Grand Teton National Park - 2008 . . .
on our route to the Pacific Northwest

Updated: 11/30/08

The sign entering from Jackson.

On this page we will tell the story of our visit to the Tetons and also post various views of the Tetons.

Grand Teton National Park is significantly smaller than Yellowstone.
Yet, the Tetons rising from the ground without foothills
is no less impressive than some sights in Yellowstone.

This was our first view as we approached the Tetons.

Colter Bay Village . . .

The visitor center at Colter Bay includes an Indian Arts Museum. When we arrived the flag was flying high.

While we were at the visitor center, the flag was lowered to half-staff in honor of firefighters and pilots who died in a helicopter crash in California.

As in Yellowstone, many signs and each picnic table advised you of the need for proper food storage. 

We did not know for two days that our neighbor across the street in the campground was a prairie dog.

The Teton area has "braided" rivers just like in Alaska.

The view from Snake River Overlook . . .

Mary Lou made a photograph of Fred . . .    

Schwabacher Landing Road - Lunch . . .            

This is the spot we 'enjoyed' the most. We had a  memorable view for our long and relaxing lunch. 

We think there were eagles soaring in front of us.

Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center . . .

A diorama of the park was displayed at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center near Moose junction.

This LCD screen on the floor looked like a stream of water flowing over rocks. 

Artwork . . .

And, exhibits honored the people of the region and mountain climbers.

Chapel of the Transfiguration . . .

Besides the Grand Teton, we remember this little chapel from our last visit to the Tetons in 1971. 

   The chapel has a log interior as well. 
  

But, it is the view from the window
with the Grand Teton behind the cross
that is impressive and memorable.

When we drove into the parking lot, it was obvious that this was a special day.

         What a backdrop!

Jenny Lake . . .

Jenny lake offered a little loop road for viewing. When the cement was still wet, some animal (moose) could not walk around it - worse than a kid. 

Our River Road Ride . . .

We overheard someone at an overlook about a road that was like an African safari. He showed us the road on the map. We checked at the visitors center about how bad the road was. He said if you have four wheel drive it would be okay. He suggested that we start the 12 mile drive about 7:30pm. So, that is what we did. However, due to the rough road, it took us two  and a half hours to complete the ride.

Here are a few photographs from our River Road Ride. The other photographs are on our Teton - River Road Ride - 2008 page.

Chapel of the Sacred Heart . . .

Like everywhere else, even the view was good from the parking lot. 

Mary Lou making another photograph of Fred. . .

Signal Mountain . . .

The view from the top of Signal Mountain was fantastic.

Oh yes, Mary Lou says the cell phone reception was great on Signal Mountain.

The group of people traveling in six class-C motorhomes were together. They made traffic congestion in every parking area they went to.

Mount Moran . . .

Cathedral Group . . .

Let's compare the photograph and the image on the sign.

Well, do they match up pretty well? 

The new bike trail should be ready for use next year.

The houses belong to what are called "inholders".  They are permanent residents who established property rights before the national park was created. 

Antelope Flats Road . . .

OK . . . Doesn't this look like Casper?

Mormon Row . . .

The buildings on Mormon Row are left from a 1890's community of Mormon families. Mormon Row dispersed in the mid-1900's as the settler's land was acquired to expand Grand Teton National Park.

Some of the remaining buildings are over one hundred years old and are weathering naturally. Although only a handful of buildings stand today, a church, a school, and over a dozen homesteads made up this community. Visitors are asked to stay on the road and away from the unsafe building. 

When we were there, the buffalo had taken over the fields around the old buildings.

Officially, this is called a pile of "scat". 

Like a bell had sounded, a number of the buffalo headed for a ditch with water in it. 

This calf got to the road first. After the rest caught up with it, he followed them.

A straggler . . .

This buffalo took a bath in the dirt right in front of everyone. 

As we left Mormon Row, a buffalo was walking on the road.

This guy had leggings on his front legs.

A line of buffalos were heading for the road. Mary Lou watched a buffalo run ahead of the line and turn them away from the road. 

They are fun to watch even from a distance.

Last full day in the Tetons . . . 

On our way into to our campground initially, we passed this beautiful view. It was difficult to stop with the HHII in tow.  So we went back and photographed it.

On our way to the Leeds Marina, Mary Lou spotted a mule deer. It walked over to a tree and laid down under it. Its head and ears are barely noticeable.

Leeds Marina was a great place.

The anchoring buoys are rented for the season. The marina manager shuttles the boaters out to their boat.  

The marina manager graduated from CMU to a poor job market in Michigan. So, three years ago, he moved from Alpena to the Tetons.   

We had never seen a fishing line recycling station. But, it was not a surprise. The Yellowstone and Teton areas are as 'green' as possible.

Kayaks return from a time on Jackson Lake . . .

The modern camper . . .

We stayed an extra day in the Tetons to catch up a little on our Web site. We have been seeing so much, we have not had a lot of free time.

Our last day in the Tetons, a gal in the gift shops gave Fred a magnetic sign for the rear of our truck.

The ranger at the desk was sending people to the Jackson Lake Lodge to see wildlife. This was our last night at Yellowstone so we decided to go there as well. The lowlands in front of us were being watched intently as the sun set.

Finally, everyone started pointing way off in the distance at about "8 o'clock" at an elk. Thank goodness for digital zoom that lets us 'see' that far.

Then, Mary Lou spotted a few more elk in a clearing a little closer. Obviously, they were out there all the time - now standing up to feed.

                              
This one looking back at us . . .                        These two are kissing cousins . . .

The last day at the Tetons, the store was out of "AA" batteries. A women's batteries were not working in her digital camera - she was buying single use disposable cameras. The lesson - - - come well supplied for all the photo opportunities . 

Leaving the Teton area, the terrain is farmland.

Our last look at the Tetons before driving into Jackson.

The ski slopes in Jackson . . .

We spent four days in the Grand Teton National Park. 

The entrance fee is $25 for a 7 day pass that is good in both the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. With special passes, the fee is lower, maybe free.

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