All the Dark Horses

Victor, ID

We took a minor detour en route to California in order to go to Jackson Hole, WY. I had spent the summer there our junior year of college, working at a guest ranch, and Zach was game for touring the town. We walked through downtown Jackson Hole and saw the sights, namely, arches made of antlers. We made a quick stop at the ranch and an elk ran in front of the car.

On the way, we paused so I could feed Owen from tetons in front of the gorgeous Grand Tetons.

Dinner was at a fantastic pizza place that looks right at the mountain range. We sat outside as the sun was setting. We then fed our son mushed banana in the parking lot.

That night, we stayed at the home of a couple- Richard and Jeannette- who had worked as wranglers at the ranch when I was there. They were renting a remodeled homestead cabin and had three horses and a mule in their pastures. We caught up with them (the couple, not the animals) over some lattes and then hunkered down for the night.

In the morning, Zach helped pound some posts and then had his first horseback ride. Well, it was on a mule named Fiddle, but he still got to go riding. I was ecstatic that I got to go riding with him, which I had hitherto thought unfeasible, what with a baby and all. Richard watched Owen as Jeannette, Zach and I went for a long ride. Zach was a natural and so hot right now.

Idaho Falls, ID

We left Victor later than planned and continued on toward our final destination. We ended up spending the night in Idaho Falls. This was a crazy city. Sunburned and dehydrated from our horseback ride, we had a hard time finding a hotel and ended up in a Motel 6 that looked much like a dorm room. The bathroom had a crazy shower, but no bath, so Owen had another sink bath. I got the baby ready for bed while Zach hunted and gathered some Applebee’s for us. We were definitely ready to get to California!