Grand Teton National Park (days 9, 10 & 11)

Our time in Grand Teton National Park was really lovely because it was very laid back and we didn't feel like we were in a hurry to "see everything."  We never got a great view of the mountains as they were shrouded in smoke from all the wildfires to the west.  However, they were still glorious - even covered in smoke!

On our first full day in the park, we went for a hike in the Colter Bay area on Jackson Lake.  The trail skirts along the lake the whole way around a little peninsula (almost an island, really).

During this walk the children decided to build a fort out of all the driftwood on the rocky beach.  They worked on the fort forever getting it just right!

We hiked a lot during our trip and the children did amazingly well.  I stopped to take a picture of the children hiking and got this shot...

Approximately five minutes later, I turned around to find Harris on Bryce's shoulders!  It was the one and only time Harris didn't hike the whole trail on his own (his knee was apparently killing him)!

Later that day, the children went for a swim in Jackson Lake!  It was really cold but you couldn't ask for a better setting.  I was really happy for the children that they got to experience such an amazing thing as to swim with the mountains all around them.

That evening we ate dinner in the Mural Room at Jackson Lake Lodge.  I was glad I took one dress!

On our second day, we hiked from String Lake to Hidden Falls behind Jenny Lake.  It was a long, hot hike but had some fantastic views!

We didn't think we were going to hike the whole thing so we hadn't gone prepared with lots of water for each of us!  Toward the end of the hike, Bryce and Harris turned around to head back.  I couldn't stand the thought of having hiked so far in (over 2 miles) and not getting a view of the falls.  I convinced Grace to go the rest of the way with me and we were rewarded with not only gorgeous falls but a bear sighting too!

We were shocked at how close people got to the bear.  He/she was already very close when we noticed her (maybe 10 feet) but we immediately started backing away.  Others got closer or turned their backs on the bear in order to have their picture taken with the it!  Crazy people.

After our hike, we went swimming in String Lake!  Supposedly, it's warm for a mountain lake but I thought it was ice cold!

 

That evening, we went on a float tour down the Snake River.  It lasted a couple of hours and we were able to see some terrific wildlife along the banks of the river.  It was very difficult to get good shots of the animals because the boat was bouncing along!

Eagles

Beavers

Moose!

The next morning, before we left for Jackson Hole, we spent some time admiring the mountains and visiting the visitors center.