We love having visitors and we were blessed to have Kim, Tom, Joe, and Peggy meet with us for a day in Grand Teton National Park. The original plan was to meet for lunch and then hike an easy trail. Plans changed, however, when the forecast was for rain.
They had just arrived from Montana and a strenuous hike with their son Kyle and his fiancé Rose. Leading the hike was our son-in-law Eric and our daughter Jen who played the part of trail boss in keeping the group intact. They all did have bear spray as the berries were ripe and the bears were in hyperphagia, (it’s when they feed for twenty hours a day fattening up for hibernation).
Arriving a little early we put our name on the reservation list at Noras Fish Creek Inn, if you go there have the breakfast menu, it’s the best! Not long after, they arrived and during breakfast, we discussed the weather forecast. Our plan for a hike went south with the rain so we changed the itinerary into a guided tour of some of our favorite places. Kim and Tom have been to the park quite a few times and so it was more of a, “Let’s look for bear 399 and cub”, at some of 399’s favorite areas.
Our first stop was at the Jackson Lake Dam, and we took the short hike down to the water. As we looked at the dam and Jackson Lake, an immature bald eagle wheeled overhead.Tom and Joe closely watched the mergansers as the birds’ chased minnows in the roaring water.
All four of them gathered for a group photo. The women also smiled for their photo, in order from the left are Peggy, Kim, and Renita.
Having separated into two cars Renita and I discussed the Potholes, Willow Flats, the Grand View Trail and Pilgrim Creek. Later we met a bear watcher who said 399 and her cub had been at Pilgrim Creek that morning, but we never saw her, (there’s definitely an element of luck when bear searching). Driving to our last stop, at the Sawmill Pond, we pointed out the huge rockfall which had changed the Tetons Skyline.
Just to the south of the Grand Teton you can see what is left of the mountain top. It looks like a hand with the middle finger extended to greet any visitors from outer space.
Driving past the Chapel of the Scared Heart,
a bull elk in velvet tried to take a nap as people got way to close!
Arriving at the pond, the cow moose and her calf, that had been there the day before, were gone. Everything is so green, unusual for August. The berries are almost ready for the bears to start gorging on them, so it won’t be long till its bear time. Some of the trees are turning yellow and there is talk of an early winter.
Not spotting any bears, the day ended at the Sawmill Pond. We separated there with the usual hugs and farewells and our favorite traveler’s goodbye by saying, “We will see you down the Road”. It had been a great day and so much fun to be with them. Clear skies and safe travels
Seeing friends on the road is the best. Stay safe and healthy.
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