jjstark4 Summer 2018 was the year my cousin got married in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. My moms side of the family all flew in and a handful of us went in on an Airbnb together where we stayed for a week. The entire experience was unforgettable.
First, the rehearsal dinner was actually at the top of Rendezvous Mountain! We were greeted at the gondola with wine glasses we could drink on the way up and more wine and appetizers served on fancy spoons as we got off at the top. The view was beautiful and the evening was memorable.
The actual wedding ceremony had stunning, picturesque views of the Grand Tetons in the background with horses grazing on the green pasture. We were taken there on a bus and they had a make your own trail mix stand where we could fill up a bag to snack on on the way back from the ceremony. I remember the exact moment my cousin and his wife said ‘I do’ because white horses were released and galloped by in the background. I remember I accidentally said out loud under my breath, “are you kidding me”. It was straight out of a movie and incredibly beautiful.
The reception was just as grand as the rehearsal dinner and the wedding. There was a whiskey bar, a coffee bar, a s’mores bar, and a telescope out to look up at the stars. We ate, we danced and we had such a great time. They even brought out a late night snack bar with pizza and chips for when you started to get the munchies after drinking and dancing for so long. They really thought of everything. Never again will I get to attend a wedding so grand.
After the wedding, we stayed a few extra days to explore and hike around Yellowstone National Park and Grand Tetons National Park. My aunt who now actually lives inside Yellowstone National Park serving at one of the cabins during season, was our official tour guide that trip.
At Yellowstone, we got to see Old Faithful, a geyser erupt many times. We also ventured out to see the Grand Prismatic spring, which is the most photographed landmark in Yellowstone. It’s one of the largest hot springs in the United States, deeper than a 10-story building and is most well known for its bright bands of orange, yellow, and green rings surrounding the deep blue waters in the spring time. I can’t remember exactly what other location we explored but I think we saw the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone because I remember seeing a huge waterfall. We also say buffalo at some point during this day but I can’t remember where they were camped out.
The next day we headed to Grand Teton National Park. The only thing I remember about this day was hiking around Jenny Lake, it may have been our only stop. It was beautiful with the mountains in the background and the water was so blue.
And that concludes Summer 2018! Yellowstone National Park? Check. Grand Teton National Park? Check. Amazing family memories? Check!