Scouting for a typical Wyoming scene for HGTV. Not too bad!
The Clear Creek Group is airing TONIGHT at 8:30 pm on HGTV!!
Here’s how it happened. Last August, HGTV came to Jackson Hole to film a segment for “House Hunters on Vacation,” a show that (in their own words) “gives lucky families the chance to stay in an incredible vacation home for a week.”
They go on to say, “In each half-hour episode, we’ll whisk away a family to a beautiful vacation destination to kick back, relax and explore all of the area’s activities. Once they arrive at their destination, host Taniya Nayak takes the family to tour spectacular homes chosen just for them. The question the family and viewers must answer: Which home would they like to stay in for a week?”
And so of course several of the Jackson Hole properties chosen by HGTV were Clear Creek Group homes! Why not – we are the best!
Big Horn Lodge http://www.theclearcreekgroup.com/pages/property.php?property_id=71&property_page_id=446,
Phillips Ridge http://www.theclearcreekgroup.com/pages/property.php?property_id=30&property_page_id=160
and Teton Majestic http://www.3creekranch-jh.com
These were the contenders; spectacular properties all. Each one so unique, so gorgeous and unmatchable that I was on tenterhooks wondering which homes the two different families would choose.
The filming lasted about a week, and was a wild whirlwind of activity. An army of photographers, producers, sound crew arrived, along with the charming, beautiful hostess Taniya Nayak. Chloe Showell and I handled all the styling, hauling in games, fire pits, baskets of fruit and buckets of flowers, moving tables and benches back and forth for “field deliberations.” We scouted for wildlife and the best stream-side locations.
Cameras rolled, sound checks were performed and it was all terribly exciting. The camera men, the producers (Jackie and Lamonte), the production assistant (Patrick Kelly) were all amazing to work with: talented, professional, energetic, positive. Chloe and I styled like crazy to stay ahead of the multiple cameras and multiple locations, and we loved every minute of it.
The children of the two families were dead on their feet, and yet were as sweet and polite as any children I’ve ever met.
The days could not have been more beautiful, or more FUN.
Halfway through the shoot, Taniya’s parents, Leela and Rja, came to town. They are two of the most gentle souls I have ever had the privilege to meet. I swear, when I met them at the airport it was love at first sight for me. And boy, can Leela cook!!! Everyone devoured the aloo parantha (potato pancake) and Indian spiced ground turkey kabobs with chutney that Leela had lovingly carried on the plane all the way from Boston and then prepared on Phillips Ridge’s gas grill. Leela and Rja were so proud as they watched the shoot. I was watching them almost as much as I was watching the filming!
Every evening, we’d leave worn out but happy, Sleeping Indian silhouetted against the moonlit sky; every morning, we’d trudge in before dawn to find a family of moose laying in the dewy grass. How magical it was.
After the show, the families settled in to a real Jackson Hole vacation. Canoeing, playing in waterfalls, watching the shoot out on the town square, hollering and clapping at the rodeo. We all stayed in close touch during their stay and their decision process.
As for which houses they chose? For that, dear friends, you’ll have to watch the show! http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-on-vacation/a-family-from-baltimore-visits-jackson-hole-wyoming/index.html
Thank you, HGTV, for bringing me new, life-long friends, and for giving these families a chance to experience the wonderful place in which we live.
Betsy
Scouting for buffalo and barn, HGTV Shoot.
The locals coming to check out the new HGTV guests.
Family A: Deliberation on Phillips Ridge
The deliberation - Phillips Ridge Lodge
The staging area (garage) at HGTV shoot.
Family B: third house, Teton Majestic. Does the handsome Fredrick mean take two or peace?
Family B; third house, third day. Our stunning hostess, Taniya Nayak. Always cheerful, always beautiful (inside and out!)
Family B prepares a meal on the grill, Jeff, captures. Teton Majestic, Family B.
Family B, Teton Majestic.
Family B takes a little down time to play on the lawn at Teton Majestic.
Setting the scene for a lovely start for their HGTV vacation. Family B, Teton Majestic.
A steak on the grill. Family B first meal, Teton Majestic.
Family B, Teton Majestic. Mom and Dad give their thoughts on Teton Majestic.
Stylist, Chloe Showell, captures the dining scene. Family B, Teton Majestic.
It takes a village! Family B, Teton Majestic. Jeff and Frederick.
Stylist extraordinaire, Chloe. Is she really sitting down with her feet up? Family B is in the house struggling with their decision. Family B, third house, Teton Majestic.
The location, along Fish Creek, where family B told Taniya their final choice.
There are many things our photo assistant, Patrick Kelly, did well. Setting up lasso golf was not one of them! Right, Chloe??
Remember those scouting shots? Well, here is Jeff
Hey Betsy!! Great blog! Yes, the houses were beautiful, but really, Clear Creek’s service, attitude and thought behind it all was even more amazing. I never thought of coming to Jackson Hole before, but I can say that our family left a little piece of our heart there. We LOVED our visit and all the wonderful things to do. Jackson Hole is full of beauty and wonderful activities, and we can’t wait to return! In the meantime, a fresh batch of “Betsy cookies” (as we call them) brings us back in memories. Thank you!! <3 the Ginger Johnsons!!