After our wild adventure the day before, Meghan and I were ready for a more relaxed day in Grand Teton. We woke up super early (due to the freezing cold) and started driving back to the park. About 5 minutes into the journey, a very large deer or elk (tough to say because it was dark, but whatever it was- it was HUGE….a little bigger than my car, with big antlers) crossed into the road. It was super majestic. It also continued the theme of the trip: wildlife entering the road in front of us. This theme continued as we got to Grand Teton and a family of elk crossed the road! They were easy to see as elk and they were really beautiful animals.
We drove to one of the lodges and got a hot breakfast while waiting for the campgrounds to open. As soon as the one we were at opened, we headed over and tried to get a spot. Alas, they were ALREADY full (I think this was the only campground in Grand Teton that took reservations). We headed down to the other campground called Colter Bay, which was the one with 350+ campsites. We were easily able to get a site and decided to even add an extra day on and spend two nights camping.
After setting up camp and getting firewood (in the BIGGEST campground store I’ve ever seen. It had gifts, camping supplies, groceries, a bakery, and more. Absolutely insane), we decided to go on a hike. For some insane reason, we decided to choose a 9.5 mile hike out to this place called Hermitage Point. The hike was LONG, but so worth it for the views.
Along the way we saw another huge deer, which didn’t run despite being only a few feet away from us. Thankfully, that was the only wildlife we saw up close and personal. As you enter the trail, they ask you to clap periodically so that you don’t scare any bears. Needless to say, I clapped every 3 minutes or so. I could say I wasn’t a little scared, but that’d be a total lie!
We sat by the water at the point for a bit before heading back. The hike back was grueling as my legs started to fail me and I started getting awful blisters on the bottom of my feet. I had to lean on Meghan a bit at the end just to keep going, but alas we made it back to camp and were all smiles despite the soreness!
We spent the remainder of our evening relaxing, reading, and cooking our dinner. I believe there was also a nap from 6-8! That night, it dropped down to being in the 30s and it was another brutally cold night that we (mostly me) were ill prepared for. Therefore, we needed another hot breakfast in the morning. We went to the Colter Bay Lodge for breakfast, which was fairly disappointing (we had the buffet and it was lukewarm at best), but the company was wonderful and it was a great start to a very lazy day. After the excitement of the past few days, we needed some serious R&R, which took form in reading pretty much all day.
We wrapped up our day with another evening of hotdogs, roasted peppers, and marshmallows over the open fire. One of my favorite things is that you don’t need a whole lot to make a great meal over a fire. Just some foil and a stick (or fancy pants metal ones like we currently have) to cook your hot dog on!
 
Thankfully the fire was much better than the night before and got us all toasty warm before heading to bed for another night of 30-degree weather. I slept pretty well in my nice cocooning sleeping bag and Meghan had some solid layering to help keep her warm.
Our time in Grand Teton was wonderful. I was so grateful to have two nights to camp where we were able to actually relax and enjoy the experience rather than rush around, set up, sleep, and breakdown before heading out. It also helped that the weather was perfect (aside from the chilliness at night), the campgrounds were beautiful with a rocky mountain backdrop and a lake in the foreground, and the fact that we were able to enjoy this experience together.
Meghan will be writing about our trip to Montana, where we currently are, tonight but I must say that although I’ve enjoyed couch surfing and camping out, sleeping in a real bed last night and having access to both internet and phone service for the first time in a few days is quite refreshing. We’re about to head out and get on the road for Washington! I can’t believe how fast this trip is flying by! Til next time!
Pancake Tour of North America 