Monday, September 28, 2009

The Grand Tetons National Park & Jackson, Wyoming

We left Yellowstone National Park by exiting it's south gate, and drove on the Rockefeller Parkway towards our bext stop -- the majestic mountain peaks of the Grand Teton National Park.

The Grand Teton National Park was established in both 1929 and 1950. The original 1929 park protected the mountain peaks and the lakes near the base. The boundaries were later expanded in 1950 to include much of the adjacent valley floor

Rising more than 7,000 feet above the valley of Jackson Hole, the Teton Range dominates the park’s skyline. The elevation of the park ranges from 6,400 feet on the sagebrush-dominated valley floor to 13,770 feet on the windswept granite summit of the Grand Teton, with forests carpeting the mountainsides.

All photos will enlarge when clicked on

The mountain views are all breathtaking! There are plenty of activities in the park, such as hiking trails, horseback riding, boating, back country camping, fishing, climbing, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, and wildlife viewing, etc.

Jenny Lake is a beautiful blue mountain lake set in the heart of Grand Teton National Park, at the base of Teewinot Mountain. It was formed by melting glaciers about 60,000 years ago.

Jenny Lake Lodge is located in the heart of the Grand Teton Park and offers exclusive cabins and fine dining. It is one of several lodges located in the park.

This is a view of the lodge's elegant and comfortable sitting area. The chairs were so comfortable!

The lake views were captivating! Each view of the mountains were better than the last. Picking photos for this post was hard because I had so many wonderful shots to choose from!

You will have to enlarge this photo to see it better, and even then you may have trouble making it out, but the brown shape in the middle of the wild sage brush is a grizzly bear eating a carcass!

We stoped when we saw a group of cars pulled to the side of one of the Grand Teton roads where then saw a ranger who was on patrol warning everyone to stay in their cars and not disturb the bear, as it would attack to protect its meal. I was able to snap this photo as we drove past, which is the closest I'd like to come into contact with a wild bear!


The town of Jackson, Wyoming sits on the southern end of the 60 miles long Jackson Hole Valley. As the southern gateway to The Tetons National Park and Yellowstone National Park, Jackson is also in close proximity to several ski resorts.

If you enlarge the collage above you can see an arbor made entirely of elk horns! One of these arbors were at each corner of the Jackson town square.
The National Elk Refuge is located near Jackson and we were told that each spring the local boy scouts troops go into the refuge and collect the fallen elk horns, which are then auctioned off in town with the proceeds going to charity. In winter horse drawn sleighs will take visitors on a close up ride to see these majestic animals. There is also a large heard of bison located in the refuge.

The beautiful, larger than life size sculptures seen in the collage were made by artist Vic Payne, and were for sale outside the Mountain Trails Gallery in Jackson. The man holding a small boy on his horse was entitled " Memories," and the Native American sculpture was entitled " Ancient Hunter."

Pistol door handles on a shop in Jackson
The town of Jackson dates back to 1894 and retains some of it's early western history flavor, along with the addition of sophisticated galleries, shops and restaurants.

A close up of a section of the elk antler arbor

The very cutest western cowboy of all was our little grandson, modeling a cowboy hat I bought him in Laramie, Wyoming!
We had returned to Colorado for the last leg of our wonderful vacation and spent the Labor Day weekend having fun with our son , daughter-in-law and grandson.
As our little guy crawled off into the sunset, we bid farewell to our wonderful wild west adventure vacation and returned to New York, filled with fabulous memories of all the wonderful sights we saw!
It was definitely one of the best vacations we have ever taken, and I hope you've enjoyed my blog posts about it. Hopefully I have enticed you to go to see some of the beautiful Western national parks, or that I have brought back memories if you have already visited them.
Thanks for all your comments along the way - I've sincerely appreciated each and every one!

It's Mosaic Monday at Mary's blog Little Red House --please visit her today to see more blogs that are participating in her wonderful event! Thanks Mary!

47 comments:

~JarieLyn~ said...

Your photos are beautiful. My husband and I drove through the Tetons in 2006. We took lots of pictures too. That lodge looks very inviting. Thanks for sharing.

diane b said...

Thanks for the trip. I will never get there so it was great to travel with you. The mountain scenery was beautiful and I'd love to stay at the lodge. Wouldn't like to bump into a wild bear. We have just neen on a holiday in crocodile country.
Adventure Before Dementia

Anonymous said...

