JACKSON SHOPPING

There’s something about being from out of town that makes a person want to purchase items that make no sense when they are brought home.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming survives mostly on tourist dollars.  In the winter they cater to the skiers, boarders and snow bunnies. 

When the white stuff finally clears off the hills…

the merchants still carry plenty of tee shirts,

…and things made out of dead animals and dead animal parts.

But they also increase their inventory of western wear. 

 Especially cowboy hats---felt hats, straw hats, leather hats…

Cowboy hats trimmed with braid and cord

 Hats with chin straps and hats with hat bands.  

Most of them cost about as much as a top of the line 

computer ink jet printer, but the sky is the limit.  

And, except for sweaty people on sweaty horses 

chasing stinking cattle, most human beings 

look pretty silly in a cowboy hat.

Of course there are exceptions.

 Then there are the cowboy boots.

 Spangled boots

Painted boots

Embroidered boots—sandal boots??  

These are a little impractical for working in manure

 and cost twice as much as the hats.

 My boots are very useful in snow.  

When I bought them at a local second hand store 

they cost about the price of a Happy Meal.

 Of course there are plenty of different places to shop in Jackson Hole.

 There are some things you just need.

 Rocky road fudge.  Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!