Sleigh Rides on the National Elk Refuge - Jackson, Wyoming

The elk of Jackson are an important part of the culture and history of this area.  You can see their presence hanging in art galleries throughout the downtown area, at the entrance of the square as you walk through the antler arches, and at the preserve itself where winter sleigh rides are advertised. 

We were determined to push through the chaos and for our last day in Wyoming and so, we booked a sleigh ride through the Elk Preserve before heading back to Salt Lake City.  I did this my first time in Wyoming and loved seeing the elk up close while being pulled in a horse-drawn sleigh all while learning about the elk's history in Jackson and how the refuge operates.  

Day 1: Astoria, Oregon

Astoria is a quiet coastal town at the mouth of the 1,200 mile Columbia River with a whole lot of character.  At first glance, the town has a charm to it, but was generally a little run down, a foggy memory of its historic past.  This town is home to famous movies like the Goonies and Kindergarten Cop, with a thick history dating back to Lewis and Clark.  And then there is the unpopular seasonal visitor, the California Sea Lion.