Grand Teton National Park

All I Need is the Air that I Breath

We made an early start on our fist full day in Grand Teton National Park to join a float trip down the Snake River organised through Signal Mountain Lodge.

Snake Rive - Float Trip

Snake River and Taggart Lake Float Trip down Snake River
Float Trip down Snake River
Mountain and lake scenery does it for me every time. I would very much like to come here in Spring (I.e. last week June/1st week July) to see the alpine flowers in bloom. Now though, we have the beautiful fall colours of the cottonwood and aspen trees. It is such a short season here – soon (2 weeks max,) – the trees will be reduced to twigs again and the snow will come – up to 300 inches in Jackson usually and 700 inches in the mountains.

Flora and Fauna

We had a hot coffee for breakfast by our fireplace in the log cabin – no food needed after last night’s dinner. The float trip in the cool morning air was peaceful and relaxing and yielded pronghorn, a mountain bluebird and a bald eagle that refused to fly for us.

Snake River and Taggart Lake Pronghorn at the water's edge Snake River
Pronghorn at the water's edge Snake River
Snake River and Taggart Lake Light lunch (?) at Signal Mountain Lodge
Light lunch (?) at Signal Mountain Lodge

After a “light lunch” (?!) we joined a trail with Ranger Jamie up to Taggart Lake.  It was a lovely Fall stroll.

The conversation in the group along the trail touched on some deep subjects – sustainability, resource management and how to find your niche – i.e. The place where you will best thrive as a human being – not just exist or get by – truly thrive. That’s a tough one – Tim was first to share his view with the group.

Snake River and Taggart Lake Grand Teton National Park
Tim finding his niche at Taggart Lake in Grand Teton National Park

Tips for Future Travellers

The rest of the group stayed down by the lake for a bit – we walked back to the top with Jamie.  She gave us a couple of Jackson restaurant recommendations that, sadly we just won’t have enough to time to take her up one now. If you go to Jackson yourself though, you might like to know that the locals recommend The Blue Lion and Nanis.

Doornans in Moose is another favourite hangout for locals – we called in briefly, but didn’t have time to stop – it looked great though!

Learning the Lingo

Dude Ranch – They sell you the experience of being a Wild West cowboy for a bit and living on a ranch for a while – and get you to work through your vacation – hence the name.

Foodie Firsts

Elk and Beef Chilli – We chose off the half portions menu for dinner – a bowl of Chilli (elk and beef) with a house salad, washed down with Moose Drool ale (what else?!) – scrumptious.