Preparation for first solo adventure:
- Checked out books from the public library to see what sites I wanted to visit besides Yellowstone and the Tetons on my travels to Wyoming and Idaho.
- Came up with the route which connected these sites and sent travel plans with a map (see above) to my oldest sister in case of an emergency.
- Researched weather patterns as to best time to travel with few tourists traveling the same route. Settled on end of September and beginning of October, 2023.
- As this was mostly a hiking and photography trip, I selected clothing, shoes and camera accessories accordingly.
- Took my small dog, Goldi, to vet for immunizations so she could be boarded during my travel.
- Decided to pack most of my clothing and shoes in a bag I would not take in to hotels. I would just take things from that bag daily and put dirty clothes in a separate laundry bag I left in the car.
- Made sure my vehicle was ready for the road trip and my mail held.
- At least a month before leaving on my solo trip, I reserved all of the hotel rooms so I didn’t have to worry about where I would lay my head each night.
- Packed luggage, pillow, satellite phone, some snacks, drinks and some wine.
- Acquired a new credit card (Marriott Bonvoy Bold from Chase) to rack up travel points for future travel.
Grasshoppers – Day 1 – Drove from Greeley, CO to Rock Springs, WY (332 miles)
- Dropped off Goldi (my dog) for boarding in Eaton, CO ($30/day)
- Stopped in Larimie, WY for thrift store shopping ($0) and lunch at the Prairie Rose Cafe ($14)
- Drove along Snowy Mountain Scenic Byway, Mirror Lake ( see photo)
- Stayed at Clarion Hotel in Rock Springs, WY ($126.72 )
Sheep are White – Day 2 – Drove from Rock Springs, WY to Burley, ID (333 miles)
- Visited the first and second JC Penney stores in Kemmerer, WY (tea $4)
- Got gas in Rock Springs ($3.87/gal) for $48.80
- Relaxed in the world famous hot springs in Lava Hot Springs, ID ($7.50 + towel rental)
- Browsed in antique shop in old town Pocatello, ID until it closed at 6:00 pm ($0)
- Checked in to Fairfield Inn in Burley, ID and listened to roofers until 8:00 pm (water $3)
Sick in Burley, ID – Day 3 – Spent the day in hotel room
- Woke up at 5:00 am sick, so no expenses or driving today
- Listened to roofers pounding away starting at 8:00 am and ending at 7 pm
- Stayed in bed until 12:30 pm
- Another night at Fairfield Inn ($258.38 for two nights )
Faith over Fear – Day 4 – Drove from Burley, ID to Hailey, ID (164 miles)
- Breakfast at hotel (complimentary)
- Got gas ($3.96/gal) in Burley for $39.06
- Visited the Encampment at Minidonka, ID (not much to see)
- Browsed at thrift shop in Shosoni, ID ($0)
- Purchased frozen pizza, water, granola, Tylenol and razors at Natural Grocers in Hailey ($?)
- Enjoyed soaking in the hotel hot tub solo
- Stayed at Fairfield Inn in Hailey, ID
Going on a Moose Hunt – Day 5 – Hailey, ID to Stanley, ID and back (147 miles)
- Breakfast at hotel (complimentary)
- Drove along Sawtooth Scenic highway for photography of Sawtooth Mountain Range and the Salmon River (see photo)
- Purchased yummy Wild Huckleberry Licorice in Stanley ($9)
- Purchased lasagna, wine, and dinner roll at Albertson’s for dinner in my hotel room ($31.45)
- Stayed at Fairfield Inn in Hailey, ID ($240.80 for two nights)
Anticipation – Day 6 – Drove from Hailey, ID to Rexburg, ID (266.4 miles)
- Breakfast at hotel (complimentary)
- Got gas ($4.19/gal) in Hailey for $41.86
- Visited Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve near Arco, ID
- Drove to Driggs, ID to photograph back side of the Tetons (see photo)
- Drove back to Rexburg, ID
- Stayed at Springhill Suites in Rexburg, ID ($145.80)
Natural Beauty – Day 7 – Rexburg, ID to Jackson, WY (211 miles)
- Breakfast at hotel (complimentary)
- Visited Yellowstone National Park (free with senior pass) , Old Faithful; Saw one bison ($37.08 souvenirs)
- Visited Grand Teton National Park (free with senior pass), ($39.21 souvenirs)
- Saw antler arches in downtown Jackson, WY
- Stayed at Anvil Hotel in downtown Jackson, WY
Rain, Rain Go Away – Day 8 – Jackson, WY (Drove 313.6 miles)
- No breakfast, ate a blueberry muffin from Rexburg, ID hotel
- Cold and rainy! Thankful for heated steering wheel
- Saw Moose off Gros Ventre Rd in Jackson Hole
- Visited Grand Teton National Park ($63.57 gifts for grandkids)
- Saw family of moose at Moose Junction
- Visited Jenny Lake in the rain
- Ate at Doran’s Pizza and Pasta Co. for early dinner/beverage ($26)
- Visited Mormon Row early/late in the day, took lots of photos
- Stayed at Anvil Hotel in downtown Jackson, WY ($440.20 for two nights)
Home Again, Home Again Jiggity Jog – Day 9 – Jackson, WY to Greeley, CO (483 miles)
- No hotel breakfast
- Got gas ($4.20/gal) for $41.99 in Jackson and again in Laramie for $45.01
- Picked up Goldi from boarding facility (total $240)
- Back home safely
First Solo Trip Takeaways
- Pack clothing for variety of weather
- Pack medical stuff like thermometer, Tylenol, ice pack, Imodium, laxative
- Buy/Pack satellite phone
- Keep gas tank at least 1/4 full
- Search for gas stations on Google for best price
- Let someone know your travel plans
- Stay confident and aware
- Cut costs when you can so you can splurge on other expenses
- Travel and arrive at hotel before dark; get a paper receipt of charges and check it
- Faith over fear!
Next solo adventure: Provence area of France this fall