We checked out of the hotel at about 6:30 am and started driving to the Tetons. This time we went south through Yellowstone and got a feel for the really old forest growth in the park. Most of what we had seen all week was relatively new growth because of all the fires in those areas over the last 20 years so it was nice to see some larger pine trees there.
The Tetons as first glance peeking through the old forest was pretty impressive, but not nearly as impressive as when you are right up on it over looking them and the Snake River. We stopped at a couple of overlooks, one of them being what appeared to be the famous spot where Ansel Adams stood when he photographed the Tetons all those years ago. The trees were a lot bigger now, likely because no one was logging them!
This terrain was a lot different than Yellowstone. It was a lot flatter and more open and obviously didn’t have any geothermal feature dotting the landscape. Still it was really impressive! As we drove, we didn’t really see anything of interest other than the mountains and some really fancy houses with views to die for.
After a navigational nightmare, we eventually found the place we would be staying and of course were too early to check in but at least we found it. We wandered around Jackson Hole for a little while being tourists then went to lunch at this restaurant that was on the second floor of this building which provided a really nice view and tasty sandwiches!
Over lunch we decided we would take a ski lift to the top of Rendezvous mountain to take in the grandness of the mountains. We drove to Teton Village and, having purchased our lift tickets in town, stood in line at the most gargantuan ski lift I have ever seen! This thing made the gondolas in Grindelwald look like matchbox cars! Apparently these were designed with the help of the Swiss and Italians who have built similar systems in the Alps. The cars, we were told, can hold up to 100 skiers with their gear!! On top of Rendezvous is the famous Corbet’s Couloir ski run, which is a world class run. From what I saw of it from the lift, it looked like a the perfect place to end your life!
Unlike March on Jungfrau, it was really cold up there when standing at the top because of the wind. However as we wandered the trails and were behind the rocks and whatnot it was rather pleasing. It did remind us of the alps though only with a lot less snow that we experienced, but the landscape definitely screamed Sound of Music!! It was breathtaking – literally and figuratively as we were 11,450 feet up. I wasn’t quite as breathless up there though which was nice because the short hike that we did take was very nice.
When we came down we checked into our B&B then went to dinner. Ordinarily I wouldn’t digress and talk about dinner, but the place we went was EXCEPTIONAL!!! We chose this place called the Gun & Barrel which specialized in steak and game. John had a buffalo prime rib which he said was excellent and I dined on elk tri-tips which were prepared in this demi-glaze with garlic, onions and herbs. It was lip-smakin’ good to be sure! I highly recommend it! I still have dreams about it! After dinner we walked around a little then went back to the B&B and hung out in the hot tub watching the sun set and the stars rise - It was dreamy!
Yellow flowers at the snake river overlook turn out.
...more yellow flowers.
White cosmos and some other really pretty pink flowers in Jackson.
A view of the Tetons and Snake River. In the same general area as where Ansel Adams took his famous picture.
Another shot from that area.
Weeds and fence for depth.
Interesting purple flowers on Rendezvous Mountain.
Some pretty pink buds of these white flowers.
A touristy stage coach ride - kind of reminded me of Knotts Berry Farm back in the day when we were kids!
I'm a lookin' and I'm a lichen! LOL
View from on top of Rendezvous Mountain.
Spectacular and windy!
A different prespective.
It did look pretty Apls'y, don't you think Robert and Melinda?
Mountain Meadow - I swear I heard Julie Andrews up there!
From the peak of Rendezvous! Note the snow in the bottom left (allbeit dirty).
Mountain phlox.
Back in the valley facing the Tetons.
Lupine
same Lupin
Back to the mountain meadow.
The top of the ski lift on top of Rendezvous for all you mechanical geeks.
side view
Yes, this car holds 100 skiers and thier gear.
Looking into the valley from near the summit. Notice the lovely hiking trails to the bottom left.
Looking to the left (north) as we ascended the mountain.
Another view from on top.
On the way up - about 2/3 of the way I think.
On the way, looking north again.
Leaving the ground floor!
The car arrives for us to board.
Misty sunrise as we were leaving Yellowstone.
Famous Cowboy Bar sign.
Famous Elk Antler Arch in Jackson Hole, WY.
Busy bee on Lupine.
Green flowers - for real!
Delphiniums -gorgeous!
Chilean Andres (I think) in someone's garden. Nice to know THEIRS grew back this year!
BEHOLD - BEER!!!!
Ok, this was by far one of the most awesome things I saw on our trip - it certainly made me laugh my ass silly! Apparently someone thought it would be funny to place a bottle of beer into the hands od this little infant. Incidentally, this statue resides in front of an Episcopal church in Jackson Hole. It lookds as if the baby is actually kissing the bottle. It still cracks me up! ROFL
I beleive this is an avalanche cannon. near the top of Rendezvous Mountain.
I beleive this is an avalanche cannon. near the top of Rendezvous Mountain.
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