On to the Grand Tetons (Again!!!)

We awoke with hopes that the government shutdown might end before we arrived at the Tetons.  We set a course to travel along the west side of Yellowstone, stopping for lunch and taking a short hike up one of the national forest trails.  

Of course, when we arrived at the entrance to the Tetons, we found barricades.

Grand Tetons Closed

Weather reports predicted snow showers for the evening and sunshine tomorrow.  With the Teton’s fall colors at their glory, we kept hoping that those barricades would come down and we would be allowed into the park.  We found a great national forest campsite at Atherton Creek.  We popped the top on the camper as clouds began to sink and rain turned to sleet.

We awoke the next morning to a heavy dusting of snow.  The entire landscape looked alive as we drove back toward the Tetons.  Frost coated reeds and brush.  Swirling clouds encircled the mountain peaks.  The aspen and cottonwoods trembled, drenched in hues of gold and oranges. 

As we drove down to the park, we noticed that the Gros Ventre road had much heavier traffic than we would normally see so early in the morning.  At one beautiful vista, over a dozen photographers bunched together, taking photos of a river lined with golden cottonwoods.  Unfortunately, it was proof to us that the park remained closed.  Everyone who had come to visit the national parks had been pushed outward from the entrances and into the national forest lands.

When we arrived at the Teton park entrance and saw the barricades, I knew that the elusive photo of my bull moose would have to wait until next time.  Reluctantly, we left the Grand Tetons.  Of course, I was disappointed.  Yet I kept hoping that last year’s lessons would continue to follow me and felt certain that God had more in store for us. 

With rumors of wild horses outside of Salt Lake City, we turned south and headed into Utah.

Mount Moraine, Grand Tetons