Grand Teton! They didn’t look like Tetons to me, but they were gorgeous. Mountains have a special personality about them. They stand tall and proud, and they have a story to tell. The glaciers on the mountains gave them a little more character. Driving through the park, a different point of view of the same mountain range was like seeing a whole new scene. Continuously breathtaking.
Driving to the first hike, I decide to summit mount signal using very special gear. My 2004 Honda Civic. The road was windy and elevated, but it wasn’t like driving on the mountains to Yosemite National Park back in March. Here the road was wide, and not on a cliff. On top of the mountain, it became clear why it was called Mt. Signal. There was a huge tower right there. I looked at my phone and saw that I had great reception. So I took the opportunity to call my parents.
The flowers on the mountain were beautiful. In fact, all the flowers I have seen on the way have been beautiful. There’s something about wild flowers that you can’t get from a delicately arranged flower bouquet from the florist down the street. They were vibrant and placed randomly about each hill or mountain. It’s as if god was eating seeds and sneezed on this mountain he was creating. I could say the same thing about the trees and forests. These trees are ground on mountains. Rocks. What kind of soil are they hanging on too? Nature is just awe-inspiring like that.
The first hike was at Jenny Lake. Took the pansy way there, the ferry. Then hiked the half mile to hidden falls. Gorgeous, as usual. I don’t know what other ways to describe waterfalls. It’s like an unattainable goal to truly describe a waterfall. Anyway, hiked up another half mile to Inspiration Point. Wasn’t very inspirational, it didn’t make me want to write a book or anything, but it was beautiful. You can see plains, mountains, forests, a lake and a river, all in one picture. On the way down from Inspiration point, a 71-year-old man passed me. I struck up a conversation with him and found out that until about three years ago, he was a college basketball and football referee. Wow. He makes me feel lazy and lethargic. He inspired me to be more active. Maybe that’s what Inspiration Point was about afterall.
The weather was crappy and I was feeling sick. I took a nap and had a bite to eat. I felt a little better, but not good enough to do the entire next hike. Phelps Lake. I had it in me to hike there, but not around it. The hike there was nice. Very woodsy and outdoorsy. Once at Phelps Lake, I felt like I was looking at a post card. Was this real? It was beautiful. It was still a little hazy out, but I definitely got the feeling of what it was. The lake with the foresty mountain behind it was numbing. Sat there for a little bit then made way back to the car.
On the way to campsite, there was moose. A moose! It was clogging up traffic of course, and I made traffic worse by getting out and taking a few pictures myself. Unfortunately it didn’t have the antlers, but it’s face was just as funny-looking. I filled up on gas at the park. I thought it would be more expensive, but it wasn’t too bad. A little under dollars per gallon for 85.5 grade. Stopped to have dinner at the lodger there. Best food I had ever eaten in my entire life. Mmmm… And now back at the campsite, looking forward for more days of adventure and surprises. I hope this feeling never goes away.
07/31/11
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