Grand Teton National Park | Robert Humrickhouse

Yesterday we set off from Cody in much clearer skies even though the Fishhawk Fire had grown to 10,000 acres. Due to a senior moment thinking that I had a 3:00 PM conference call we climbed through Yellowstone pedal to the metal without taking in many sights along the way. We did stop at Lewis Falls.

as always, click image to enlarge

We arrived in time for a nice walk to Lunch Tree Hill where John D. Rockefeller, JR, was coaxed by the first head of the National Park Service, Horace Albright, in an effort to reel in Rockefeller’s support for the parks. It paid off, handsomely.

The walk was splendid with some of the Quaking Aspen already announcing fall’s arrival.

Walking to the dining room for a sunset dinner, we realized the squirrels had started without us.

The view from our table.

I had beef tenderloin over grilled asparagus sitting atop a Yukon mash with shallots and bacon. A huckleberry reduction was the perfect foil.

This morning we woke to cloudy skies but took a delightful boat trip up to the face of Mount Moran. Sans foothills to mute their strength, the Tetons are not bashful of their power. Gradually as you close in they engulf your entire field of vision and you are face on with the insurmountable force still building them today.

Lucky us, we were looking at a Bald Eagle nest when one of them took flight. Luckier still, I was able to catch it mid-sky.

It started raining a little when we returned and after lunch, a thunderstorm was approaching so back to the lodge we headed where I sat under the porch roof to take the conference call which I swear I had done yesterday.

The storm cleared and we took a walk around the grounds starting at the corral. We talked with the horses and met Rose, Tilly the dog, and the wrangler for the season. Rose is a rescue horse. She was headed for slaughter when a good soul swooped in and rescued her. She just had surgery on her ankle and you can see she still is underweight but doing well. She likes treats.