When we left off, the two of us were basking in a beautiful sunset over the distant Grand Tetons in Wyoming. The following morning we awoke to some solid grey cloud cover and below freezing temperatures. BRRR!!! Just one look at the mountains, or at least where they should have been, had us thinking twice about spending a night or two up there. I'm confident in our abilities and survival skills, enough to know when we're in real danger. Perhaps we would have been okay… COLD, but okay. But perhaps not. So we moved on to plan B. Whatever that would turn out to be. :)
Stopped off in Jackson Hole, Wy for some swanky breakfast and discussed what to do next. Our plans for the next two days had been foiled once again! As we finished our belgium waffles and yummy egg scramble, we noticed the clouds seemed to be breaking up. Perhaps a hike would be possible after all.
We arrived at Jenny Lake (at the base of the Tetons) around Noon. Our destination: Inspiration Point. The hike was very crowded, but surprisingly there were no lack of delicious berries along the trail. We had the Junior Woodchuck Guidebook handy to identify the new and tasty berries. Several people saw what were doing and periodically stopped at a new kind of bush to ask us if it's berries were edible.
We made it back down to the car in a few hours. After consulting the trusty road atlas, we decided to head for Montana. The drive north, along the west side of the Tetons, is breathtaking. You can literally see these mighty crags from hundreds of miles away.
The last noteworthy stop on this expedition was Big Hole Battlefield in Montana. It's a memorial to the Nez Perce Indians who successfully defended their make-shift camp from an attack by the US Army in 1877. Nearly 100 Nez Perce were killed as the infantry filled the camp with gunfire in the middle of the night. Eventually the Indians regrouped and countered the attack, stealing the Army's cannon and ammunition, and sending the soldiers running for their lives. This was only one of the stops along the Nez Perce Trail from Oregon through Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. It was heartbreaking to walk through the battle field, reflecting on what it must have felt like for both the fleeing Indians and the encroaching pioneers and military forces. I think we both have a newfound appreciation for the Indians, their cultures, and respect for the Living Earth.
ScenicBoys: Great American West Expedition - Part 4 from scenicboys on Vimeo.
And with that, we conclude the ScenicBoys' Great American West Expedition! Putting these stories, pictures and movies together is always a blast. We love exploring the diversity of this country and adventuring far from home. Who knows where we'll go next!? I can guarantee wherever it is, you'll be right there along with us, in high definition, color enhanced, ScenicBoys surround sound. :)
Glad to see the fence and arches are still in Jackson Hole. That really stunned me when I saw it in person. Loved your comments about "the geriatrics." You guys are the best. Here's hoping you have many more adventures together and that you will share them with the armchair travellers.
Warmest regards, Bart
Posted by: Bart | October 18, 2008 at 04:44 AM
So what is it during winter time are you forced to go back to the Caribbean again......
Posted by: Mark | October 18, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Guys, thanks for sharing another scenic adventure with us.
"You guys are the best."
I look forward to seeing more of your adventures.
Posted by: John | October 18, 2008 at 06:18 PM
Re watched all 4 vids - a great adventure. the geriatric comment "Ohh Earl"..crakced me up so much. Think i might put that sound bite as my phones text alert! Keep it up fellas..I know its starting o cool down over there, but theres always somewhere in the world warming up!
Posted by: Vin | October 18, 2008 at 08:13 PM