Jackson Hole Valley.