Alan in Holiday
My final day with Dave and I awoke at 7.10 am to the coldest morning so far with a definite nip in the air and plenty of condensation inside my tent. No culinary treats this morning and we were back on our trekking rations of coffee/tea with powdered milk and cereal with hot water.
Overview Map
Our plans for the day were "flexible" - Dave needed to have the SUV back in Victor by 4 pm so our options were relatively limited. Having spent 10 days wandering about the west side of the Teton range I was anxious to see what they look like from the east and having studied the map we decide to head off to Jenny Lake and have a leisurely walk.
We cleared camp, packed our backpacks into the SUV and headed down the dirt road back towards Driggs before heading through Victor and up Teton Pass towards Jackson. The sun was up, the sky was blue and I was hopeful of taking some good photographs of Jackson Valley from my the head of Teton Pass. Unfortunately fate was against me and at the summit I discovered not only was the sun in exactly the wrong position - directly into the camera lens, but there was a temperature inversion and Jackson Valley was covered in cloud.
Jackson Valley - Temperature inversion
We descended down the pass into the cloud heading towards Wilson the home town of Dick Cheney (Vice President) who apparently is a great fan of the fishing on the Snake River and thence into heavy traffic. Turning off before Jackson we headed up towards the Moose Wilson entrance of Grand Teton National Park past Teton Village.
Arriving at the park entrance pay station we were much surprised to learn that this part of the park was closed due to road resurfacing work. Apparently it cannot be undertaken out of the tourist season as there is snow on the ground for 8 months of the year. A 7 mile dead end!
Despite the notice the entrance is closed!By now it was 10.45 am so having re-visited our plans we headed back the short distance back to Teton Village with the intention of taking the Aerial Tram to the top of Rendezvous Mountain (10,450 ft) and walking back down to the village. Arrived at Teton Village to find car park packed and big queue for tram. Having been used to the relative peace and tranquility of the western side of the park this was all very frustrating. Dave unaccustomed to the crowds was figuratively tearing his hair out.
Back to the map and we decided to change plan yet again and to head up the valley using the main road and to head to Jenny Lake via the Moose entrance.
Aerial Tram - Teton VillageHeaded passed Jackson Hole Airport - the only airport based within a National Park and arrived at Jenny Lake 11.40 to find the large car park bursting to capacity with absolutely no a chance of parking. All very frustrated at this stage. We drove to northern entrance to Jenny Lake and had our lunch in a lay-by with overlook of the Cathedral Group. This was probably the only quiet spot of the entire day. I took some pictures just to prove that we had actually been there before mutually decided (now 13.30) that given time constraints we had "shot our bolt" and it was necessary to head back to Jackson to enable Dave to have the SUV back in Victor by 4 pm. 
Grand Teton 13,770 ft from Jackson Valley floor
Arrived back in Jackson at 14.00 and took my leave of Dave - he had been good company and I was very sorry to see him go. Christine was also staying in Jackson so we arranged to meet up later for dinner.
Although it had only been 10 days it seemed like a lifetime since I was last at the Antler Inn. However the surplus kit was still in the back store room where I had left it and having checked in I headed to my room and the unfamiliar concept of a proper bathroom with hot water. Looking in the mirror there appeared to be a wild man staring back at me!
Checked in with home via my mobile (9pm there) before booking a coach trip with Grayline Tours to Yellowstone National Park for tomorrow.
A quick bath - could not face battling the beard on my face with a razor and I headed out to navigate my way to Car Corner from where the Jackson Hole Express to Salt Lake City would depart on Friday morning at 6.30 am. Discovered the seedier side of Jackson and felt quite exposed walking down the streets carrying my camera.
Typical Jackson Street - taken at 6.15am hence little traffic
Eventually arrived at Car Corner after a 40 minute walk in boiling heat. The main highway is maniacally busy - can't believe I am in semi rural Wyoming as its more like being next to a major motorway. Retraced my steps back to the town centre via a slightly more efficient route stopping off for some food on the way.
Looking around Jackson once again I am unimpressed as it is heaving with "tourists" (well I guess I am one as well!) and the shops inevitably are there to cater for them.
Retreated to the comparative tranquility of my motel room before meeting Christine and heading off down to Bubba's BBQ which despite being very busy, as far as my meal was concerned, unfortunately did not live up to its reputation.
So ended Wednesday, perhaps not the best of day of my holiday so far ...