The Tetons are Grand

One last look at Fremont Lake before heading north. It was hard to believe there were only two other rigs in the entire campground.

Home on the range echoed thorough my mind as we passed this "Open Range" sign. The fine print reads "Loose Cattle." That woke us up, as we surely don't want to meet a cow on the highway.

Just down the road, we stopped at Ridley's Family Market in Pinedale. With a conveniently attached Ace Hardware store, we left with the unlikely combination of tortillas, muffins, and bear spray.

The road quickly revealed snow capped mountain views like this one in Bondurant, Wyoming. We're actually losing elevation on our two hour drive dipping a little from 7,300 to 6,800 feet.

Two hours after we started, there they were, The Grand Tetons, pushing up from the flat plateau like giant magical teeth.

We are fortunate to witness this spectacular view. Signage informed us that these glaciers have lost 25% of their volume over the last forty years.

Jenny Lake Visitor Center was our first official stop in Grand Teton National Park. We arrived just in time to witness a pair of rangers demonstrating how to use bear spray. We learned to aim at the bear's feet and spray for about two seconds if a bear is charing at us. That should leave enough in reserve to spray again in case there is another bear!

The visitor's center, built in 1925, was originally the Crandall photo studio and art gallery. It now contains maps and provides a place to ask questions of the helpful park rangers and volunteers.

The clear, rock strewn, waters of the lake are traversed by sturdy looking aluminum tour boats.

Majestic peaks aren't the only thing to look at in the park. The arrival of spring was announced by wildflowers blooming alongside the trails.

Intermittent rain had us preparing lunch inside the van where we could enjoy the view from our comfy couch.

The rain didn't last long, so we were soon hiking around the lupine trail.

Teton glacier is in the high valley just to the right of Grand Teton, the middle high peak here. Mount Owen is the next high peak to the right.

The Craig Thomas Visitor Center houses exhibits, a movie theater, and an extensive bookstore. We enjoyed the high definition movie about the park "Life on the Edge." This is also where you can buy permits for back country camping or boating.

We drove the "Animal Viewing Loop" and found this tiny rodent which may be an American Pika or perhaps, a common chipmunk.

One more walk along the lakefront had us wondering what it might be like to sail here. I can remember learning to sail in the Adirondack Mountains back east where the winds changed significantly between mountains that weren't nearly as tall as these.

Evening had us parking at Signal Mountain lodge where we did laundry, ate dinner, and purchased tokens for the showers. I wonder who came up with the time of 70 seconds per token. Beth had her waterproof watch to insure all her hair products would have time to work. It's much simpler for folks like me who no longer have hair.

Site 79 in Signal Mountain Campground offered a nice spot in the woods with a table and fire ring for $33.

Here's today's road map.