Day 9: Salt Lake City to Jackson, WY

After a good night of sleep and a continental breakfast containing many choices, the students loaded the bus and we headed to Temple Square.  Temple Square is the home of the Mormon temple of Salt Lake City and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Inside Temple Square we got to see the outside of the Temple (only Mormon church members can go inside) and the Tabernacle.  The choir was on tour in New York today, so we went into the Tabernacle to sit for a recorded presentation of the choir and spoken word. A beautiful pipe organ filled the back wall of the auditorium space that is said to have the best acoustics in the world. 

Upon leaving Temple Square we headed the bus to Jackson, Wyoming. Along the way we announced the volleyball teams that would be playing at the Ranch later in the week. At our lunch stop in Logan, Utah the students had time to visit Walmart to hunt for "team uniforms". We are excited to see what they came up with for uniforms and team names when the time comes. 

In between lunch and arriving in Jackson, the bus stopped at an overlook for Bear Lake.  This natural lake is so blue it reminds me of the waters of the Caribbean. The students enjoyed taking pictures with their new friends at the lake. I even heard many boys discussing what the fishing must be like here. They were very excited when I told them they could get fishing time at the ranch.

The remainder of the drive to Jackson Hole is much like what we have seen the past four days, mountainous with green valleys filling the gaps. The students were in awe of the antler arch we passed under in Afton, WY.  We followed the Snake River right into the heart of Jackson Hole which lies in a valley between the three national forests, and just south of the Grand Teton National Park. 

Our first activity upon arriving was to take the ski life up Snow King Mountain. The ski lift takes passengers two at a time up 1,571 feet. At the top, we could see Jackson Hole nestled in the valley and far off peaking above the other mountains, the snowcapped tops of the Grand Tetons. It is a beautiful, awe-inspiring sight. From the top, the crew got to witness some paragliders take off and sail over the tops of the mountains. 

After riding the lift back to the bottom, the bus took us to the Antler Inn where we will be staying the next two nights. Free time on the town followed.  A few students ate at Pinky G's Pizza while some enjoyed a fancier meal at the Blue Lion. Many students came back to the Inn with shopping bags of souvenirs. All of the students said this is in their top favorite stops so far!

The fun in Jackson Hole has just begun. Check back tomorrow to see how it continues!