Jackson Hole, WY - Family Reunion August 2016

The buffalo hat! A Jackson Hole Classic. 

The extended family gathered again this year in Jackson. We were missing Josh and Amanda who are in Chuuk and Deborahs family. Hopefully they can all make it next year. We did have a new addition - little Jackson came. He's the first great grandchild to join in on the Jackson Hole fun. 

Cynthia and Troy, the proud grandparents getting some time with Jackson. Time with Jackson was hard to come by with so many people to share him with. He was a good sport though and let us pass him around and around until I am quite sure he was dizzy.

We spent lots of time hiking this year. We found some new trails we hadn't been down before. This is a tree that looks like it was worked over by a bear. Better the tree than me.

River day is always a hit! They did a kids run early in the day and took all the little and any bigs who wanted to float. The dingy was out, two rafts and a couple tubes. Unfortunately Ally hit a tube onto a branch and it popped. I took a swim on big Kahoona but lived to tell the tale. The lady who floated down the day after us and took a swim didn't. Feeling pretty good about things. Rachel took a dip up on an earlier rapid. Other than that anyone in the water was there by choice. The kids like to go through kahoona in their life vests without a boat. I have done that before but don't really enjoy it much anymore. They also like to stop and do some cliff jumping right before the take-out. That is fun to watch them show off their mad skills for each other.

The Jackson Hole playhouse is always a favorite of mine. So fun to listen to Tommy and Joey laugh their little heads off at the silliness on stage. Byron came with us but claims we are now even for the terrible movie I sat through with him a few months ago. I guess that's fare.

Off to find a few fish he hopes. Byron had lots of time this year to fish as he didn't have to work while he was on vacation. He has been using his time well as I think he said he has now been to seven national parks this summer. His trip to Glacier this weekend made his seventh.

Looking for pretty rocks in the river while Byron fishes for a minute. We also soaked our feet in the cool water. Felt great halfway through our nine mile hike.

Ty and I at our turn around point. We could see Phelps Lake but were to high in elevation to get down to the shore.

Breakfast at Bubba's!! Always a favorite. We may have also eaten dinner at Bubba's on the same day as well. Don't tell anyone though. Pretty much the best food in town.

Probably the second favorite day in Jackson for the kids, after the river. I cranked my back out of line on the river either guiding the last stretch or while swimming Kahoona. Not sure which but I was not ready for a horse. I was barely ready to walk. Those who went had a good ride. Nobody was bucked or drug or had anything traumatic happen to them so that is always good. Ally is back in the saddle after her scare two years ago and she is looking happy about it.

My parents drove Tommy, Joey and Tyler home from the horses. We all had to share cars and people and such to get everyone where they needed to be today.

Selfie with Mt. Moran. I just love the view from here. Gorgeous!

Ally getting set up for ropes course. 

Still in the boat....

James, Joey, Tyler and Tommy in a mash up of bodies going through big Kahoona. Why do they love the river so much?

Close-up of our fearless captain! Does this guy know what he's doing?

Carter's biscuits and gravy plate at Bubba's.

Ally may have accidentally put the palmolive into the dishwasher instead of dishwashing detergent. We caught the suds as they were oozing out of the cracks of the dishwasher so no big flood of bubbles. Life lessons are hard to learn on vacation. Dish soap vs. dish detergent. We've got it all straightened out now.

All in all another great year in Jackson. Keep your boots on we'll be back again next year.