Journey and Grand Teton National Park

From Moab we drove basically North for 290 miles to Manila, a tiny settlement very near to Flaming Gorge Resevoir National Recreation Area. This was an excellent stop-over for two nights and we had a wonderful day in and out of the water. This is a very quiet area. Our Motel was quaint, but the associated cafe fed us two excellent and ridiculously cheap dinners. Then it was North again (through amazing roadworks near Manila)  for about 250 miles  towards Jackson. Using the Internet we had researched the Granite Creek Road Hot Spring Pool  (about 20 miles south of Jackson) and it proved an idyllic mid-afternoon stop for a soak in water of 110 degrees F. Buckrail Lodge in Jackson was home for the next 3 nights; a gorgeous quiet Motel at the south end of town with a glorious view of Snow King Mountain from the garden. At $75 a night this was our most expensive accommodation .

Jackson, Wyoming, is a tourist hot spot but no less charming, despite the traffic. Our three days gave us a good chance to get a feel for the area and actually see some wildlife. The Beaver Pools, near the Schwabacker boat launch just off Hwy 191 were unforgetable, and we were treated to Beavers in the water when we returned for a picnic dinner at dusk. We did see the antlers of a Moose but you have to use your imagination when looking at the picture! Around String and Jenny Lakes, which are warm and clear, Least Chipmunks sussed us out and Rol had his toes nibbled on the Inspiration Point Trail by a Ground Squirrel. Up on Rendezvous Mountain at 10,500 feet via the Aerial Tram we had a fantastic clear view of flat Jackson Hole , much of which around Jackson is the National Elk Reserve. This was just like being up above Chamonix in the French Alps with wild flowers all around.

In Jackson we ate at the Mountain High Pizza Co, the Stromboli having too much mustard, and enjoyed locally brewed beer at the Snake River Brewery. Our best meal was a really good Mexican at the Merry Piglets.

On the morning of our last day we went  to the top of Snow King Mountain on the chair lift for a terrific view of the mountains and valley, despite the cloud. Then we had some proper rain, our first since arriving, which neccessitated lunch in the car near the Chapel of the Transfiguration. The nearby Menor Cabin was an interesting example of a Pioneer home and shop. Menor built a ferry across the Snake River which helped to open up the area to settlers and the National Park authorities have constructed a replica which works just like the one at Hampton Load on the River Severn near where we live. Our final reward in Grand Teton was some close encounters with Bison on the Antelope Road, prior to setting off for the 80 mile drive to Yellowstone.

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