Another early wake-up in Canyon so we could get to Yellowstone Lake for sunrise.  When we drove through the Hayden Valley, it briefly read 24 degrees on the cars thermometer.  Slightly warmer at the lake for a very orange, brief sunrise coming through the forest fire smoke.   Some loons were calling on the lake and a group of mergansers were diving right in front of us.  From there we drove through Grant Village and West Thumb without stopping and exited Yellowstone. 

Then on to the Tetons!  The northern end of had some blue skies but we could see the clouds and smoke down towards Jackson.  White pelicans were on Jackson Lake at one point.  We had lunch at the Jenny Lake Lodge (dinner required jackets!) then at a Jenny Lake Overlook.  This was directly across from Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon; our destination for the next day.

The smoke got thicker and when we stopped at Willow Flats Grand Teton was almost obscured by the haze.  There were some aspens changing colors which contrasted nicely with the peak.  We stopped at Menor's Landing, an old homestead and site of a ferry crossing across the Snake River.  A small active church is there with a stunning view of the Tetons behind the altar.

We checked into our condo and headed up the Moose-Wilson road looking for wildlife.  Beside an immature mule deer, a black bear, some very busy beavers, a moose sow and calf, and many elk on the hillside, we didn't see much!  The bull elk was bugling as the sun was setting behind the Teton range.

http://matthewmperry.zenfolio.com/yellowstone12/slideshow