It's all happening in The Hole this 4th of July Friday. Check out this schedule of events to make sure you don't miss a moment of the classic celebration.

6am: FREE HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES at Alpine Field (near middle school): The Grand Teton Music Festival and RE/MAX Premier are delighted to partner in presenting free hot air balloon rides to the community. Conditions are best in early morning, so come early and look for their signature red, white, and blue balloon--you can't miss it! Free rides will continue as long as weather permits.

7-11am: Annual Street PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Jackson Hole Jaycees prepare an all-you-can-eat hearty breakfast in front of the Jackson State Bank & Trust on Center Street. Cost: $8 for adults and $3 for children under 5.

10am: Jackson Hole Community BAND CONCERT on the Square

10:30am: Howdy Pardners' 4th of July PARADE: The annual parade begins on Snow King Avenue from the Rodeo Grounds to Glenwood, continues on Broadway, and ends on Willow Street.

2:30-8pm: FREE START BUS Service: Ride the START TOWN SHUTTLE to and from Music In The Hole. Or, ride your bike and park it with Bicycle Valet at Alpine Field, provided by Friends of Pathways.

3-7:30pm: GRAND TETON MUSIC FESTIVAL's 12th Annual MUSIC IN THE HOLE: Join us at Alpine Field next to Jackson Hole Middle School, pack a blanket, have a picnic on the lawn, and enjoy an afternoon of music and festivities at this Jackson Hole Independence Day tradition presented by the Grand Teton Music Festival! Concessions, family activities, and pre-symphony entertainment by the Jackson Hole Community Band, Rotating Superstructure, Anne & Pete Sibley, and the Jackson Six begins at 3pm. At 6pm, the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra takes the stage under the direction of the Festival's Music Director Donald Runnicles in a rousing, festive, and patriotic concert of July 4th favorites. The concert ends in plenty of time to get a prime spot for watching the evening's fireworks display.

8pm: JACKSON HOLE RODEO: In fine western tradition at the Teton County Fairgrounds.

10pm: Fire In The Hole FIREWORKS: The Jackson Hole Jaycees know how to celebrate! This spectacular display of fireworks will light up the night skies of Jackson. Held at the base of Snow King Mountain.

For more information about events on the 4th, contact the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce at 307-733-3316 or www.jacksonholechamber.com.

There aren't a lot of places in the world, or in the West for the that matter, quite like Jackson Hole in the heart of summer. We've got the antler arches adorning Town Square. A National Elk Refuge, home to hundreds of the wild animals, sits not even a mile north of town. Art galleries line the boardwalked streets. Theater, music performances, and other "culture" are complemented with whitewater rafting, horseback riding and that most famous of all cowboy pastimes, rodeo.

With a deep rooted cowboy history, Jackson Hole hosts twice weekly rodeos where cowboys and girls flaunt their stuff horseback, bareback, bull back, 'round barrels and more. Featuring events like barrel racing, calf roping, bull riding and bareback bronc riding, it's a western experience not to be missed.

The rodeo takes place every Wednesday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. at the Teton County Fairgrounds' rodeogrounds, two blocks west of the Snow King ski lift. A special 4th of July Rodeo will take place on Friday at 8:00 p.m. For advanced tickets, call the ticket office at 307-733-2805 or email jhrodeo@hotmail.com.

Prior to this weekend, I hadn't ever really gone mountain biking. I'm more into sports that offer a "soft landing" like powder skiing or kayaking. But friends persuaded me that it would be in my best interest to get a mountain bike and get onto the local trails before too long. So, late last week, I went ahead and purchased a women-specific mountain bike and headed into the hills.

Turns out, Jackson offers up some of the best mountain biking, both on town trails and up at Teton Pass, in the Northwest. Friday afternoon, I headed to Put Put, just beyond town. The easy-going trail was the perfect place to start. It climbed gradually, descended at the same grade and offered just enough small hills and whoopdie-doos to get my heart rate up without causing a significant crash.

Saturday morning proved to be a little less successful in the "no crash" department with a few tumbles into the bushes and off the trail, but getting the inevitable out of the way early was a good thing. Not long after that, we headed to the Cache Creek-Game Creek loop, which winds from the Cache Creek trailhead over the ridge and down before dropping bikers at Highway 89, where you can catch the bike path back to town. It was a long trek, including 15 miles on trail and 5 more miles on the bike path, but well worth the ride. The wildflowers were out in full force, the temperature was perfect and the trail was relatively uncrowded. Don't forget your sprays, both bug and bear, as the trail travels through bear country and the mosquitos are out in full force this time of year.

