Working at Dornans in Tetons, Whats to do in area?

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Permalink Reply by Lea on April 8, 2008 at 3:51pm

While I don't have any experience with Dornans (other than eating breakfast there once) I can say that there is a lot to do in the area. There's Grand Teton National Park (the park entrance is less than a mile (if that) from Dornans) where you can go hiking, camping, river riding, and do other various fun outdoorsy things. The town of Jackson is about 15 miles south of there and there's plenty of 'in town' things to do. Jackson is pretty ritzy (expensive shopping for example) but there are three movie theatres, an art museum (and lots of art galleries) and some other things like take classes at the art center or the fitness center ... oh and lots of nice (some expensive, some not so expensive) restaurants. Go to the Bunnery for breakfast. It's yummy! South of town there is a hot springs area that you can go swimming in ... and of course to the north there is Yellowstone which is awesome and well worth several visits so you can see as much as possible.

The whole area has lots of fun things to do. And the scenery can't be beat.

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Permalink Reply by Kathi on April 8, 2008 at 5:19pm

Dornans...I have such great memories of Dornan's. I never worked there, but when I lived and worked in Yellowstone, my boyfriend and I spent many summer weekends climbing in the Tetons. The Dornan's all you can eat sourdough pancake breakfast was one of our favorites. After a climb, we'd have cakes there the next morning and look up at those peaks basking in the climb we just did and scoping out the next one. I've always thought Dornan's would be an awesome place to live/work, and I've had a couple friends work there who really liked it.
The Tetons really are right at your doorstep and you'll never get tired of hiking or climbing there. Doing an overnight in Alaska Basin is a great thing to do. Or for an all-day epic hike head up Cascade Canyon and down Paintbrush Canyon.
It's hard to out do the Tetons as your backyard.
You've got a really special summer in front of you.
I say - Good choice; well done!

Kathi

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Permalink Reply by Larry Parsons on April 8, 2008 at 7:33pm

Awesome I am so stoked, its great to hear good things like that, I am not a inexperienced traveler, but never been to wyoming its the last state i havent been to in lower 48.
It is proving alot more costly then anticipated, however I got some help I think my total is like 4000$ between fixing up my car, buying outdoors stuff, (hiking boots, work clothes, survival supplies for just in case) spending money and the steep gas prices getting steeper by the day. It is reassuring that I am making a good choice here. I am going to blog my adventure daily if i am able too, i bought a 12mp kodak digi camera so ill post my blog here when I start it . come on over n see me at dornans thx <3

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Permalink Reply by Ann Carr on April 8, 2008 at 7:54pm

Dornans is right next door to Jackson, WY or at least 10 miles or so back south east of Dornans.... the new Grand Tetons Visitor Center is about a mile and a half away. All kinds of rivers to float with a canoe or kayak and also numerous lakes... Fly fishing is great here too. You are not very far from Jenny Lake which is a lake of great beauty - and there are numerous hiking trails from there and also, if you are a bike rider, you have about 20 miles of road that you can ride without too much interference. At the top of the road where your turn off of Hwy 89, there is a climbing wall open to all... You have lots of opportunities to get out and about... Don't stay in your room - get out and discover the area.

I've been here for over sixteen months and it has been a fun time. Lots to do and see.. Moose, bear, elk, eagles, osprey, red tail hawks, numerous other birds and wildlife... Good luck and don't forget to come to the National Park too... then onward to Yellowstone through the south entrance..

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Permalink Reply by Bill Berg on April 10, 2008 at 8:06am

Dornans is a great place to take it all in after a climb in the Tetons. I find my way there at least once a year. It's a tough decision to make whether to go for those Nachos at Signal Mountain or a pizza at Dornans after a climb. Great food, beer and a fantastic view of the Tetons from the bar and up on the deck. There's a little grocery store there, Moosely Seconds with deals on climbing and camping gear is there, and the Snake River is a stone's throw away. A cookout and rental place too if I picture it right.

