Being adventurous RVers, we decided (read: the GPS decided) to take Teton Pass, a mountain road with a 10 percent grade that reaches heights more than 8,000 feet, to enter the park.
The pass is not intended for acrophobics, nor those lacking working brakes, but somehow Spencer and I made it in this big rig of ours.
Not without a little help from our favorite backstreet driver, Ellie.
Approaching the park from Jackson, we were amazed at the roaming bison munching on seemingly endless acres of grassy terrain.
The giant, gentle beasts were unfazed by our intrusion.
After settling into our RV site at the park's campground, we were ecstatic to see stunning views of Colter Bay in our mobile backyard.
Our first order of business was to capture and shoot wildlife -- with a camera. Despite our beliefs in the Second Amendment, we love animals, especially our own furry little critter.
Grand Teton is full of dirt backroads that are off the beaten path. A few regulars told us those would give us the best opportunity to see animals, especially bears.
We set off on one of the roads, and then we saw the surefire sign of wildlife: people. The rangers call them "paparazzi" because of their relentless pursuit of bears, wolves and moose. With their long-range lenses, I think they would have a promising career in New York or El Lay following Amanda Bynes for the next few years. Take care of yourself, girl.
But the photographers were checking out a more mild-mannered specimen -- Blondie, one of the park's female grizzly bears. She was walking in the distance, only about 50 yards away (!), when we pulled up.
We watched her near our truck and were prepared to scramble in if she moved closer. She was casually meandering around, as she had been for about an hour, eating berries. Then Blondie simply turned around and walked back into her bear habitat, and out of our sights. Spencer and I couldn't believe our luck to see a grizzly bear on our first day in Grand Teton!
Most of the paparazzi scattered and went in search of other animals, but we wanted to stay and wait. So we creeped along the road until it dead-ends into a hiking trail, waited, turned around and started to drive back. Just as we reached the beginning of the dirt road, we spotted her. It was Blondie, taking a nap in the woods, only about 20 yards away.
It was just me, Spencer and the bear sunbathing about 20 yards away. The paparazzi and tourists were gone. Just me, Spencer and the bear.
She must have realized she wasn't alone because she lifted up her head and looked right at us.
Blondie was noticeably unimpressed as she let out a giant yawn and stretched out her tongue.
Blondie covered her eyes trying to fall back asleep.
It was too late. The paparazzi were back to check on her movements. Video surveillance, photographs, it's a good thing bears don't have cell phones because they probably would be wiretapped, too. There's a fine line of distinction between the paparazzi and the National Security Agency: The paparazzi are more forthright about their activities.
With her peaceful afternoon slumber ruined, Blondie retreated back into the distance. I hope she found a quiet place to curl up and read a good book.
I always enjoyed a good Berenstain Bears story, myself.
During our trip to Grand Teton, we witnessed so many other wild animals. Our friend the moose, was quite an exhibitionist and he seemed fond of bathing and drinking in his favorite watering hole. I nicknamed him "Norm" because he reminded me of that fellow from Cheers.
Norm wasn't a complicated moose. He liked to wade, drink and occasionally blow bubbles underwater.
His philosophy of life was a simple one: Don't worry. Be Happy.
Spencer's motorcycle took us on several trails where we saw more wildlife and spectacular scenery from terrific vistas, including mountains that rise dramatically out of the ground with no warning of hills or high ground.
Spencer and I blended into the wilderness of Grand Teton National Park so well that one of its smaller inhabitants decided to make a home for himself in our truck tire.
No need to worry, as he left promptly after some gentle prodding and urging. We already have one road pet, although I'm sure Ellie wouldn't mind a furry little brother or sister.
One of the highlights of our travels was taking an evening boat tour along Jackson Lake. It was so fascinating to hear the legends and tall tales of early travelers and their experiences with this magical place.
We saw deer that hide from predators on an island that is only accessible when the water freezes in the winter and is solid enough to walk across. The deer stay on the island all summer to avoid bears and wolves, although a few persistent ones will swim across the lake to reach the deer.
There was a bald eagle nesting at the top of some decaying trees.
The boat trip certainly cemented our belief that Grand Teton is a special and unique national park, with wildlife that thrilled us immeasurably. This land is filled with gorgeous scenery, immovable mountains, deep lakes, and towering pines.
Although certain aspects are so still they remind me of a landscape painting by artist Thomas Moran, this wonderful land is still very full of life. At every corner, in your peripheral vision, you see slight movement and hear the crackling of leaves and grass. Wildlife is everywhere.
Our time here was too short, as that always seems to be the case in these national playgrounds. But the vibrancy and liveliness we felt here at Grand Teton will stay with us for the rest of our RV journey and even beyond.
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