Now what can you say about taking a picture of a moose in a place that is actually called Moose, Wyoming? I call it appropriate. I would have really rather found a moose with a huge rack that looked more like a big buck moose, than this one this one that I managed to catch a shot of as we were leaving Yellowstone and just on the edge of Grand Teton National Park.Moose can also be seen along waterways and in clearings. These large animals may weigh up to 1400 pounds, stand 7 1/2 feet at the shoulder, and have antlers which may spread up to 5 feet. They feed on willows and aquatic vegetation such as water lilies.
There, (close to Moose, Wyoming) we also found Dornans which is a third generation, family-owned resort located in the heart of the Jackson Hole valley, on the Snake River inside the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park, and just 40 miles south of Yellowstone National Park.
The western ambiance is an essential part of Dornans, they have a host of services ranging from two restaurants, an outstanding wine selection, alcohol and beer options, grocery and deli, gasoline, ATM, gifts and dining to guest lodging, and adventure sports equipment rental and sales during the summer. The winter months see the gift shop add the rental of cross-country skis as well as snowshoes, and Adventure Sports closes during the winter months. The Dornan family has been serving folks in northwestern Wyoming for fifty-nine years. They are starting their 60th year and reunion events are scheduled for next June.
If you find yourself driving through the Grand Teton National Park or Jackson Hole and you find that you are in Moose and in need gas? Food? Ice? Liquids? A snack? A meal? An ATM? Lodging? Groceries? Internet access? A telephone? Then you can take a relaxing break and stop in at Dornans and browse, grab a bite, and stretch your legs.
There is also the Snake River Angler fly-fishing shop and raft trips, “Moosley Seconds” mountaineering shop, and Barker-Ewing Scenic float trips add to your enjoyment.
You can let the Dornans offer you the chance to experience this beautiful country first hand, and indulge you with true western hospitality too. I’ll discuss our “Chuck Wagon Dinner” that we had there later in my post.
Speaking of Western... there are also several Dude Ranches in and around Moose, Wyoming. For example, the Triangle X Ranch is an authentic working dude ranch. It is a perfect example of Wrangling, haying, raising, breaking and shoeing stock are a few of the traditional activities of the ranch. It is a way of life that the Turner family wants to share with you.
The Triangle X Ranch offers one of the most complete outdoor recreation packages of any facility in the Mountain West. You can enjoy horseback riding, river, float trips, pack trips, fishing, cookouts, square dancing, hiking, scenic tours, photography and even a special children's program. Everything is planned to make your vacation truly memorable and relaxed.
Located in the heart of spectacular Jackson Hole country, in the shadow of the magnificent Grand Teton, the Triangle X offers you magnificent mountain scenery, abundant wildlife and a quiet, relaxed pace. Whatever your outdoor challenge...your outdoor dream...you'll find it at the Triangle X Ranch. In addition to the Triangle X Ranch, there is also another Dude Ranch called Lost Creek Ranch & Spa is a privately owned guest ranch nestled between Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The ranch combines outdoor adventure for the entire family and the comforts of a world-class resort in the region's most spectacular location.
With all of the excitement of a traditional ranch to the luxurious comforts of a full-service spa, Lost Creek offers personalized attention to ensure an experience that will make memories. With nearly one staff person for every guest, we tailor a vacation to exceed your expectations. Most of the guests there have been coming to Lost Creek for generations; they invite you to join them in making a week at the ranch part of your family’s traditions.
One of the most enjoyable (and perhaps the most unique to us) was having a Chuck Wagon Dinner while in Moose. We sort of just found this place by the smell (and) it smelled delicious. Maybe I’ll attach the picture of it that I took as Mrs. LZ was going through the line. Although, for some reason this shot is really out of focus, but I am still not sure why.
I think it must have been because I was juggling my plate, my drink cup, my silverware and my camera (and it is just out of focus, so please forgive me). I was thinking about my palette and my stomach and I never even looked at the shot until later that night in our hotel room. It may still help you get an idea of what the experience was like though.
The food was cooked out in these huge cast iron pots with what I can characterize as a “long wood burning fire trough”. There was quite a bit of smoke and ashes blowing around the area, but the pots were covered and it certainly did not negatively affect the taste of the food (which was excellent by the way).
The food line contained beans, stew, ribs, corn, potatoes, biscuits, a full salad bar and then the final local favorite dessert of huckleberry cobbler. You can go back through the line as many times as you want as long as you bring a new plate with you. We had to eat at picnic tables under a big tent, but with the Grand Teton as a backdrop, you could not ask for a more beautiful venue for a Chuck Wagon Dinner!
While we were sitting there having dinner, we saw a plane coming in for a landing just a few hundred feet over our head that turned out to be "Air Force TWO". Come to find out, Vice President Cheney was flying in to Jackson Hole Airport for a ceremony the following weekend in Jackson Hole to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the Teton National Park or something like that.
“Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
