Jackson Hole, WY
After a glorious arrival day with brilliant blue skies and a warm sun yesterday, waking up this morning to fog so thick I couldn't see across the street was indeed a disappointment. I did my laundry at the Motel cleaned up the car, and readied myself for dropping off Gabby at the Kennel – I knew it would be hard, but I think it was equally difficult on both of us.
The kennel is very well kept and probably the cleanest I've ever seen. The staff was friendly and of course I'd typed up an entire history for Gabby; her habits, and her medical history. I did find myself about to cry as I left her shaking and I'm sure, wondering why I had abandoned her. She's next to a big Doberman who barks at every move. I'm sure we'll both get accustomed to being apart, but after traveling 17 days together, it was difficult to separate.
By noon the skies lifted and I could once again see the magnificent mountains. Several times I just stopped and stood in awe. I didn't think anything could match the beauty of Yosemite, but this is a close rival.
As I left town I noticed hunters – I overhead talk about permits yesterday at the visitors center (yes, the same visitors center I hope to work in some day). As I left the Elk Reserve on my way to Kelly, I saw men, in camouflage clothes, with bright orange florescent caps (are they confused? Do they want to be camouflaged or stand out?). Anyway, along one road they sat in their trucks, just off the road. As best I could tell, they were waiting for the Elk to cross their path (on the way to the Elk Reserve) so the hunters could shoot them. This is sport? Sit, wait in your warm truck, see Elk migrating to a safe heaven and shoot it. Emmmm, I must be missing something here.
The Grand Teton Science School (Kelly Campus) is at the end of a road – about 18 miles north east of Jackson Hole . There's a cluster of cabins and "dormitories", a building used for classroom, another for administration, and a dinning hall. Everything is very basic and rustic. When I arrived there was no instructors to welcome or offer instruction…..so I asked a couple of guys unpacking their car where the woman's dormitory might be. They were very friendly and pointed out a building about 4 city blocks away. I was able to use a plastic sled to move all my stuff from the car to the dormitory.
By the time I'd finished unpacking there were 4 women and we'd gotten acquainted and all went off for a sunset walk. Any worries slipped away. There are about 30 of us with 10 women and the rest men. I feel like we're all kindred spirits, all traveled, respect and love of nature, and definitely of similar mind sets. This is going to be a great experience.
The Teton Mountains form the frame around our cluster of cabin/dormitories, Mule deer were grazing outside the cabin, Elk are migrating just down the road, and someone even saw a moose this afternoon. Everything I look up – there they are. What an incredible place. It's COLD, and we're told they expect 3 feet of snow in the next few days. Thank goodness I have all the right clothes.
First impressions are excellent. The Dormitory has 2 large rooms at each end each with 4 bunks and one single bed and then I'm in a room in the center with only 4 bunks, but since there's only a few of us, I don't expect any other room mates other than the current one from Santa Rosa, CA. Bathrooms are OK, one shower in each of the 2 bathrooms. Dinner was excellent. I think this is going to work.
