FINAL POST FOR 2011--BY THE NUMBERS

Our summer in Grand Teton National Park was about as good as it gets.  We both had jobs where we could walk to work, and we were out-of-doors a lot of the time.  Nothing like a summer where the high temperatures are in the mid 80's (maybe a total of 20 days above 80) and with lows during the warmer weather still in the 40's.  There were less than six nights when the heater in the RV did not kick on with the thermostat set on 65 for the evenings.

If you have read most of this blog you recall us mentioning Dick & Sheri from Rock Springs, Wyoming.  We got to spend the summer camped near them which sure made for great times, whether it was sitting around the fire after dinner or sharing meals together.  We spent about half the summer with Ron & Karen, our other friends from the Jenny Lake Store in 2010 who came back in 2011.  Unfortunately, Ron had a medical issue which caused them to have to leave about halfway through the season.  We cherished the time we were able to spend with people who became close friends last summer.

The last weekend we were in Wyoming, Ann checked in Bob and Michelle DuBose to the campground.  Bob and Michelle worked with us last summer at the Jenny Lake Store but decided not to work this summer.  We got together with them on our last night at Colter Bay for an impromptu picnic.  Sheri is not in this photo because she had just left earlier in the day for her full-time job with the school system in Rock Springs.  Michelle is on the left and Bob is on the right.  They are from Bozeman, Montana, about 4 hours north of Colter Bay.

Now, for the summer trip numbers.  It was 2,377 miles from our campsite in Colter Bay to our front door here in Gainesville, Florida, by way of visiting daughter Wendy, son-in-law Scott, and grandchildren Amelia and John in Dallas.  Coming home from Wyoming, we purchased a total of 311.8 gallons of gas, ranging in price from a low of $3.29 up to $3.55 and averaged 7.55 mpg, which was an improvement over last year's 7.2 mpg.  This seems high until you consider the cost of our eight nights of camping during this journey at an average cost of $28.35 per night.  RVing becomes cost-effective when you compare campsite fees and meals prepared in the RV to the cost of hotel rooms and the cost of eating out all the time while traveling.

The last number is just how many days would it take to pull and the weeds that were waiting for us when we arrived home.  As you can see from this photo of our backyard, some of these weeds were as high as Paul's waist.  The flower pots along the back fence were empty when we left in April and now contain very tall weeds.  The only green that should be seen in this photo are the azaleas on the right, but we found a back yard jungle.

 In the side yard, you can't even see the pine park mulch because of all of the weeds.

These weeds were much worse than last summer.  It has taken us a little over 2 weeks to pull the weeds and clean the hot tub and porch areas.  We got the work done just in time to enjoy our first cool weather of the fall this past weekend with highs around 80 and evening temperatures in the mid 50's.

Thank you for joining us on our journey to the Tetons in 2011.        

LIVING AND WORKING IN GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK

Most days, both the RV park office and the campground kiosk were visited by some Grand Teton National Park locals--mule deer.  The first photo shows a family of four mule deer grazing on the hillside between the campground kiosk and the employee RV park at the top of the hill.  Ann walked up and down this hill in 2 minutes to get to/from work.  The RV Park was about a ten minute walk down a different path for Paul.  It was a great experience to be able to walk to work every day rather than have to drive. 

A small buck wanders away from the family.  Can you see the antlers are still in velvet (fuzzy)?  Once the antlers are fully grown, the velvet is lost and the antler will harden like bone.

The next photo is of a more mature buck with eight points.

The campground has designated areas for groups of campers (like bike tours or scout troops), tent campers, and RV's.  Here is a typical RV area.  The big difference between the campground and the RV Park is the campground sites do not have water, electric, or sewer hookups whereas the RV Park sites have all three utilities.  The campground only cost $20.50 while the RV Park cost $60.48.   

Here is our motorhome in the employee RV park.  The campground is down the hill behind our motorhome.

  

We brought a touch of Florida to Wyoming in the form of the tiki lights seen on either side of our picnic table.  Our campsite was in the shade from about 6 pm so grilling and eating outside was very comfortable.

THE CUNNINGHAM RANCH

Before the popularity of the automobile, people traveled through Wyoming by horseback and covered wagon.  Travelers could only cover about 10-15 miles per day, depending on the type of terrain and the condition of the trail or road.  The Cunningham Ranch was one of the overnight stops along the road from Jackson to Dubois, a small town to the east across Togwotee Pass from Jackson Hole.  There was a bunkhouse with about a half dozen beds and a dining room to feed the overnight guests.  We would have no problem in sharing a dinner table, but I'm not sure if I would want to go to sleep in a room with 10 or more others sleeping.  What if one of the other travelers was a murderer or robber? 

