Rafting The Snake River

Above, yours truly rafting the Snake River in 2019. Photo by Floatographs.

If Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are in your summer vacation itinerary this year, you may want to make a visit to nearby Jackson Hole, Wyoming to take a rafting trip on the Snake River.

I did this in 2019 and had a great time. I went with Dave Hansen Whitewater. We were staying at the then-Snake River KOA and were picked up by the rafting company from the campground. Amazingly, I did this a year after I had a heart attack. 

Above, a gift shop in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was about a three hour rafting trip and about eight miles in length on the Snake River. 

The staff were friendly and professional and took care of their guests very well. 

Besides taking a rafting trip, wandering around the town of Jackson is also a great activity with plenty of shops to explore. 

New Injection Could Help Reverse Damage

Above, yours truly in a Twin Falls, Idaho hospital after two stents were installed.

Eight years ago, when I had my heart attack (or something very close to it) in Wells, Nevada. It was due to fast action by a friend that got paramedics to me that prevented any heart muscle damage. All I needed were two stents to remedy a coronary artery blockage in Twin Falls, Idaho.

I recovered so well that I was able to go on a cruise to Cuba and do some river rafting in Jackson, Wyoming the following year. I also shed some weight as well.

Above, river rafting the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming in 2019. Photo by Floatographs

My Lexiscan (and other exams) last summer showed no new blockages. Whew!

Meantime, Fox News posted a story on a new therapy that may repair cardiac muscle damage following a heart attack. I was sent the article by my "honorary sister" Diane.

The article starts with:

Scientists have developed a new therapy designed to repair cardiac damage after a heart attack.

The study, led by researchers at Columbia University and published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering, explored a two-step strategy that uses skeletal muscle to produce a healing molecule that activates when it reaches an injured heart.

Unlike many organs, the adult human heart has a limited ability to repair itself after a heart attack, the researchers noted.

 To read more, go here.

10 Hot Weather RV Tips To Stay Cool This Summer

Above, at camp near the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I am only weeks away from taking a vacation trip up to Wyoming and South Dakota. Currently, the temperatures in Jamestown, New Mexico have been in the 90s, sometimes touching on 100°.

Summer means RV travel and some travelers will going into places that are in warmer climates. RV Life has posted an article with 10 hot weather RV tips to stay cool in the summer.

They begin it with:

Summer’s warm temperatures are perfect for RV camping and a lot of other fun outdoor activities. After all, many RVers spent winter and spring eagerly anticipating the heat of summer. However, in the case of scorching summer temperatures, too much of a good thing can be no good at all. That said, sweltering temperatures aren’t just uncomfortable, they can be hazardous. Not to worry though, because I’ve gathered 10 hot-weather RV tips that experienced RVers use to keep things cool in the RV when temperatures soar.

One tip they didn't mention is to indulge in some sort of water sport while at camp. A few years ago, I did some river rafting near Jackson, Wyoming. Besides being a lot of fun, I also was kept cool.

Above, rafting on the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming. 

To read more, go here. 

$15/Hour Minimum Wage Hurting Colorado Rafting Outfitters

Above, yours truly rafting the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming in 2019.

Another factor of inflation these days (that doesn't get as much coverage as it should) is the raising of minimum wages in different states. 

Everyone is aware of the high prices at fast food restaurants due to higher minimum wages, but there are some businesses that are suffering which are not on anyone's radar.

One such business is the river rafting industry in Colorado. Colorado is a blue state dominated by radical Democrats.

A Colorado rafting company recently lost a court battle over the state's $15.00/hour minimum wage.

MSN.com reported:

GRANITE, Colo. (KKTV) -A recent federal court ruling could increase the cost of rafting on the Arkansas River. Colorado river outfitters, including Arkansas Valley Adventures, have lost their legal fight to avoid paying state-mandated minimum wages to their raft guides.

The decision, handed down on April 30 by the federal court, upheld a $15 per hour minimum wage, following an appeal to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last year.

The outfitters argued that the wage increase would escalate their operating costs, potentially leading to higher prices for customers and fewer available trips. The government contends that higher wages will boost worker productivity and improve service quality.

“You know, we’re going to pay you twice as much but guess what, we don’t have any work. It wouldn’t help us. We didn’t want that. We wanted an exemption. We wanted to understand our situation, and that just didn’t happen,” said Arkansas Valley Adventures owner Duke Bradford.

A $15.00/hour minimum wage sounds lovely, but that won't do anyone any good if companies have to cut back or even go out of business. The river rafting industry is especially hurt since it is seasonal.

To read more, go here. 

