September 19th was the last day of our journey; Yellowstone greeted us with a marvelous if chilly sunrise. Several of our Off the Beaten Path group walked up a rise next to the lodge to observe the scene. (Click on any image to enlarge.)This spot also holds the "Rockefeller Stone," which holds a plaque in honor of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., a key figure in preserving this region.I walked to the edge of the hill for a wide panoramic shot.Our vantage point was also an excellent location for spotting wildlife, including browsing elk,and a moose! (On everybody's wish list).Then we dropped down to the lodge, where other early risers were taking advantage.A maximum zoom shot.After breakfast it was time to depart for the Jackson Hole airport, about 40 miles away. You might not expect much -- the entire county's population was 23,331 in the 2020 census -- but Jackson Hole and its environs host many wealthy clients (we twice heard a story about Harrison Ford and a novice realtor). Five gates and well-decorated (you might say spiffy) baggage carousels, waiting areas, and a food court await. There is as much private-plane as commercial traffic, on a per-plane basis.
When boarding began, Joan and I took the brief but sunny tarmac walk to the portable stairway, entered a well-kept 737, and buckled in. Going home after a great trip that began here.
On September 18th our Off the Beaten Path group embarked on a morning float trip down the Snake River. We stopped at an overlook along the way. (Click on any image to enlarge.)Then we pushed on to Deadman's Bar, our starting point. (Quite an inspiring name!)We'll ride the Snake down to Moose Landing.The floating outfit began to unload the gear, including life jackets and two inflatable paddle rafts.Getting ready for a sunny river run.Onto the Snake!We were eager photographers, and you can see why.At one point the other raft was ahead of us, emphasizing the scale of the landscape.A paddle in action.Paddle, camera, river, turning colors, high mountains: such a striking shift of scale.A closer look at those stony faces.Ashore and thoroughly satisfied, we rejoined the vans and moved on to our next activity. We paused along the way to watch a young bear browse, fattening up for the coming winter.While we were there, he/she decided it was time to move on.We reached our parking area for more exploring. It also serves as the start and return point for a horse and bridle route.The Cathedral Group of peaks was within sight. (Not that we're going to try to climb them!)Jenny Lake was a good fit for us.The trail above the lake was in good shape.Everybody with a camera stayed busy.The view was so expansive that you couldn't capture it in one photo and do it justice.We spotted a tourist ferry across the lake.Then it was time to return to the Jackson Lake Lodge, clean up, and have dinner at the Lodge restaurant. The sunset was marvelous,and many guests came out for the view (and possibly a glimpse of moose).I didn't see any critters in the dusk, but tomorrow morning, our departure day, will bring a final chance.
On September 17th, our Off the Beaten Path group headed south towards the Grand Teton National Park. (Click on any image to enlarge.)One of our first sightings was a grizzly bear grazing.We were leaving geyser territory behind, but I took one last photo through the van window. After two hours, we reached the northern end of Jackson Lake, greeted by the astonishing mountains across the water. A panoramic shot was required.Let's zoom in a bit.Really close (zoom).Down the road a bit, fall colors were emerging,and various streams flowed down toward Jackson Lake.After lunch there were activity options -- the east side of Jackson Lake is loaded with them.Joan and I joined the group that chose to orbit the Two Ocean Lake. (The red arrow in the upper right of the above map points to it. Click on any image to enlarge.)It's a 6.4-mile loop, which we chose to take counterclockwise.Steve guided our hike, giving us an overview of various plants, berries, and trees. And animals, including a tree clawed by a bear. At one point, we could see a beaver structure across the lake.On the return leg we caught sight of a resting moose. Fortunately, he wasn't blocking the trail.Woods, meadows, and sun. Contentment with a hike of just the right length.The sun was getting low. It was time to rejoin the group at the Jackson Lake Lodge, check in, and get ready for a wonderful dinner. The next day promised an aquatic adventure, a float trip down the Snake River.
This spot also holds the "Rockefeller Stone," which holds a plaque in honor of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., a key figure in preserving this region.
I walked to the edge of the hill for a wide panoramic shot.
Our vantage point was also an excellent location for spotting wildlife, including browsing elk,
and a moose! (On everybody's wish list).
Then we dropped down to the lodge, where other early risers were taking advantage.
A maximum zoom shot.
After breakfast it was time to depart for the Jackson Hole airport, about 40 miles away. You might not expect much -- the entire county's population was 23,331 in the 2020 census -- but Jackson Hole and its environs host many wealthy clients (we twice heard a story about Harrison Ford and a novice realtor). Five gates and well-decorated (you might say spiffy) baggage carousels, waiting areas, and a food court await. There is as much private-plane as commercial traffic, on a per-plane basis.
