Today, we departed Headwaters Campground at Flagg
Ranch ahead of the rest of the caravan, as we are the dawn patrol. Two couples
that volunteer to leave before the rest of the caravan and arrive at the next
campground to be sure that all is ready for the arrival of the rest of the
crew. This is our second campground, we volunteer to do three … so one more
move to go after this one!
We traveled the same route, we did yesterday … so I will try
and highlight a few different things!
We saw this sign yesterday, but I had to get a
picture today. It really makes me wonder how names are selected for places in
our National Parks. Any ideas? Okay, so they did not name the boat dock
pizzeria. We had to see what it meant. This is a little pizza joint (they have
other things too, like pasta and sandwiches) right on the lake, by the boat
dock. The reviews say the food is good and sitting out on the deck gives an
amazing view.
Be sure to visit the Signal Mountain Summit. There
is a 5-mile narrow stretch of road that takes you to a vista perched 800 feet
over the valley floor. From this destination you can see the Jackson Hole Valley
and the Teton Range.
The Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, is a section of road
that takes you closer to the base of some of these majestic beauties. It takes
you to the stunning Cathedral Group Turnout. The Cathedral Group is high Teton
peaks, a collection of peaks in the central section of the range that are
particularly rugged. It is here where the Teton Glacier, along with Teewinot
and Mount Owen, form an almost angelic cluster of snowcapped beauty. The name Teewinot
is derived from the Shoshone Native American word meaning "many
pinnacles". Mount Owen is named after William O. Owen, who organized the
first documented ascent of the Grand Teton in 1898. The 40-mile long Teton
Range is the youngest mountain chain in the Rocky Mountains, and began its uplift
9 million years ago.
Cascade canyon was formed by glaciers which
retreated at the end of the last glacial period, about 15,000 years ago. Today,
it has numerous polished glacial features as evidences that demonstrate that
glaciers once filled the canyon to a depth of at least 2,000 feet. Some rock
debris that was transported out of the canyon by glacial motion formed moraines
which now hold in the waters of Jenny Lake which is located at the base of the
canyon. The views of the Teton Range are just beautiful, have I said that yet?
I just have to say it again!
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| photo credit: St Johns Episcopalian |
About five years ago, they created a Garden of Memories at the
Chapel. It is a place to leave their cremated remains of this unique sacred
place. Facing the Grand Teton and framed by aspen trees, the Garden of Memories
will forever honor those who love this place. However, instead of being spread,
ashes will be poured into the ground and covered with soil. The names and dates
of the deceased are inscribed on a plaque in the Garden.
The Laurance S Rockefeller Preserve is a new
addition to the area. The over 1,000-acre parcel was generously bequeathed to
the Grand Teton National Park before his death in 2004. The preserve opened to
the public just 3-years later. It offers stunning views, a system of trails
spanning 8-miles of terrain and a state of the art visitor center.
Leaving Grand Teton National Park you cross the
Snake River and enter Gros Ventre Junction. We ran into sagebrush and
cottonwood trees and flat terrain with the Grand Tetons on one side and the
Gros Ventre mountain range on the other. Before you get to Jackson, you enter
the Bridger-Teton National Forest. It is an over 3-million-acre woodland that
was once part of the first National forest in the US.
Once you leave the park, we turned onto 89 / 191 / 26. A
major route that will take us to our destination for the next few nights.
While in Yellowstone we learned that most of the
Elk there end up at the National Elk Refuge. We passed the refuge on our way
into Jackson. The US Fish and Wildlife manage the 24,000 acre refuge. It serves
as the winter range for 5,000 to 10,000 elk. As winter comes in the high
plateaus and mountains, to migrate toward this winter range.
At the end of the winter season, local Boy Scout troops
gather at Elkfest and auction off the elk antlers that are naturally shed every
spring. They donate eighty percent of the profits to buy supplemental winter
feed for the elk. The top buyers usually come from Asia, where antlers are
considered to have medicinal value.
Also coming into town is the National Museum of
Wildlife Art, it is perched on the hillside across from the Elk Refuge. They play
host to paintings and sculptures. Some sculptures can be seen from the roadway.
We arrived at The Virginian Campground in Jackson,
WY with ample time to get ourselves set up and a plan for the arrival of the
rest of the caravan. After getting everyone into the campground and an early
morning departure, we needed a nap!
Tonight, we headed to a Chuckwagon Dinner and show
at Bar J Ranch. Chuckwagon dinners have been a part of the early 1800’s cowboy
life, as they rode the western range. On the cattle drive, every long, hard day
in the saddle was followed by an evening meal, tall tales and music around the
chuckwagon.
Located on a working cattle ranch, the Bar J
Chuckwagon takes you back to the spirit of the old west with a relaxing
atmosphere. They offer you an authentic chuckwagon dinner that will be stickin’
to your ribs. We had the combo, which included BBQ beef, chicken, beans, corn
bread, applesauce, baked potato and spice cake.
After we were herded through the chow line, we were
entertained with authentic cowboy entertainment.
The Bar J Wranglers are amazing! They take you down
memory lane, if you were raised on Country music. Or they just plain entertain
you with songs, stories, comedy, yodeling, fiddling and more!
Babe Humphrey, was the guy with guts and a dream to
build this ranch and start his own Chuckwagon Supper show. He has written an autobiography
and we got the “cliff notes” version of it from a fellow caravaneer. But some
of us purchased it in the gift shop after the show.
The experience was enjoyable enough for us, that we
purchased the 4-pack of Bar J Wrangler CD set.
Tomorrow is another adventure!
Beautiful photos! Sounds like a perfect day!
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