Napa Valley To The Grand Tetons

Before departing the Napa Valley we had to make a visit to the Jelly Belly Factory. We took the tour and learned how Ronald Reagan's favorite candy was manufactured. It's a little more complex and interesting than watching taffy being made in Gatlinburg. We even got a free bag of candy (i.e. sugar) at the end of the tour. On display there is Jelly Belly art as skilled assemblers of jelly bellies glued them together on frames to depict famous Americans or scenes (see pictures).

Leaving Napa Valley we traveled to Reno for a night on the town and had to cross the Donner Pass (check your history books). The following morning we drove to Elko, NV. The most remarkable thing about Elko was the price of gas--$4.65/gallon. I don't mind paying what Europeans have been shelling out for years; it's the dramatic escalation in price that grates. We did visit Elko once before for a brief layover while flying to Tahoe. We flew in on a 'puddle jumper' and wished we were dead at the time.

After a night in Elko we began the long drive to the Grand Tetons. We made brief stops in Twin Falls, Idaho to take pictures of the Snake River and the endless fields of potatoes. A little later we saw the Tetons and began to discuss our rafting trip on the Snake River in a couple of days. We haven't decided yet upon the degree of difficulty. So much to do in just a few days--white water rafting, Old Faithful, the Tetons, and much more. We may have to extend our visit a few days.