Colorado River Rafting Looks Promising

Above, yours truly rafting the Snake River in 2019.

The last time I went river rafting was in 2019 in Jackson, Wyoming on the Snake River. It was an enjoyable rafting trip and remarkable as it was a year after my heart attack in Wells, Nevada.

I went with the Dave Hansen Whitewater Adventures.

This year, rafting may be on the agenda in neighboring Colorado. The Animas River near Durango is a possibility. I rafted on the Animas River out of Durango twice, but those trips were during the 1980s.

This year, Colorado river conditions look promising, especially in the northern part of the state.

According to VailDaily:

Early indications suggest Colorado could have a very good rafting season through spring and into the summer, especially in the northern half of the state.

Predicting seasonal rafting conditions is difficult because factors besides snowpack depths always come into play, such as temperature trends, which affect the rate of runoff, as well as the amount and timing of monsoon moisture in the summer. At the moment, though, things look promising.

To read more, go here. 

Pay To Play On Snake River?

Above, the raft trip I took on the Snake River in 2019.

Five years ago, while in the Jackson, Wyoming area, I took a raft trip down the Snake River south of Jackson. I had an excellent time and was pleased I was able to do so a year after a near-heart attack in Wells, Nevada. My cardiologist was also pleased when I told him about the trip.

Now, it seems that the Snake River is so popular that fees are being considered for people who partake in float trips. In other words, pay to play.

Above, another photo of our raft trip on the Snake River in 2019.

Jackson Hole Community Radio (KHOL) reported:

The Upper Snake River south of Jackson could become the first river in Wyoming to require a fee for access.

The Bridger-Teton National Forest held a meeting last week in Jackson for the proposed fees to give the public another chance to weigh in. If the program goes into place, floaters would need to pay to access the stretch between the mouth of the Hoback River to just upstream of the Alpine Junction.

David Cernicek, with the Bridger-Teton National Forest, said the fees are necessary to manage the river due to increased recreational use.

“Our funding is very limited on the river,” Cernicek said. “And we’re not really able to afford the river anymore. Our expenses exceed our costs in providing what we do down in Snake River Canyon.”

The national forest says the river can see over 200,000 people every season, and the fees are needed for maintaining and improving infrastructure like boat ramps, bathrooms and parking areas, among other needs.

The forest would charge $5 per vehicle per day and $3 per person for outfitters and larger groups over 15. Floaters could also choose to buy a season pass for $40, or get a discount for buying two season passes at the same time.

To read more, go here. 

Reader's Digest Yellowstone Itinerary

Above, Old Faithful Geyser in eruption. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It hardly seems possible that it has been five years since I was last in the Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks area. 

That trip was made possible as a friend and I went to Buhl, Idaho to visit an ailing friend. Since we were in the vicinity, we decided to go on to Jackson, Wyoming and the national parks.

Above, yours truly (white shirt) rafting the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming.

Reader's Digest has posted one family's one-week itinerary which looks pretty interesting that one should consider.

It starts off with:

Every time I told anyone—friends, family, people I had just met—that my family’s summer vacation plan was to visit Wyoming and Montana, they inevitably asked about our Yellowstone itinerary. I get it. As a lifelong East Coaster, planning a trip to a national park out West is intimidating, even for an experienced traveler like me, who, as an editor at Reader’s Digest online, has the advantage of being able to consult with tourism boards and other travel experts.

After a year-plus of research and planning, here is the one-week Yellowstone itinerary I followed with my husband and two elementary-school-age kids—along with the one thing I wish we had done differently.

To read more, go here. 

5 Exciting Things To Do In Scenic Twin Falls

Above, a waterfall and power plant at the Snake River Canyon near Twin Falls. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My first visit to Twin Falls, Idaho was definitely not the most pleasant experience.

I had to be helicoptered to its St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center to have two stents put into a coronary artery after being stricken in Wells, Nevada. But I did visit the city twice since then and the visits were a lot more enjoyable for me.

TravelAwaits has posted an article on five exciting things to do in scenic Twin Falls. 

They begin it with:

I’ll admit, I didn’t know what to expect from Idaho’s cities, especially the smaller Twin Falls community. I was able to road trip through this stunningly scenic state, and while I spent more time in Boise, I found Twin Falls in the south central part of the state to be charming, distinctive, and worth a visit.

Visit Idaho’s tagline is “Idaho. Beyond Words,” and the whole state certainly lives up to that expectation with its diverse landscapes, impossibly big scenery, unique natural areas, and soaring mountains filled with plunging valleys. Twin Falls itself boasts of its own scenic wonders. It’s just a 2-hour drive east from Boise and is a city that will surprise and delight you.

