I Found My Favorite Destination on a Work Trip-and I've Returned More Than a Dozen Times Since

"Sometimes, I'm traveling for a specific assignment; other times, I simply have a gut feeling that I want to see a particular town, city, or country-and then I figure out the best time, route, and way to get there. One particularly kismet adventure in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in the fall of 2022, was a combination of both."

"My dad joined me for the first half of the Jackson Hole journey, but I was solo for the last few days. While I hadn't intentionally designed the trip as such, it turned out to be the perfect way to discover a new place. I'll always treasure the chilly autumn mornings I had with my dad, seeing the alpenglow on the Tetons, a moose on the side of the road, and my very first pronghorn."

"Looking back, however, I didn't fall in love with Jackson Hole, a place I've since returned to more than a dozen times, until I was researching on my own. It was also subtle-I didn't realize how much this corner of Wyoming had gotten under my skin until I returned to the East Coast."

A full-time freelance travel journalist describes how travel decisions emerge from both specific assignments and intuitive curiosity. After developing interest in Jackson Hole, Wyoming through social media content, the journalist secured two assignments covering a Four Seasons safari experience and a general town guide. The trip began with the journalist's father but became a solo adventure for the final days. This combination proved ideal for discovering the destination authentically. Initial experiences included wildlife sightings, scenic mountain views, and local dining highlights. However, genuine affection for Jackson Hole developed during independent exploration rather than guided experiences. The subtle attachment to the location only became apparent upon returning to the East Coast, ultimately inspiring numerous subsequent visits.

Read at Travel + Leisure