GRAND TETONS: Because Who Needs Wi-Fi Anyway?

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Have you ever dreamed of visiting a magical, breathtaking place where the Wi-Fi is nonexistent, the mountains look fake (because they’re that stunning), and the kids are forced to talk to you like it’s 1995? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because that’s exactly what I did—at the request of my 15-year-old, who had the audacity to say he was “over” Disney. I mean, who tires of Dole Whip and overpriced Mickey ears?! Apparently, my kid.

Grand Teton National Park

So, I did what any loving (and slightly skeptical) mom would do—I planned a trip to Wyoming. Why? Because my husband is obsessed with Yellowstone (the show, not the park, although we hit that too). And somewhere between Kevin Costner fantasies and a deep need to unplug, we packed up our RV, two kids, four dogs, and two vehicles. That’s right, a full-blown traveling circus. The drive from Northern California to Wyoming is about 12 hours—if you don’t stop. Which we did. A lot. Because… dogs. And kids. And snacks. And drama.

Spoiler alert: it took 15+ hours. Shout-out to Rollie, our senior pug, for having what we thought was heat exhaustion (but was probably just an existential crisis in dog form). Nothing like a minor medical emergency in the middle of nowhere to keep the trip exciting!

Rollie and Maggie Hanging at Alpine Valley RV Resort

Once we got there, we checked into the Alpine RV Resort—a.k.a. the parking lot of my dreams. They had massive pull-through spaces (perfect for our traveling conga line of chaos) and pet sitting services. We didn’t use the pet sitting… but oh, the temptation was real.

So, excited to be at Grand Tetons

Day one: I was PUMPED to finally see the Grand Tetons. I’d researched, pinned, and Google Earth-ed my way into a Pinterest-level frenzy. I expected majestic mountains and roaming wildlife. What I didn’t expect was to feel like I had been dropped into a Disney animated film. These mountains were extra. Like, “cue the orchestral soundtrack and sweeping camera shot” extra.

Sure, the weather threw a little tantrum, but honestly, those grey clouds made my photos look so moody and dramatic. If the Grand Tetons had a dating profile, these pics would’ve gotten them swiped right on immediately.

Taking a Stroll

Now, let’s talk about hiking—or in our case, not hiking. Because National Parks don’t love dogs on trails (understandably, but still rude). So, we stuck to the 42-mile scenic drive and the Jenny Lake Drive. The views were stunning. The dogs were thrilled. The kids pretended to be into it. Wins all around.

Pro tip: If you are planning to hike Jenny Lake, get there early—like, “Black Friday at Best Buy” early. That parking lot is no joke.

Oh, and the Bison. Holy herd of giant fluffy cows. We spotted them from afar, and naturally, had to get closer. Fast forward to my daughter hanging out of the truck window like she’s on safari and me in the Bronco realizing one bison was making direct eye contact with me. PANIC. All I could think was, “I better start recording this. No way is State Farm gonna believe ‘Bison vs. Bronco’ without video proof.” Thankfully, the bison just casually strutted up the hill, totally unimpressed. Classic.

Strawberry Moon Rising above the mountains at the Camp Site

The bison encounter ended up being one of the trip’s highlights. That, and my son getting some actually amazing iPhone shots that made me question why I spent so much money on my fancy camera.

So, if you’ve ever thought about going to the Grand Tetons—whether you’re into roughing it, glamping, or pretending you're rugged while staying at a hotel with turn-down service—DO IT. You’ll leave with stunning photos, unforgettable memories, and probably a renewed appreciation for indoor plumbing.

Put it on the bucket list. Just maybe don’t bring four dogs. Or do. I’m not here to judge.