To read more, go here. 

Jackson and Jackson Hole: What's The Difference?

Above, a view of Jackson Hole and the Snake River from the Jackson Hole Tram. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many people get confused over Jackson Hole and Jackson, Wyoming. They often wonder, "What's the difference?"

Well, to clear up the confusion, Brent Thomas posted at SnowBrains:

Last August I took my family to Jackson Hole for our summer vacation. It was my first time visiting the area and we had a fantastic time hiking, biking, and visiting national parks.

When I would tell others about the trip, they would often be confused about the difference between Jackson and Jackson Hole. So here is a post to get you in the know about one of the most beautiful spots in the country.

To put it simply, Jackson Hole is the entire valley that encompasses the area, while Jackson is the name of the only incorporated town in the area.

To read more and see a map at what Jackson Hole includes, go here. 

Jackson Hole/Snake River KOA No More

Above, the then-Jackson Hole/Snake River KOA in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While working on this blog post on "greedflation", I was reviewing my account with KOA Kampgrounds which shows the history of my stays.

As I was doing so, I spotted this:

It was a nice park, but we noticed that the park catered more to cabin stays rather than RVs. There weren't that many RV sites there, we noticed (compared to other KOAs). We stayed there in 2019 while visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks along with some river-rafting on the Snake River.

Hopefully, another park in the Jackson Hole area will become a KOA Kampground as it is a prime area for RV camping. The nearest one is 57 miles east of Jackson.

This makes two KOA Kampgrounds I have stayed at in recent years that have left KOA. The other being the Cortez/Mesa Verde KOA in Cortez, Colorado. 

Grand Teton's Colter Bay Closed For Season

Above, Colter Bay Marina during normal times. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Boaters who like to take their boats out on Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park are out of luck this summer season.

The lake is very low, practically empty in some areas. 

According to Buckrail:

MOOSE, Wyo. — Colter Bay Marina in Grand Teton National Park is looking very dry this summer.

According to the park, Due to low water levels on Jackson Lake, the Colter Bay Marina and all associates activities and services will not be operating for the 2022 summer season.

According to the article, Jackson Lake is a natural lake that is fed by the Snake River. The Jackson Lake Dam raises the water level about 39 feet to the lake. 

In some parts of the lake, it is only 47% full.

To read more and see photos of the lake, go here.

Best Jackson Hole Restaurants To Try On A Budget

Above, yours truly under an antler arch in Jackson. Photo by Mitch Germinsky.

The last time I visited Jackson, Wyoming was three years ago. 

During that trip, a friend and I camped at a KOA south of the town along the Snake River. While there we visited Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and I did some river rafting on the Snake River. We also did some shopping and grabbed a meal in Jackson. The price wasn't bad, but I can't recall the name of it. It could be one listed in the following article.

TravelAwaits posted their 7 favorite restaurants to try while on a budget (Jackson can get pricey).

They begin with:

Jackson, Wyoming is a beautiful mountain town located on the doorstep of the majestic Grand Tetons Mountain range and Grand Teton National Park. This area is full of scenic vistas and offers plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. So whether you want to tour the area by car or get out and hit the trails or lakes, you’re in for a treat. 

Jackson is also conveniently located near another national park, Yellowstone. In fact, Jackson is less than 60 miles from the southern entrance of the park. Known for its Old West flair and bustling downtown, its Western, rustic vibe will bring out the country in you. This is a town for all seasons, so pick your favorite time to visit and get busy making plans. 

In all seasons, there are plenty of outdoor activities. From hiking, biking, and fishing in summer to skiing at one of the world-renowned ski resorts during ski season, Jackson offers fun any time of year. But all this fun and beauty doesn’t come cheap. Jackson is an expensive place to live — and to visit, for that matter. Known as one of the most expensive places in the United States to live, money is a factor. Rumor has it that the billionaires are chasing the millionaires out of town!

We wanted to find good food that didn’t cost a fortune on our recent trip. While none of these spots are gourmet restaurants, in a town so pricey, I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of good food we found at relatively inexpensive prices. Here are our top picks, in no particular order.

To see what they are, go here. 

Grand Teton National Park Turns 93

Above, the Grand Tetons are mirrored on Jackson Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Although overshadowed by its neighbor to the north, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park is an interesting place in its own right.

The Grand Teton mountain range is unique as it doesn't have foothills. It is a place where visitors can hike, camp, boat and float downstream on the Snake River. 

Grand Teton National Park turned 93 on February 26.

