Originally featured on Season 1: Episode 4 of "Marrying Your Passions" podcast

Sometimes the best adventures happen when you throw your original plans out the window! That's exactly what happened during our epic 2024 summer road trip when we made the decision that led us to two of America's most spectacular national parks.

A Much-Needed Change of Plans

After several weeks of constantly moving – two nights camping, packing up, drive, repeat – we were exhausted. Our original plan had us heading to Missoula, Montana, where Nathan would run a marathon between more camping and packing.

"That's exhausting," we realized. "Maybe we don't have to do that all the time."

Instead, we made a game-changing decision: skip the Missoula Marathon and stay four whole nights in one location. It felt luxurious after constantly being on the move.

Grand Teton: Mountains of the Imagination

We chose Fireside Buffalo Valley RV Park near Grand Teton as our home base from June 26th to June 30th. Located just minutes from the park entrance with stunning Teton views right from our site, it was worth being our most expensive campsite of the trip.

Discovering Grand Teton's Magic

The National Park Service calls Grand Teton "Mountains of the imagination" – and they're right. This park is much bigger than expected, offering everything from easy nature walks to challenging mountain hikes, plus a complete resort area with restaurants, shops, and outdoor seating (Durans Resort).

Our Grand Teton Highlights

Lunch at Pizza Pasta CompanyWe dined outdoors at this Durans Resort restaurant, enjoying delicious food while watching wildlife and taking in stunning mountain views.

Taggart Lake HikeThis nearly two-mile hike to a pristine mountain lake at 6,902 feet was everything you'd want from a national park experience. Picture-perfect turquoise water, pine trees, rocky edges perfect for sitting, and mountain views that looked straight from a travel brochure. We even walked alongside a deer for about a quarter mile until other hikers scared it away.

The Yellowstone Surprise

While studying maps at Grand Teton's visitor center, we realized Yellowstone National Park was only about two hours away. With an extra day thanks to skipping the marathon, we asked ourselves, "How is it possible that we're here and NOT going to Yellowstone?"

Geothermal Wonders at Yellowstone.

Entering America's first national park (established 1872) through the southern entrance was a fanboy moment for Nathan. Our first stop, West Thumb Geyser Basin, showcased incredible geothermal pools in every color of the rainbow via accessible boardwalks just steps from the parking lot.

Old Faithful: Worth the Hype?

When we learned Old Faithful was 30 minutes away or so from the West Geyser Basin area and predicted to erupt within the hour we were there, the decision was easy to make. We had to go! Despite being frequently called "overrated," we found it more than worthwhile. You should go!

Old Faithful isn't a wilderness hike – it's a boardwalk stroll to bench seating around the famous geyser. We arrived 30 minutes early, got front-row seats, and listened to a park ranger's educational commentary. When it erupted (slightly later than predicted), it was genuinely impressive. We'd never seen water shoot from the ground like that!

Jackson Hole: Hits and Misses

The Hit: Annie's Thai Kitchen - This gem delivered exceptional service, incredibly fresh food, and accommodating vegetarian options. After days of camping food, it felt like the most delicious meal ever.

The Miss: Unnamed Brewery - Great mountain views and attractive facilities, but terrible service, mediocre beer, and subpar food. Sometimes you don't know what you'll discover until you try – but that's part of the adventure.

Lessons from the Road

Flexibility Opens Doors

Sometimes saying "no" to one plan creates space for better opportunities. Skipping the Montana marathon led us to an incredible four-day stay and an unexpected Yellowstone adventure.

Try New Things

Whether it's a highly-rated restaurant or a disappointing brewery, you can't know what you'll love without trying. While we were recording, we enjoyed mead from a meadery we discovered on another spontaneous stop on a different trip.

Support Your Travel Partner

Even when Old Faithful wasn't Alicia's top priority, she supported Nathan's enthusiasm. Prioritizing each other's passions enriches the entire experience.

Looking Back

We saw maybe 0.0001% of what these massive parks offer – and that's okay. We got an incredible taste of two national treasures and identified places we want to return to explore more deeply. Sometimes the best adventures happen when you're flexible enough to change course.

Connect With Us & Explore More

Visit us on our website: marryingyourpassions.com - Your home base for all episode recaps, travel tips, and photos from Nathan and Alicia's adventures.

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps - Detailed reviews and photos of restaurants, attractions, and hidden gems from their travels. Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor - In-depth travel insights and recommendations for accommodations and destinations.

Places mentioned in this episode that we recommend!

National Parks:

Grand Teton National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Campgrounds: Fireside Buffalo Valley RV Park - Buffalo Valley - Moran, WY

Restaurants/Distilleries/Etc.: Annie’s Thai Kitchen - Jackson, WY
Doran’s Pizza and Pasta Co - Jackson, WY