To get to the Cache Creek trailhead, drive east on Broadway. Just past the hospital, take a right on Redmond. Take a left on Cache Creek Road and follow that to the trailhead, where you'll be able to meet up with other bikers of all skill levels and enjoy ready access to a variety of trails.

For more information on area mountain biking, experts at these locations can help with maps, local knowledge and gear:

Hoback Sports, 40 S. Millward in Jackson, 733-5335

Fitzgerald's Bicycles, 245 W. Hansen Ave in Jackson, 734-6886

Wilson Back Country Sports, 1230 Ida Lane in Wilson, 733-5228

I know, I know. Northwest Wyoming is not the place one would expect to find great ethnic cuisine. We can grill a mean steak and cook one of the best burgers around, but great sushi? Thai food? Actually, yes. Believe it or not, Jackson Hole's ethnic cuisine is actually quite, well, "ethnic."

Masa Sushi: Located in the Inn at Jackson Hole in Teton Village, Masa Sushi is owned by Kay and Masa Kitami. The menu offers a variety of traditional and creative rolls and dishes and the contemporary atmoshphere is inviting and warm. http://www.innatjh.com/amenities_masa.htm / 307-733-2962 for reservations.

Teton Thai: Hidden a little ways off te boardwalk of N. Cache (135 N. Cache Dr.) is one of Jackson locals' favorite stomping grounds. Teton Thai is literally a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, but heaps of patrons spill out onto the inviting summer patio during the summer months. Enjoy truly authentic dishes, including Tom Ka Gai coconut soup, pad thai and an array of curries. Teton Thai has recently opened a sister restaurant over the hill in Victor. www.tetonthai.com / 307-733-0022 (Jackson), 208-787-THAI (Victor). Please remember, no credit cards accepted, cash or check only.

The Alpenrose: Located inside the Alpenhof in Teton Village, the Alpenrose's menu will take you right back to that small village in the middle of the Alps. A variety of fondues and schnitzel, the Alpenrose is the place to go if you're looking for some authentic European dining. www.alpenhoflodge.com / 307-733-3242.

Blu: Looking for some Asian fusion with a Western bent? Blu is the place to go. Start with some traditional seaweed salad, followed by the Spicy Parmesan King Crab Bake and then the Pan Seared Red Deer. Accompany your sensational meal with some Sashimi or Ceviche. 155 North Glenwood in downtown Jackson. Open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday at 5:30. Reservations recommended 307-734-1633.

China Town: Specializing in Peking, Hunan, Szechuan and Cantonese Cuisine, China Town is a great place to go after a hike up Snow King or a family horseback ride. Grab a group of friends and order family style. Don't forget to include a volcanoe in that order! 307-733-8856.

Pica's Mexican Taqueria: With two locations, Buffalo Junction across from Albertsons in Jackson (307-734-4457) and in the Stagecoach Bar in Wilson (307-734-7422), Pica's is open for lunch and dinner. The full menu offers everything from grilled tacos and salads to the Wet Burrito, enchiladas and more. It's also rumored to make one of the best margaritas in town!

For more information on dining in Jackson, click here.

June 28th marks the 30th anniversary of the Alpine Slide at Snow King Resort. Ride the double chair-lift to the top of the slide, hop on and head down through 2,500 feet of woods and wildflowers. Celebrate a special day in alpine slide history this Saturday as fans mark thirty years of this classic mountain entertainment. From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., learn about Snow King Mountain Recreation, ride the Alpine Slide and enter the raffle for a chance to win: retro Snow King t-shirts, 5-ride passes for Alpine Slide, Alping Golf tickets, one-hour horseback ride from JH Trail Rides at Snow King, guided mountain bike tour from Fat Tire Tours. For more information, call 733-5200.

In looking around for some good blog material this morning, I came across some information on the first annual Jackson Hole Music Festival, to take place August 16th and 17th in Teton Village at the base of Bridger Gondola. I know, it's summer and therefor music festivals are commonplace. So why did this one catch my eye? Because the inital line-up is pretty incredible. I know it's not until August, but I think it would be wise to purchase your tickets as soon as possible to make sure that you don't miss out. Need some more reasons? Check out this line-up:

Brian Wison, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Robert Randolf & The Family Band, Wilco, The Black Crowes, SonVolt, The Avett Brothers, Medeski Martin & Wood, Backdoor Slam, and Kaki King with more to come.

