Day 38 August 8, 2024 Jackson Wyoming to Arco Idaho 156 miles
The night in the trailer went just fine. The street was quiet so nothing disturbed us. Rob packed up and fixed breakfast. While we were eating the cutest little deer showed up in the yard next to us. This looked like a mature deer just really small.
We made our usual fuel stop and plotted the route home. Decided to spend the night in Arco and have a shorter day. Then we needed to turn left out of the station. Oh my gosh the line of cars coming into town must have been at least 50 long. Must be construction backing things up. Well we finally got on the road headed out.
The park ranger told us that most of the work force in Jackson comes from Driggs on the other side of the pass. The number of vehicles we saw on our way over the Teton Pass far exceeded the workforce. There was rarely any break the entire distance up and down the pass. In fact we were well passed Driggs before it lessened.
The Teton Pass is a long climb up and a long steep decline. A huge mud slide closed the pass for three weeks while an alternate road was constructed. We slowly made our way up the hill. Sure glad it is morning so the outside temperature is cool. The car made it all the way up without over heating. The construction is on the downhill side. A new paved road exists over the slide. They are also working on the long term solution. Traffic barely slowed. Of course you can’t go real fast with all the curves and other traffic. We go slow going uphill and downhill.
We saw two roadkills. One was a porcupine and the other a skunk. The signs warned of moose but the only moose were two large white metal outlines. We also saw a metal big foot.
The odometer turned over 49000 miles. Actually watched it turn.
Another fairly large pass had to be crossed but it was not as big nor as long as the Teton Pass. At the end of it was the small community of Swan Falls. We stopped for fuel and ice cream cones. They had a wonderful ice cream spot. Lots of flavors.
Saw another very large nest on top of a pole. Two large birds could be seen. We think they were some kind of eagle. We saw two other large birds further down the road that were most likely the same kind. They were looking for lunch.
One more big pass before the terrain flattened out. Lots of big farmland again. About half the grain fields have been harvested. Then we came to a farm of llamas. There must have been at least 100.
We ate lunch in Idaho Falls. That place has grown too. Farmland continued for a few miles and then it became all sagebrush. Nothing of interest to see. The highlight was the entrance to INL.
We arrived in Arco about 3:00 pm. We checked in and then took a long nap before settling in for the night. Should be home tomorrow. That is car permitting.
Spoffords Travel 