13.1 miles through Jackson Hole felt like running inside a postcard: The Grand Tetons to my left, endless sky above, and that crisp Wyoming air reminding me how small (and lucky) I am.
Wyoming Air, Grand Tetons and the Snake River Bridge (Miles 1-4)
Imagine running through a world painted in gold and green, with jagged mountains watching every step you take. That’s Jackson Hole. From the very first mile, the scenery steals your breath in more ways than one and you feel like you are running inside a painting! Welcome to state #44 in my pursuit to run 50 Half Marathons in all 50 states.
From the first mile, I was surrounded by the glow of autumn: aspens turned to gold, cottonwoods burning bright, and the Grand Tetons towering like guardians in the distance. Running at over 6,000 feet is a different beast altogether.
Your lungs gasp for air that feels thinner than any city morning, and your heart insists on working overtime with every stride. But here, even the struggle becomes part of the experience. Each deep breath is flavored with pine and autumn, a reminder that endurance isn’t just physical, it’s also sensory.
At mile 4, you find yourself on the Snake River bridge. This bridge is suspended between golden forests and the rushing water below, a perfect spot to catch your breath and your bearings.
From Aspen Gold to “Moose” Sightings Everywhere (Miles 5-9)
This section of the course might just have been my favorite and not just for the scenery. It was like stepping into a storybook painted in every shade of autumn. The aspens were ablaze with yellow so bright it felt like the sunlight had taken permanent residence in their leaves.
Moose appeared in the most unexpected places, turning ordinary meadows into wild, secret theaters where nature (manmade or otherwise) performed its quiet magic. Which is your favorite below?
The altitude, cheeky little mischief-maker that it is, poked my lungs and tickled my legs, daring me to keep up with its mountain-sized shenanigans. By Mile 8, my head was doing somersaults and my legs were plotting a quiet mutiny, but Tracy swooped in like a hero of legend with her magical salt tabs. A few sips of water later and voilà!
tiptoeing through a carnival of the funniest race signs I have seen in a long time.
Three Friends, One Finish Line, and a Tale Written in Wyoming Gold (Miles 10-13.1)
I was back in business, tiptoeing through a carnival of the funniest race signs I’ve seen in a long time. Here is a small sample below:
Each mile felt like the mountains themselves were winking at me, nudging me along with a grin and whispering, “Oh, you think you’ve got this? Let’s see about that.”
We came here for the run, but what we found was a reminder of just how stunningly alive the world can be when you slow down and take it in, one stride at a time.
As we close the book on 2025, we’re turning the page… and the next chapter takes us to Sedona, Arizona! Get ready for red‑rock trails, more race signs to giggle at, and a brand‑new story waiting to be written in 2026.
No Snooze Buttons Here: The Only Wild Wyoming Adventures Worth Your Time
Downtown Jackson Hole is a playground for the curious and adventurous alike. The town square with its famous antler arches, street performers, and shops that practically beg you to explore this perfect town where every corner is a little story waiting to happen, and every step feels like a scene in your own Jackson Hole escapade.
Please make sure to wander your way into all of the art galleries where the Tetons practically leap off the canvas and the sculptures come alive! I highly recommend you take time to sip something strong (or frothy) at the historic Wort Hotel, and tip your hat at a cowboy bar where the seats are actually saddles with live music all around (upstairs) or dine at the intimate million dollar cowboy steakhouse (downstairs).
If you have time to head out to String Lake, I highly recommend bringing a paddleboard and heading up and down the lake.
If you’re lucky enough to crash at a friend’s place (shoutout to Hans and Tracy for your hospitality) or your own cozy Airbnb, don’t be surprised if a moose decides to drop by for a backyard visit. If anything, just consider it your personal wildlife welcome committee!
Fun fact: Moose are herbivores, meaning they are strict plant-eaters. They primarily eat leaves, twigs, bark, and shoots from trees and shrubs…willows, birches, and aspens are their favorites.
The Grand Tetons have a way of stopping you mid-drive, mid-thought, mid-breath. This view of Mt. Moran was one of those moments where the horizon stretches wide, the air feels sharper, and time seems to slow down just long enough to remind you that some sights are worth pulling over for.
Where the Earth Steams and the Wild Roams: Exploring Yellowstone
This is a place where the earth itself seems alive and the wild roams free. From geysers that explode with theatrical flair to bison casually wandering the roads like they own the place, every moment feels both thrilling and surreal. I’ve traveled far and wide, but this—standing amid steaming springs, watching wildlife in their natural kingdom, and feeling the raw power of the land—was one of the best experiences of my lifetime. Yellowstone doesn’t just impress; it leaves an indelible mark on your soul.
Opened in 1904, it’s one of the most iconic lodges in America and for good reason. The lobby soars with a seven-story, hand-hewn log interior that smells faintly of pine and history, while the massive stone fireplace crackles like it’s been telling stories for over a century (because it has). From the balcony, you can watch Old Faithful geyser erupt right on cue, a front-row seat to nature’s most punctual show.
While there are tons of active geysers bubbling and hissing around Old Faithful, don’t forget, those “moving boulders” in the distance are actual bison. And yes, they’re much bigger (and faster) than you!
We stopped at one incredible sight after another, each more breathtaking than the last. From the bubbling wonder of the Upper and Lower Geyser Basins to the vivid colors of Midway and the surreal beauty of Fountain Paint Pot, every stop felt like stepping into a living painting. Norris Geyser Basin shimmered like another world entirely, and the canyons of the North and South Rim left us speechless.