Concerts take place from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. both days.

Pricing:

Single-Day General Admission: Adult / $72.50, Children (5 to 12 years) / $10.00, Children (5 yrs and under) / FREE

Two-Day Pass: $130.00

Early Bird Pass Special Price: $110.00

Tickets can be purchased exclusively at www.jacksonholemusicfestival.com or by calling (877) 655 - 4TIX.

We'll be the first to admit that summer took its sweet time arriving in Jackson this year, but with 80 degree temperatures in the forecast as far out as the eye can see, we're convinced that it's finally, officially flow-blown summer. As we say good bye to June, we get ready to greet July, with a variety of Jackson Hole Independence Day activities, from fireworks and music to food, family and fun across the valley.

Music in the Hole!

Get to Alpine Field (near high school in Jackson Hole) early to get your spot on the grass. Bring a picnic and enjoy a day of talented local musicians with a finale performed by the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra. Food and drink vendors provide refreshments throughout the day. Bring the kids and let them enjoy a FREE hot air balloon ride, provided by premier sponsor, RE/MAX. Rides begin at 6:00 a.m. and go until weather permits.

Howdy Pardners 4th of July Parade

Come watch as this classic 4th of July Jackson Hole parade winds through downtown from 10:00 a.m. until noon.

4th of July Fireworks at Snow King

The Jackson Hole Jaycees host this famous firework celebration at Snow King Resort in downtown Jackson. Show starts at 8:00 p.m. and goes until 11:00 p.m.

On Thursday night, 19,900 cfs (cubic feet per second) flowed through the Snake River Canyon above Alpine. This marked the highest flow the Snake has seen since 1999 when it peaked at 23,400.

Tourists are flocking to local whitewater outfitters to hop on some of the highest river flow the Snake has seen in nearly a decade. Mighty Class III rapids like Lunch Counter and Big Kahuna some big waves and tons of fun. If you're looking to cool off, get wet and experience the whitewater adventure of either a wild whitewater or mellow scenic float down the Snake, make sure to book your trip today.

There are lots of different ways to come down once you've reached the top of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The obvious ones are skiing and snowboarding, but in the summer, the mountain offers some different types of downward travel. There's mountain biking. Ride the Bridger Gondola up and cruise the trail system down. There's hiking. But the one mode of travel people normally don't consider is paragliding. If you've never experienced a flight or want to check out the paragliding scene, this is the weekend to head to Teton Village. Aerofest 2008 will take place on Saturday and Sunday and will offer a great opportunity to experience the Jackson Hole "flying" community.

Schedule:
Saturday:                                                  Sunday:

8am Thermal Clinic in the Gabe Room         8 am Hike to Fly Comp

9-11am Spot Landing Contest I                   12-3 pm BBQ sponsored by JHMR & JHPG

11:30 Thermal Clinic Part II                         Noonish- Special Demo w/ Matt Coombs and members of the Ozone Team!

9:00 PM Live Misic at the Mangy Moose       2:00 Raffle Drawing/Silent Auction

Must be a P3 (P2 can fly with guiding fee through JHPG) and membership to JHFFC (temporary memebrships are available for $10). 

Register from 8:00-9:00 AM at the Bridger Center on Saturday or by email. $15 includes 2 raffle tickets, BBQ and discounted Gondola Tickets.

Jackson Hole's back yard and the national park that houses the iconic Grand Teton is getting ready to get even grander this weekend. Grand Teton National Park will mark its single largest expansion since 1950, with the donation of nearly two square miles (1,106 acres) of land at the park's south end.

The growth is a gift from the Rockefeller family in conjunction with the National Park Service. The parcel, with an estimated worth of $160 million (or closer to $1 billion if you factor in current Jackson Hole real estate prices), is the last part of the JY Ranch, owned by the Rockefellers, to be donated to the park. It sits on the shore of Phelps Lake. The family donated the land in November and will commemorate the event with a private ceremony this Saturday. In the months leading up to the donation, the Rockefellers removed 30 buildings from the land, donated 13 others as employee housing and moved 17 to another one of their properties in the Jackson Hole area. Roads were removed and eight miles of trail were built.

Perhaps the most significant portion of the gift besides the land is the 7,500-square-foot visitor center built with green technology, also donated by the Rockefellers. The visitor center coupled with the land donation is estimated to be one of the most valuable gifts in park system history.

