There is so much to see and do here so today we set out to see some of the highlights. We packed a lunch and off we went. First stop planned was Mormon Row and we took the back way in. What a treat!
Buffalo:
Horses:
Coyotes:
This squirrel was not happy with me:
Giving the warning cry:
We first thought they were prairie dogs but they are squirrels that live in colonies. We did see a few babies but they were quickly shooed into the hole by mom!
This is our road to Mormon Row. We could have taken the highway around but so glad we did not.
In 1889, five Mormon families settled here from Utah. With them came interest in community services such as schools, mail services, and churches. Before that, this was known as a rough bachelor valley.
Over a dozen homesteads were here and the land was farmed and cattle were raised. In the mid-1900s the land became part of the National Park and the residents moved into Jackson.
This was the homestead of Thomas Alma and Lucille Moulton. What a view:
Other buildings in Mormon Row:
There are ranger led talks through this area in the summer but alas we are too early.
Our next stop was the Murie Ranch. I must say that I did not know much about the Muries so we stopped in their visitor center first. A nice young girl took us to their main cabin and explained the impact the Muries had on conservation. Before coming to this area, they spent their time in the Artic studying the caribou habits and migration. In 1927, they were assigned to study the valley’s famous elk herd.
They were instrumental in ensuring the designation of the Artic National Wildlife Range in 1960. They were also instrumental in lobbying to include the Jackson Hole Valley into the Grand Teton National Park because of the elk migration through the park.
This was the view from the kitchen:
Other buildings on the property:
The ranch is now the Murie Center also known as Conservation’s Home. There are still meetings, training, and education done at the center. How wonderful!
From there we entered the park gates and headed north on Teton Road:
Our next stop was the Menor’s Ferry Historic District. This was the house of Maud Noble who purchased the Menor Homestead. She was instrumental in helping create the idea of a national park in this area:
Menor’s Transportation Barn - is this the first RV:
Menor’s House and General Store. He opened the store for supplies for travelers and settlers.
I found this interesting:
“Homesteaders came here mainly from Idaho starting the late 1880’s. The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed citizens to claim 160 acres of federal land. Homesteaders secured the final title (“proved up”) by living on and improving the property or cultivating it for five years, then paying the fifteen dollars. Bill Menor chose a slightly different method, squatting on 149 acres and eventually securing legal title in 1908.”
This is the Chapel of the Transfiguration. It was built before 1920 and is still active today.
This is the view from inside the church - WOW!
Then we continued up Teton Road:
This is the south side of Jenny Lake:
I think Andy is getting tired:
Another view from the east side of Jenny Lake:
We stopped at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. They have a scenic boat tour and I wanted to get more information.
Then we headed home thru Antelope Flats:
When we came in we saw Ann and Roy who we met at the Provo Elks. They are parked next to us so tonight we had a community grill over the fire and enjoyed the rest of the evening chatting around the campfire.
We are so blessed.
Enjoy today.
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