You bet I loved you taking us there Pat. It was so lovely- a really beautiful place. I am glad such places still exist where you can experience nature in such a pure way then scuttle back to civilization for a good meal. :-)

Unknown said...

Your grandson is growing fast :P and I wd love to stay in one of those cabin one day, hugs.......M

Tara said...

Hi Pat

I have so enjoyed reading about your trip West--did you get to watch the PBS documentary last night )channel 13) on our National Parks? It was all about the founding of Yellowstone --so interesting!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I recognized the elk arbor in Jackson from when we were there years ago. The Tetons are fabulous. Everyone should visit the national parks out west at least once. Your little cowboy is adorable as always.

RoeH said...

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm...........how I miss that.

Tracy said...

Look at those mighty mountains! Have been so much enjoying your western adventures, Pat--just amazing photos! It is wonderful that there are still such wide open spaces--and that they are protected. That elk-antler arbor is stunning! Your grandson is such a charmer in that little cowboy hat--tooo cute! Does he have boots too match? ;o) Happy week, my friend ((HUGS))

happyone said...

That was indeed a wonderful vacation. I enjoyed going along with in your blog!!

Jenny said...

Gorgeous photography. Gorgeous scenery. Gorgeous narrative. (glad you got to visit my namesake lake!)

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Beautiful mosaics!!!

Gracie said...

Thanks again for sharing your pics and stories. I've really enjoyed your travel report. When I think about America, there are places like these that comes to my mind immediately, and thanks to you I can keep dreaming.

Claudia said...

And here you are in synch with Ken burns PBS documentary. Aren't the parks grand? The littlest cowboy is soooo sweet!

Kathy said...

I really enjoyed your pictures and the info you included. I've never been to the Grand Tetons - it's on my list though! Beautiful mosaic...Kathy

Wildflowerhouse said...

Fantastic post. Loved the mosaics and thanks for all the info. Jenny Lake is on my list of must see places.

Marsha said...

Your photos are gorgeous and I enjoyed revisiting this gorgeous national park through your eyes and camera. What I remember most about our visit camping there was the 80+ degree day and then waking up to frost the following morning :)

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Pat!

You have the cutest lil cowboy I've ever seen!! He is so adorable Pat and growing like a weed. What fun you must have had.

All your photos are incredible! They are all like looking at God's art work. Such majestic mountains and gorgeous landscapes. I've never been to Yellowstone and really enjoyed seeing it through your eyes - thanks for the great tour Pat. you & Vinny look so tiny next to the park gate!

Tell Vinny we said HI and we're still remembering the best cannolis we EVER had! MMMMMM

Tomorrow (tues 29th) is Wes' 60th birthday post. There will be a photo of Chris on there at -54lbs WOO-HOO! She's done awesome. Don't ask about how I've done LOL

Hugs, sherry

pam said...

Oh this makes me homesick...our family has a cabin on a lake at the southern tip of Glacier National Park in Montana....the Tetons were always a stop on our way up there or our way home. I haven't been that way for 18 years....oh my...my heart needs to go. LOVED these pictures...so glad you shared them and I found your blog.

Jennyff said...

I just checked back on your recent posts and have enjoyed an amazing journey. MrFF and I have visited a few of the USA's wonderful national parks though none of the ones you show. Fantastic scenery and your photographs are first class. Thanks.

storyteller said...

Wonderful photos and marvelous mosaics of your trip. It's fun to see this area again 'virtually' in my visit here today.
Hugs and blessings,

Lorrie said...

Oh Pat, the Grand Tetons is a place I just love. I've been there several times and it never fails to take my breath away. It's impossible to take a bad photograph with those magnificent mountains in the background.

I can't believe how Leo has grown--what a sweetie he is--you are very blessed!

GMG said...

Hi Pat!
These pictures are awesome. Much better than the ones I took in 1982. But the Grand Teton looks similar. Not ageing... ;))
Have a glorious week!

Arlene Delloro said...

What a magnificent trip this must have been, Pat. I've never been there in person, but would love to visit someday. And your darling grandson! He sure has grown!

Millie said...

A very interesting mosaic! Love the pistol door handles...

Carol said...

Breathtaking photo's! Just gorgeous shots!. Love your mosaic!

Your little guy is adorable!

Judy said...

