| Our first morning in Grand Teton National Park and we decided to go take a 2.6 mile hike near Jenny Lake. The hike follows the lake briefly and then heads down toward Moose Ponds. The day was warm finally and we got sandwiches at a deli in Moose, WY. Can't tell you why, but I've been dying to see a moose and I'm quite joyous that there is a Moose, Wyoming. On our hike, about a half mile in, we ran in to two groups of people at a junction in the trail discussing what they had just seen on the Moose Ponds trail. Both groups stated that there was not only a moose down the trail, but a black bear AND a grizzly bear. Each group separately had seen them (one group had to turn around because the moose was blocking their way on the trail and wouldn't move). Precisely as Mark and I were debating exactly how dangerous this could be, a park ranger came up and as the groups told him excitedly about the bears and moose, he seemed to beam and congratulate them on their success in wildlife viewing for the day. He didn't think it was a problem for us to go down the trail as long as we talked loudly to let the animals know we were coming. So, Mark and I, being the responsible parents that we are, headed down the trail, eager to see any wildlife.
The moose was, as might be expected, right at Moose Pond happily munching away. We sat and ate lunch watching him from across the water. After lunch, we headed off again down the trail. Mark was hoping to see the black bear, since he hadn't seen one yet. Sure enough, about 20 minutes later we saw a black bear about 150 yards away bounding up a small creek (my photos look like a black blob with no head). While the kids did almost no climing around Yellowstone, they have been climbing rocks and picking up sticks (which magically turn into wands, weapons and walking sticks).
Today (the 15th) we enjoyed a lovely breakfast at The Bunnery (thanks Lisa) and then went for a 1.5 hour horseback ride at Jackson Lake. There were only six people on the ride and the views were incredible. One thing I keep forgetting to mention...I am stunned at how few people there are here. I keep expecting hordes of people, but there aren't. Where is everyone? I thought the crowds would be disturbing in Yellowstone (do you think the lightning hitting the 9 people two weeks ago while waiting for Old Faithful kept the crowds away?).
Tomorrow we're off to Craters of the Moon.
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