Jackson Wyoming Day 2

Saturday was our first foray into the Grand Teton National Park. Our scheduled activities were not conducive to the safety of the little ones, so both girls were left behind at the provided daycare on campus. They were busy with arts and crafts and playtime with other kids their age. (Actually, Sophia was old enough to go with us, but she opted out since she is deathly afraid of the water because of a near-drowning incident two years ago.)

So what's cool about GTNP?

1) It's quite smaller than the neighboring Yellowstone, so it was not even close to as overwhelming.
2) The Tetons (the mountain range) are seen from every freaking where in the park. They rise up out of nowhere...with no foothills to block the view. They are breathtaking.
3) Because Yellowstone is right next to it and attract the brunt of visitors, GTNP is quiet with NO traffic. Great place to really appreciate the beauty of nature without dumb tourists doing stupid things like trying to pet the bison.
4) Bald eagles, moose, bison, pronghorn, marmot, beavers....I can go on and on. Yes, we saw them all except the grizzly bear (but I don't think I really wanted an encounter with one in any case).
Our first excursion was at String (er) Lake at the foot of the Tetons. Dylan took the front position and the Mister took the rear while I in my carpal tunnel syndrome glory took the position of "duffer," a glorified title for lazy-ass-sitting-in-the-middle-doing absolutely-nothing-but-taking-pictures-and-taking-in-the-view.


D was very nervous about taking the lead position, arguing he was not near as strong as his dad to paddle our canoe around. But after a bit, he caught on and was a natural, always good to cue his dad instructions on switching paddling sides. The Mister and I always lamented on the circumstance that we have not been able to have private bonding time with our oldest since we usually had to cater to the girls' interests most of the time. This day was fantastic time for us three without the distractions of little girls needing emergency potty breaks.

Look at that view.

We ate our packed lunches on the water, our canoes tethered to all the others in our group. Our fabulous and extremely smart group guide, Kelly, led us around the lake, pointing out beaver lodges and other geological features of the mountains in the forefront. I don't think Dylan would have cared what a glacial morain is if it weren't for our cute guide. :-)

We turned over the canoes to the next group, and we hitched our backpacks on and hiked to neighboring Jenny Lake.

Check out the bald eagle's nest in the background.

Back "home" playtime with the little ones began before a yummy dinner of beef tenderloin.

Liv ecstatic to have the family back to pick her up from "school."