Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Park

9-10-2008 Pinedale to Jackson
Got up early and was at the Mountain Man Museum in Pinedale right after the doors opened. I wasn’t familiar with the Mountain Man era. Of course Calvin could have been a tour guide. Anyway, it seems the desire for beaver hats in the east and in Europe started a migration of men to the mountains in search of beaver pelts that lasted 20 years. Now how bizarre is that? It is astounding how one thing (in this case a change in men’s fashion) can change the lives of many. And then fashionable men decided they wanted silk hats. There went the beaver industry. Needless to say the beavers were happy. The mountain men became scouts for the millions coming to the west.
After leaving Pinedale we drove to a KOA on the Snake River near Jackson. The drive was breath taking. We stopped fairly often for pictures. There were a lot of wild life along the road. Any yes, more wild horses but didn’t have the camera out this time. The river runs on the back of the park. Charlie is a bit afraid of the rushing water. The only water he sees is in his little water bowl and an occasional tub when he goes to the groomer. Here this stuff was growling and running. We spent the afternoon checking out Jackson and getting info from the visitors center for our next few days. We went out to dinner and had a fantastic meal. I had some sort of Thai stir fry which was yummy. Grand Teton Park tomorrow and then Yellowstone.



9-11-2008 Grand TETON
Well, after a leisurely start we began the drive through Grand Teton Park. All I can say is BEAUTIFUL!!! On the drive we saw a large herd of buffalo but they were too far away to get good pictures. Then on the way home we spotted one lone buffalo down by the river. Calvin and a young couple from Idaho hiked down for the picture. I had to baby sit Charlie. Whew!! Wild horses, I’ll take my chances. Buffalo, no way. We dodged that bullet. That big boy does not look too happy. Now what was it in the hand outs about staying away from wild animals? I forget!
We also happened by an old cabin built around 1888 by a Jackson pioneer. J.Pierce Cunningham, now doesn’t that just sound like an old west personality. The roof has plants growing on it. There were post hole remains, depressions in the soil from wells and foundations of barns and out buildings. Pretty neat.






9-12-2008 Yellowstone Buffalo and waterfalls
We decided to move camp inside the park. Called the park and was able to get reservations and money refunded in Jackson. We are set up at Fishing Bridge park. Really pretty nice. Crowded but beautiful. We had lunch, napped, walked Charlie and took off for a drive. Buffalo and more buffalo. Some were grazing right around the corner from where we are parked and saw many grazing in fields. We only got about 10miles ine 1.5 hours because of all the neat things to see. Pictures are of LeHardys Rapids, mud volcano, a field of geysers including Dragons something, Upper and lower falls from Artist point. This was just in a 10 mile drive. Can’t imagine what tomorrow has in store.






9-13-2008 Geysers and more buffalo
I'll just let the pictures do the talking. What can I say. This is a magical land. Dark blue hot bubbling water sitting in a bed of orange, pools of silkly latte mud making faces, white bleached trees with steam rising around them, mounds of chemicals with steam escaping. Yes indeed, a magical land.