Day 17: Ogden, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Miles: 3,673

States: 17 (Drove through Idaho, briefly. I'll take another pass through on the way to seattle.)

Current Elevation: 6,237

National Parks/Forests: 4 that I know of (Medicine Bow, Wasatch, Cache, Bridger)

Beautiful drive today. Bear Lake jumps out from around the mountains and is startlingly blue - Caribbean blue. It's not a color I ever expected to see in a lake. I was going to sit on a beach on the lake and read for 30 minutes or so, but there's a $12 charge for beach access. Yet again, I'm spoiled by the free attractions in DC.

Arrived in Jackson Hole around 5:30, and I was glad of it. I'm getting weary of driving so much. I'd like to be spending more time reading, relaxing, shopping, exploring, etc. So I did. I wandered around Jackson, which is adorable and reminds me of Charlottesville, except everything is built from wood, not brick, and there's a very western, cowboy vibe. There are very cute shops and restaurants here, lots of art galleries and parks, and it's all surrounded by dramatic mountains. I got a seat at the bar in a cute tex-mex place and read my book over fish tacos and a margarita, then went back to the hotel to crash early. I'm attempting to do Yellowstone in one day tomorrow (which is tragic, I know), so I need an early start. Photos tomorrow night, maybe.