I saw the Grand Teton Mountains for the first time as we headed into Jackson. With no foothills to obstruct your view, the jagged peaks and deep canyons of the Teton Range rise abruptly from the Jackson Hole valley.

It’s so “different” how the mountains look so close, but you know they are really far away. We were anxious to get into Jackson because we were getting together with Jack and Sheryl, guests from previous trips. That’s the great thing about traveling with Adventure Caravans; meeting new lifelong friends.

Jack and Sheryl drove in from their lake house and stayed at the lodge right at our campground, making it real convenient, although one day I do want to get out to their lake house. They took us to dinner at the Blue Lion, known for their rack of lamb. It was the best dinner ever! I had Buffalo tenderloin wrapped in bacon and Bill had Elk Tenderloin. We had the best time.

The first morning in Jackson, our group went on the Grand Teton Park Scenic Float Trip down the Snake River; ten miles of spectacular views.

Our “captain” was Travis, and I think we entertained him as much as he entertained us. We did enjoy the wealth of knowledge he shared with us about the river, mountains, wildlife, and life in Jackson, Wyoming. He spotted a mama and baby moose, which was the highlight for everyone.

The 2.7 billion-year-old rocks found in the core of the range are some of the oldest in North America, but these mountains rank among the youngest in the world.

Starting 100 million years ago, long before today’s mountains formed, the collision of tectonic plates along North America’s west coast bowed-up a vast block of sedimentary rock deposited by ancient seas. Beginning 10 million years ago, movement on the Teton fault generated massive earthquakes causing the mountains to rise while the valley floor dropped.

Below left is the Great Teton Mountain and to the right you can see the glacier.

Since this is National Park Land, the animals are the rulers and humans cannot interfere. You can see in the photo below the damage to the trees done by beavers.

The tree looks as if someone chopped it down.

We met Jack and Sheryl for a great lunch with a great view

and then headed out for some photo shoots of the Tetons. As we headed, we spotted a moose in the riverbed,

As we pulled over to take a picture of the moose, A GRIZZLY BEAR RAN ACROSS THE ROAD RIGHT IN FRONT OF US!

Isn’t it great, he looked both ways before crossing?

We also saw herds of buffalo

Great views of nature at the foot of the Tetons. Movement on the Teton fault lifted the range, erosion sculpted the landscape. Starting 2 million years ago, massive glaciers up to 3,500 feet thick periodically flowed south from Yellowstone and filled the valley, eroding the mountains, transporting and depositing huge volumes of rocky glacial debris. As glass sheets filled the valley, alpine glaciers sculpted the jagged Teton skyline. These glaciers carved the peaks and canyons, and deposited moraines along the glacier’s edge. Today these moraines dam beautiful lakes along the base of the Teton Range.

I don’t think anyone is going to top our bear sighting on this tour. Jack and Sheryl are the best guides ever!

Before we bid Jack and Sheryl farewell, we had a great breakfast at the Granry, which was at the very top of a hill with a beautiful view.

Off on the motorcycles to the Teton Village

Where the famous Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Aerial Tram took us up to the top of the ski resort. It reaches a rise of 4,139 feet in 9 minutes, carrying 100 passengers, traveling at 15 miles per hour. The tram takes you up over 10,000 feet from the valley floor for 360 degree views of the Tetons and surrounding National Park below.

It is the easiest way to stand on the top of the Teton Range.

Corbet’s Trail is known worldwide and is straight down. If you look REALLY CLOSELY at the two bottom photos, you can see someone standing at the push off point for Corbet’s Trail.

They tell us that it doesn’t look so intimidating with snow on the ski run, but somehow I don’t believe that….

Horse Drawn covered Wagon Ride and cookout was at the Bar-T-5 Wild West Show. Everyone loaded in their wagon, we headed up to camp.

Of course prior to getting to our destination, we were greeted by Indians.

Food was good as well as the show.

One of our guests tried to take a cowboy home.

See, it never hurts to ask.

Leaving Jackson, Wyoming was difficult because we left behind a couple of our guests who planned on only traveling with us for 21 days. We will miss their smiling faces.