Jackson Hole, WY

Jackson Hole is beautiful. I never thought I'd say that of Wyoming, but I also never thought I'd ever be in Wyoming. Downtown is only a few blocks long and wide and looks as one might picture the old west to be. I'm looking for swinging saloon doors and spurs and stetsons but instead i only find over priced nick-nacks and a starbucks.

this town is absolutely big enough for the two of us.
possibly even three.

Lauren, my brother's fiance, is already a bundle of nerves before the wedding, and upon seeing Cameron - before even a "hello" - she asks if he'll be shaving for the wedding. The obvious answer is "yes" but the fun answer is "no".

me and cam (pre-shave)

Thursday night, the bride's family host us all for a cocktail party at their house. It took us forever to find their house as they live out in the boons, and let me tell you something: out here you make one wrong turn, and before you know it, bison are trying to rape your car.



The house was built by a Mormon who had so much money he built a mansion, but not enough money to finish it (so he sold it for "cheap" to the bride's father). I kid you not when I tell you that their guest house is the size of my parent's house. It's all about logs and taxidermy, and looks like a house you might find on Mulholland Drive if Paul Bunyon had puked on it. I quickly name the bison head above the fireplace Buddy, and his moose and elk friends beside him Monty and Eli, respectively. Death and fur abound in this mansion, and at one point of the night, enjoying a quiet moment to myself, I felt it necessary to apologize to the bear that had been skinned, stretched and stapled (in its entirety) to the upstairs wall. He didn't say anything, but I could tell he was still pissed (though it's hard to read those glass eyes).

The best advice I've been given this trip is toleration through intoxication; but that gets difficult when I'm 1. trying to stave off illness that desperately wants to veto my immune system by avoiding alcohol, and 2. am elected second designated driver. The latter makes sense since I don't drink much anyway, but I will say that I have gained a new found respect for my non-drinking father. Staying sober whilst watching everyone else get progressively drunk is a tough enough job to do once let alone all the time.



Next stop was the infamous million dollar cowboy bar. With four pool tables, saddles for bar stools, and a breathalizer in the basement, it's no wonder we spent most of our time here during this trip. There, Elena (maid of honor) and I picked out our love interests. She chose "jimbo", the 300+lb bad boy with the red bandanna and missing front teeth, while I instead set my eyes on "Trey", the manorexic cowboy who had "registered sex offender" written all over his gruff, weather-withered face. Sometimes love can be recognized instantly, and i knew once he set his eyes on me, the love would be mutual.

yeee-ha!

I can't tell you enough how beautiful this place is. I am surrounded by snow peaked mountains and living in the luxury of the four seasons hotel. There is a gas fireplace in every room, marble in every bathtub, and an outdoor heated pool. I could get used to this life.

But I won't. Because it's expensive.