Friday, August 22, Michelangelo pales in Comparison

Since nobody wrapped on our window last night, I assume we were not in anybody's way, but quietly pulled out of the woods and back into the public parking lot. It was already 9 o'clock, so I had missed the 8:30. Ranger led walk/talk along the lakeshore path. So I grabbed a cup of coffee and headed down there to sit in absolute awe at the splendor before me. Morning prayers of thanks erupted spontaneously in a chapel unmatched by any mere mortal.

Not far from Colter Bay I spotted a little road that said boat launching. Well I had on my bucket list that I wanted to kayak on the Snake river but this would be maybe even better .I had pretty well given up the idea after reading all the rules about having to register your boat and have it inspected for contamination and not taking a dog on the water, etc. However, I ran into a bunch of modern day “hippies” that were paddle boarding and kayaking who assured me that little blowup kayaks, even with a dog would not worry the park Rangers as they only police the motorboats. I was sorely tempted, but had so much more to explore that thought, let's move on and maybe we can do it tomorrow. 

We did really the whole loop stopping at most of the pullouts seeing proof of the glaciers melting by comparing old pictures to what we could see today. We saw herds of Buffalo in the distance. We learned to be grateful for Rockefeller money. for without it, we probably wouldn't have this incredible treasure protected forever for all mankind to enjoy. I wonder how many souls who questioned the existence of God have come here and found an obvious answer. We also went to the very spot from which Ansel Adams took his iconic picture of the snake river. and the grand Tetons, which apparently did much to raise public awareness of the need to make this a national treasure. My photo isn't half as impressive as a bunch of darn trees have grown up in the way.

I was delighted to find that Episcopalians we're motivated to build a delightful little log chapel, looking out at the grand Teton, which they have fittingly called Transfiguration Chapel . I would have loved to attend a service here, but it isn't until 5 o'clock on Sunday and I should be long gone by that time.

 A brochure,  assured me that camping spots were usually available at the. Park service Ranger stations that had RV sites so I headed for one off the beaten path. They had two sites left. Although the meadows and foothills were themselves picturesque you could not see the Tetons from my campsite and of course there was a humongous fifth wheel running its generator right next-door besides. 

I almost gave the host a big kiss as he asked me if I was over 62 and therefore qualified for a senior rate of only seven dollars. I assured him I just fit the criteria There was no electric hook up, but I was able to fill my empty water tank. I broke out the grill and had my first warm meal in a long time. Most things are just as good cold anyway.

After wiping the dishes,(another useful tip. I've learned that if you simply wipe all food off the dishes before it dries, you essentially have perfectly clean or at least clean enough dishes, sort of like curing your frying pan .You don't wanna scrub it with soap and water. 

Sheba and I decided to take a evening walk up the hill to see if we could see the Tetons at sunset if we got beyond the grove of trees. The little path that I was sure would lead up to the top of the hill seemed to lead us into more dense woods at which point the hosts reassurance to me that he had not seen any bears in the area for many years except for a little cub, a couple of weeks ago

popped into my head. My Byrna was safely stowed back at the camp site in the Casita )please don’t tell Kevan). So we decided to head for camp, which wasn't really all that far away. I did get one final glimpse of the Tetons in the distance before calling it another incredibly blessed day.