Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

I'm so behind in posting and I'm going to blame it on all the fact that I have had to live without technology for some time.  We spent the better part of a week at the Grand Teton National Park’s campground in Colter Bay.  The campground has full hookups, Verizon Wi-Fi is non-existent and cell coverage is sporadic, although texting seems to work.  There is no cable and satellite is impeded by the trees, so we’ve been “roughing it”.  There is a small general store, a laundry, visitor’s center and marina where you can rent kayaks.  This is the only full service campground.  If you are more adventurous than us and want to boondock or tent camp, you can book a stay at one of several other campgrounds located throughout the park.

The scenery here is breathtaking.  The water at Jackson Lake is so clear and blue and the snow covered mountain range appears to rise up right from the water.  The mountain range is home to several glaciers.  Magnificent is the word that comes to mind.  The summer flowers are all in bloom and are lovely.  The park is huge and there is abundant wildlife, but they have been shy and we haven’t seen anything other than a few squirrels and antelope.  Our neighbors saw a mother bear and her cubs and we hope to spy some bears and moose over the next few days before we move to Jackson Hole. 

Average temps here are in the high 60’s during the day and low 40’s at night.  We’re not sorry to be missing out on the 110 degree weather that Gilbert, AZ is enjoying at the moment.  We’ve been on the road now almost two months and we love it.  I do miss some things, my bathtub, lunch with friends, reliable communication technology, but all in all, traveling is terrific and a grand adventure which we are so blessed to be able to do at this time.  After a few weeks of traveling you settle in and it becomes more of a lifestyle than a vacation.  We still have to grocery shop, pay bills, do laundry, and cook dinner, but it’s a way of life that has been easy adjusting to. 

We visited Jackson Lake Lodge yesterday and if you ever make it this way, I’d recommend stopping in.  They have the most incredible 2^nd floor with a gigantic fireplace and picture window overlooking the lake and majestic mountains.  You can just sit and soak up the scenery or get a drink and enjoy the view.

Winston has been a trooper so far.  He is napping on the couch now – enjoying the music I’m listening to as I write and the sunshine streaming in through the windows.  He loves all the walks we take at the different places we stop, relishes the attention he garners from the other campers and loves meeting new canine acquaintances.  Taking your dog on the road with you requires a bit of planning, but is definitely the way to go.  There is nothing sadder than running into people who say they miss their dog while they are vacationing.

Mark will be celebrating a birthday next week and in honor of that we will be taking a break from the motorhome and staying at a resort hotel (Hotel Terra) in Jackson Hole for two nights.  I’m looking forward to a little pampering at the spa they have on site and since it’s Mark’s birthday, I’m taking him along with me (albeit not without protest, I’m sure) for a couples massage if I can book one.  Then, it’s off to Yellowstone.