John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway - Flagg Ranch Resort and Campground 9/10 - 9/14

From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com 

Tim and Linda Bunyan

9/2019 Headwater Lodge at Flagg Ranch RV Campground

The connector Highway between Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton National Park is known as the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Parkway. 

We choose to stay the night inside this stretch of the parkway in honor of the man who made it possible the Jackson Hole Valley be included in the Grand Park.

This is a multi-use, informational station for travelers.  Guests who prefer to stay in a Lodge to visit the National Parks are able to reserve in the lodge or cabins.  There is a Camp Registration Office for those self-contained travelers, on the go, to stay in the Campground with hookup.  There is a Ranger Program held in the lobby of the Lodge tonight and, of course, we are going.

The general store at Coulter for supplies. 

Fueling Station in a natural setting.

We are on the Parkway on our way to Jackson Lake Lodge.  This is the location Rockefeller chose to connect the two National Parks for preservation so that all could come to see and gain a full human experience with the environment.

Outside Jackson Lake Lodge is a tour-guided, short hike to the top of the hillside where John D. Rockefeller saw the panoramic view of the Valley and The Grand Teton, highest Mountain at 13,770'.  He knew at that moment he must purchase 33,000 acres and donate this land to the public National Park Service for all to enjoy., 

Rockefeller saw the natural feeding place for the game which inhabits the surrounding region and the scenic beauty of the Teton Mountains and the Lakes.

Inside the museum is a comfortable fireplace area.  There are displays of some of the animals found in the area: Eagles, Grizzly Bears, Otters, and Bison

Display of cat.  The prints of bobcats that roam the area are seen;
 few wild cats are spotted.  











The Jackson Lake Lodge with the grand view of the scenic beauty of the Grand Tetons.

We found the International Style lodge a comfortable place to enjoy beautiful views and experience the building built in 1955.  The lodge is owned by the National Park Service. Rockefeller, Jr. called on architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood to design the Lodge.

  From rustic to modern design materials combined with rustic accents.  In 2003 the lodge was listed as a National Historic Landmark. It is managed and operated by the Grand Teton Lodge Company which also manages the Jenny Lake Lodge and other services at Colter Bay Village.

Within the lodge, amenities include dining and exhibit featuring 
Native American and Western art.   

 View of Willow Flats area to the Teton Range with the Mount Moran and
 the Skillet Glacier 12,600'.

Dining outdoors makes for a refreshing and splendid moment 
in the warmth of the sunshine. 

The Mural Room.  Long before tourists pulled travel trailers into Jackson Valley, Native American families pulled their travois in search of abundant fishing, hunting, and plant resources.  David. T. Vernon collection of American Indian Artifacts are preserved and display.

In 1837, artist Alfred Jacob Miller sketched over two hundred watercolors of land never seen by his fellow Americans.  In 1950, Rockefeller sponsored a competition to paint murals for the new lodge.

This mural depicts the period began in the wake of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery expedition.  Over two years, Carl Roters painted based on Miller's sketches.  The Rendezvous Mural panels illustrate Vernon's times and people along his adventure of 1837. 

We return to Coulter to prepare for our final week in the National Park.


Cattle Ranchers remain in the Valley and continue to brand their cattle property.