Continuing their four-day visit, Laura, Stephanie, Bonnie, Tray, and I loaded up the car and headed north (about a four-hour drive) to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole, Wyoming (Jesse had to work and so couldn't come along). We took the scenic route to get there (Hwy 89, through Logan, Logan Canyon, via Bear Lake, through Idaho), which is a truly beautiful drive. On the way, we stopped at Bear Lake for famous Raspberry milkshakes, before the girls forced us to pull over to examine a roadkill Porcupine (they've never seen one before). After hanging out at Bear Lake for a bit, we headed out (stopping for the girls to photograph -- yes, photograph -- the unfortunate porcupine) and arrived in Jackson Hole. The next morning we headed out to Grand Teton National Park, for a gorgeous day of sightseeing. No real hiking on this trip (not enough time was the excuse given by the girls; I leave it to you, gentle reader, to accept or deny the veracity of this claim), just more getting out and looking around -- still, a beautiful trip all in all. We did see quite a bit of wildlife, including a moose, hawks, an eagle, and a herd of buffalo (to which Laura got FAR too close for safety -- of course, the fact that Stephanie kept telling her to get closer for a better picture may have had something to do with it. For those of you who know Stephanie, this is remarkable -- she's usually a totally nervous nelly about anything remotely dangerous).
Unfortunately, the Tetons are FAR too expansive to do in a single day, so I hope that Jesse and I can go back soon and really explore.
Unfortunately, the Tetons are FAR too expansive to do in a single day, so I hope that Jesse and I can go back soon and really explore.
Educational Moment: Bear Lake is a natural freshwater lake on the Utah-Idaho border. It is the second largest natural freshwater lake in Utah (approximate area of 109 square miles and sits at an elevation of 5,924 ft), and has been called the "Caribbean of the Rockies) for its unique turquoise-blue color, the result of suspended limestone deposits in the water. Its water properties have led to the evolution of several unique species that live naturally only within the lake. Bea Lake is over 250,000 years old, and was formed by fault subsidence that continues today, slowly deepening the lake upon its eastern side. The lake is a popular destination for tourists and sportsmen and the surrounding valley has gained a reputation for having high quality raspberries.
According to folklore, Bear Lake holds a lake monster: The so-called Bear Lake Monster. Although this originated with Joseph C. Rich, who later admitted to making up the monster, people continue to report sightings of the monster today.
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