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Comment by Laurene on June 9, 2011 at 11:56am

Hey Peggy, thank you so much on the info. on the Travel Center!  I did a search on Walmart.com, couldn't find one exactly like you described, but they did have the "Backseat Entertainment Car Organizer" and I found a "table" on another website, 2 really great finds for a long road trip (1100 miles, one way!).  Now we just need to figure out how to fit 2 kids, 2 car seats, organizer, 2 lap tables and an Akita in the backseat of the truck!  Maile, our Akita, may have to be moved to the front seat:)

Comment by Peggy Hannah on June 9, 2011 at 1:36am

Colter Bay is actually a good jaunt up the valley from Jackson Hole.  I understand what you mean about having small ones in the car!  We used to drive to family reunions in Utah (we're in Reno), then up to Idaho to visit part of the family that didn't make the reunions.  This was a round trip of 1260 miles with a small child (from the time he was 2 to 5.)  I discovered this ingenious device called a Travel Center.  It hung on the back of the seat in front of him, and he could easily unlatch the velcro tab to bring down a tray for either food, or playing, or coloring.  We got him a couple of the Crayola coloring books that uses the special ink pens that don't have color until they are on the special paper, we filled the pockets with his toy dinosaurs, cars, an old, incomplete deck of playing cards, etc.  Kept him entertained for hours, and when he wasn't playing or watching the road, he slept.  I've seen similar contraptions in the Auto accessories area of Walmart (I bought mine through Avon.)

Comment by Laurene on June 3, 2011 at 8:56pm

Thanks for the information and suggestions, Peggy!  We don't really want to do a lot of commuting because we have 2 small children, but I'm considering staying 6 days in The Tetons and just driving to Jackson Hole.  It's still up in the air.  (We'll be staying at Coulter Bay in the Tetons.)

Bernadette, is your mini van meant to tow?  I think that's the question you need ask first, then if it is what's the weight it's rated to pull and what's the weight of you pop-up.  There's more to it, but those are the really important points.

Hey Sandra!  I went to Yellowstone and the Tetons when I was younger with my family, but the only things I remember is Old Faithful and the walk through all the geysers and pools near Old Failthful.  We're all really looking forward to the trip.  Unfortunately, we have to wait a year! though the way winter has pushed into spring I'm happy it didn't work out this year.

Comment by Sandra on June 3, 2011 at 7:50pm

What?  They censored Jackson Hole?  That's so wrong lol.

I think the Tetons and the Hole are so close together that you could camp in one and visit the other.  Gosh, how neat that you are going.  That area is so dramatic.  One of my dreams is to see that whole area someday.

Comment by Bernadette Tagliaferro on June 3, 2011 at 7:34am

We will be going to yellow stone in July,comping in a few spots.We will be driving pullinga pop up...with a mini van.Now I feel it will have a hard time pulling it;and the fact that you don’t see any mini vans pulling those things makes my worry...could any one give my any 411 on this....

Comment by Peggy Hannah on June 3, 2011 at 1:45am

Hi, Laurene!  Jackson Hole actually sits at the base of the Grand Tetons, so you could actually do 6 days in the Tetons with excursions into JH.  Of course, a lot depends on the area of the Tetons you plan to stop at.  My suggestion would be to go to Google Earth and explore the area by sattelite, first.  There are some drastic scenery changes within a short drive of JH and the Tetons, like Split Rock and Fort Washakie, where Sacajawea is buried.  It's really easy to explore where you want to go so you have an idea of where you are, as well as other places to go or plan for!  Have fun!