The Grand Tetons

Today we headed north to see the Grand Tetons and Jenny Lake. Rookie mistake. We should have gone yesterday, when every other tourist, and possibly many residents, were not in the park. Traffic was heavy, and popular hiking trails had absolutely no parking left. Laurance S. Rockefeller preserve had a line of over 30 cars waiting for someone to exit.

Still, it was beautiful. We hiked a short portion next to Jenny Lake. That is where all of these photos were taken.

In the evening, we met up with some friends from home. It was festive, and I look forward to getting to know them more at Ring Lake Ranch.

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My turn! :)

Here are my photos from Jenny Lake:

Look at how clear the water is!

We decided before this trip to get a Senior pass for the national parks system, and boy, has that paid off. We have to wait in line with the other peons, but the pass saves $30 per entry. So old people: get your pass.

There were a lot of people in the park, but it wasn't crazy like Yellowstone can be, for example. There was no one parked in the middle of the road to take photos (although there might have been, had we seen any wildlife to take photos of). But as Dan said, there were lots of full lots at trailheads. 

The geology of the Tetons is just amazing, and comparing them to the older Appalachian mountains at home really helps to show how young they are. They are so craggy, since they have only been worn down for 10 million years.

Apparently, between the Grand Teton ("big tit," from the French téton) and the Gros Ventre ("big belly," also from the French) ranges is the valley carved out by the glaciers that rode down from Yellowstone. It is wide and flat but beautiful - full of sages and streams. It is this area that is called Jackson Hole, as opposed to Jackson, which is the town. 

Your lesson today is a result of dinner conversation with MaryAnn, Becky, and Darilyn, the friends from the Asheville area that Dan mentioned. If you win a trivia contest because of it, please do let me know.  

I will leave you with the latest photo of Dan, taken at some arch in Jackson. It is not the biggest - or at least, there is not a sign that says so. A sweet young couple asked if we wanted our photo taken. Silly, silly people.