The only building remaining from this ranch is the Cunningham Cabin, the owner's residence, which is on the National Registry of Historic Places.  Below, Paul is standing by the front door.  Notice how low the roof is.  Paul had to duck down to get through the doorway.  

Also, notice the gentle slope of the roof so the winter snow could more easily be shoveled off the roof so that the roof would not cave in from the weight of the snow.  The cabin consists of only two rooms, one on each side of the door.  There are only two windows in the cabin. How does this compare to modern housing?  This cabin is still standing nearly 125 years after it was constructed.

These pioneer ranches, providing a place to sleep and meals for travelers, were a forerunner of the modern bed & breakfast inn. 

WHAT IS A WHISTLE PIG?

At the beginning of summer, we noticed some little animals scurrying around through the underbrush and then heading for holes in the ground that we discovered were their hibernation homes.

Western Wyoming and Idaho have a unique type of ground squirrel called a whistle pig.    Their tails are very short, maybe an inch in length and also thin, compared to a "regular" squirrel whose tail is about 6 inches in length and very bushy. 

For a size perspective, the whistle pig posing above is standing on a log barrier made from logs about a foot in diameter.  The whistle pig below is enjoying some "greens" while he keeps his eye on us.

Watching these little guys moving ever so quickly is entertainment in itself; almost like watching a Roadrunner cartoon.  As the end of summer approached and temperatures turned cooler, we no longer saw them, as they already headed to their winter burrows.

TAGGART AND BRADLEY LAKES HIKE

During a recent day off, we decided to hike to Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake.  This pair of lakes was formed over 9,000 years ago when glaciers grinding down steep mountainsides dropped their gouged out dirt and rock at the foot of the Teton Range.

A common site whenever a tree has toppled over is to see rocks embedded in the roots of the tree.  The rock pictured was about a foot in diameter.  This gives you some idea of just how rocky most of this the soil is and how challenging it was for the early pioneers in the late 1800's and early 1900's to settle this frontier.

Here is an interesting rock that we saw along our hike.  We don't know what the two-inch layer of stone is running through the granite rock, but we see these types of layered rocks on every hike we take.

Part of the hike took us through forest that had been burned by a lightning caused forest fire in 1985.  The lodgepole pine trees have reseeded themselves and are now well over fifteen feet tall.  Some of the sagebrush and aspen trees have also re-germinated as well.  Here some dead lodgepole pine trees have fallen over a large boulder.

The Grand Teton peak s in the background.  Avalanche Canyon is to the left of the Grand.  The late-morning air is still cool as the rain clouds appear to be coming over the Teton Range from Idaho.

We came upon some huckleberry bushes with ripe berries which look like blueberries.  This is a favorite food of bears.  Luckily, the only evidence we saw of bear activity was some scat along the trail.

Here is a view of Taggart Creek.  Even though it is the last week in August, there is still plenty of snow melt coming down from Avalanche Canyon.  Notice how big some of these rocks are as compared to the tree trunks stuck on the rocks in the stream.

After going through a fairly dense group of Douglas fir trees (we never get tired of the Christmas tree smell) we arrived at Taggart Lake, elevation 6902.  Although we had heard thunder earlier in the hike, the temperature warmed up and the clouds were moving to the north; away from us.

After walking most of the way around Taggart Lake, we were treated to some spectacular views, as the skies cleared and there was a reflection of the Tetons on the surface of the lake.

Climbing from Taggart Lake over a moraine towards Bradley Lake, we got this view looking back towards Taggart Lake.  The Gros Venture (French for "Big Belly') mountains are in the background as we are now looking eastward.  The Gros Venture mountains are mere foothills compared to the Teton range.

 

After hiking like mountain goats up several switchbacks with an elevation gain of over 200 feet in a little over a half mile, we came upon Bradley Lake. 

As you can tell, the views all day during our 5.4 mile hike were fantastic; well worth the 620 foot gain and loss in altitude. 

Wildlife you ask?  We saw a large mule dear, 10 or 12 point, but he was so hidden in the trees, we were unable to get a clear photo.  We also saw a small female grouse and several chipmunks, neither of which were good photo opportunities.  

