We have traveled as a family to many places across the globe and we love to collect our passports stamps (wink). However, there’s one place that we have traveled to dozens of times over the last decade. It doesn’t require a passport stamp at all and is in close driving distance from our home. Of all our family destinations in the US, this place holds our top spot (especially for my husband Phil) for our favorite place to retreat and unplug. When I say unplug, it isn’t necessarily to unplug from devices or electronics (although, we don’t get very good reception sometimes). But instead, an escape from the pressures of life and unplugging from routine and the daily grind and enjoying a change of scenery together. It is our happy place, our home away from home. We always return home to our busy lives refreshed and rejuvenated.
Where is our favorite place to retreat and unplug? Are you ready for it?? – Victor, Idaho.
Seriously? Victor, Idaho? What? Has anyone even heard of Victor, Idaho? Well, probably not too many. Victor is a smaaall town with only about 2000 residents (that number significantly increases when all 8* of us show up. HAHA!). With only one stoplight and one tiiiiiny little grocery store, if you blink while passing through, you will miss it altogether.
If you are new to our blog, you can read about our large clan of a multi-generational family here Our Family Passport – About Us.
A Little Introduction to Victor
Located 20 miles from both Jackson Hole, WY and Grand Teton National Park (and only 80 miles from Yellowstone) Victor occupies the quiet western slopes of the Teton Mountains. Nope, you won’t find chain restaurants, mega-movie theatres, or super Wal-Mart and a good shopping mall is hundreds of miles away. But honestly, for us, that is the appeal. It’s quiet and still. Maybe even untroubled. I can often find myself relaxing just arriving into the Teton Valley.
Where We Stay
We always stay within the planned community of Teton Springs , nestled tightly up into the mountain. It feels so good to breathe a lung-full of fresh mountain air and view the night skies. In Victor, unlike at home, there is no light pollution and the stars twinkle so brightly. Nature here seems grand. This summer, I drug my son Easton (age 16) to gather wildflowers together to make a fresh bouquet. The nature here makes me take pause and stand in wonder. Simplicity and grandeur all wrapped up together!
Things to do in Victor, Idaho
The Sites and Wildlife
The wildlife viewing is spectacular in this region. Recently, on an early morning walk with my daughter Kamree and my grandson Beckham, we stopped as we heard something rustling in the bushes. You never know what it could be and honestly, we never go out and about in this area without our bear spray. But what do you know? From the forest on the side of the road, out walked 9 baby raccoons in single file across the road and into the brush on the other side. We giggled with delight as we watched them. It was soo fun and over so quickly but we still talk about it. We also regularly see moose, bears, bald eagles perched in trees, beavers building their lodges, elk, deer, foxes and many other wildlife species in their habitat. Our latest wildlife sighting (just a few weeks ago) was a solitary little bat that found a place to sleep for a few days nestled right above our back door. We watched it and monitored it with fascination. I never knew a bat was so cute!!
Nearby Activities
In addition to the natural beauty and quiet solitude, there are outdoor activities galore. Summer activities include golfing, biking, hiking, fishing the Snake River and white-water rafting. Winter activities include skiing and snowboarding (Grand Targhee is only 20 miles away) snowmobiling, snow-shoeing and heli-skiing (right from Teton Springs). There is also a spa on site, tennis courts and a swimming pool (open seasonally).
Everyone needs a place of retreat when life gets crazy and overwhelming. Everyone needs a respite. Victor, Idaho is not fancy or hugely popular but it is beautiful and quiet and is currently our favorite place to retreat and unplug from the everyday stresses of life. Maybe you should make it a stop on your itinerary?
Happy Travels!
Shani
Just as you will love this area, you will LOVE our Grand Teton coloring page. Click to check it out now!
Looks like a great place! I’ll need to go
Hi there matеs, how is the whole thing, and what you would
like to say about this piece of writing, in my vіew its in fact
awesome for me.
Thank you, friend!