Beautiful pic's...again! Next time we'll head south from Yellowstone...and pass through Grand Teton. We left via the east gate to the park...through Cody and Sheridan, Wyoming.

I shared your Yellowstone and Teton posts with my hubby. He most enjoyed them as well.

Mary said...

Oh what gorgeous views!!! And your grandson is so cute, too! Thanks so much for taking us along at Mosaic Monday. :)

Kathleen said...

Beautiful pics, and your gson is priceless...

Just a little something from Judy said...

Right near the very top of my bucket list, is to visit the Grand Tetons National Park, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. My husband wants to do it on motorcycle, so we will see about that. Your pictures and stories made me even more excited to go. Did you stay at that lodge?

The cutest little cowboy ever! Your grandson looks great in that hat. What a nice trip you had. Thanks so much for sharing it.

Carolyn said...

Beautiful photos! Looks like a beautiful place for a vacation.

Carolyn

Catherine said...

I loved all of your trip details and pictures! Stupendous!!

My name is Riet said...

Your photo's are really breathtaking. What a beautiful country that is. Your mosaic works well with all your pictures. What a wonderful vacation that must be.
Thank you for visiting and have a nice day.

Sea Witch said...

Hello Pat: I have been watching the Ken Burns PBS special about America's National Parks and I must say that your postings have been as good as this production. You bring our amazing country into our lives with your photos and your words that I feel like I have been traveling with you. What wonderful memories you will carry about this vacation...especially with the cute cowboy in Colorado! Return home safely. Sea Witch

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, Pat! Breathtaking photos! I want to be there now!

Still sans computer, but this is Adelaide's laptop I borrowed so I can check in. Will have mine back next week I hope.

Miss you...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Linda Lou said...

Thanks for sharing your amazing photos of your trip-what a wonderful vacation you have had, and of course you got to see your favorite little cowboy while you were there...I had no idea how beautiful Yellowstone is, the scenery is truly spectacular...I think Yellowstone is on my bucket list now!

DayPhoto said...

I have always loved the Grand Tetons! Thank you for this tour, I never tire of Wyoming!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/

Beverly said...

Well, you must know my favorite pictures are of your sweet little fellow.

And, the park is incredible. We are watching Ken Burns' PBS special, and it is awesome.

Michelle said...

What a fun trip! I was lucky enough to go to Yellowstone as a child and Jenny Lake was one of my favorite spots.

Scary bear though!

Michelle

Happy@Home said...

Hi Pat,
Thank you for your recent visits to my blog and your kind comments. I was just thrilled when I cam to visit you and discovered your posts on your trip out west. I have been watching the Ken Burns series and keep telling my husband that I want to go visit the national parks for our next vacation. The natural beauty looks absolutely awesome. You did a beautiful job chronicling your journey. It has made me want to go even more.

steviewren said...

You guys certainly had the western vacation of a lifetime. Ever since the TV show The Monroes which aired in 1966, I've wanted to see the Tetons. The show was set there in the valley. Do you remember it? Barbara Hershey was one of the actors.

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

Oh he's so cute! YOur pictures are AMAZING! what a great trip.

Go ahead, copy the cupcakes! They were a big hit!

DEB said...

Thanks so much for the tour. I loved Jenny Lake Lodge,reminds me of my cottage. I really enjoy your blog.

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

You have totally enticed me! I'm off to google Jenny Lake Lodge right now, in fact!

Your photos have been spectacular -- thanks so much for sharing them, along with the stories of all of the locations you visited. Once again, I've learned so much! I have to say I think my favorite photo is Leo riding off into the sunset...complete with diaper cleavage, lol! ;-) How adorable is that??

Tracy Watier said...

Can you imagine being a pioneer seeking out a new home and having those mountains appear between you and your destination? I might just give up and stay put they're so formidable!

Proud Italian Cook said...

Thanks for sharing all your beautiful photo's Pat. We have been watching the PPs show and enjoying the history of it all. My hubby can't wait to plan a trip!

GailO said...

I have thoroughly enjoyed your entire vacation! Thanks so much for sharing it with us...you must be exhausted now!...Love the mosaics but the best pic of all?...That cute little cowboy of course:)

Vee said...

Omigosh! He's crawling already?!

And the scenery is amazing, too. Great job with the camera, Pat. Told you that I'd not miss your vacation pics...working my way backwards to see them all.