The Very Grande Tetons

Our start from Pinedale brought a new feeling:  cold.  Out came the jackets.  It was a beautiful mostly clear day, but all that visible snow from the Tetons seemed to refrigerate the air.  For once I was keeping my hands low in the Healey seeking a bit of engine heat.  This was a refreshing and welcome change from the heat back in New Mexico. 

A small part of the Grand Tetons

The opening leg from Pinedale to Jackson was one beautiful road.  It was smooth and interesting as it approached those towering Tetons ahead.  In the plains, there were many antelope to be seen.  There were some major construction projects to separate cars and trucks from the deer, antelope, and elk.  This included building massive overpasses and underpasses across US 191. According to one flagperson, the antelope won't go through a tunnel but they find bridges OK.  Deer and elk are the opposite. 

The Hoback river joined us a few miles south of Jackson.  The ice blue and white rapids against the lush green meadows and grey mountains looked like a Coors commercial.  Jackson popped this vision with its heavy traffic and suburban development.  But the town retains a quaint, mountain rendezvous look, especially near the town square.  We went to the official Grand Teton visitor center in Jackson and armed ourselves with enough brochures and maps to fill those few remaining crevasses in the Healey.

The Grand Teton park is really too much to grasp in a month, but we did what we could for one day.  We soaked in the views of the fabulous mountains and plains.  We stopped at the first major attraction, Jenny Lake.  The parking lot was packed, but we did manage to find a space.  Walking down to the lake led us to a small ferry.  We took it and ended up on a hiking trail to Hidden Water Fall and  Inspiration Point.  The climb to the latter was a bit much for us -- but the Hidden Water Fall was truly amazing.  The noise and amplitude of this water feature was quite a treat.  There was talk of a bear who was enjoying the trail with us.  We did not see the bear, but Nance managed to get face to face with a friendly marmot. 

Returning on the ferry, I realized I was starved and there was no food at this end of Jenny Lake.  We proceeded north to a fancy lodge at the north end of Jenny Lake -- they weren't serving for several hours and the dinner was $80 each.  We continued north to the huge Jackson Lake area.  The Signal Mountain lodge had a great cafe and we filled up with a mid afternoon meal.  We made some calls to various inns and lodges nearby and found that all were either fully booked or outrageously expensive.  The day was vanishing before us, so we decided seek lodging back in Jackson.  It too was rather full, but we did manage to find a room at Super 8.  We spent our last hours at Grand Teton driving up Signal Mountain for a view of the Snake River to the east.  A stop at the southern entrance visitor center did not disapppoint.  This center has fabulous architecture and lots of facts about the mountains inside.

We ended our day exhausted and ready to rest for the next adventure.  This time up north to Yellowstone.

The Healey?  I don't want to jinx her, but she has been just wonderful.  No problems and lots of compliments.  Who wouldn't want a woman like that?  Today was easy, only about 150 miles.  But she seems to run better every day.