Grand Tetons Day 1

 We made our way from Idaho Falls (after having someone yell at us to go back to Oregon - where the tags on our car were from) on thru forested land and some pretty good Miata roads and stopped in Jackson to grab our lunch of apples, peanut butter, and triscuits before coming on to the park.  Right outside the entrance to the park is the Craig Thomas Discovery Center - one of the visitor centers at the park.  We kinda looked it over quickly, grabbed a newspaper for the park and a map and headed on our way.  We stopped to check out the Jenny Lake area and it was so beautiful!

We got checked into our "room" -  really a cabin type thing in a triplex and were very pleased.  We took what was available when we decided to book this as an alternative to Canada and it was classified a deluxe country room.  It really has a living room area with a gas fireplace and a small kitchenette on step up level where the bed and bathroom are.  It's quite nice and we appreciate the extra space even if it was a bit more in the cost department.  

We slept well but were awakened by our alarm at 4:30 am to get ready for Bill's birthday present from me.  It was a sunrise half day session with Brad Schwarm - a local and well published professional photographer.  As we headed out to meet him we saw our first wildlife right outside the entrance to our lodge area - 2 big elk.  We didn't have cameras ready so you have to take my word on this one.  Brad was very personable and I cannot tell you everywhere we went, but we had a very successful day of spotting wildlife.  First were some pronghorn - including a nursing mom!  

Next stop - Moulton Barn on Mormon row.  The Mormons settled here but in the end decided it was too tough to farm so they moved on.  This is a much photographed barn.  

Next up - a real dream for me - a MOOSE!  I've been wanting to see a moose for SO long.  We travelled all over Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.  No moose.  But Brad delivered my moose.  My shot with my iphone is not that great.  Bill has an excellent shot!  But getting photos from his camera to my fingertips is tough so until I get his great pic to include here's my little iphone shot from far away.  

This big bull is apparently known as Shoshone.  

Next up we went to an area and saw the cutest little badger you will ever see.  He even posed for us.  Again, Bill has great pics.  My iphone pic isn't even worth posting.  A big moose I can somewhat get a shot of but a little (ok not so little but not big) badger not so much.  But we saw him and Brad was very excited.  He said it was the best badger capture he's ever gotten.  

Our day with Brad was wonderful.  Here are a couple of pics of the two of them shooting.

We said our goodbyes to Brad (who gave us the leftover banana bread - yum!) and headed to Moose to Dornans to have pizza on top of the restaurant overlooking the mountains.  On the way back we began listening to an app that I downloaded - the Gypsy app for the park.  It's great - for something like $5.99 you can download it and it uses gps to know where you are and tell you all about where you are and it's history etc. even suggesting things you can pass if you don't have time and must sees.  One of it's must sees was the Snake River Overlook.  

Next must see was Schwabacher Landing which Bruce said was the best place to go for sunrise.  Let me tell you this is one pothole filled road but it was worth it!  Bill drove slowly and we had no problem but we did shake, rattle, and roll!

How majestic are these mountains?  Breathtaking.  

Then we headed back home and I did laundry.  Yes - laundry.  Some things you can't ignore on vacation.  But the laundry area here is beautiful - has probably 10 machines each with a washer and dryer, marble folding tables, and with the windows open it was very pleasant in there.  I just took my kindle and got the job done.  

And so ends our first full day here - it was a good one!