On The Meandering Road: June 2, 2014 (42nd Day)

Another Blue sky day, and the sun was already way up there when we got up at 6:15 am. No sight of mama grizzly and her cubs at the campground. We had a quick breakfast.

Left campground at 6:45 am

We wanted to go to Antelope Flats Road, also known as Mormon Row, first thing, but we were blocked by bisons walking by and on the road. When the last bison moved off the road we hurriedly went to Mormon Row.

What is so special about Mormon Row? It is one of the most picturesque sites at Grand Tetons National Park (GTNP). There are old wooden buildings and barns in an open field with the mountains as the backdrop. There were lots of ground squirrels all around and some of them were not afraid when people walked by so close. We were hoping there were not too many photographers there, but they were. There was a busload of tourists, but Edith was not too worried about them because they had to be back on the bus after few minutes of looking around. Edith was most anxious to take pictures of the most famous barn on Mormon Row. It was a beautiful sight. The weather was just PERFECT for photography. Also, the open fields of Mormon Row are a good place to look for bison, moose, coyote, etc.

The most picturesque barn on Mormon Row

Ground Squirrel

Necessity House!

After the photography session we entered the Moose Junction Park and drove along, stopped at Jenny Lake to appreciate the beauty of the mountains up close. The Teton Mountains are much much prettier with snow on them than without! We were there last August when the snow was gone and we could compare the difference.

Edith wanted hot chocolate because it was a chilly morning, so we stopped at Signal Mountain Lodge. After getting her chocolate we went out on the back deck and there were lots of tree swallows flying around. It just happened that one rested on the rail long enough for Edith to put down her chocolate and grab her camera to snap pictures.

Tree Swallow resting on the rail

Next stop was at Jackon Lake Dam. There were four white pelicans out on the water.

We got on US 89 (191/287/89) to south end of YNP and stopped at Colter Bay Village, took a short hike to the marina. Also, we stopped at Jackson Lake Overlook and took panoramic pics and videos.

The temperature started to rise close to 60˚ when we left GTNP to go to Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Along the way Edith spotted something black on the hill, told Erwin to pull over because she thought she saw it moving. Sure enough, it was a black bear eating among bushes. Then some tourists joined in. Stayed long enough to get pictures until it disappeared into the woods.

Several miles north of where we saw the black bear there was a grizzly bear. It was 5 1/2 miles south of YNP south end entrance. You can bet that more tourists joined in with us.

Arrived YNP south entrance at 12:30 pm (first time for us to use that entrance).

There was a signage notifying the opening and cloing of campgrounds inside the park. Norris Campground was where we wanted to camp out at, but it was closed. Few other campgrounds were closed as well.

Driving on John D Rockfeller Jr Road, there were lots of snow on enbankments. Pretty tall trees lined up the road. Visited Lewis Waterfall 30 ft drop

Lewis Lake still iced over at 7,800 ft elevation

Edith was tempted to put this down Erwin's neck!

Next stop was to get a great view of a small lake in front of West Thumb Lake. Nice blue colors

On our way to see Old Faithful we stopped to take a picture of us at Contentinal Divide 8,391 ft

We got gas at Old Faithful. We went to see Old Faithful geyser, which was to erupt at 2:51 pm (10 + or -), but it erupted at 3:05 pm. The bleachers around the geyser was full!