Grand Teton National Park

 After a series of unfortunate events ranging from a closed road to a cloudy sky this morning, I resigned myself to NOT witnessing alpenglow and capturing it effortlessly with my camera! Ha!

In the cold and dark, the roads were slick and deserted.

I handed over my National Parks Pass to the guy at the entrance and that was the last I saw of real humans for hours. Gone were those car loads of photographers I ran into yesterday. Sleeping in?!  Who knows... but I found myself meandering the park, patiently waiting for light to hit peaks, water to calm itself enough to reflect and animals to appear. 

A few crows cleaning up the roadkill, a handfull of ducks middle of the lake and that one grey squirrel chattering from a covert location. 

It was cold but dry and windless. I was comfortable. More than comfortable... At times I was moved to tears by the beauty of vista in front of me, the freedom and privilege afforded to me today and most days. Gratitude flowed over and wetted my chilly face!

Oxbow Bend was supposedly "the place to be" first thing in the morning and last time I was here, that was indeed true. June is a different kettle of fish though. Today without direct light, it was a bit flat. The water was frozen and white ...  

Jackson Lake on the other hand - pure magic. I could have watched the light change on the peaks and the water all day. 

What a lovely, peaceful place this is! Whoever came up with the idea for making and protecting spaces as National Parks was a genius.

Going Solo for Photography and Ahhhhh....

Super early morning for this gal. And that's even when you don't count that I woke up at 12:30am and 3:45am before getting up at 4:15am for that 5am departure.

The drive to Jackson WY was expected to be 8 hours minimum. I factored 2 hours to Laramie, 3 hours to Rock Springs and the last 3 getting me into Jackson by no later than 2pm. 

The sun was coming up as I entered Laramie and it was a GORGEOUS morning by all accounts. A few clouds, tons of stars and little in the way of ice or snow to contend with, despite my high temp of the drive being like 29℉ - once, briefly! 

However there was this pesky wind issue. Leaving Laramie I was already armed with the knowledge that I80 was closed to high profile, light-ish vehicles. The roadside warning signs screamed "Extreme blowover risk" in bright orange. 

Away I went in low-profile Audi. Not concerned with being blown over but at times concerned with becoming pancake-type material when one of those high profile vehicles I was sharing the road with, was toppled. 

 Audi was doing great with a fresh battery just yesterday and topped up fluids too. More than great... she excels on long trips, motoring effortless up the hills and sticking admirably to the curves. We were a very happy duo and I began to have feelings of guilt about my plan to replace her soon.

The drive from Rock Springs to Jackson, was my favorite part. All of a sudden I was surrounded with rolling hills turned canyons and soaring peaks. Willow or something similar put up flaming red and orange stems all over the place, rivers meandered half frozen and I just kept coming around a corner to find quinessential Wyoming farm scenes... complete with cows and barns and such. It was lovely so I stopped a little. What was the rush?!

As I followed the Hoback River out of a dark and icy canyon - with too may avalanche warnings and "no stopping for any reason" signs, I happened upon my first wildlife. Bighorn sheep! (Yes, I had been searching for these all over Rocky Mountain National Park this year without success!!!)

This wee herd let me creep up on them as they frolicked and fed. The males were horny - by every definition - and it was super interesting to watch their flirtiness/coersion tactics on display. It's December and that's right on schedule. 

Just before Jackson, I turned off to visit Snake River Canyon - reputedly the best place to spot mountain goats. Zip. Nichts. None. So once in Jackson I went right into the National Elk Reserve even before checking in at my hotel. More frisky bighorn sheep. Way more people taking pics of them but you know me... putting some people in my pics is kinda fun too.

Final thoughts for the day - with a cozy room, big TV, giant comfy bed and screw top wine, it comes as no surprise that a quick dinner, hot shower and early night are looking pretty appealing tonight.

2024 Rocky Mountain National Park... My purlieu.