[a/s] Moose and Elk and Deer Oh My!!

[HHamp5246@xxxxxxx]

Hi Gang,

Today was amazing.  I'll start with yesterday though.  We spent a lot of time 
driving around neighborhoods, looking at houses.  Just for fun. 

Then we drove to Moose (WY).... the drive is through a park, gravel road.  
Finally got to see 4 moose.  They were standing in a marsh, sticking their 
heads completely underwater while they munched on succulent underwater grass. 
 They come up for air of course. We were fortunate that they were standing 
very close to the road. Got lots digital photos, my camera battery is dead )c:

Then we stumbled on the Wildlife Art Museum.  It was wonderful.  All the 
great wildlife artists were represented in paintings and sculpture.  The gift 
shop held many temptations... all of which I resisted.

Then, after a quick stop downtown to buy some pants, a trip to the Jackson 
Hole supermarket..Albertsons.  WOW!  It's got a huge log entry, a bucking 
bronco tile as you walk in, lots of western style decor.  Excellent selection 
of food, I could live here just to shop there.

After bringing home a bunch of food, Dick and Jane invited us to join them, 
and the couples they are trevlling with, to go next door at the fancy Italian 
Restaurant for pizza.  So of course we went.  They left the next morning for 
Yellowstone.

Now, for today.......

This morning was spent having a last stroll around Jackson Hole....first 
breakfast at Jebadiah's.  If you go there you better like sourdough and bring 
your credit card (c:  Don had homefries, scrambled eggs aand biscuits.  I had 
two fried eggs over easy, home fires and 3 dollar pancakes.  $20.00!!  I 
decided I don't like sourdough pancakes.  I couldn't eat them even after 
piling on syrup and berry jam. 

After spending a million dollars for breakfast I wanted to see the Million 
Dollar Cowboy Bar. Wow!  It's amazing.  All the structure posts are those big 
tree trucks with big gnarls all over them. Lots of westen paintings line the 
walls... neat stuff. 

We left downtown, I again resisted a sculpture I covet at the Trailside 
Gallery... by the same artist who did the Canyon Princess at the Cowboy Hall 
of Fame in OK City.  I will own it someday....

Then another ride out to Moose, I now had batteries for my 35 mm camera and 
wanted to take some print pictures. Sure enough, only one moose in that swamp 
area.  She was just happily munching the swamp grass... I took some photos 
with the "real" camera.  Then we went to the Teton Park headquarters and 
played some Frisbee with Tucker.  Then into the Moose Gift shop where we 
learned that....

The local rule of thumb is.... one to four stopped cars, it's elk.  Five cars 
or so, it's a moose.  Ten or so cars, it's a bear. (c:  

Instead of circling around back through the city we decided to go back the 
same way we came.... Good thing!!!  That same moose was there and had 
attracted quite a few cars.  I already had enough pictures, but the angle was 
a bit different so I got out of the truck to shoot one more.... that's when 
the guy with the 500mm lens said, "Do you see the baby?" BABY!!!!!!!!!  There 
was a little baby moosie lying in the grass.... almost hidden.  We waited an 
eternity, now about 15 cars.... and the litttle one finally stood up.  My 
heart!  It was probably less than a week old.  I think (hope) I got some 
wonderful shots of mom and baby.  It was such a thrill, Don and I stayed 
about a half an hour just watching until the baby and mom went too deep into 
the woods to see them.  

We drove on and one car was stopped, I knew what that meant.  Elk.  We saw 
three of them in the woods.  Then a little further two mule deer were 
watching, their ears easily explaining how they got their name. 

We got back to the campground (Teton Vilage KOA-I like it alot) and I was one 
happy gal.  Seeing the baby moose, so close was such a thrill.  I had hoped 
to see a boy moose, with antlers, but I am so thrilled.... besides... we are 
off to Yellowstone in the morning and will surely see some there.

It's raining, has been for hours.  It's after 11:00pm so I'm signing off... 
will send this in the morning. When you actually read this it all will have 
happened yesterday (Monday).

Yellowstone for two days... then Cody.

Hunter