510 miles
$32: Colter Bay Campground, Grand Teton National Park, WY
$0: moochdocking at brother Tim’s in Idledale, CO

By the time my Colter Bay stay was over, I had rolled 110lbs of kayak and gear from the campsite to the lake and back seven times. Tiring, but worth it.

After yesterday’s rewarding views on the sunrise breakfast cruise, I thought I’d watch the sunrise from the kayak. The water looked like glassy mercury – rolling waves, but no ripples.

Later in the, day, there was just enough wind to use the sail.

And for my third trip, I watched the sunset from the kayak. Once the sun dips below the horizon, the mountains come back into view, with hazy rays of light streaming down the valleys.

The next morning, I took one last walk down to the beach to watch the sunrise with a dozen or so dispersed “worshippers” along the shore. Some with tripods, others with just a cup of coffee.

It’s an odd way to watch a sunrise – in reverse, facing away from the sun. First, the sun lights just the tops of the mountains.

As it crept down the mountain, I imagined this scene unfolding all across North America at scenic points like this. At incrementally different points in time, ignoring man-made time-zones.

As I walked back up the hill for the last time, a fox came towards me on the path. “Out of my way – I have fruit, berries, and small mammals I need to attend to.”

I was very sad to put the kayak on the roof for the last time, knowing it would be there until Delaware. For all of its hassles, I’m very glad I brought it, especially to see these familiar and new sites from a different perspective.

I drove all day, so not many photos. Just two.

First, a surprising number of cigarette butts next to my gas pump. Is it possible Sinclair diesel doesn’t ignite?

Later, I was warned to watch out for rattlesnakes at a rest stop.