We have arrived!

Day Four – to Jackson: Jamie and I awoke this morning ready for our last 400 mile drive. Knowing that it was our last day on the road, we decided to take our time and make a few stops along the way to Jackson.

Our first stop was at the Cheyenne farmers market where we stocked up on vegetables for the coming weeks where we would be cooking at our campsite. From there we made out way west to Laramie, Wyoming – home of the University of Wyoming. We toured the campus and headed downtown for breakfast. Soon we were back on I-80, heading to Lander, Wyoming – the national headquarter of NOLS. On the way we passed through Buford, Wyoming – elevation 5,000 feet, population…one.

During our drive from Laramie to Lander, the landscape changed dramatically. In Cheyenne the land was arid and vast, with gentle rolling hills to break the monotony of the surrounding green and yellow. Suddenly, this landscape gave way to vast plains with stratified rock formations of rust red and white. Jamie and I spent much of our journey pointing out the awesome sights we saw along the way – a heard of buffalo, a rushing stream, the way the sun streamed through the clouds. The landscape kept us busy for hours.

After our stop in Lander, we passed through the Wind River Reservation and into the Teton National Park. We began climbing in elevation. By the time we reached 6,000 feet the temperature had dropped to 40 degrees and rain was falling. It was then that we got our first glimpse of the Grand Tetons. Their caps were hidden by cloud cover but we could clearly make out the snow that covered the face of the mountains.

After ten hours in the car, Jamie and I arrived in Jackson. It is a wonderful town complete with an entry gate made of elk antlers. Tomorrow we plan on exploring the many shops and restaurants in Jackson.

After 2,300 miles and four days in the car I can honestly say that driving across the United States has been wonderful. There is something to be said about taking the time to experience the diversity of the American landscape from the car window.