For additional information about visiting Grand Teton National Park, click here.

It doesn't take long to learn that Jackson Hole locals do things a little differently. Maybe it's because we're surrounded by some of the most gorgeous wild places in the country or maybe it's because we live 6,000 feet above sea level and the altitude makes us a little loopy from time to time. This year, it could be the first shining sun we've seen since October that has us rushing to take advantage of those famous Jackson summers.

Whatever the reason, us Jackson-ites definitely love to be outside, from dusk 'till dawn, as often as we can. Yesterday, two born-and-raised Jackson high schoolers put even some of the area's best athletes to shame as they headed into Grand Teton National Park just after 4:00 a.m. Why? To catch a true mountain sunrise before plunging into one of the park's many pristine lakes. The girls darted along the trail for three miles before arriving at the appropriately named "Inspiration Point."

After they watched the sun crest the surrounding peaks, in true Jackson Hole form, the two went a little crazy, possibly intoxicated with fresh air and stunning views, and lept into the barely-not-snow-cold water below. Their morning celebration of life in Jackson is one we should all embrace as we head into the throws of summer, with the Solstice just around the corner.

As these two will tell you, when it comes to summer in Jackson, get up, get out, enjoy and, when you find yourself atop a rock along the bank of a fresh-water mountain lake, JUMP!

With warm temperatures and sunny skies to dry out the trails, Jackson Hole's mountain bike scene is now in full swing. In town, people are getting out and enjoying local trails off of Snow King Resort and up Cache Creek while die-hards are heading up to Teton Pass for some more technical up and downhill rides.

For those looking to get out on the trails or test their skills against town's best, don't miss the Cache Creek to Game Creek Mountain Bike Race next Wednesday, June 25th. Teton County/Jackson Parks and Recreation Department and Hoback Sports will be hosting the annual race next week. It begins at Mike Yokel Park at 5:00pm. Racers are reminded that Cache Creek and Game Creek Trails are shared-use trails and bikers must yield to all other users when training for and participating in this race. The race will take place from approximately 5:15pm until 8:00pm on the Cache Creek and Game Creek Trails. For more information, contact Jim Harkness, 307-733-5056.

If a recreational ride is in your near future, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort offers a ride up the mountain with your bike so that you can skip the uphill and just enjoy the cruise down. And if you're not a racer and are just looking to get out and have a good time on the trails, make sure to check in with your nearest bike shop to get the latest rundown on trail conditions and required ability level.

Grand Teton Music Festival is gearing up for its 47th summer season, with tickets now on sale. Don't miss what is sure to be one of the best seasons yet! Grand Teton Music Festival's full service box office located at the Walk Festival Hall in Teton Village and opens on Monday, June 23rd. For subscriptions and single tickets, contact 307-733-1128, www.gtmf.org or visit the Festival's administrative offices above Westside Store & Deli in the Aspens.

And don't forget that this year, the Festival and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort are offering Cocktail & A Concert and Dinner & A Concert packages. Enjoy a ride up Bridger Gondola to Couloir restaurant for a drink or dinner before the show!

Wondering whether or not you should take time off of work? Weighing the benefits of time at or away from the office? Even though these questions seem like they would have obvious answers, Americans are some of the laziest when it comes to actually getting out of the office. According to a recent study conducted by Expedia.com and published in an article in The New York Times, about a third of Americans usually do not take all vacation days that they are entitled to, leaving an average of three unused vacation days. This is compared to a quarter of the workers in Britain and a little less in France, however, British get an average of 26 days of vacation and the French about 37 days every year, a much larger number than our 14.

The article goes on to say that leaving those three days of vacation untouched could be bad for your health, or on the flip side, a good, solid vacation has been proven to be good for your health. The article highlights how those who vacation are less likely to develop coronary heart disease and suffer from heart attacks. Post vacation, they experience increased reaction time, fewer sick days and there are, of course, the added benefits of more restful sleep and increased relaxation.

But vacations aren't what they used to be with increased cell phone and Internet access throughout the world. Checking the Blackberry every five minutes doesn't count as a true getaway. Our suggestion? Go somewhere removed without being remote. If you're thinking a mountain vacation might be in your future, Jackson Hole offers the perfect combination of modern necessities, fine dining and boutique shopping and many opportunities to get away, onto the river or into the mountains on horseback, where cell phones don't work and you can truly make the most of your health-enhancing vacation.

