6-3,4-12 Boot camp begins

Ally knew when she signed on for our RV adventure this year that we planned on spending a lot of time in the Tetons doing what we love to do: hike, bike, fish, and kayak.  She knew she was going to have to keep up with me, and with my inability to sit still for more than five minutes that meant a lot of exercise.  We’ve settled into our summer home and now it’s time for boot camp to begin.  Our bike ride today is an easy one – only 17 miles.  I decided to start her out a little on the slow side.

We started our ride at the top of the big hill north of Moose in the park.  I told her the big hill would be coming soon so she’d better get in shape fast.  She’s very grateful that I always carry my camera with me and she’s taking advantage of the photo stops to rest.  She’s caught on fast to the fact that when biking or hiking, taking the opportunity to stop and admire the scenery is also a way to catch your breath.  She can’t stop saying, “Ah, isn’t that pretty!”  She was pretty tired when we returned home but pretty proud of her first big bike ride.  Big?  Not!  Just wait for what is to come! 

A little rest last night after her bike ride and now Ally is ready to tackle her first big hike.  She has hiked in the Tetons before but has only done the shorter day hikes.  Now, she’s ready to tackle the next step up.  We’re headed on a 7 plus miler today around Phelps Lake in the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve.  I’ve always loved hiking here but you can only access the preserve by car, not RVs, as the road is too narrow.  I’ve always relied on the kindness of friends to take me here.  Now, with my little Forester, I can drive here myself.  I love my Subaru!

 

We’re off over the bridge to follow Lake Creek to Phelps Lake.

The water is icy cold and clear as it roars down from the lake.

 

 It’s inviting, but we’re too smart to stick our toes in that cold water.

We pass through forests of pines, sage brush flats, and wetlands as we climb slowly to Phelps Lake.

Time for one of those little photo rest stops…

… while Grandma captures the wetland reflections.

Ally likes creepy crawly things and never misses the opportunity to pick them up, study them, and admire them.  She insists I photograph them.  These are not my favs.  “Yuk,” that’s all I have to say!

 We stop for just a few minutes to take in the beauty before starting our trek around the lake.  Yes, I’m carrying bear spray.  We’ve heard that the grizzlies and their babies have moved south in the park this year and we’re headed into a lightly traveled area. 

As part of our exercise regimen we do a little heavy lifting!  As we’ve hiked, we’ve been singing. They say wearing bells to scare away bears doesn’t work but singing does.  I can believe it!  I’d run like crazy if I heard voices like ours.  We’ve written our own song: “Bear, bear, please stay away.  We’re here to hike your trail today.  We know it’s your home but we’re just here to roam.  We’ll do you no harm so please leave our arm to wave “Good-bye” as we’re on our way.”  Brilliant, don’t you think?  Sing along.  Better than wearing“dinner bells” for bears.

The singing did it.  No bears so far and we’re approaching the north side of the lake where we see a few other hikers.

We’ve landed on my favorite rock along the lake for snacking (known as “dining out”, our style) or…

…for taking the required photo of Phelps Lake with Death Canyon in the U-shaped, glacial valley ahead.  We’ll be hiking Death Canyon in a week or so.

We have a special treat in the way of entertainment on the rock today.  There are a couple of young men here who must have just a bit of brain damage.  One of them has jumped off the rock once and is trying to talk his buddy into joining him.  Remember, didn’t we say something earlier about that very cold water.  Well, here he goes again to show his buddy how easy it is and that if you get out fast you survive.

Somehow this reminds me of a family member of ours.  His mother must have prematurely grey hair too.

I emailed this set of photos, plus one that showed no observable physical damage, to this very nice young man who forwarded them on to his Mom.  I’m sure she’ll be relieved to know he’s not doing anything crazy.  It turns out he manages a great restaurant here where I hear they have wonderful corn chowder, a favorite of mine.  Ally and I are invited to be his guests and one of these days we’ll do just that.  You never know when that camera will come in handy.  Oh, his buddy finally jumped off.   He said he had to tell his arms to move when he hit the water.  Hypothermia, anyone?  

After a great hike, we were driving home through the preserve where there are often sightings of moose, bear, and beavers, and we were not disappointed.   This bull moose was dining on his favorite food, pond grasses.  I suspect he’s been dining here a bit as his nose is covered in algae.  Got algae? 

Moose shed their antlers each fall.  He’s just getting started on a new set for this year.  

I think he’s going to have a pretty big rack to shed this year.  He’s a pretty healthy looking bull.  

All in all, I’d say we’ve had a most excellent day.  Ally has survived two days of boot camp.  Tired, absolutely not!