This morning we left the Elk Refuge Inn. I didn't think they provided breakfast, but when I was checking out, I found that they provided muffins. Hello, breakfast! Not my usual choice, but hey, it's food and it's free! (I hate paying for breakfast.)
Then we started backtracking towards the Grand Teton National Park, which we just flew by last evening. We arrived before the Visitor Centre was open, so no shot glass for Stephen (he likes to buy one from every park). When we drove into the park, Stephen told the ranger that we didn't need a map (cause we had a driving map), but the driving map doesn't have any hiking routes listed. Damn. Not that I'm one to hold a grudge, or anything... It's not like I'm the type of person who would still be complaining that someone (who was not me) was too afraid to drive through El Paso. Now I am mildly miffed that we will miss out on most of the mystery hikes in Grand Teton.
However, moving on: There was a nice scenic drive through the park, and we walked out to Jenny's Lake overlook, which gives you a great view of the Teton range. We also drove up to the top of Signal Mountain (on a very nicely paved road, I might add. Better than most Saskatoon roads). On the top of Signal Mountain, there are two overlooks, one that looks out towards the mountains, and the other to the lowlands where the Elk migrate in the winter. (Yes, that's why our hotel was called Elk Refuge.) And there's also a giant cell phone tower at the peak. Hence the name "Signal Mountain"? Well... probably not. Nevertheless, cell reception was briefly excellent:
"Hi, guess where I'm calling you from? I'm right on the edge of Signal Mountain. Yeah, right on the ed-- Aaiiieeeee!!!" Oh look; another dropped call.
We stopped several times for pictures - those mountains are gorgeous - and we also were surprised to see that there was a dam in the park, which we hadn't expected (dam it). After those little diversions, it was back on the highway, heading towards Colorado.
For a brief while, it was a happy drive. This corner of Wyoming has a lot of pine trees, rivers and tree-covered hills. Very very green. Cause it's a forest, and those have lots of trees. Lots of whitewater rafting outfitters, and fishing tours. You can tell the touristy towns - cowboy this and cowboy that.
But, once you leave the park areas, Wyoming settles down into mile after mile of endless ranchland. Booorrrrinngg. There's always another scrubby plateau ahead, and at the top of it, you can see the rise to next scrubby plateau. And the next. It's like one of those Escher drawings with the stairs that go up endlessly. Endless ranchland, but almost no livestock to be seen. Weird. But not weird enough to be interesting. Just "meh."
Things will hopefully liven up when we reach the Interstate.
 |
| The road into Grand Teton National Park |
However, moving on: There was a nice scenic drive through the park, and we walked out to Jenny's Lake overlook, which gives you a great view of the Teton range. We also drove up to the top of Signal Mountain (on a very nicely paved road, I might add. Better than most Saskatoon roads). On the top of Signal Mountain, there are two overlooks, one that looks out towards the mountains, and the other to the lowlands where the Elk migrate in the winter. (Yes, that's why our hotel was called Elk Refuge.) And there's also a giant cell phone tower at the peak. Hence the name "Signal Mountain"? Well... probably not. Nevertheless, cell reception was briefly excellent:
"Hi, guess where I'm calling you from? I'm right on the edge of Signal Mountain. Yeah, right on the ed-- Aaiiieeeee!!!" Oh look; another dropped call.
We stopped several times for pictures - those mountains are gorgeous - and we also were surprised to see that there was a dam in the park, which we hadn't expected (dam it). After those little diversions, it was back on the highway, heading towards Colorado.
For a brief while, it was a happy drive. This corner of Wyoming has a lot of pine trees, rivers and tree-covered hills. Very very green. Cause it's a forest, and those have lots of trees. Lots of whitewater rafting outfitters, and fishing tours. You can tell the touristy towns - cowboy this and cowboy that.
But, once you leave the park areas, Wyoming settles down into mile after mile of endless ranchland. Booorrrrinngg. There's always another scrubby plateau ahead, and at the top of it, you can see the rise to next scrubby plateau. And the next. It's like one of those Escher drawings with the stairs that go up endlessly. Endless ranchland, but almost no livestock to be seen. Weird. But not weird enough to be interesting. Just "meh."
Things will hopefully liven up when we reach the Interstate.
Comments
Post a Comment