Yellowstone & the Grand Tetons

It was time for another western adventure with David’s family. This time it was to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons. I was super excited about this trip because I have seen a preview of what was out there. When you walk into David’s family home you are greeted by an entire wall full of photos, most of which are from their past trips to Yellowstone. I was really looking forward to getting to see and experience it all in person.

The Grand Teton Mountains are the most majestic and picturesque mountain range I’ve ever seen. I immediately knew why this was a favorite destination for David’s family. The Teton Range provided the perfect backdrop for some of the sites we visited like the John Moulton Barn and the Chapel of the Transfiguration. There were also many gorgeous lakes surrounding the Tetons. Walking around Jenny Lake was calming with its sparkling rich blue color and still waters. We also enjoyed taking a lake cruise across Jackson Lake over to Elk Island to eat breakfast in front of the massive mountains.

Yellowstone National Park was a completely different environment. It was pretty surreal standing in the middle of the Yellowstone Caldera watching its many pools and geysers spraying into the air.  There were more hiking trails in this park as well, like the famous Uncle Tom’s Trail which took you 328 steps closer to the Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon. Or hiking up a small mountain to get a better aerial view of the vivid Prismatic Pool. We also carefully explored Hayden Valley, trying not to disturb the bison scattered around us. I was in awe of all the animals we encountered: bears playing in open fields, moose resting in shady spots by the water, elk and bison grazing pretty much everywhere, a bald eagle majestically perched at the top of a tree and even a lone wolf trying to find some food in our campground!

My love for the west and its national parks grew even more after this trip. It was just as wild as our Canada vacation, but with the unusual geothermal features of Yellowstone and the jagged mountains of the Tetons. I am so thankful that Dave’s family invited me to tag along once again, and very happy to now be included in their wall of photos.