FAMILY VISIT TO COLTER BAY

Daughter Wendy, her husband Scott and grandkids Amelia and John spent a week in Jackson Hole recently.  The temperature during their days of their stay was in the lower 40's and highs is the mid-70's; a far cry from the 100+ degree days they were having in Dallas.

We met them for dinner at Snake River Brew Pub.  Here we are sitting on an outside picnic table waiting for our buzzer to light up so we can be seated for dinner.  John is sitting between Scott and me, and Amelia is sitting with Ann.  Wendy is the photographer.

 

Later in the week, the Wilson family came north to stay at Jackson Lake Lodge for a few nights.  Here is a photo of us waiting on the patio at Leek's Marina/Restaurant for our pizzas to be delivered.  Leek's is one mile north of Colter Bay and has some of the best pizza in the valley.  We are all we wearing long sleeves because the mosquitoes were looking for dinner on our arms and legs while we were waiting for ours.

 

The next morning we took a scenic boat cruise on Jackson Lake.  Here is Ann with John sitting on the back deck of the cruise boat.  Notice how calm the water is.  Regulations require children under 12 to wear a life jacket when on the back deck.  The narrated cruise went all around Jackson Lake (15 miles by 5 miles) and was very informative.

Wendy and Scott rented a kayak and went back out on Jackson Lake after lunch, while Ann and I took Amelia and John for the afternoon.  In the second kayak photo, Wendy and Scott are paddling past the end of the dock with Mount Moran in the background - what a great view!.

Here John and I are on the swim beach.  John enjoyed jumping from this dead tree stump.  Amelia is holding our older camera.  We let the children take turns taking their own photos.

If you look closely, you will notice there is not sand but small stones for the beach.  The water is about 60 degrees because this water was snow only a few days before.  Neither grandchild chose to even take their socks and shoes off to put their feet in the water of Jackson Lake.

Later that day, We returned to our campsite for a picnic.  We let the children roast marshmallows over the campfire in order to make s'mores. In the photo, Dick, our next door neighbor, is  the official fire tender and marshmallow instructor.

John decided to have a "flaming marshmallow".  Look at the smile on his face.  

We had a great visit with the Wilsons and look forward to seeing them again in a few weeks as we stop in Dallas on our way back to Florida.

TRIP TO YELLOWSTONE

We took a trip to Yellowstone National Park with Dick and Sheri, our friends from Rock Springs, Wyoming.  We worked with them last summer at the Jenny Lake Store.  They have lived in this area all their lives and have explored this area both in the summer and on snowmobiles in the winter.  

We stopped in West Yellowstone, Montana for breakfast.  Yellowstone National Park is best known for "Old Faithful" and bears.  This statue is "life size".  Can you tell if it is a grizzly or black bear?  Correct, it is a grizzly bear--notice the hump behind the shoulder.

We toured the old Union Pacific train station which is now a museum.  Here is a snow plow from the late 1920's.

This photo includes one of the old stage coaches used to take passengers from the train station into Yellowstone National Park; about a 15 mile journey, which took a full day by stage coach.  Next to the stage coach is a snow mobile from the 1940's that used a propeller in the back for power.  This design is very similar to the design of air boats on the south Florida swamps.  The snow machine on the right is a Snow Cats from 1964.  Notice the different types of "skis" on the two snow machines.

Dick keeps inviting us out to Wyoming in the winter to go snowmobiling.  Yellowstone National Park may be beautiful in the winter, but I don't think I could handle the sometimes 30 and 40 degrees BELOW zero temperatures.  According to Dick and Sheri, modern snow machines have heaters and, with contemporary winter outdoor clothing, you stay warm, even in these sub-zero temperatures.
 
The town of West Yellowstone had a painting contest where local artists were each asked to paint a statue of a bison.  We saw several around town but this was our favorite bison statue.  It was painted by Anthony Floyd who named this bison--"Yellowstone Heritage".

This photo gives a few of the other side of the bison as well as a better perspective as to the size of a bison.

The inscription on the plaque below the statue states, "I chose to paint bears, buffalo, mountain men, Indians and beautiful blue skies as my theme of 'The Majestic Yellowstone' area." Here are Dick and Sheri with "Yellowstone Heritage".

When we evaluate a summer destination where we might want to work, West Yellowstone would not be at the top our list.  The town is about four square blocks, with little in the way of grocery and other stores we would need to survive.  Nice to visit, but we would not want to live there.

