Grand Teton National Park

Another beautiful drive as we leave Yellowstone through the south entrance. The deer were out in droves as we rolled through the groves of lodge pole pines. The pines grow so straight that the indians used the trunks for tipi poles. Once out of the park we were on the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. The road follows th Snake river and travels through wild meadows where army camps and freight stations were located during the region's pioneer past. Now they're empty and dotted with clumps of pink, purple, and yellow wildflowers. I guess we've left the Bison behind - haven't seen any today.

We knew there was construction about halfway between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park because they had signs posted everywhere. We were expecting atleast 30 minute delays. Well the construction arrived as posted and it was bumpy and dusty but not as bad as we expected and no real delay. The coach took the bumps pretty well.

As we moved into the Grand Teton area it got warmer. We came through the Jackson Lake entrance to the park and what a view! The Jackson Hole valley was laid out before us with no foothills to block our view, the jagged peaks of the Grand Tetons rose before us towering over a sapphire lake. It just keeps getting better....

We had hoped to get into the Colter Bay RV Village, but they were full so we found a primitive (no hookups) site. It is in a more natural setting and really nice. We got settled in and then went to the visitor center to take a shower for $3.75. Back at the site we met our neighbors from New Mexico who loved the coach - another tour - then we relaxed for a while.

Later we drove up to the Jackson Lake Lodge to see the Panorama window. Wow! The lodge was built in 1955 and is a National Historic Landmark. We walked through the reception area and up a 'grand' staircase. At the top of the stairs rising above the spectacular common area is the two story floor to ceiling window with stunning views over the Willow Flats area to the Teton Range. In the middle of the range Mount Moran and his Skillet Glacier (12,605 ft) commands your attention. We found two comfy chairs in front of the window and enjoyed a local favorite - Huckleberry Mojitos - yum...

Back at camp Ken was taking the bikes off the car when a mule deer came wandering through the site. He didn't seem concerned at all that we were there. There is a ton of things to do here so we'll plan our week tonight.