We Might Not Be Back: Grand Tetons

Apparently when we arrived in the Tetons there were fires in Idaho that were causing a haze over the mountains. That didn’t make for the best pictures but it was still beautiful. A camping neighbor suggested we change our tent site for one not near the bathroom which proved to be very helpful advice. We quickly set up camp and then headed for a ranger station to grab our junior ranger books. We took a short hike around the lake and were nearly eaten alive by mosquitoes (the bug spray was conveniently left in the car). We took a short ride down to Jackson Lodge, which is a fancy pants hotel in the park. We were told there might be moose there but after two trips there we found not a one. We were also told we might catch a bear down a nearby gravel road. That also proved to be a dead end. Apparently we just needed to settle for bison, elk, pronghorns, deer, and a marmot.

For being connected Yellowstone and the Tetons have some significant differences. Yellowstone is like being in outerspace. People there are up early and everyone seems to have that kind of messy camper look. In the Tetons the stores open later and everyone looks like they are living in a resort town. It was interesting to compare. The next day in the Tetons we headed out early for our boat ride on Jenny Lake. We got there early thinking we could get breakfast at their store, but then had to wait around for a half hour for it to open. After our really healthy donuts and juice we trekked up to the boat. The view across the lake was incredible. We made the hike up to inspiration point and then some, but at that point the girls had had enough. In fairness they probably made it close to 2 miles on their own two feet. Gabby made it all the way back, but Lottie not so much. On the way up pretending to be mountain climbers (I guess it actually wasn’t pretending) and pretending to be Elsa and Anna also helped maintain motivation.

That evening we had to pack up again. Our friendly neighbors graciously invited us to share their campfire and smores, which pretty much made the girls day. After that it was off to sleep for our last night camping. The next morning we just put the girls in the car in their sleeping bags while we took everything down. This was infinitely easier than the previous takedown experience.