Besides a full kitchen and cozy lounge with a cute fireplace, there were two bathrooms, one with a shower and the other with a double jacuzzi tub! A Murphy bed was built into the wall of the lounge, and there was a balcony with gorgeous views. I’m sure each of us gasped when we walked into our “fantasy suite”, never expecting such luxurious accommodations! We had a light lunch in the Range restaurant as Chef Rick Sordahl had invited us to an afternoon reception in one of the cabins.
Jeanne Fratello of Jolly Tomato photographs Idaho red wine in beautiful Victor, Idaho
We had a lovely time tasting all the treats that had been prepared for us, taking photos, and visiting with each other. We were able to talk to the resort staff, visit with Chef and his wife Dana, and learn more about the Teton Springs Resort.
Don Odiorne and Mary Platis, and Travis Blacker
We probably could have stayed all afternoon, enjoying the delicious appetizers and beverages that highlighted Idaho potatoes, but we were advised to rest up for a little while, as we would be driving to the Linn Canyon Ranch for dinner. Our original agenda had included a sunset horseback ride, but that had to be canceled due to the recent rains.
Since we had a little extra time, we asked if we could stop in town to buy some of that 44° North Mountain Huckleberry Flavored Vodka to take home with us. Can you imagine how funny it was to have a bus pull up to a small liquor store in tiny Victor, Idaho and see about a dozen food bloggers run into the store? We just had to take a photo with our purchases!
When we arrived at the Linn Canyon Ranch, we walked around the ranch house, through a glade with wooden furniture to an area that had a western bar and campfire! Another party just for us!
A real live cowboy with a hat was serving us beverages and an authentic western-style campfire greeted us too! The beauty of the late afternoon clouds and trembling aspen leaves made the party extra special. Our hosts had thought of everything, even a patio heater to keep the tenderfoots warm!
Weather in the distance kept us entertained…rain! Maybe snow during the night! Those of us from Southern California wished we could take some of those rain clouds back home with us.
Soon it was time to go inside the ranch house for dinner. Our group of sixteen was seated on the sun porch, with one long harvest table. Simple country decorations, fresh garden flowers and berries , candles, and glass vases filled with crab apples set the mood for our final dinner together.
We all enjoyed being together as we knew we would be leaving the next morning. By the time we finished dinner, no one had any room for S’Mores by the campfire. We were sleepy and ready to return to the Lodge we could spend some time enjoying our suites.
I fully expected to spend the rest of the evening relaxing in that enormous bath tub, but once we got back into our rooms, our little group of San Diego bloggers began texting each other. We put on our comfy resort robes and padded down the long hallway. We met up in Mary’s suite, along with Spuddy Buddy to keep us company. We all missed our hubbies, but we agreed that Spuddy is the “Best Boyfriend Ever”….especially for a night in the fantasy suite at Teton Springs!
The plan for the next morning was to sleep in and leave after a good breakfast in the Range Restaurant. Most of us were up early to see the sunrise and take in the beauty for a few more hours before hitting the road. We enjoyed one last meal together before driving back to Idaho Falls Airport, promising to return to Teton Springs Lodge with our families.
It’s no wonder that we all made a bee-line to visit our friends at the Idaho Potato Commission booth during the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit in Anaheim, Ca. two weeks later! But that’s another story…
Disclosure: I was gifted with an expenses paid trip to see the Idaho Potato Harvest by the Idaho Potato Commission. I was under no obligation to write this post, and did not receive compensation for this post.