10:00 a.m. - 3 Peaks 3 Weeks: For the People of Africa (Global Insight Program) @ Pink Garter Theatre   

10:00 a.m. - The Choir (Featured, Special Screening) @ Center for the Arts, Studio One

10:00 a.m. - Very Young Girls (Global Insight Program) @ Center for the Arts, Studio Two

10:30 a.m. - 199 Lives - The Travis Pastrana Story (Sports Action) @ Center for the Arts, Studio Four

10:30 a.m. - Lovely by Surprise (Feature) @ Teton Theater
  
10:45 a.m. - The Secrets (Feature) @ Center for the Arts
   
12:30 p.m. - Sherman's Way (Feature Program) @ Center for the Arts, Studio One
  
12:45 p.m. - Pray the Devil Back to Hell (Global Insight Program) @ Pink Garter Theatre   

1:00 PM - The Cake Eaters (Feature Program) @ Center for the Arts - Studio Two   

1:15 PM - Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story (Documentary Program) @ Center for the Arts - Studio Four   

1:15 PM - Shorts Program I @ Teton Theater
plays with...
Centigrade | Colin Cunningham 2007
Crossbow | David Michod 2007
Das Gefrorene Meer | Lukas Miko 2007
English Language (With English Subtitles) | Tim Plester 2007
A Little Night Fright | Mischa Livingstone 2007
Nosebleed | Jeff Vespa 2007
Rewind | Atul Taishete 2007 
  
1:30 PM - Man On Wire (Special Screening) @ Center for the Arts   

3:30 PM - Water Man (Special Screening) Center for the Arts - Studio One   

3:30 PM - Please Vote for Me (Documentary Program) @ Pink Garter Theatre
  
3:45 PM - Life. Support. Music. (Documentary Program) @ Center for the Arts - Studio Two   

4:00 PM - California Dreamin’ (Endless) (Feature Program) @ Teton Theatre   

4:00 PM - Shorts Program III @ Center for the Arts, Studio Four
plays with...
The Cleaner | Noel Kearns 2007
Cute Couple | Courtney Moorehead Balaker 2008
A Day in a Life | Nicolas Daenens 2008
Online 2 OnScreen - Best Animation - Attack Of the Giant Vegetable Monsters | Ken Turner 2007
Online 2 OnScreen - Best Documentary - Sal Mosca: Un-Sung | James Lester 2007
Online 2 OnScreen - Best Live Action - Voice Mail | Matthew Merkovich 2008
Pinatas Revenge | Delaney Bishop 2007
Validation | Kurt Kuenne 2007
When I Grow Up | Michelle Meeker 2007

4:15 PM  - Wyoming Film Showcase @ Center for the Arts
plays with...
Four Flicks From The Snaz | David Gonzales 2008
Medicos, Los | Edward Symes 2008
This Bird Has Flown | Carrie Noel 2008
Teacup | Jon Anderson 2008 
  
5:30 PM - Just Add Water (Feature Program) @ Center for the Arts, Studio One

6:00 PM - Good dick (Featured) @ Pink Garter Theatre   

6:30 PM - Les Femmes de la Brukman (World Program: Spotlight Latin America) @ Center for the Arts - Studio Two   

6:45 PM - Volcanic Sprint (Sports Action) @ Center for the Arts - Studio Four   

9:45 PM - Año Uña  (World Program: Spotlight Latin America) Center for the Arts - Studio Two   

9:45 PM - Student Voices I @ Pink Garter Theatre
plays with...
China | Jacob Hatley 2007
Walnut | Amy Gebhardt 2007
Traces | Rachel Zisser 2007
The Big Production | Preston DeFrancis 2007
Pariah | Dee Rees 2006
Aquarium | Rob Meyer 2007 

10:00 PM - Six Seconds of Freedom (Sports Action) Center for the Arts - Studio One   

10:15 PM- Student Voices III @ Center for the Arts, Studio Four

plays with...
A Day's Work | Rajeev Dassani 2008
Der Ostwind | Kohl Glass 2006
Glitch | Peter Ricq 2006
The Postman | Adam Bostock 2006
The Mouse Trap | Woon Han 2007
Morning Fall | Edward McGinty 2007
Security | Matthew Linnell 2007
Laura - In Action | Laerke Drews 2008 
 
10:30 PM - Down the Barrel (Sports Action) @ Center for the Arts