What a great "weekend"

Our days off are Sunday and Monday and boy did we need some time off! We started off driving to Driggs Idaho, but on the way we were advised to take a loop off the main highway to avoid some construction. This by-way went by some falls called Mesa Falls so we of course had to stop and take a look.  So glad we did because they were quite spectacular.

Mesa Falls.

We got to Driggs which was mostly shut down because it was Sunday - small town stuff. That, combined with a huge bluegrass festival up the mountain at the Targhee ski area, meant that hotel/motel rooms were at a premium, especially one that accepted a dog.  Finally found the last room in Teton Valley at a place called The Pines which turned out to be a very cool old house run by Nancy (which reminds me of a Beatles song...)

In spite of the thousands of people gathered somewhere up the mountain, we drove up to the ski area to check out the sights.  There, we got our first view of the Grand Tetons mountain range. Very impressive but nothing in comparison to what we would soon see.

It was so nice to sleep in a large room with its own bathroom.  I certainly took all that for granted until this trip. Our "accommodations" in the lodge are a 10 by 10 bedroom which is barely enough for a queen bed and two small dressers. Plus Zoe! It doesn't really "accommodate" much of anything.  AND the ceiling is slanted from about 6 feet at the door (barely enough for me to stand upright) to four feet at the outer wall.  I have smacked my head so many times that I am sure what little hair I ihave left on the top of my head has been efficiently scraped off. 

Oh, there is also a cubbyhole of a closet that I could never get into...maybe when I was 15. I have to ask Marie to go in there to get anything that may be hung up.  It is, however, good for Zoe during thunder storms.  Small, dark, confining, sort of a womb for her.

Anyway, on with the weekend. So we left early and after picking up some needed provisions at the local store which was shockingly nice...even had a sushi bar...we headed up a mountain pass that was to eventually lead us to Moose, MT. Ya gotta love it.  Moose Montana. The road at one point was so crude, I was sure we had made a wrong turn.  One lane, dirt, single lane bridges, it was both scary and exhilarating.

 

Eventually we did emerge in Moose and found ourselves on a modern road that was paved and even had painted lines. This took us to the entrance of Grand Teton National Park. We had never been in the park before, so it was very exciting. Here is a GOOD thing about getting old. At a certain age, you are eligible for a Golden Age (though it doesn't always feel so golden) pass to all the parks for only $10.

As we drove farther into the park the scenery became ever more dramatic. These mountains are so craggy and you are so close - breathtaking.

This was a great trip.  For out next Sunday/Monday weekend, my daughter Maia and her beau, Johnny will be here, so I imagine we will be doing some fly fishing and visiting Yellowstone. The following weekend will be a trip over the Bear Tooth Highway Pass which we have heard from several sources is the most beautiful and dramatic road in the world. It goes over 10,000 feet with many hair raising switchbacks for 65 miles.  More to come on that.