You're close to some fantastic trailheads and just a few miles from Jackson. The new Park Service Visitor Center is just across the river. There's great sport climbing on Blacktail Butte just a mile or two away. I think the roads in the area are decent for biking too. Kelly Warm Springs is just a few miles and Yellowstone is just up the road.

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Permalink Reply by Larry Parsons on April 10, 2008 at 8:45am

Wow thanks everyone it seems I made a great choice in jumping on dornans job offer, I was so anxious that i was going to jump on just about any job, but I really liked Tim the operations manager there, he answered all my dumb questions, nicely n patiently. I am hoping to make this my best summer ever and make a little money too .

Does anyone know approximately how much you earn serving at these places based on 4.00$ per hour + tips ? How is the menu there pricey, average? What about clientel are they generous if you give good service? On my way out there I am stopping at rushmore & the badlands going to purchae a annual national parks pass for 80$ rather then pay each time i go into the tetons or yellowstone. I am nervous as time approachs to leave :P

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Permalink Reply by akscootr on April 10, 2008 at 11:12am

I think you made the right decision... there is more to do than you will have time to do it in. I don't know what the earnings are @ Dornans, but the income in the area is usually excellent. If you ever choose the Nachos @ Signal Mountain, try their Blackberry Margaritas and the wings. I'm tempted to drive there just for that... :0)
Please don't be nervous because there is no need. I call the Tetons the "Oh My God" mountains, because that is what I feel every time I see them. If I didn't call Alaska home, I would call Wyoming home. The people are awsome....

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Permalink Reply by Brenda on April 18, 2008 at 1:27pm

i only ate there once a few years ago and there food was good. The view is great of course with it's location. Close to all kinds of resorts and awsome parks. As long as you have a car or something you'll have no problem with finding stuff to do.

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Permalink Reply by Larry Parsons on April 19, 2008 at 5:38pm

I am really nervous now, lol. Leaving in less then 72 hours to go before I leave . That lost creek ranch looks nice. I hope to do some horse back riding this summer too. I am stopping at deadwood SD on the way for a couple of days play some poker :p Go see MT Rushmore crazy horse, custer state park , wind cave . a mini vacation before the working vacation, lol . i AM REALLLLY EXCITTED :)

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Permalink Reply by Larry Parsons on April 19, 2008 at 6:34pm

I'll be working in the pizza & pasta there serving till the season kicks in then illl be expediting the food and making sure everything comes out as it should . That be great to have some friends there, come see me. I want people to do things with like horseback riding hiking , white water rafting, going into jackson for dinner drinks music, rodeo , road trips to yellowstone etc . when you head back to florida should drive down thru utah see bryce canyone and zion national park then the grand canyon, me i plan on getting a job at the ski resorts in area possibly for winter or maybe going to las vegas or back to houston , i used live in daytona beach but im not going back to florida to live after 2004 hurricane season never ever again,lol i'll tell you that story sometime . i'll add you as a friend on here. cheers!

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Permalink Reply by Larry Parsons on April 19, 2008 at 7:21pm

Well I guess by definition I have done some seasonal work before in 2003 I worked in Gatlinburg TN, but didnt realize it was seasinal when I ended up there from there I took a road trip out west to vegas then seattle where I was living with a girl I dated before, it didnt work out so Iended up in Daytona Beach in march 2004 I lived there thru may 2005 I had complications from the hurricanes that landed me in hospital for 45 days I had lost everything in the hurricanes so I ended coming back here to my parent house in nw indiana I was on bed rest for 6 months its been boring and I have hated it here since so I am glad to be getting out of here the economy has sucked for a long time I tried getting out of service jobs but im not an office guy or laborer and its just dismal here in the rust belt , foul air etc crime etc. So I am really ready to get the hell out of here.

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Permalink Reply by Ron Wheatley on April 20, 2008 at 10:47am

While you're in the Mt Rushmore area go see "Jewel Cave", as well. It's less well know, but a great place to tour. Ron

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