Wandering Retirees

Grand Teton National Park

We had a beautiful day in Teton Nat’l Park. Headed out mid-morning from Driggs and crossed the Teton Pass into Wyoming and arrived in the Park around 10:30. We would have left earlier but it was downright cold, only 38 degrees when we got up a bit after 6 – a little chilly for riding comfortably. After passing through Jackson on ID Rt 33/22, We veered off to the site of a very famous photo by Ansel Adams, the Mormon Mission homestead. Our shots aren’t as good, but it’s easy to see why this view of the Tetons is so iconic. We pulled off the side of the road and just basked in the glory of the view for quite a while. In the presence of such an awesome spectacle of creation, silence, even reverence is both right and enough. We saw a lot of folks who parked their vehicles to sit in lawn chairs to take it all in. Personally, this one stop justified our efforts to make this trip. We both felt full from the vision.  

Along the way, we saw a huge bison grazing a few yards from the road. He (she?) did not feel it necessary to acknowledge the flock of gawking bipeds pointing and clicking away at the cameras. Did I mention he was big? At least 2,000 pounds of gentle power. A little later we watched a coyote lope across the road ahead. He seemed pretty interested in something in the field to our right. The motorcycle? Not so much.  Sorry, no pics.

When we entered the park proper, we stopped at the Visitors Center for a much needed rest stop and to get some news from the rangers. At our ranger’s advice we rode to Signal Mountain which has a long, twisty, beautiful road to the summit. There are two views at the top: one of the mountains and one of the valley that sits in its shadow. This area is at the top of the Snake River and is still full from winter runoff. A lot of new growth and gorgeous wildflowers everywhere. We met folks from Alabama, Washington State, a couple of Aussies who helped us get our bearings and, of course, several Chinese tourists. It always amazes me how diverse the folks are who visit our national treasures.

We had packed lunch at Signal Lodge on Jackson Lake. I enjoyed watching some intrepid city folks trying to figure out how to operate a canoe. Connie urges me to be nice. I am nice. It’s just a wonder how hilarious people can be when just being themselves. Just saying.

We jumped south to Tagert Lake and the 3 mile trail to get there. Jenny Lake had been on the docket, but we couldn’t get anywhere near the place for the traffic. So Tagert it was and we were really pleased. The hike in traced along Tagert Stream and it was gorgeous. The sound of a roaring stream and the wind whispering through groves of aspen is a real treat. And upon reaching the Lake we plopped on a fallen log to take in the sights.

We wound up sharing our log with a couple from Scottsdale, AZ, Vinnie and Annie Larkin. They are native New Yorkers, he from Queens and she from Brooklyn. Something about their attitude and word choice made us miss NY. Vinnie is a retired vascular surgeon and Annie had a career as an ICU nurse. We hit it off and shared the remainder of the hike and met for supper on the way home. They are headed north to Calgary, Alberta, Canada (eh?) and will get to see the Calgary Stampede. We had a wonderful time and look forward to hearing more from them.

The ride back was a bit challenging coming into the setting sun. Remembering that the throttle works both ways helped. (Think about it.) Having Connie on board with an extra set of eyes was a better help. Settled in to our Driggs Digs for the night.

Tomorrow is yet another relaxed day for laundry, snoozing and eating fattening foods. For tonight, that is all. Be well!

The view from Antelope Flats

From Signal Mountain 

On the way to Tagert Lake

New found friends

Tagert Creek

The view from Tagert Lake