Day 16: Alaska to Mexico Marathon Rally Adventure
Day 16: Alaska to Mexico Rally 2023 - Discovering Jackson Hole's Charm
Today was a bit of a breather for us, offering an opportunity to relish the breathtaking surroundings and take in the delights of Jackson Hole, a resort town that's a gem in the heart of the Tetons, one of the world's youngest and most iconic mountain ranges.
The sweep crews had a reason to be grateful for this shorter day. They had been working diligently, with some late nights, to sort out Brian and Catherine Scowcroft's Chevy Fangio. While the car was up and running, the crew decided to take it straight to the night halt to complete the repair.
Our day featured a Test and a Regularity en route to the Modern Mountain Hotel, and it all kicked off with an adrenaline-filled blast at the Sage Raceway drag strip. As an added bonus, we enjoyed a thrilling 360-degree spin around a cone. Fred Gallagher, our watchful test observer, had his vantage point in the only available shade for miles around – a disused Portaloo. From there, he looked every bit the eagle-eyed sentinel.
After successfully navigating this section and escaping Fred's laser-like gaze, we proceeded to the Trail Creek Regularity. This segment took us on an 18km journey over a rutted track of concrete-hard, dry mud. At the end of this challenging stretch, we found Iain Tullie and Chris Mills waiting with their clocks, marking our performance.
As we crossed into Wyoming, a state that's perfectly rectangular in shape, the road between the Swan Valley Passage Control and the Teton Pass Passage Control treated us to incredible views across the wide valley floor. Our gaze was drawn toward Jackson Peak, and it truly had to be seen to be believed. The final obstacle before reaching Jackson Hole was crossing the Snake River. We'd been promised an early finish, granting us a free evening to explore the town. Jackson Hole welcomed us with its historic center, charming wooden boardwalks, and a multitude of independent shops and restaurants, making it an ideal place to relax and enjoy the local culture.
