Even though yesterday was
a good day in many ways, I wanted to do a few things differently, so as to not
experience what Bill Murray’s character did in the movie “Groundhog Day.” One thing we did differently was to go a different direction in the park when we went for a hike. We met, we'll call him Jack, doing his job. We were happy to add him to our new friends list, including all the wonderful people that frequent the laundromat at 11:00 at night, when I normally post this blog (that's right, but you are worth it).
This is Jack. We didn't know Jack before our chance meeting and we still really don't know Jack, but we are Jacked up now! |
Another thing that was different, was that our
bodies finally caught up with the pounding they took on the big hike of a few days
ago. The soreness from those
episodes usually kicks in for us two days after the punishment. True to form, we both struggled to
navigate away from the bed this morning, looking very much like a zombie with
staggering and limping, with a few good steps thrown in for a false sense of
security. To combat this, we
needed to get back on that horse again.
Late morning (after a cinnamon roll!) we headed out for a hiking/fishing
expedition. Close to the north
entrance to the park was an EASY rated hike next to the Snake River. Killing two birds (fishing and hiking) with one stone seemed
like a good idea. Upon arrival we
got our gear together and headed out.
The trailhead was also a fishing access area, how perfect. With the idea in mind that we could
hike a while and fish a while, then…well you get the picture. Instead, the trail went up as the river
went down in elevation. Our bodies
said it was okay to go back to the trailhead and just fish. Good job bodies!
Overlooking the river below on our hike, choosing not to cast my line from this perch, we headed back to the trailhead to fish. |
This is just downstream from where I was skating on marbles as I crossed the river. |
Miki found a soft spot on
the bank to read, draw, and commune with the wilderness while I headed out to
cross the river and see who was going to play with me today. The first objective was to cross the
river and walk down to where it made a bend into a canyon with high rock
walls. Walking across round rocks
that are slick to start with, while knee deep in moving water, was a bit of a
circus act. I am sure the fish
were rooting for the rocks. After
a bit of a struggle getting started, I found my way across while entertaining
Miki to no end and eventually I found my honey hole. My little cutthroat friends came out to play and the game
was on. Once they started biting,
my choice of fly didn’t seem to make a difference and once again time stood
still for a while.
Here fishy, fishy, fishy. |
We got back to the doghouse
a little after lunchtime and kept busy until we headed back to Jackson to pick
up Betty and Andrew from the airport.
With a few minutes to spare, we visited the airport restrooms to find
hand dryers that were awesome.
Never thought I would use the two words, hand dryers and awesome (okay 3
words) in the same sentence.
Dyson…the vacuum cleaner folks…have come up with a hand dryer that is
not that different from how the blow dryers at a carwash work. You stick your hands in and this
tornadic wind blows the water down and off your hands into a drain. All very high tech. I had to do it twice, then tell Miki
(yes, she did not wash her hands and discover them for herself…yuck!). This discovery
almost makes the blowout worth it (and brings a new meaning to the word
blowout).
Want one! |
Betty’s plane was on time
and they arrived at the Jackson airport with the Teton Mountains as their
backdrop, what an entrance. It
sits a few miles north of town and looks to be able to handle a few planes at a
time, not unlike her home town airport in San Luis Obispo, Ca.
Betty is at the top of the stairs. From sea level to 9,000+ feet i a day. |
This is what I thought would have happened yesterday. |
After collecting them we headed for
Chinese food, but participated in a quick moose jam first (traffic jam caused
by, in this case, moose along the road causing many cars to stop, cameras to
click, and human bodies crisscrossing the road without much warning). What better way to be introduced to the
Tetons. We arrived home, walked
the dogs one more time and made our sofa (air)bed for the first time. Betty and Andrew are our first doghouse
guests to overnight with us. I was
only hoping that the airbed held air. It has…so far (one hour and counting)!
A game before bedtime and the bed is still holding air! |
Who knows what tomorrow will
bring. It has been 30 years since
Betty was last here and Andrew has never been here, so the door is wide open. Come back tomorrow to see where the
door will lead.
My Zen from the Road: As I was wading across the river this
morning with what seemed like layers of oiled up steel ball bearings, the size
of grapefruits under my feet, it occurred to me so much could go wrong here. Slipping and hurting something, losing
my fishing stuff, getting stuff wet that doesn’t want to get wet, all the way
up to inadvertently meeting up with a wild animal I had not invited to play
with me while I’m knee deep in the river.
But then if I did worry about all those things, I may never have made it
to the river, or this park, or out of the house for that matter (sheds a new
light on helping our friend Marie, learn to drive…have to give that some more
thought maybe). So I must break it
down into baby steps. First, I
make it to the river. Then, I get
down the steep bank to the river. Finally,
I across the river…catch fish…then reverse the order. When something seems overwhelming, break it down into baby
steps. But enjoy the fishing while
you are there.
Bonus Picture...
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