Day 18. To Alpine, WY.

We awoke to a cool morning with clouds in the sky but the promise of clearing as the day wore on. We packed up the bikes and got off to a slightly later start. Having been in one place for three nights we had managed to pretty much completely unpack the bikes and it is always difficult to squeeze everything back on again. Good thing is we have absolutely no room for any purchases - so no T-shirt souvenirs for us! Despite some misgivings on my part we headed into Yellowstone Park but thankfully did not meet any Bison, Elk or other horned creatures, although we did see a couple of Bison from afar. It was a cool morning but the sun was shining and gradually started to warm things up. Traffic was light and the ride was amazing.

Packing up first thing - Tom is checking the tire pressures

We stopped for a quick coffee to warm up:

 Then headed back on the Park roads lined with Lodge Pole Pines

 This area was affected by forest fires in 1988

We turned South towards the southern entrance of the Park and found ourselves climbing upwards until we came to this:

This is by no means the highest elevation we have reached but for my Family in England - the significance of crossing the Divide is that now all rivers and streams flow to the Pacific Ocean! As we continued South, a different vista appeared - The Grand Tetons! We took the inner park road which bought us closer to these huge mountains - we were awestruck.

We had lunch at a picnic area overlooking Colter Bay (of significance - as Tom and I met in a Bar in Buffalo, NY called Colter Bay).

Just imagine how happy I was to find this fastened to the picnic table! 

After Lunch we continued South, exited the Grand Teton National Park and rode alongside the Snake River until we arrived in Jackson, WY. This swanky, ski town afforded an excellent coffee stop and a pleasant walk in warmer temps.

We then continued alongside the Snake River until we came to the tiny town of Alpine, almost on the border of Idaho. Here we are settled into the very comfortable and quiet Nordic Inn, where we have had an excellent dinner. All in all an amazing day.

Today's mileage: 213

Total Trip Mileage: 3708