DAY 8

Jenny Lake, Wyoming to Flagg Ranch, John D Rockefeller Memorial Parkway, Wyoming

We started the morning catching a boat to a trailhead for a hike into the mountains. We walked for about 3 hours, stopping at Hidden Falls before heading up to Inspiration Point and on further into the canyon, the views all the way getting better and better as hidden, snowy peaks emerged from behind others, the clear blue skies (8th day straight) and strong smell of pine adding to the experience. A great hike.

Back at camp we packed and headed off towards the northernmost campground in the park, sadly riding away from the mountain range, meaning strained necks from the compulsive last glimpses over our shoulders.

The sun was setting as we made it to our campground, but, to our dismay, it was closed for the season. Oops. We both secretly harboured the same semi panicked thoughts: what if the next ones closed? It's late. It's going to be below zero soon. I'm getting saddle sores. There's bears out there. We aren't carrying anything more than muesli bars. Did someone say bears?

Mercifully the next 15k's flew downhill to Flagg Ranch, a campground mercifully open. All our fears silenced. Except the bear part. We are non-chalantly told "there's an old grizzly who just roams around here but he won't bother nobody". Sweet Dreams!