We completed our day with a visit to the new visitors' center at Old Faithful.  The Park Service did a very comprehensive job in having interactive areas for smaller children, older children, and adults.  The signage was also in multiple languages--a tribute to the many visitors from all across the globe who come to visit both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks each year.

PHELPS LAKE HIKE

One of our favorite hikes is at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve.  Earlier in the year, when we were building up or hiking stamina, we hiked to Phelps Lake and back to the visitors' center.  This time, we hiked all-the-way around the lake for a total of 7.4 miles.  The trail follows sagebrush meadows, wetlands, forest, and lake environments.  Several times we were in a thick forest of Douglas fir with the aroma of a Christmas tree lot found in December.

This is the view when we first reached the shore of Phelps Lake.  The reflections of the mountains in the lake provided opportunities for stunning photographs.

 While hiking around Phelps Lake, you get many vistas where you can view Death Canyon. 

The only wildlife we saw were a squirrel, chipmunk, grouse, and a bald eagle. The bald eagle was flying majestically over the lake trying to spear a fish with its talons.  Unfortunately, we were too far away to get a decent photo.

We went out to Huckleberry Point to view the many huckleberry bushes nearly fully in bloom.  When ripe, the huckleberries will look very similar to blueberries. 

Because most of the trail is shady, the spring wild flowers were still in bloom.  Flowers we saw for the first time this summer include:

Blue penstemon:

Wyoming or Indian Paint Brush--the official Wyoming state flower:

and Columbine--the official Colorado state flower:

There were several varieties of Columbine

 and finally, an all white Columbine.

We talked to a Park Ranger at the Visitors' Center after completing our hike.  According to him, the Columbine are not native to the area but are left over from the garden the Rockefeller family planted when they had a private residence on this beautiful land.  This would explain why we haven't seen these flowers on any of our other hikes this summer.

PARTY @ THE ROOF FOR VERTICAL HARVEST

One of our employer's goals is for employees to volunteer in the community of Jackson.  Ann and I volunteered for the Party at The Roof fundraiser for Vertical Harvest.  The town of Jackson has one parking garage, and this fundraiser was located on the roof of the garage.  Vertical Harvest is a project to build a three-story greenhouse on the tiny patch of land next to this parking garage.  The greenhouse will grow fruits and vegetables year-round while providing jobs for disabled individuals and educational opportunities for the community.

Chefs from seven area restaurants were paired with different area food producers to create small plates of their specialties.  The chef tents were set up around the perimeter of the garage's roof, and our job, as chef's assistants, was to keep them supplied with paper goods--small plates or bowls, napkins, forks and spoons.  The first picture below is from the Four Seasons Hotel in Teton Village.  Buffalo pastrami, cole slaw, and cheese on a small slider bun disappeared from the display almost as fast as the chef could put the delicacies on the shelves.

The Couloir Restaurant, dining at 9500 ft. in Teton Village (you ride a ski gondola 3,000 feet up to the restaurant), provided a very colorful salad comprised of greens, feta cheese, walnuts, and other trimmings with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.  The colors were amazing.

Another selection included thinly sliced beef, greens, and horseradish sauce on a toasted baguette. 

Our favorite was ham, cheese, with sweet mustard lightly grilled on a slice of baguette.  The grilling warmed the ham and melted the cheese which helped it melt in your mouth.  These small sandwiches were only put out in groups of 3-5, and they disappeared quickly.

Below, monster pork loins are being displayed on a table for the Lotus Cafe.  The sliced pork was delicious.

Watching the people attending the party was very interesting - the local rich and socially connected of Jackson.  The crowd paid $30 for admission, which included 1 food ticket and 1 drink ticket.  Wine and beer were donated by local businesses.  

There was also a silent auction with various prizes including overnight stays at local resorts, dinners at local restaurants, and hiking and skiing gear.  The big ticket item in the silent auction was a yacht cruise for eight including captain & crew of 2 with a minimum bid of $30,000.  Really within our price range!  Needless,to say, we bid on more moderately priced items.

The cocktail tables were decorated with fresh vegetables to further support the theme of someday being able to get locally grown fresh vegetables year-round.

The evening was a lot of fun from both the people watching standpoint and  the unique location overlooking the town of Jackson.  You can see views of the town in most of the photos above.  We also got to sample all the delicacies as well as enjoy a few cold beers.