According to Buckrail:

MOOSE, Wyo. — Yesterday, Feb 26., marked Grand Teton National Park’s 93rd birthday. On that day in 1929, the areas around the Grand Teton mountain range and its lakes were established as a national park to protect the land from commercial exploitation.

Since then, the surrounding region has largely transformed. But steady in the change that time brings is the awe that Grand Teton delivers.

“Tall and proud, the Tetons rise dramatically from the grasslands, cutting through bluest skies and brightest sunrises. Snowcapped in the winter and stark gray in summer, these granite masterpieces are home to all seeking serenity in mountains. Few landscapes in the world are as striking and memorable as that of Grand Teton National Park,” said the National Park Servie in a statement yesterday.

“Established on [Feb. 26] in 1929, Grand Teton offers extraordinary wildlife, pristine lakes, alpine terrain, and a unique collection of natural and cultural resources to explore.”

To read more, go here. 

Jackson: Stylish Western Ski Town Even Non-skiers Will Love

Above, a view of the Snake River flowing through Jackson Hole. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether or not one is a skier, there is one place in the U.S. that skiers and non-skiers would enjoy visiting. That is Jackson Hole and the town of Jackson, Wyoming.

Besides being near to Grand Teton National Park, Jackson is a great place to do some shopping and eating. 

Above, one of the shops in Jackson where I made some purchases. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is nestled in the valley of Jackson Hole. I was last there during the summer three years ago. I was able to do some shopping and partaking in cuisines in Jackson. We stayed at a KOA Kampground situated on the Snake River south of town. While there, I did some whitewater rafting.

Above, yours truly on a rafting trip on the Snake River near Jackson. 

Travel + Leisure has posted an article on Jackson Hole, calling it a "stylish Western ski town." (Just to avoid confusion, Jackson is the town, Jackson Hole is the valley.)

They begin it with:

Jackson Hole has always been a little rough-and-tumble, the kind of place that’s more about fresh powder than see-and-be-seen après-ski glitz. But even as it has held tight to that independent, cowboy-country spirit, the area has quietly become one of America’s most stylish wintertime retreats.

 To read the full article, go here.

Travel + Leisure: 10 Best Fall Vacations

Above, Jackson Hole and the Snake River. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The autumn equinox arrives on September 22, but that doesn't mean that taking a vacation then is out of the question.

On the contrary, it is a great time to take a vacation.

Travel + Leisure has posted an article on the 10 best fall vacations for every kind of traveler.

They start it with:

Crisp, cool weather and brightly colored foliage make fall the perfect time to travel. Whether you head to the mountains to spot the changing leaves or flock to sunny shores to soak up a few more days on the beach before winter sets in, we've rounded up the best fall vacations for every type of traveler. Cooler temperatures and fewer tourists make destinations like New York City and Maui ideal for fall getaways, and outdoor adventures await near Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Flagstaff, Arizona, where you'll be just a short drive from some of the country's best national parks.

Travel restrictions and guidelines are changing as the coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve, so be sure to check with any destinations, hotels, or attractions to ensure they'll be open when you visit.

Here are the 10 best fall vacations for your next autumn getaway.

To see them, go here. 

Snake River Canyon In Twin Falls

Above, yours truly at the Snake River Canyon. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Before heading to the airport in Twin Falls, Idaho for the return trip home, Mitch Geriminsky and I wandered down to the Snake River canyon. This was before a big thunderstorm hit the area an hour or so later while we were at the airport restaurant.

The settings on my phone camera got out-of-whack when I took a photo of Mitch at the canyon. After some tinkering, I got it to work okay.

Above, Mitch Geriminsky at the Snake River Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before heading out of Wells to go to Twin Falls, I took a shot of the full Super 8 motel in Wells. It had rained all night with plenty of lightning and thunder. 

Above, the Wells Super 8 motel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This summer's weather has been loaded with lightning storms. Everywhere we went, it rained with thunderstorms. This included Twin Falls, Wells, Salt Lake City and Pocatello. Usually, we get hot days in Wells this time of the year, but it actually got a little chilly. Of course, nobody brought jackets.

Things To Do In Grand Teton National Park

Above, the Grand Tetons are reflected on Jackson Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yellowstone National Park's next-door neighbor to the south, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, is an interesting place in its own right. It is different than Yellowstone in many respects and there are plenty of things to see and do.

Another thing that's different about Grand Teton National Park from Yellowstone: it is a lot less crowded!

TravelAwaits has posted an article on the nine best things to do in Grand Teton National Park.

