September 2020
I grew up with all these baby boomer images of the National Parks: Yogi Bear cartoons, Disney animal documentaries. But nothing could really prepare me for the actual scale and grandeur of these views. So that’s what all the talk is about! Even with the Covid restrictions- no tourist centers open, no restaurants, no historic lodges-it was still just a thrill, on par with visiting the Giza Pyramids or the Great Wall of China.
Jenny Lake, in Grand Teton National Park is a breathtaking visit. We took the shuttle ferry across the lake [$18 round trip, $10 one way. Runs every 15 minutes or so, depending on season.] to catch the trail up to Hidden Falls, which is no exaggeration. There is a good climb but worth it when you reach the Falls itself. Then from there, continue climbing or come back down and follow the edge of the lake back around to the boat dock.
At Yellowstone, we drove directly to Old Faithful and walked the Geyser Trail, but the famous Old Faithful Inn was locked up tight, so no roaring fireplace and $10 hot chocolate for us. I’ve seen photos of this place in the middle of summertime tourist season and you may as well be in Times Square on New Years Eve. Today? Cool, tranquil, lots of laid back staff who must certainly be smoking pot most of the time.
A few nature sightings: bear cubs in a tree, a few bison on the Geyser Trail (I suspect they were actors) and a huge moose lounging in the shade, with an attitude like a sacred cow in Delhi.
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