Tetons-Day II

(left) these erie little clouds hugged the valley floor this morning and the peaks of the Tetons were shrouded in clouds. (center) This is the kind of views you get from the golf course on nearly every hole. (right) Yes, I did get to play golf and the scenery seems to distract a little bit.

We had a full day of activity today in Day II of the Tetons. We didn't return to the hotel until 9 o'clock tonight.

We awakened to 34 degrees this morning and there was this little cloud formation hugging the valley floor and creeping up the little foothill right across the valley from us. The Teton peaks were covered by clouds as well and it looked as if the peaks caught the clouds and wouldn't let them go. Finally, later in the day, the skies cleared and we enjoyed a perfectly blue sky and a really spectacular view of the mountain range.

We drove over to the expensive side of the mountain—Teton Village— where Four Seasons has a lodge along with some other big name and high rent places. We decided that we had the better deal all the way around. We have a much better view of the Teton peaks and the whole mountain range. Teton Village is located at the base of the Jackson Hole Ski Area, which looks like a really difficult place to ski. Very steep and narrow runs. The hotel guy told us that it is about 50% expert, 40% intermediate and 10% beginner. Doesn't sound like my kind of place, especially now! These hotels and lodges are so close to the mountain range that you miss the full view of the peaks.

Jackson is about 6200 feet in elevation and our hotel is about 500 feet or so above that. These Teton peaks are like 13,000 feet so you can imagine how huge they seem.

We visited the National Wildlife Art Museum just outside Jackson Hole. It is really nice, some great paintings of all kinds of wildlife and some sensational sculptures, including one of a group of elk at the entrance to the building, which is constructed of natural rock.

After that we spent some time in downtown Jackson, just walking around and looking at the shops. The town is pretty compact, especially the shopping area, and is loaded with t-shirt shops, leather stores and art galleries. Most of the gallery places are way over-priced. Walked into one gallery full of some really nice photographs. There was a nice shot framed of Yellowstone. Cost—$10,000. Or you could buy a print of it for $625. What a deal, huh?

And, as you can see from the photos above, I did get to play golf. I played nine holes at the Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club with Mimi in the co-pilot's seat. Actually, we played late in the evening and had the course to ourselves. The views were spectacular and the course was very nice. We took our time, took photos of the mountains and then went to dinner at a mexican restaurant before we headed up the mountain to the Spring Creek Ranch.

The Hotel is just wonderful and you've seen the views we have from our back deck. You could spend all day looking at the Tetons. They are rugged, rocky and beautiful, very different from any of the mountain ranges we've gone through.

Tomorrow we visit Teton National Park and then head on to Yellowstone, which we are really looking forward to seeing. We have Yellowstone, then Mount Rushmore, the Bad Lands and Crazy Horse and then, believe it or not, we head for home. It seems like we've been gone for months. Miss you all.

Happy Trails.