Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Critters Large & Small

Hi All,

We spent about an hour with this magnificent bull elk yesterday as he munched his way across the Jenny Lake parking lot.


Today we hiked along Two Ocean Lake enjoying the wildflowers. We spotted this bright yellow spider. We think it is a goldenrod crab spider.
Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Saturday, June 27, 2015

Rocks and Flowers

Hi All,

Today we went with Walt and Betty up the Teton Pass road and hiked the Big Rocks Trail.


Lots of flowers including large columbine.

Indian Paintbrush just beginning to blossom.

The trail lived up to its name with several huge glacial erratics.

Betty provides a sense of scale.

Lots of sticky geranium decorated the trail.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Friday, June 26, 2015

Teton Odds 'n Ends

Hi All,

The cottonwood trees are working hard to create their next generation. The origin of the name is obvious. Thankfully we do not need to shovel it!


Today we hiked out to the site of the old 4 Lazy F dude ranch. The views along the trail were captivating.

The ranch cabins had great views.

As Carl was walking to the post office, he had to share the pathway with this fox.

After working as a wildlife biologist in Alaska, Olaus Murie and his wife Mardy moved to this house in 1945. It was here that they worked tirelessly with the Wilderness Society to draft and lobby for wilderness protection. As a result of their efforts, the Wilderness Act was signed in 1964. We visited with docent Dan and learned a lot more about this remarkable couple.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Hidden Falls

Hi All,

On our back country day, we took the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake to the west boat dock.

The view as the boat arrives is stunning.

Once we started up the trail, the view back across the lake was not too shabby either.

As part of the trail rebuild, several trees have been removed to open the view of the falls. Last year there were "peek-a-boo" views only.

As the most popular trail destination in the park, there are lots of people at Hidden Falls at mid day!

The two mile trail back to the visitor center (instead of taking the boat back) was rebuilt over the last two years. The "Trail Dogs" did a great job.

One section is lined with newly blooming columbine.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Saturday, June 20, 2015

Peek-a-Boo Grand

Hi All,

The dense cottonwood forest in Gros Ventre campground blocks most of the mountain views.

However, from the couch in our coach we have this peek-a-boo view of Grand Teton at 13,775 feet.


Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Friday, June 19, 2015

Playing Tourist

Hi All,

After a usual Thursday of chores and shopping, today we explored the park as tourists looking for wild flowers.

Not too many flowers near the TA Moulton barn.


Just west of there, the balsam root was everywhere.

At Oxbow Bend the sticky geranium was showing off.

Along Cattleman's Road, the scarlet gilia brightened the fields.
If we were more patient, a hummingbird would probably have shown up.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Lots of Wildlife

Hi All,

We had a black bear mom and cub in the picnic area. She was hazed across the lake with the cub hanging on mom's back.


By the Snake River bridge we had this beautiful bull moose feasting on the willows.

Some bears insist on checking out tents!

Everyone gets into the bear act around here. This is the tip jar at the Deli in Moose.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Thursday, June 11, 2015

Flowers

Hi All,

Today was a typical Thursday; chores, laundry, lunch in Jackson with great internet access and shopping. 

Before we went to the supermarket we stopped at a greenhouse to get some hanging plants. We bought these two beautiful baskets that filled the back seat.

As beautiful as they are, they left no room for groceries so we had to drive 12 miles back to the campground to drop them off then go back for groceries.

It was worth it!

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Back Country Day

Hi All,

Tuesday was our Back Country Day when we hike park trails and talk to visitors.

This week we chose the trail to Taggert Lake. With crystal clear skies, the mountains were stunning.


Snow melt and heavy May rain swelled the stream flowing out of the lake.

Views at the lake were awesome.

We also spotted this brown snake.

Further along the lake shore we got beautiful mountain reflections.
Great hike with lots of visitors to talk to.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Monday, June 8, 2015

Back to "Work"

Hi All,

In addition to looking for bears, we also patrol campgrounds and housing areas for bear attractants like coolers and grills. 

One patrol location is the Jenny Lake Lodge housing area. If you cannot afford $680 per night to stay here, you can have this view if you work here!


Just south of the lodge we, and dozens of visitors, spotted this young bull elk along the road. 
Plenty of space to pull over so there was no "elk jam".

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Saturday, June 6, 2015

Busy Birthday

Hi All,

We met Walt & Betty for lunch at Jenny Lake Lodge to celebrate Sandy's birthday. Our lunch was delicious and moderately priced given that the nightly rate there is $689!

They brought Sandy a special birthday dessert


The ice cream was good (vanilla bourbon) but the cookies were awesome.
The view out the window was not too shabby.
After lunch we hiked along the Leigh Lake trail with great views of Mt Moran in spite of the overcast.

Along the way we passed horseback riders from Jenny Lake Lodge.
In the evening we met with other Wildlife Brigade members for pizza at Leek's Marina.

It was a wonderful day; tomorrow we are back on patrol.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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