Grand Tetons

August 2nd  to 5th, 2014  Days 64-67

Just south of Yellowstone National Park lies the nation’s most iconic mountain range - Grand Teton National Park, where sharp peaks suddenly rise from valley floors.  These peaks, often reflected in the pristine alpine lakes, are most peoples’ image of picture perfect postcards of mountain splendor.  In fact, over the course of the next 5 days, I tried my darnedest to take that “postcard” shot.  During all times of day, and in all kinds of weather.

I think this is pretty close to a post-card, don't you?

 I am thinking (as I do each vacation) of taking some photography classes and perhaps learn how to capture those clever shots you see in calendars and coffee table books. I must add this to my “bucket list” under “things I never learned but wish I had”.

But between Norm and his trusty and amazingly capable iPhone and my modest Cannon Power-shot, we have managed to produce some pretty nice photos.  With scenery like this, how can you not?

After arriving at The Grand Tetons, we very quickly learned where all the crowds we heard were in Yellowstone.  Here! Everyone was parked in every parking spot or impatiently waiting for one.  The trails were as congested as the halls of a shopping mall in December.

During our stay at Colten Bay Campground located inside of the park, we did a lot of driving.  Similar to Yellowstone, sights in The Grand Tetons tend to be spread out, but wildlife sightings are more difficult to find.

Straight across the river is the awesome canyon we tried so hard to hike

There was a hike through a canyon that excited both Norm and me on the far side of Jenny Lake. It was a 13 mile hike that you could shorten by 4 if you took the shuttle boat before 8AM to avoid the huge crowds (which meant getting up and out REALLY early).








We were so proud of ourselves!  At 6:45AM  we were up and out with all our gear including  packed lunches and we even took our breakfast!   About 35-40 minutes later, Norm realized he didn’t have his wallet!

We went back to the RV, got his wallet then spent the next 9 hours driving around, exploring the dirt roads and hunting for photo opportunities.  It would have been too late to return and take the boat across Jenny Lake to go on the planned hike.  We had been warned in advance – get there early or hike with the crowds. We would never choose the crowds.

Finally, a moose!  

The next morning we set out again, ready to finally take that canyon hike, although unfortunately, it seemed like rain was imminent.  Sure enough, 30 minutes into the trip to the boat shuttle, it started to rain in earnest!  Hmmmm.  The fear of lightning and slippery rocks had us cancelling again!  We drove around some more, hunting for those elusive Grizzly, Moose and Beaver photos. Some places we visited multiple times hoping to find them.

The beaver's live here, but nobody home!

Very busy beavers taking down very large trees in the area.

May not have seen a beaver, but caught sightings of a Bride and Groom!

Well, by the end of the day we had pictures of a Moose and a wedding party!  Of all things! If our timing was better, we would have seen them together, I was told.

We found this herd of Bison when we were driving down some dirt road in the middle of Nowhere.

The rain and thundershowers came and went for the rest of our stay, but we managed to sneak in a narrated boat cruise of Jackson Lake, enjoyed cocktails and nachos ( which I have not had in years ) at the Blue Heron Lounge inside Jackson Lodge ( advertised as the nicest bar in all the national park system ). I tried a Huckleberry mojito which was quite delicious!

The weather on our last day here in the Grand Tetons again consisted of intermittent rain so we did the laundry and relaxed a bit, going to the office for what little internet was available.

An old barn on Mormon Row built in the 1890's

Wednesday, August 6th,2014  Day 68

It was time to leave the Grand Tetons National Park and we were ready.  We were beginning to tire of driving round, and after spending a couple of months on the road, we were looking forward to a little “vacation” from our vacation.

Next destination:  Salt Lake City airport, where we are flying out to Boston to see family (particularly the grand-kids).  It will be a two day drive to get there, stopping somewhere in Idaho for an overnight.