This morning we hiked down to the shore of Lake Jackson which is a short distance behind our campsite. We were hoping for dead calm conditions so we could get some mirror reflections of the Tetons. There was just enough ripple to spoil the glassy surface we were looking for.
Grand Teton
We sat taking in the scene for some time. It is one of those sights you would like to pack up and put in your own backyard to enjoy forever. We both feel this place rates equal with Bryce Canyon in holding you spell bound. The Tetons are the most beautiful mountain peaks we have seen anywhere. Even Glacier NP with its massive mountains, waterfalls and deep valleys does not hold the same magic for us.
Grand Teton is about 13770 feet tall. It occurred to me that it doesn’t look as massive as Rainier or Shasta which are only a small bit taller. Then I realized we were viewing those mountains from near sea level. Here we are viewing these peaks from about 7500 feet above sea level.
After sitting by the water we hiked along the lake shore a short distance. Our neighbor said all the trails lead back up to the campground. They do but some of them end up quite a distance from where we are camped. We had a longer hike home than we did to the lake. It is proof just how fast you could become lost in these woods.
Many of the conifers in this area are dying also. Pine bark beetles bore into the bark and suck the life out of the tree. It takes several years for the tree to die. Many of the trees show evidence of beetle activity in that they are bleeding pitch.
When we finally trudged into our campsite, our neighbors came over to tell us there was a moose cow and her calf lying in the trees near the MH. They had just happened on to it as they were starting down the trail to the lake. Darlie was so excited to finally see a moose. They were only thirty to forty feet away. She took a half dozen pictures. The moose didn’t seem to mine our presence though she did keep a close eye on us.
We headed to Jackson, WY for the day. Jackson is an artsy fartsy town with a western motif. Tourists are king here. They really are prepared for the season. They have a beautiful visitor’s center. There is a herd of stuffed elk heading up a trail like they would in migration season. Bears, wolves, coyotes, buffalo, big horn sheep and all kinds of birds round out the display.
Jackson also provides ample parking for RVs and autos with a large free municipal parking lot. Maps of the town are handed out at the visitor center so getting around is very easy. The village is a beehive of activity. Streets are packed with people and cars. Horse and buggies and a stagecoach give people rides around the village square. On one corner they have a nightly shootout just like the old wild west days.
We are not big on tourist attractions but for those who like this sort of place I could see why they would want to spend their vacation here. There is much to do and see.
Jackson is also the National Elk Refuge. In the winter when snow is deep, the elk congregate around Jackson. Thousands of elk are fed and cared for through the harshest part of winter. This is the time of year they shed their antlers providing the village with a huge supply of antlers for decorations and archways in the parks.
From Jackson we drove a few miles to Jackson Hole. We took the tram to the top of the mountain. The view was something to behold. We stood at the very peak of the mountain at 10447 feet. It gave me a slight idea how those who climb mountains feel when they reach the very top. Not everyone gets to stand on the peak of a mountain.
The slopes away from the peak are ski slopes in the winter. They drop at near vertical for a long way. I can’t imagine anyone jumping over the edge of any of those slopes. One of the tram operators told us he takes his lunch break during ski season by skiing down to the bottom. He did look a bit deranged.
While at the top of the mountain, Darlie spotted a little critter that looked like a mouse to me. It just sat there posing for pictures. Darlie got several closeups. She showed them to one of the tram operators who identified it as a rare Peka. It had cute little round ears and a striped tail. Darlie wanted to take it home but they only can survive in cold high altitude places like this. Good thing I don’t live up here. I would have baited a trap and caught it long ago and deposited him in the trash like any other mouse, rare or not.
We shopped around for the token souvenir tee shirt. I refused to pay $32.95 for a cheap screen printed tee shirt that sells for 3 for $10 at home. Looking through the various stores makes it very clear they cater to a crowd with a much fatter wallet than I.
Even it I had that big fat wallet I am not a big fat dope. Can you say huge markup?
As we passed some of the popular overlooks on the way home, we saw crowds of people watching the buffalo, elk and prong horns coming out for their evening meal. We were tired and decided to pass it up tonight.
Our neighbors came over for a full report on our day. They were delighted we had such a good time. Without their guidance, we would not have found all the interesting places we did. We were able to benefit from their knowledge gained after many visits here.
Harry and Joan invited us to visit them in New Jersey if our trip should take us that way. He said he has a big driveway and we are welcome to park in it. Harry and Joan are in their 80s. They figure this will probably be their last trip out here. It warmed our hearts to see them stroll by this evening hand in hand. That is how marriage is supposed to be right to the end. They are very special people, Our lives are enriched by meeting them.
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