The Other Side of the Mountain - September 7, 2015

Today, being Labor Day, was a holiday. I had no appointments. My new motel, where I will reside for the next three days, is in Alpine, Wyoming, which is 35  miles southwest of Jackson, on the Idaho border. (Price, $65 per night, as opposed to $200 in Jackson.) I had a choice: should I spend the day in looking around in Jackson, with all the rest of humanity, or should  I strike out for Idaho Falls - a place likely to be less crowded? Since  I will be in Jackson for the next two days, when I hope the crowds will have thinned, I decided to go to Idaho Falls. Granted, it's not in Wyoming, but what the heck. 

I am very happy with my decision. Idaho is the other side of the mountain. It's looking at the Grand  Tetons from  the west rather than from the east, And, guess what? They are spectacular from both sides. Idaho's mountains are just as impressive  as Wyoming's, and Idaho's countryside is equally beautiful and uncrowded.  

Idaho Falls, a city of 50,000 was lovely. Downtown, where I went, was empty - because of the holiday, I suppose - whereas  Jackson would have been even more crowded. I was able to walk along the green way on both sides of the Snake River - a significant river, I might add - and to see the falls. Here's a picture. The spire in the background is from the Mormon Temple in Idaho Falls. (Mormons have churches everywhere,which are open  to everyone; they have temples in only a few places, which  are open only to Mormons in good standing.)

So, the bear went over the mountain to see what he  could see. And what did he see? The other side of the mountain. A lovely trip.

You might well ask, what is this thing you have with crowds? I don't fully know, But I do know  that Carolyn told me, in her strict voice, on the phone the  other day, as I griped about the anticipated crowds in Jackson and the Tetons and Yellowstone: 
"Richard, try to like what everyone else likes, for once."

I have meditated on her instructions, but then have realized  that, if I liked what everyone else likes,  I would not be a Presbyterian.