Grand Tetons
On Friday, Rose and went to Grand Teton National Park. Those mountains are incredible. The rise up rather dramatically because they were formed by tectonic plate movement. The other side of the mountains is more gradual. We went on a scenic boat tour, the I've been on a boat since last year. It was a beautiful day, not too hot and far less crowded than Yellowstone. I believe I have pictures, but one never knows. We also stopped at a historical area called Mormon Row. It's the remains of homesteaders from the late 1800's who settled there. Kind of neat.
On the way there we picked up 3 international workers, students all, who were hitch hiking to Jackson Hole. It is common to see hitchhikers, with a big sign that reads to where they are headed. All of the hitchhikers I've talked to and these 3 we picked up say it's rarely longer than 10 minutes. I'm not ready to start hitchhiking, but it is unusual to see them.
Saturday, I didn't do much, just ate, read and went to a movie at the Rec Center in the evening. When everyone gathers, the gal running the show gives a choice of 3 or 4 movies, and we vote on what to see. We saw The Incredibles 2, a cartoon movie, actually quite funny, with a reasonable plot, once one accepts the premise of super hero cartoon people. There was also a movie Friday night in the lounge, maybe The Revenant??? or not.
Sunday, Rose, Brenda, Steve and I went on a hike to Lonestar Geyser. It was really cool. We were told it's a mile or so away from Kepler Falls. When we got there, it was 2 1/2 miles one way. Since we were already there, we decided we may as well bite the bullet and walk it. It was great. We walked mostly on a road that was not longer in use for cars for many years it seems. It was forested and ran along the Fire Hole River. Very pretty, no crowds and smelled quite nice. it was rated as an easy hike, meaning no steep hills, and since Rose and I actually went further than that going to Mallard Lake, we felt comfortable attempting it. We didn't check to see if anyone knew if the geyser was expected to erupt. As luck had it, we passed some folks who said it was going off soon, like 45 minutes to an hour. What luck. But then when we were within 15 minutes of the time, we met a family coming down who said it already went off and we missed it. We went up anyway, as there is usually a nice cone. While we were sitting there and resting, it started steaming again, and it erupted again for at least 15 minutes. I have video, but not available yet. We don't know what that first family saw, but we saw a lovely geyser erupting. What made this one so different, besides the length of time it erupted, was it was in the middle of a forest. all around it were those lodge pole pines, some nice wildflowers and then what looks like a sand mound with bare ground it for maybe 30 feet or so, then heavy forest. it just seemed so out of place.
Kepler Falls was also very nice. Actually quite close to the road, but we didn't know it was there. Well, Steve did, but he's been coming here for 9 or 10 years and gives us a lot of information. He, Rose and I talk freely about politics, too. I'm coming home in just a little over a month. I'm going to really miss some of the people here. Not as much as I miss home, but they will be missed. I will be missed also, but that is part of the adventure. One of these days, I will do a better introduction of the main people in my "Posse"
One amazing thing is that I am actually writing this blog in the lounge at my residence, instead of having to go over to Snow Lodge. Speaking of snow, Brenda has applied to work here over the winter. She has lived in Florida for 40 years or so, but had lived in New York before that so snow isn't foreign to her, just not frequent. I think she'll see frequent.
Nevermind photos. I can see them, but they won't download. Maybe I do have to go the Snow Lodge for that.
On the way there we picked up 3 international workers, students all, who were hitch hiking to Jackson Hole. It is common to see hitchhikers, with a big sign that reads to where they are headed. All of the hitchhikers I've talked to and these 3 we picked up say it's rarely longer than 10 minutes. I'm not ready to start hitchhiking, but it is unusual to see them.
Saturday, I didn't do much, just ate, read and went to a movie at the Rec Center in the evening. When everyone gathers, the gal running the show gives a choice of 3 or 4 movies, and we vote on what to see. We saw The Incredibles 2, a cartoon movie, actually quite funny, with a reasonable plot, once one accepts the premise of super hero cartoon people. There was also a movie Friday night in the lounge, maybe The Revenant??? or not.
Sunday, Rose, Brenda, Steve and I went on a hike to Lonestar Geyser. It was really cool. We were told it's a mile or so away from Kepler Falls. When we got there, it was 2 1/2 miles one way. Since we were already there, we decided we may as well bite the bullet and walk it. It was great. We walked mostly on a road that was not longer in use for cars for many years it seems. It was forested and ran along the Fire Hole River. Very pretty, no crowds and smelled quite nice. it was rated as an easy hike, meaning no steep hills, and since Rose and I actually went further than that going to Mallard Lake, we felt comfortable attempting it. We didn't check to see if anyone knew if the geyser was expected to erupt. As luck had it, we passed some folks who said it was going off soon, like 45 minutes to an hour. What luck. But then when we were within 15 minutes of the time, we met a family coming down who said it already went off and we missed it. We went up anyway, as there is usually a nice cone. While we were sitting there and resting, it started steaming again, and it erupted again for at least 15 minutes. I have video, but not available yet. We don't know what that first family saw, but we saw a lovely geyser erupting. What made this one so different, besides the length of time it erupted, was it was in the middle of a forest. all around it were those lodge pole pines, some nice wildflowers and then what looks like a sand mound with bare ground it for maybe 30 feet or so, then heavy forest. it just seemed so out of place.
Kepler Falls was also very nice. Actually quite close to the road, but we didn't know it was there. Well, Steve did, but he's been coming here for 9 or 10 years and gives us a lot of information. He, Rose and I talk freely about politics, too. I'm coming home in just a little over a month. I'm going to really miss some of the people here. Not as much as I miss home, but they will be missed. I will be missed also, but that is part of the adventure. One of these days, I will do a better introduction of the main people in my "Posse"
One amazing thing is that I am actually writing this blog in the lounge at my residence, instead of having to go over to Snow Lodge. Speaking of snow, Brenda has applied to work here over the winter. She has lived in Florida for 40 years or so, but had lived in New York before that so snow isn't foreign to her, just not frequent. I think she'll see frequent.
Nevermind photos. I can see them, but they won't download. Maybe I do have to go the Snow Lodge for that.
Now that's what I call an adventure. Do you worry about bears? Bison? Elk? Poisonous snakes? People? I can't wait to see the pictures you took.
ReplyDeleteawesome post!..Rick just started out on his long trek back to PA.....keep posting..love to keep up with you.
ReplyDelete