The summer getaway this year was a road trip to some familiar, yet always inspiring places. Taking our time from Portland, we drove east to Idaho, making a stop in Boise before proceeding on a scenic drive across the center of the state along US20. About an hour and half before reaching Idaho Falls, you come upon Craters of the Moon National Monument. While a bit remote, it is a worthwhile stop, especially for those with an affinity for volcanoes. After a night in Idaho Falls, we made our way along US26, following the Snake River into Wyoming, through Jackson and into our main destination - Grand Teton National Park. A stay here is not complete without jaunt up to Yellowstone National Park to see some of its geothermal wonders!
Grand Teton National Park
I first visited Grand Teton National Park in the summer of 2001 while on a road trip around the western states. I clearly recall the approach into the park from the east - the highway meandering through hills and forest, until at once, like a magician’s great reveal, the peaks emerged in one magnificent panorama. This is a special place.
This summer’s visit marked my third time in the park. Unlike the previous two trips, which were more of a pass-through to get to Yellowstone National Park, this trip came with a multi-day stay in the park. A chance to take it in at a more leisurely pace. A chance to spot wildlife, to hike, to watch sunsets, and to appreciate the uniqueness and unmatched beauty of this range of mountains.
Mormon Row
These remnants of an old Mormon homestead, now preserved within the national park, spark the imagination of what life was like here more than a century ago. The beautiful, but imposing, peaks show in no uncertain terms, that conditions can often be brutal. Yet, the green grass and wildflowers tickled by the summer breeze are enough to prove why peoples have made this their home for generations on end.
Black and White
There are just some photographs that beg to be in black and white.
Yellowstone National Park
Few places on Earth showcase such active geology. Yellowstone, America’s first National Park, is an absolute treasure. This is also my third time in this park, but this time was only a day trip, so it was focused on a few of the many geothermal features. The park itself is giant - about as large as the state of Rhode Island. One can spend weeks there and never see the same thing twice. The diversity of it’s landscape and habitats leaves no question as to why this land should be protected in perpetuity.
Craters of the Moon National Monument
Craters of the Moon National Monument, located in central Idaho, is a vast landscape of ancient lava flows, cinder cones, and other volcanic features. These lava fields were created by periodic eruptions over the last 15,000 years, as the land was stretched apart by geologic forces. It is, by all accounts, an otherworldly sight to behold.
