Day 9 was a transit day, as we said goodbye to our cozy cabin in the foothills of the Absoroka Range. I’m sure if we return to this area, we will definitely check out the availability of this lodge.

So, in driving back to Jackson for a 2-night stay before flying home, we decided between returning by the same route that we took earlier in the week (through Yellowstone) or by taking a longer, southern route. Because we were feeling adventurous, we opted for the longer route.

The most intriguing thing about the trip was our journey through the Wind River Canyon. By a strange quirk in the makeup of the rock layers and the canyon ceilings, it can appear that the river is moving uphill. As you can see from the first photo, the road is definitely on a downward slope…I think…and yet the river is running toward me in that shot. It was so unnerving that when we got to our hotel, I did a little online research, and yes, we’re not the only ones who have had that sensation. I found a local blog entry from a few years ago. You can check it out here. So while there were times of downward slopes and upward rises, in general, our road was taking us slightly uphill.

Without getting too maudlin, it makes me think about morals and standards. If I look at the canyon walls of the Wind River Canyon as the standard for whether I am going uphill or down, I might be mislead. And then, against what my eyes are perceiving, the river is running uphill. If I look to the culture around me for whether I am maintaining a righteous and moral standard, then I might perceive myself to be upright when in fact I am not. I need a plumbline to guide me in the canyon. I need a solid standard to guide my thoughts and ways. Only God’s revealed Scripture can be the plumbline.

We continued on until the familiar horizon of Grand Teton National Park came into view. We were thankful that the haze has diminished greatly as we spend our final days in Wyoming. Enjoy the pictures!