After our hearty cowboy breakfast we made a quick stop at the Jackson History Museum which had photos and items from the town's earliest settlers.
Then the main event! Horseback riding! Drove about 15 minutes out of town to Spring Ranch where we signed the mortal waiver once again and then literally saddled up. We were so lucky and so surprised to discover that it would only be the two of us and the guide riding, a private 2 hr adventure.
Our guide was Charlie. He leads rides, packs and hunting trips by horse all year long. My horse was named Neon and my Dad rode Randy. We started off fairly slow up a steep climb on a narrow trail. Sage, boysenberry bushes, wild roses, multiple varieties and colors of Paint Brush (the Wyoming state flower), wild mint and groves of Aspen surrounded us as we continued our climb. Climb we did! Charlie told us at the top we were at 11,086 ft! The day was clear and warm and we had outstanding views across to the Tetons and down at Jackson.
We moved a bit faster after that, working our way across a ridge and then through a small wood and out again into foothills. I began to feel much more comfortable riding Neon and even though it wasn't a full gallop or even trot it was still faster than when we began! Dad's horse veered off trail at one point, apparently to a trail that headed back to the stables! Dad turned him around though and did a really great job as it was a pretty tight and narrow spot - so glad it was his horse and not mine that decided to pull that trick!
Towards the end a photographer from the ranch showed up on a crest and took photos of Dad and myself on our horses, we bought the CD but can't add those here until the trip is over :(
We barely had time to grab our jackets and re-spray our bug repellant and we were off for a Chuck Wagon dinner and show. It was very touristy. It was set up by the hotel and while it was fun to ride in a covered wagon and I did enjoy the live music, it really was cheesy and mostly for families with little kids. The food was 100% ugh. The horses that pulled the wagons were Belgians and were very big and beautiful however. Our wagon (there were 7 I think) was being pulled by horses named Tom, who was purchased from the Amish, and Jimmy who came from Canada.
Oh well, it was just another part of our adventure! Which by the way is winding down... We say farewell to Jackson tomorrow and work our way down the western border of Wyoming and south into Utah. I will miss this beautiful area, I love this type of landscape (but I think I'd change my mind come winter!!)
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