We are off to check in with the Teton Basin Ranger’s office to pick out trails and cool places to see.  Enroute, we get our first peeks at Grand Teton peak rising above the closer ridge.  Once at the ranger station we get some tips, mostly confirming my initial trail picks but it is always nice to get their thoughts.  We do want his recommendation on a long-view trail to get up on the top of the western ridge of the Teton Range to see the namesake peaks from the west side.  He points us to Table Mountain for “great views but you have to work for it”; 12.5 miles round trip with 2500+ elevation change ending at over 10000 ft with a rock scramble at the top.  A great guy at the Teton Geotourism Center in Driggs ID suggests the ski gondola at Grand Targhee resort.  It will get us to 10000 feet with views and access to trails after we get up there.   Hmm, we are still weighing our options.

Stop two, Highpoint Cidery in Victor ID.  The address looks kind of funny, Lupine Lane Units D and E.  Sure enough, it is two units in a storage/light manufacturing complex.  One serves as the “place where the science happens” says the barkeep the other a rustic but pleasant tasting room.  I go for a flight of 4 selected from about 10 ciders starting from their driest to semi sweet plus one with a bit of ginger added.  Kent tries a local root beer and we share a build it yourself charcuterie board (their tasting license doesn’t allow them to serve food but can sell take-away snacks and give us a knife and board) with Tomme – an aged goat cheese and chorizo.  I walk away with a four pack each of the two driest, Nitro and Transplant.  Here’s to more lazy sipping hours!