Grand Teton

I’m evidently stuck in the past because I’m skipping back to last month. Part of our October trip included some time in Grand Teton National Park.



These are a few photos from our way to Jackson, Wyoming. What a beautiful drive! While I have been to Yellowstone a two or three times in the past, I had never made my way to Grand Teton (except in passing through to Yellowstone). We were able to spend a quick day there while on our trip. We felt pretty at home as we entered the park…

Here is the amazing Sheffield Creek behind me…

Since we had only one partial day in the park, we chose to spend it hiking Jenny Lake. This seems to be one of the major sites of the park.
Here are some bald eagles nesting in a tree above us above the trail.

Our original plan was to make it to the falls and then head back.

The beauty of the lake convinced us to keep going in a loop around the lake. Hours later, we finally made it back. I was glad we didn’t run into any bears on our way (or get stuck in the dark!). We didn’t follow the recommendations to carry bear spray or wear bear bells or any other precautions but we did think it was fun to make our presence known periodically, “Hey bear!” I really wanted to see a bear (from the safety of our car) but I’m relieved the only close encounter I had was to a mule deer I didn’t see right away.

He actually gave me quite the fright. And he didn’t have to do anything but sit there. But to my credit, in an unexpected place just at the top of a hill. This is after I recovered.



The famous Tetons. One thing I miss most about home is the mountains. Even though these weren’t “my mountains” I feel pretty sentimental about being closer to home and among the rocks. I couldn't help but remember the stories we learned about in Utah history of the mountain men (like losing ears to bears). I really don't know my Iowa history...what did those kids learn about instead?



It’s really cool to see these animals that were such a huge part of American history. It is strange to think they were everywhere and now can only be seen in a few places. I think he thought we were pretty interesting, too!

These houses in the park are known as “Mormon Row.” Evidently a group of Mormon settlers made this their home. Even today it looks like pretty harsh, bleak conditions. I think natural selection helped make us a little more genetically tough…hardy pioneer stock…in pink houses.