After a delicious breakfast we met Ana from Ana's Grand Excursions who is our tour guide today and tomorrow.
Today we are touring around Grand Teton National Park, hoping for some wildlife sightings as well as the majestic scenery that is Grand Teton.
We entered the Park at the Moran entrance. After only a few minutes driving in the Park we spotted a grey wolf apparently on the hunt. Why do I say this? It might be the three elk cows we spotted about a quarter mile off the road just a ways up from where we saw the wolf.
The first of many photo ops today was at Ox Bow Bend turnout. The morning stillness of the river and the calm (read no) winds produced a beautiful reflection of the Teton range on the water. A couple of elk were seen crossing the river possibly trying to avoid the wolf or wolves while in the distance we could hear wolves howling. Were they after the elk?
We stopped for another photo op at the Snake River Overlook and a magnificent view of Mt. Moran and the glaciers on the mountain. Next, we stopped at the Moose Junction Visitor Center for a brief rest break, we got our National Parks Passport Book stamped and did a little shopping. Always a moving stop . . .
The Chapel of the Transfiguration was built in 1925 and still functions as an Episcopal church and is operated by St. John's Episcopal Church in Jackson. It's a favorite spot for photographers and sightseers and was our next on our agenda. The Chapel sits on a rise just within the southern entrance of Grand Teton National Park. The large window behind he altar frames the magnificent beauty of the Teton Mountain Range and was the backdrop for a number of photos our group took. We stayed only about 30 minutes but that was enough to take in the breathtaking scenery both inside and outside the chapel.
We saw a small herd of bison earlier this morning so we thought we would try and get a little closer. Well, we didn't find the bison but we found where they had been (if you know what I mean). Photo op at the Mormon barns while standing among the sagebrush and avoiding where the bison had been.
Walking along the shore of String Lake, on the path of course produced some wonderful photo ops. Just a leisurely walk on the path with the lake to our right and the trees to our left was about as relaxing and enjoyable as any walk could be.
Another wonderfully scenic photo op was during our stop at Jenny Lake. No matter how many times we come back here, it never gets old. The sights are spectacular and the smell of the lodge pole pine is simply intoxicating. Ana, our guide, told us the story of how Jenny Lake got its name. It has a bit of a sad ending to it so I'll just say, "look it up".
Lunch was at Jackson Lake Lodge, a place we've been to on three other tours to Grand Teton National Park. Most of us ate at the grille, a diner-style lunch counter. Staring out into the marsh area behind the lodge for about twenty minutes and Chyle and I thought we spotted a moose. Many of the group heard of our find and came to see for themselves. Lo and behold it was not to be. Marsha was able to zoom in closer with her camera and our "moose" turned out to be a bush with gaps in it that looked like a standing moose. I thought it seemed like the "moose" was standing still an awfully long time. Better luck next time.
Ana took about 20 of the group on a short uphill hike to Picnic Point, where John Rockefeller frequented, to enjoy his picnic lunch. Uphill one way but downhill coming back. No falls, no spills, just a nice short hike.
Cowboy cookout tonight was moved indoors due to slight chance of rain. And rain it did! A bit of a thunderstorm accompanied the downpour made this a wise decision. The winners of the Scavenger Hunt were announced just before dinner and "The Old Faithfuls" we're crowned champions. Congrats to Bob, M.L., Bryant, John C. and Bill for a job well done. Actually everyone deserves a big hand for making this scavenger hunt one of most fun and challenging games we've ever done. BBQ Pork Ribs were the feature on the cookout with delicious sides, salad and apple cranberry cobbler for dessert. Kudos to Chef Steve Erbe for an amazing meal this evening! Sadly, the rain washed out our campfire s'mores tonight so we'll try again tomorrow.
Yellowstone National Park tomorrow!
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