My Third Act

On Saturday, August 4th, a long day of travel brought me to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Friends, Jane and Ron Frisch, drove me to their lovely condo in Wilson, a most beautiful setting very near Grand Teton National Park.

Sunday, after a relaxing morning, Ron took me to the Lawrence S Rockefeller Preserve where Jane is a volunteer ranger on Sunday and Monday during the summer. Lawrence was the son of John D Rockefeller, Jr., a leader in the expansion of Grand Teton National Park, founded in 1929 to protect the mountain range. Lawerence donated over 3,000 acres to be used as a preserve.

Ranger Jane giving a history lesson of the area.


With Jane by Phelps Lake, part of the Lawrence S. Rockefeller Preserve

Monday, another gal and I walked the Dike, around 6 mile round trip along the Snake River. The river changed course after the winter runoff. It used to flow on the west side but now flows on the east side.

Tuesday included a trip to Colter Bay, on Jackson Lake, for my first kayak trip. Jane said you’re most apt to get wet getting in or out of your kayak. I didn’t fall in the lake either time but did struggle to stand up when getting out. Need to get back to doing squats and lunges!

On our way to the lake, we spotted a black bear cub at the edge of the road. By the time I got out my camera, mama bear had hastened the cub away from the road. As we drove by, I could see the cub standing of two feet, looking for berries.

There really are bears in those trees!

Wednesday we were joined by Jane’s friend, Stacia, for a hike at Taggert Lake.

Thursday was a very strenuous day as Jane led me on 7+ mile hike. We started at String Lake, hiked past Lee Lake and finally, Bear Paw Lake. We had gone out early to beat the crowds. This resulted in a very quiet and serene walk out to Bear Paw. On the way back, we started encountering other hikers at Lee Lake. By the time we returned to the trailhead, String Lake was crowded with swimmers, paddle boards and kayaks. In the parking lot, we saw a group blowing a HUGE swan for floating in the lake. Jane is concerned social media is going to ruin the park. Younger people are now coming here for recreation and not time with nature.

Tree Island in Lake Lee.

Jane leading the way.

Near parking lot. I cut out group of people on the right.

Friday, we got up very early and were headed to Jenny Lake for kayaking. At the park entrance, we saw a sign announcing a road closure five miles ahead. It was too early to ask a ranger and since Jane was curious to know where the closure was, we drove five miles in and five miles back. To get to Jenny Lake, we would have to go through Jackson and around…farther than I wanted to travel by that time. We ended up just walking the Dike for another 6 miles on my Fitbit.

We later found out that Grizzly 399 had been on the road with her two cubs. 399 has lived in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for 22 years. Jane calls her the park slut as she's had several sets of triplets and twins.

Saturday, August 11th, we went kayaking on the Snake River with four of Jane’s friends. The river’s current carried us along initially so we drifted peacefully. Jane decided we should try some of the sloughs, which form along the edges of the river where the old channel of the river once flowed. They were very shallow resulting in my getting grounded on a sandbar. I managed to get back onto enough water by scooting in the kayak and pushing with my paddle. It took a bit of doing but I got off the sandbar without needing help from the more experienced kayakers.

Sunday was a day of rest. Jane went to her volunteer job so Ron and I took a long walk through Teton Pines, a very, very wealthy community next door. Dick Cheney and one of the Walmart daughters have, or had, homes in there. In the afternoon, I worked on updating this blog as I hadn’t posted for over a year.

Monday saw Jane back at the Preserve so Ron and I walked the Dike, about 6 miles. That afternoon, Ron took a friend, Marci, and I to the Preserve. We hiked about four miles and then spent an hour sitting on the porch of the Visitor’s Center, enjoying nature, while waiting for Jane and Marci’s sister.

Tuesday, no hiking as Jane was getting ready for more company.. Ron spotted a moose from their kitchen window so I ran outside with bare feet to catch a glimpse as it had moved across the drive. I walked around their development, which is a walk with nature, in the morning and again in afternoon. Both times I spotted the same young bull moose but in two different locations. He was getting close to the main road where four moose were killed by cars the past month.

Wednesday, Jane just couldn’t let me leave without one last hike to see Cascade Canyon. It was brutal. The first mile is climbing and I didn’t think this 76 year old from the flats of Florida was going to make it. At one point, I could actually feel my heart beat in my temples. I kept telling Jane I needed to be in cell range by 1:35 to check in with SW. Finally, I said to just keep going as I would not be coming up this trail again and would regret not getting to the fork. Slowly, I made it to the Cascade Fork, 4 1/2 miles from where we started. Back down and we had done 9 miles. Jane was barely breathing as she is super fit. I can now check Cascade Canyon off my bucket list!

Wednesday evening, we took the Jackson Hole Gondola up the mountain to The Deck where we had food and drink. One of Jane’s friends was celebrating his birthday so there were 16 of us helping him celebrate. The end of a wonderful trip.

Cowboy on Gondola between Jane and I.

My view from the table.

I'm wearing Ron and Jane's granddaughter's hat. Even though it was 5 PM, Jane said the sun is intense.

Long day of travel from Wyoming August 16. Left Jane's at 5 AM and arrived home at 9:40 PM. Eight straight hours of sleep and I’m feeling great.

July 10, Erik, Kadin, Gracie, Jeffrey and Gracie’s boyfriend, Luis, arrived for two weeks in Florida. On July 12, Arne stayed home while the rest of us spent over 13 hours at Universal amusement parks. I definitely rode Rip Ride Rocket and The Hulk for the last time due to the head whipping.

Saturday, Arne went with the others to Kennedy Space Center. Kadin and I stayed home and went to see “Skyscraper.” Kadin said it wasn’t one of The Rock’s best movies.

On Sunday, we all drove to Key Largo where I had rented a three bedroom condo. On Monday, Erik and kids went snorkeling at a nearby state park. They were all excited at seeing manatees up close. Tuesday, we drove to Key West. Wednesday, Gracie’s 16th birthday, was spent in Miami, shopping, dinner and swimming at South Beach. Thursday, Arne stayed at the condo while the rest of us went snorkeling out in the Atlantic. Saw coral but fish weren’t colorful like they are off Hawaii. Friday evening we all took a sunset cruise on a glass-bottom boat. Saturday we drove back to The Villages. We arrived in time to go to Spanish Springs for dinner and the kids dancing to Scooter the DJ. Jeffrey is quite the groover.

Monday we went on Wild Bill’s airboat ride. They got to see Bubba, the caged 14 foot alligator plus hold a baby alligator. Tuesday they flew back to New Mexico while Arne and I cleared out our master bedroom and closet for new carpet being installed on Wednesday. Lot of work and we came to realize we have way too much stuff!