They begin it with:

Founded in 1929, Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is named for the Teton Mountain Range that formed when tectonic plates collided 100 million years ago. The mountains are newer than that though, having risen from the valley floor about 10 million years ago after massive earthquakes caused the mountains to rise and the valley to fall. 

Two million years ago, glaciers etched and eroded the mountains leaving the jagged peaks you see today — 40 miles of them along the park’s western border. The mountains alone are worth the trip. 

But wait, there’s more! The valley, called Jackson Hole, is surrounded by the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains and is home to wildlife and remnants left from homesteader days. The Snake River winds its way through the park and its floodplain is home to wildlife as well. As a bonus, moraines — the sediment and rocks pushed around by glaciers — dammed streams and rivers creating alpine lakes that are nestled in the Tetons. 

Many people visit the park in conjunction with a trip to Yellowstone National Park, located just 6.8 miles north via U.S. Highway 89/191. I made it my primary destination on a recent road trip, spending two days exploring the park.

If you opt to fly to Grand Teton National Park, the Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport in the area. It is located within the national park boundary, 7 miles north of the town of Jackson. Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, and United Airlines are the major carriers that service the area. 

Here are the nine best experiences in gorgeous Grand Teton National Park and the reasons I can’t wait to go back.

To read more, go here. 

"Ultimate" Guide To Grand Teton National Park

Above, the majestic Grand Tetons. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, here's another one of those "ultimate" guides to whatever.

This time it's Outside magazine's website that has the "ultimate" Grand Teton National Park travel guide. It is worth a read, even if one is not presently contemplating a trip there.

It starts out with:

My relationship with Grand Teton National Park started inauspiciously: I moved to Jackson Hole in northwest Wyoming unaware of the park or the mountains that are its heart. Of course I knew the town had mountains—I’d gone there to be a ski bum for a year, after all—but had no idea these mountains were the snaggled, serrated, rising-7,000-feet-straight-from-the-valley-floor Tetons, part of one of the world’s most intact ecosystems and home to glaciers, shimmering alpine lakes, and wild animals I knew only from photos, as well as more opportunities for adventure than I had the skills or fitness to handle. On my first hike in the park, I got my mom and myself spectacularly lost—and also contracted a case of giardia. 

While floating down the Snake River below Jackson Lake Dam two weeks later, my GI tract still suffering, I knew one year here would not be enough. I’m now on year 24 and have learned that a lifetime isn’t enough to explore this park, even if, at 310,000 acres, it’s only a fraction of the size of its 2.22-million-acre neighbor to the north, Yellowstone. 

To read more, go here. 

2022 Grand Canyon Rafting Lottery Opens

Above, the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As much as I enjoy river rafting (I last rafted on the Snake River in Wyoming two years ago), rafting the Colorado River doesn't seem to be my cup of tea.

It's not the rafting part that I object to, it is the hike down to get to the rafting departure point at the river, and then, after you're done, there is a strenuous hike back up to the rim. I'd probably have a heart attack if I were to attempt that.

There are commercial rafting companies at the Grand Canyon, but the lottery for 2022 rafting is for self-guided trips by individuals.

According to ABC 4: 

GRAND CANYON, Arizona (ABC4) – A river trip of dreams, mastering the raging white water of the Colorado River. For some, it is the adrenaline rush of the rapids or facing off against nature’s wild. Either way, it comes with a view of some of the most spectacular beautiful wildlands you can see in the United States.

It is taking a raft through the Grand Canyon. And it has to be planned more than a year in advance.

The trip is so popular there is a lottery to be able to do it. The National Park Service uses the lottery to regulate the number of people going down the river. They are now accepting applications for 2022.

These trips are not the ones where you use a company. They are for experienced people who want to take a self-guided river trip through the Grand Canyon.

Above, yours truly (white t-shirt) rafting the Snake River two years ago.

To read more, go here. 

Hansen Bridge and Garden of Eden Truckstop

Above, the Hansen Bridge over the Snake River. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While exploring the area near Twin Falls, Idaho yesterday, we made a couple of stops.

One was the Hansen Bridge in Hansen, Idaho.

According to Wikipedia:

The Hansen Bridge is a 350-foot high concrete deck girder bridge that carries Idaho State Highway 50 over the Snake River Canyon near Twin Falls, Idaho. The bridge spans the border of Jerome and Twin Falls Counties.

Above, the Snake River near the Hansen Bridge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Also, as we were getting a little hungry, we stopped at the Garden of Eden Travelers Oasis (truckstop) near Eden, Idaho for bowls of chili in their restaurant.

Above, inside the Garden of Eden Travelers Oasis. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We also did some wandering around in the truck stop store and I saw this humorous decal: