The Grand Tetons

It is truly grand! We drove around the scenic loop and stopped at all the overlooks; took a multitude of photos and still could not get enough of it.

Disappointingly, we did not see any wildlife on this day.
We met a couple from New Hampshire, who had seen (the previous day) a grizzly swimming the lake, a black bear, some elk and lots of bison; all on the same day. Some folks have all the luck!!!

I take that back. We saw lots and lots of Bisons. In one group, a male bison (Arthur) suddenly shot across from one side of the road to the other, mindless of the traffic. I think he was upset that George was getting too close to Alice. Sure enough, he challenged George and staked his claim on Alice.

A very upset Arthur

Arthur challenging George

This is the Chapel of the Transfiguration - an active church with a very active congregation. Behind the pulpit is a window through which the congregation can see a stunning view of the Tetons.

In spite of not seeing all the wildlife we had hoped to see, we had a wonderful day, that ended with a very nice (and expensive) dinner at the Jackson lodge. We were seated by the window and had a spectacular view of the Tetons and the lake as a thunderstorm gathered over the horizon.

The previous day, I had bought a book (in Jackson, Wyoming) on Carl Roter and his Rendevouz Murals. These murals depict the gathering (commonly referred to as the "big Rendevouz") of the fur traders in the mid 1800s.
This is a very fascinating story.  In the early 50s John D. Rockefeller sponsored a competition to create a set of murals for the Jackson Lake lodge. Roter won the competition to create the murals and these 10 works are now displayed in the (fittingly so called) mural room which is the large dining room in the lodge.  It was such a thrill to be able to see these murals in person. It is unfortunate that there are no other works of Roter on display anywhere else (at least according to the literature on his work). I am so glad I got the book.

These two last photos seem to behave like conjoined twins. I can't seem to separate them. On the left is a view of Jenny Lake. On the right is a photo that needs no explanation. Except that we had crossed the Divide twice before, and each time, we could not stop to get a picture. So here it is now.