GREETINGS FROM GRAND TETON NP,
Jackson Lake Lodge, Wyoming (WY), USA
A short distance to travel today by lots and lots to see and do.
We had breakfast in the Old Faithful Inn then left to go to the West Thumb geysers which sit right on the edge of Lake Yellowstone. We were hoping to get a headstart over all the tourists ! When we were talking to our servers about our
Yellowstone NP to Grand Teton NP
visit and how we felt it was very busy, they said it was quiet compared to the peak of summer. We both agreed we just could not come at that time of year as you would not be able to see anything except by getting a chance parking spot ! So many of the spots were over crowded this time as it was and we did not bother with them as we had seen them last time.
Anyway, we got to West Thumb and there was a relatively small crowd but by the time we were leaving a tour bus had pulled into the car park. As we had walked the boardwalks, a female elk was grazing not far away. In the early morning, the colours from some of the geysers were just so vibrant.
First view of the Tetons
From West Thumb we drove south and out of the park. Yellowstone really is an amazing place to visit. We may come back again another time – during the winter is supposed to be an amazing time to visit as they are only able to take fewer guests and the winter activities – viewing the winter animals, snowmobiling etc – are supposed to be once in a lifetime experiences. But more states to do first !
The two parks – Yellowstone & Grand Teton are only a few miles apart. But quite different. Grand Teton is really only the mountains themselves – and the immediate lakes and forests – but beyond that, and certainly to the east, quite comparably open landscape.
Lake reflections
The drive in from the north is through quite dense pine forest but as you emerge the mountains are a spectacular sight. They almost drag your eyes to them. At each scenic turnout – and there are many –
Mormon Row barn
the view is constantly different.
As I said, the park is small and we got back to the Lodge about 3pm. Our room was not ready so we sat in the lounge and had coffee – with these huge 2-storey windows exposing the mountain
Oxbow Bend
view beyond. Adrienne had booked us 12 months in advance so we had a “mountain view cabin”. And so when our room was ready, we unpacked and watched the view.
For dinner we sat on the verandah of the bar and, while the sun sank toward the mountains, had a quite drink and shared some nachos and then had burgers. Can’t remember a “burger joint” with quite the same view !
Sun setting on the mountains
With front row views from our room, we retreated there and clicked away taking photos as the colours changed from day to night.
With the sun set, we moved inside for a while but as the night took hold we were outside again – albeit now quite chilly – taking in the spectacular night sky, and with the Milky Way, so clear and front and centre. We tested out some night photography and were pretty happy with our first attempts !
The Milky Way
As it was getting late, we headed off to bed – hoping that the odd faint sounds in the distance, of wolves howling and moose bugling, would remain faint !