There are many fun places to go to on our side of the mountains.

Take the Targhee chairlift to the top of Grand Targhee. It is a lovely ride and when you get to the top you feel like you could reach out and touch the Grand. There are nice hikes from the top that will take you right into some gorgeous wildflowers and views. It’s a great spot for a picnic lunch also. To get there head east on Little St. in Driggs toward Grand Targhee Resort. While you are close, Teton Canyon is a fabulous place for hiking and picnicking. Turn off from the Grand Targhee road toward the Teton Canyon campground and trail head (just before you head up the hill toward Grand Targhee Ski Resort). Go to the end of the road (second parking area). Hike the Teton Canyon trail. Nicest hike anywhere with wonderful Teton views and walking along a river. We often see moose in there in May and June. Both places are just about 20 minutes from the cabin.

We also love Darby Canyon just south of the outdoor drive-in theatre (Spud Drive-in is great fun for the whole family) south of Driggs ((left off 33 going south from Driggs). The trail is a 3 mile hike (it starts off up hill but levels off after about a mile) to a huge cave. Bring a flashlight and a light jacket and explore the cave. This is an easy enough hike for energetic kids.

Another fairly easy hike is Moose Creek. To get there go south of Victor toward the base of the Teton Pass. There is a sign on the left for Moose Creek. Go left at the T once you turn off and follow the road around to Moose Creek Ranch and park. It is a gentle hike above the Moose Creek. If you would like a day or 1/2 day (or an hour) of horseback riding Moose Creek Ranch hires a local outfitter. Ride along the lovely river amid wildflowers and views from horseback. 208-787-6078. You will need to make reservations.

Just down the road from the cabin (east toward the mountains) at North and South Leigh Creek trailheads are a couple of hikes that take you to some gorgeous views and connect up to longer hikes. There are some easy river access points for enjoyable picnics and playing in the river on a hot day. South Leigh trail is a fairly flat hike with some small river crossings. North Leigh is steep but fabulous overlooks.

This Valley has three world class fishing rivers. Excellent fishing guides are located at TRR Outfitters at 76 Main Street in Driggs. 208-354-1200. Ask for Dave Heib. Let him know you are staying at Thistle Dew Cabin (Don and Leslie Roth). He’ll give you a discount. The South Fork of the Snake River (1 hour south toward Swan Valley (right turn in Victor)

is an excellent river. Lovely for fishing and for eagle watching. While there have lunch or dinner at the Snake River Lodge at the take out in Connant. Henry's Fork of the Snake River is famous for fishing also and is about 1 hour north of Tetonia. There are a couple of restaurants and a nice state park (Harriman State Park) along the river. Henry’s Fork is a great place to fish, horseback ride or poke around (antiques). Also on the drive loop into Mesa Falls. It is a nice short hike and a powerful falls. More great fishing, canoeing or a lazy paddleboard is the Teton River here in town. Peaked Sports on Little Avenue has information. For the kids there is a fishing pond in Victor (free). Keep the fish and enjoy a meal. It is stocked just for that purpose.

Of course there are also Jackson Hole and Teton National Park. You can easily spend a wonderful day in the park and then go into Jackson Hole for dinner and shopping in the evening. The Wildlife Art Museum on the left on the road out of Jackson going toward the park is a wonderful museum for magnificent art. Also for a flatter hike go to the Rockefeller Center in GTNP. The center is lovely and you can hike out to Phelps Lake where their private home used to be. Hiking to Taggart Lake just inside the park from the Moose entrance is a pleasant 2 miles along a roaring river. A great place for a picnic or that Christmas card picture with the mountains reflected in the lake is the reward. Another flatter hike in the GTNP is at String Lake (on the scenic Loop from Jenny Lake Ranger Station) where there is also swimming in the shallow, clear water and picnic tables.

. There's rafting out of Jackson (Google Jackson Hole whitewater) and fishing (see the outfitters above) and other wonderful hikes. There should be a hiking book in the cabin.

Thursday nights in the summer Victor does Music on Main street starting in mid June; beer, burgers, dancing and fun for all ages. There is rodeo action in Driggs on Friday nights all summer starting at 8 pm. and in Tetonia too (the nights fluctuate). 10$ p/p and cash only (kids cheaper or free). The Teton Rock Gym near the GeoTourism Center in Driggs is fabulous. They have an open gym most days from 3 – 9 pm. They also offer all day classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday for instruction.