Letters: Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons

Jackson Hole aficionados

Kudos on Chris Reynolds’ wonderful article on family-friendly Jackson Hole [“All This Can Be Yours,” Aug. 5].

My family and I have been traveling there off and on for 30 years, and the beauty of this area never fails to amaze. We have found so many free or moderately priced things to do that we return often. Add to his list the Elk Country Inn, a sister property to Cowboy Village. Really nice people, locally owned and convenient to all activities. For a great breakfast in town, try Jedediah’s House of Sourdough, just off the town square. Dornan’s chuck wagon-style dining is in the tiny town of Moose, a few miles past the airport. Sitting outdoors, with the Tetons looming in front of you, along with generous portions in this casual setting, makes it a must.

Slowly drive some of the back roads to see wildlife. The campground at Gros Ventre is a great place to be truly outdoors, and you may even see a moose when you wake up in the morning.

Sheila Tomlin, Irvine

Reynolds’ article about the Grand Teton National Park I can only, at the kindest, call peculiar. I know the area well, having lived there for six weeks in both the spring and fall for the last nine years. Based upon his article, I expect Reynolds should stick to theme parks and budget motels along Interstate 5. His frequent jabs about rich people make me wonder what chip is on his shoulder.

The Jackson Lake Lodge that Reynolds pillories was built to showcase Willow Flats, the Teton range and Jackson Lake, all of which are spectacularly viewed through the solid glass back wall of the lodge. Its gargantuan stone fireplaces add to the lodge’s grandeur. From either inside the lodge or on the viewing deck and patio outside, moose, elk, black and grizzly bears, as well as wolves are often seen wandering through and at times hunting each other. Seeing nature in action is for many a true lifetime experience. His comment about the little dots as a herd of elk can only mean he went to a national park without binoculars — what more needs be said.

Jay Glass, Laguna Beach

This Ubud’s for you

“Bali, Soul of Replenishment” by Kevin Brass [Aug. 8] made me appreciate my travels there, and specifically Ubud, in 1989, even more. Ubud was a beautiful and interesting yet unassuming and low-key place. Absent were the chic boutiques, hip restaurants, busy spas and the threat of Starbucks mentioned in the article. We dined in casual restaurants on simple, local cuisine for dollars a day, stayed in a lovely bungalow in the rice fields for $10 a night, including a traditional Balinese breakfast served in our room, and purchased beautiful hand-carved pieces while the artisans whittled away on their next pieces. We had the Sacred Monkey Forest to ourselves and witnessed several festive religious processions long before they became a main tourist attraction. Sounds like Ubud will never be the same.

Cathy Housman, Fullerton