In 2001, the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce selected the phrase “Power of Place” to reflect the qualities and aura of the area. Jackson Hole has a wondrous aggregation of elements that make it a special place to live or visit. Because of this—the pull that brings so many here to find their home—the community is richer than many others, enjoying a wealth of talent and creativity. A recent example is the collaboration between photographer Tom Mangelsen and journalist/author Todd Wilkinson that brings us a beautiful book on one of those unique elements of Jackson Hole: Grizzly 399 and her family.
Tom and Todd have a long history with Jackson Hole and are well known throughout the valley. Their work as a photographer, a journalist and environmental advocates defines them as readily as their names. The Grizzlies of Pilgrim Creek, a coffee-table gem, doesn’t surprise with the quality of production. Both Tom and Todd continue to provide award-winning work and do so for an icon of the valley that has captivated residents and visitors since she first appeared with triplets in 2006.
While Tom has documented 399 and her family with photographs, Todd gives us the kind of information that would typically fill charts and diagrams enough to make our eyes glaze over. But this collaboration brings us the lives of this ursine family with beauty, history and facts that lead us deeper into a story that is timely and moving. The authors’ concern for our landscape is obvious and the book draws us into the broader aspects of living with wildlife in Jackson Hole.
The writing and hundreds of photographs reflect the passion and knowledge the authors have acquired over the years and their abiding concern for the place we call Jackson Hole.
I would venture that 399 shares this feeling for the power of place.
Jackson Hole minus Jackson, is a place to absorb and delight in nature. The bear, the elk, the moose, the Tetons, are all beyond beautiful. Jackson is a dual village – the “locals” and the “People of Walmart”. Now don’t get me wrong, the “locals” have categories too.
But, the Hole – that is different – pictures speak a 1000 words and pictures can’t describe the views, the feel, the wildlife, the taste and feel of the air.
Go, sit, be quite, and feel, observe, smell, taste, and listen.