Bull Frog Toes - Adventures and Stories: The Teton Crest Trail - Wyoming - Part 2

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NOTE: Click any picture to enlarge.

Since we did not have to hike for at least two days as we acclimated to the elevation - it gave us time to explore the town and area. We picked up our back-country permits and a couple of bear canisters at the Craig Thomas Discovery Center in Moose, WY. The bear canisters are required - you are not allowed to hike without them; for your protection and the bear. A nuisance bear who associates humans with food will not likely be around for long.

We also located some stove fuel and bear spray (also required) at an outdoors supply store - not so sure if the spray would stop a Grizzly (Ursus arctos horribilis) - correctly called a brown bear by scientists - but we hoped. The great explorers Lewis and Clark are credited with the name Grizzly - thought because of its haggard grizzled coloring and temperament. The name Grizzly has stuck ever since. I am thinking the peppery bear spray may make you taste a bit better than someone without the spray; spicier hikers to the bland doughy folks without bear spray. With about 600 Grizzlies in the area - we ~~wanted~~ needed to be sure.

Bronze Moose at the Craig Thomas Discovery Center in Moose, Wyoming.

Kayak looks so small on Jenny Lake - Cascade Canyon in background.

Coolest scooter I have ever seen. Not a Vespa - but a newer knock-off.

Great use for old skis.

Whitey with his Arnold Palmer.

Walking about town was a lot of fun too. There was an amazing art/craft show - at Miller Park. This was not the folksy crafts that seem to be rampant on the east coast - teddy bears, knitted mittens, and other tchotchke. This was quality craftsmanship - with metal, stone and fire!! Loved it. Manly like the west should be. Speaking of manly - Flyrod had to take a conference call and we ended up finding him in the Silver Dollar Bar at the gorgeous Wort Hotel.

Silver Dollar Bar and Grill at the Wort Hotel - Jackson, WY

We checked out Jackson Hole Ski Resort at the Teton Village as this would be where we leave from the next day. There was tons of activity - Para-gliders coming down from the top of the mountain, people arriving for dinner to take a gondola ride to a restaurant half way up the mountain, and of course the Mangy Moose Bar and Grill for some suds. I had been to this resort when I was I think in the 5th grade - my father was in town for a conference and he took me and my sisters to the Mangy Moose for dinner. I remember seeing an airplane cabled to the ceiling and was happy to find it was still there.

We headed back into town for some pizza at Pizzeria Caldera and we all enjoyed a delightful show from the upstairs outdoor balcony. The beautiful people abound in Jackson - I think it is the elevation. We were thrilled to see a fantastic looking cowgirl who not only parallel parked (a lost art) her pickup truck on West Broadway, but she also stepped out wearing a nice short denim skirt and cowboy boots. But wait it gets better - she then smoothly hopped over the railing next to the street up onto the boardwalk- so sexy. It was the dessert for a great day. And yes, I really need to get out more.