Jacksone Hole & Yellowstone Take 2

Jackson, Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park, October 26-28th.

We were determined to go back and see Jackson and Grand Teton National Park as soon as we could. We ended up with three days of free time and decided to head back up before winter settled in..

This time we stayed two nights in Jackson and explored the town, the Tetons, and a bit more of Yellowstone. The weather was amazing and we woke up one of the mornings to a light dusting of snow and ran into some snow showers while in Yellowstone. It was much colder that we anticipated, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

 

Here are some highlights of the trip.... 

We drove up the same route we drown down in the middle of the night a few weeks before. It was nice to see all that we missed....and we sure missed a lot. The landscape out here is ever changing and I love driving through it. The Snake River is very appropriately named, as it snakes it's way through Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming. We always seem to be crossing it and it seems that we cross it multiple times a trip. It has become a running joke with us. This trip was no different and we even stood on a bridge overlooking the river while watching a moose rest by the banks of the river.

The Tetons and the surrounding area was breathtaking. We totally fell in love with the Tetons, the lakes at the base of the mountains, and the surrounding area. We are looking forward to more trips and getting some more exploring in.



This was our first in the wild Moose. There is a long stretch of road north of Jackson that is between mountains and the Snake River runs along to the side. There was a sign stating that there was a "Moose on the loose for 7 miles". So we kept our eyes wide open and we spotting this Bull Moose in the distance (the Snake River is behind him and the Tetons beyond the river.) We really need to get a decent camera, but you will get the idea. A little further down and on the other side of the road was a female moose and a baby.

 

Jackson Lake.

 

We had to get at least one sign picture in!

This guy was hanging out along the side of the road and stopped to give us a smile.

Our main goal for Yellowstone this trip was to see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Only one of use saw most of the views. Let's just say if you have any type of trouble with heights, do not be surprised if your whole being wants to just crumble in a heap and cry. Yeah....I totally freaked out at the edge and stayed as far away from the edge as I could.

Here is a quote that was on one of the signs...

"The place where I obtained the best...view of the canyon was a narrow projecting point [Inspiration Point] situated two or three miles below the lower fall. Standing there, or rather lying there for greater safety, I thought how utterly impossible it would be to describe to another the sensations inspired by such a presence. As I took in the scene, I realized my own littleness, my helplessness, my dread exposure to destruction, my inability to cope or even comprehend the mighty architecture of nature." -Nathaniel P. Langford, 1870

"My inability to cope..."  What the quote describes above is how I felt. So little, so full of dread, so many emotions all at once. Feelings of complete terror but yet a strong feeling of admiration and love for the place.

 

Then we ran into a Grizzly Bear! He was a young one and not very large...but still large. A park ranger was guiding people to a safe place to park to see the bear and told everyone to stay inside their vehicles. We opened up the moon roof to get a few pictures before he came a little too close for comfort. All he was interested in was digging around and finding whatever he was looking for....completely ignoring the cars and cameras clicking away.

I love this place...

 

Our animal count for this trip was several Pronghorn, three Moose, two Bald Eagles, a Coyote, deer, and a Grizzly Bear. No Elk this time, we were a little two early for the elk migration to Jackson Hole.

 

We stayed at the hotel that the pilots stay at when they fly to Jackson. It is also a ski resort and they were getting ready for the winter season. We ate a lovely dinner outside by a fire, it was freezing, but really lovely. There was a beautiful full moon and then some snow later on. We also enjoyed some time in front of the fire place inside near the restaurant. As we were sitting there we could catch some words from the men up near the bar....pilots talking "work, work, approaches, work,..."  Hehe...we got a kick out of it and we just can't get away from it!

 

It was difficult to leave and there is so much more to see, but we plan to go back!