GRAND Teton National Park!

Off to Jackson and Grand Teton National Park! Home of the MOST magnificent mountain range!  Just look ----  see the magnificent mountain range???

 

 No, we didn’t either…. Smoke.  Not the sweet furry kind, but the kind from the endless fires in Montana and Idaho.  We were so disappointed.  BUT – the winds changed and yesterday and today we saw the true Teton Mt. Range..  MAGNIFICENT!!!!

 

Later we took the boat ride across Jenny Lake to make the gentle climb up to Inspiration Point and the Hidden Falls.  It was still so smoky that the mountain was just hazy.

 

Lisa, Mat, and Simon accompanied us to the Grand Tetons.  Here is the group, in front of the Hidden Waterfall across Jenny Lake.

 

And here is the waterfall.

 

The water really rushed downstream.

As the smoke cleared more during the day we could see the beautiful mountain range.

 

We did see moose in the park!  Finally!  Of course, he had his butt towards us….

 

S’mores over the campfire with Simon.

 

Sunday we drove to Jackson Hole, a tourist town if I’ve ever seen one.  A GREAT tourist town! Wooden sidewalks, wonderful shops, bars with real leather saddles and wool blankets on the bar stools.

 

 Here is the entrance to the town park.  Elk loose their antlers every year.  The local Boy Scouts gather them to sell.  These entrances are made with dropped antlers.

 

This statue is the WY state “symbol”, found on everything.  Nice to see the real thing. 

 

Off for Flaming Gorge, UT,  on Monday, leaving the family behind to return to Co in time for Simon to start school.  We miss them.  Down from the high prairie we drove, into the canyons.

 

The 300 mile trip southwards to Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area was beautiful.  We missed (mostly) rain squalls.  There was a nice one that caught us – just enough to wash the dust off of the RV and car!

 

We did climb again and see the high prairies (8000 ft up).

 

On Tuesday we’ll explore the area.  Right now we are tucked in an almost deserted campground.  At 8000 feet elevation, our wooded campground is filled with aspens and lodgepole pines.  Quiet and beautiful. 

 

Smoke went for 3 long walks with us, all in the name of  searching for chipmunks to chase.  None to be found….  She hunts while wearing her harness and on a leash.  Actually, she has climbed trees a couple of times while in pursuit.  A very good girl!