Just when you think you’ve seen it all… bam! The Grand Tetons rise up out of nowhere and smack you in the face with their beauty. Instant goosebumps. This life, this world, this ridiculously stunning planet we live on — it has a way of dropping you to your knees in awe and whispering, “You’re welcome.”
We visited Mormon Row where 27 homesteaders established a community in the 1890’s. Determined settlers dug ditches by hand to funnel water and were there until 1937.
Chapel of the Transfiguration, est. 1925. The Grand Tetons is the altar window backdrop. When inside, you feel the presence of prayers of 100 years. Everyone who enters is quiet in reverence and respect.
Hiking
We hiked to Moose Pond on two different days. Day One: no moose. Zero. Nada. Still stunningly beautiful.
Day Two: determined to spot a moose. Still no moose. But then — plot twist! — we notice this mysterious, unmarked trail. And what do we do? Exactly what Pretty Penny Adventures was built on: we take it, obviously. Because what’s the worst that could happen? (Famous last words.)
This “trail” was basically a deer path — maybe twelve inches wide, surrounded by brush taller than my insecurities in high school. There were only two other humans out there, a young couple leading the way. Everything was going fine… until we hear a low, rumbling growl.
The guy in front freezes and says, “Was that thunder?”
I, the eternal voice of reason, say, “Nope. Get your bear spray out, and keep walking. And maybe say a prayer.”
And then — boom — a fresh pile of bear scat. Like, steam-still-coming-off-it fresh. Exciting times, folks.
But then came the payoff. We rounded a bend and… there she was. Mama Moose. And right next to her, Baby Moose. (Yes, capital letters. They earned them.) There were only a handful of us on the trail, so we got to just stand there, quietly, soaking it all in. Pure magic.
The next day, on the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point trail, eagle-eyed Julie spots another moose and her baby along the trail. And this time, it was just us. No crowds, no noise, just a private audience with two beautiful, majestic creatures. I’m telling you — these are the moments that make you forget how much your legs hate you.
Bonus!
Tips
Pro tips we’ve learned? Start early. Like, beat-the-crowds, parking-lot-still-empty early. We’re usually on the trail by 8:00 a.m., and by the time the masses show up, we’re heading back, smugly satisfied. Then it’s back “home” for quality time with the dogs, fishing, reading, blogging, laundry, or pretending to be productive while actually doing nothing. It’s a system, and it works.
Pretty Penny Adventures 
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