Tetons 7/30/2016

Because of campsite availability at Colter Bay in the Tetons, we had made reservations there, and worked that around reservations at West Yellowstone (outside Yellowstone) and Fishing Bridge inside Yellowstone. Here's the route--going north to south, then to West then east: https://goo.gl/maps/8x8LUZsqny72 The ride through Yellowstone was... interesting. The road in some places is very narrow as it goes over the mountains, and there is construction in places. At 28 feet plus 15 feet for the car, ours was not the largest vehicle combo by a long shot going over that road. But the ride is beautiful.

We arrived at Colter Bay campground in Grand Teton National Park mid-afternoon. Like most of the others, our site was not the least bit level, and it was a challenge fitting it into the site in a way that would both get it off the road, and be close enough to the utilities (water, electric and sewer) to hook up. The RV has to be level for the refrigerator to work properly. That challenge met, we chilled out for the rest of the day, and in the evening took a walk down by Jackson Lake where we saw a bald eagle perched in a tree. 

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Smoke obscures the Tetons

Yesterday we drove down to the Laurence D. Rockefeller Preserve, a former ranch donated to the park service (along with thousands of other acres that form Grand Teton National Park). The mountain scenery that greeted us was veiled in smoke and the smell of smoke was in the air. There are substantial fires south and southeast of here. 

At the Preserve, we took a loop trail that took us by lovely Phelps Lake. The Preserve has a wonderful and unusual visitor center. While most visitor centers give you lots of historical, ecological and geological info, all this center tries to do is to get you in a frame of mind to experience the beauty of the preserve itself. There is little reading, but lots to engage your senses. The first room you enter has high definition nature videos. Later you encounter a soundscape room with nature recordings from the Preserve. All you are asked to do is look and listen. There is a reading room as well, filled with books about the area and nature, and fitted with comfortable chairs in a room with views to the mountains. Gorgeous.

Outside view of  Episcopal Chapel

View behind the altar of Episcopal chapel

On our drive back we stopped at the Church of the Transfiguration, an historic Episcopal chapel  with a view behind the altar to the Teton peaks, and the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic Chapel with the same designation. As you can see from the pictures--pretty inspiring, huh?