I know the mountains are here somewhere...

We left Yellowstone in below freezing temperatures and snow on the way south to Grand Teton yesterday morning.  As we approached, it was completely shrouded by the snow and clouds...when we pulled into the visitor's center at Colter Bay, I knew we should be able to see the magnificent Teton range, but there was nothing.  It was almost eerie - and quite eerie to see people running around in full winter garb including two layers of polartec and fleece hats.  Hmmm....  The ranger said that she had been working there for 15 years and this was the latest snow of the season she had ever seen.

Trying to warm up with coffee and hot cocoa at the restaurant, the kids worked on their Junior Ranger paperwork while we pondered the best approach to the day.  After being on the go all around Yellowstone, we were all in need of some down time - just a bit of laziness around the campsite perhaps.  And so it was.  Matt set up the camper while the kids and I attended a Ranger-led program and made a hot lunch.  As Abby likes to say... "It warmed me up from the inside."

We lazed around most of the afternoon and gave the sun time to peek through and warm things up just a bit.  We did get out and do a small hike on one of the trails near the campground - it felt good to stretch our legs and get a glimpse of those beautiful mountains.  By evening, the sun was out but it was still very cold - mostly because it was so windy (we all remained in our 3-layers all day long).  We wandered around the north end of the park watching for wildlife and checking things out - ending on the deck behind Jackson Lake Lodge.  It was the perfect end to a perfectly lazy day.

Tracy