(Posted Aug 31, 11:42 AM by Zac)
Working on a truncated schedule, the plan for today was to see the other half of Yellowstone, drive down to the Grand Teton area, check out everything that looked cool, stop in Jackson, and drive to Craters of the Moon in mid-Idaho.
Mission accomplished.
I drove down the east side of Yellowstone, stopping to check out the upper and lower falls. I followed Uncle Tom’s trail down into Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon to get a better view of the lower falls. Uncle Tom must have been pretty burly – the trail goes down 328 metal steps, hanging off the side of the canyon. This would be a Bad Place to fall. The falls were pretty much amazing. There’s a spectacular rainbow rising from the base of the falls into the canyon. Beautiful.
Driving south from the falls I got stuck in a bison jam. No, I’m not talking about a meat-flavored spread to put on toast. There was a single, solitary bison, walking down the middle of our lane. For half a mile. He didn’t seem to be in much of a hurry, and made a concerted effort to prevent any of the vehicles behind him from passing. I’m reasonably sure that he was laughing deep under that gnarly fur. The RV contingent was pissed.
The Tetons rise out of the surrounding fields and grasslands like skyscrapers out of the Sahara. Their sheer size is overwhelming, impossible to miss. The Grand Teton stands proud and prominent in the center, demanding respect from all surrounding summits. I want to climb it. Someday it will happen, oh yes, it will.
I stopped in Jackson briefly with a very important mission. I had to find the local brewery, chat with the brewers, and buy some beer. Mission accomplished. I walked away with half racks of stout and lager, and a boardgame called Brew-opoly. I couldn’t make this up if I tried. The game has not yet been tested, but the beer has. The lager is quite good… one of the better lagers I’ve had. The stout was also tasty, with a good character. A bit different from most stouts, I suppose.
Back on the road. After driving up and over the Tetons, I headed west through Idaho, eventually pulling into the campsite at Craters of the Moon. Only $10/night, and a nice campground. Reminded me of the campsite at Arches, except in a lava field. Beautiful sky, full of stars.
Pictures:
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Lower Falls (amazing/crazy rainbow not visible)
Bison jam
Grand Tetons!
Idaho has BIG potatoes
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August 26 - Yellowstone August 28 - Craters of the Moon, Boise