On July 18th, we drove from west to east, and then back again, along the famous,
now 75-year old "Going-To-The-Sun Highway" within the Glacier National Park.
(The road was dedicated on July 17, 1933)
(I remember, vaguely, driving that with my parents when I was still in grade school.)
As we start our drive up to Logan Pass on the 51-mile Going-To-The-Sun Highway,
we find a series of rapid falls flowing into Lake Macdonald.
Our first view of the recognizable Garden Wall.
Higher, and higher we drive (in our car, by the way.
Nothing over 21' is permitted on this narrow many switchbacks road.)
Now at Logan Pass, (@ 6,646', and the Continental Divide) we see why that series of peaks stretching along
the skyline are collectively called the Garden Wall.
Now down on the east side of the park (above & below), we see a different view of the range.
An Osprey on her nest.
Climbing back up again, this time going east to west.
More dramatic views
(Photo by Jean)
As we head back down from Logan Pass, we come to the Weeping Wall.
(Photo by Jean)
And our car gets a washing...
(Photo by Jean)
(Photo by Jean)
These streams stay within their boundaries.
Above the entrance to Mule Shoe Ranch, in West Glacier, we see that a giant eagle has landed.
On July 22nd, we drove into the Grand Teton National Park area.
At our first night in the Grand Teton RV Park we were greeted with a storm,
and then this resulting double rainbow.
My camera lens was not
wide enough to capture the entire arc.
So with the limited equipment we have on board with us, the
above is an attempt to capture the moment.
Not a great result, but you can certainly get the idea. Quite a
sight!
We went over to the end, among the picnic tables, but no 'Pot of Gold' - sorry.
The morning broke clear. So looking out our motorhome doorway, we could see (L. to R.)
Middle Teton, Grand Teton and Mt. Owen shining in the morning light.
And not be be outdone, Mt. Moran showed off as well.
(More on this mountain soon.)
The Teton Range, raising up from the floor of the Jackson Hole area.
The Grand, and neighbors (above & below)
(above and below) - It's hard not to take photos of this Grand Teton as it sores up to the sky.
Mt. Moran reflects on itself.
I have a personal
history with Mt. Moran. At some point, do not remember the year,
during a summer vacation, I went with my parents on a trip here
to the Tetons. I recall two events of note.
(1) We took a guided pack horse trip around the back side (W.)
of this mountain range.
(2) I climbed, with a guide, up the face of the black dyke (see
below).
As I recall, I was the "First of my age group to climb the
dyke."
The brown (mafic) rock dyke, as seen from a southern view...
... And from a northern view. You can see how it sticks up away from the granite rock of the mountain.
I attended the required rock climbing technique school, a requirement, if you are going to climb these mountains.
The Exum school is renowned for climbing excellence.
The ice ax I used, is shown on the far left in this exhibit of "old" and what is currently used.
I just gave away that memento of this climb to a mountain climbing friend,
who wanted to add this to his collection of 'history."
Does that make me feel old? What do you think?
An example of technical rock climbing...
Some of the equipment I used.
Another view of the Teton's, this taken from the bridge leading to the Exum School facilities.
And now, to Yellowstone.
What do you think of - when you think of the Yellowstone Park?
Of bubbling mud pots?
(above & below)
Of more bubbling mud, and steam coming out of the ground?
(above and below)
Or of the glorious falls?
(above and below)
Or of the fire that scorched the earth just 20 years ago?
(The summer of 1988)
As you can tell, nature is re-building the forests.
Or do you think of the wildlife roaming freely?
This Bison is loosing the winter protective coat.
A herd of Bison foraging the grasses.
Lots of wildlife present in the park.
Some cow elk make an appearance for us.
Or when you think Yellowstone, do you think of "Old Faithful"
Crowds of people sitting around a hole in the ground, watching steam sputter in the distance.
But then, more or less on schedule, (Its schedule, not by the clock) the steam cloud gets higher...
...and higher - "Old Faithful" has performed for the crowd.
In the town of Jackson, the city park has arches of Elk antlers at each corner.
And in Jackson as well, live the Luksich family.
We all went out for our 'traditional" pizza dinner, then came over to see our 'rig."
Standing in our motor home's doorway are; (right to left)
Dominic, Michael, Kathy, Misha (home from college) and Misha's friend from college, Maggie.
and started the long, mostly Interstate drive toward Omaha, Nebraska.
But before we left, we took a quick look at the mountains - here shrouded by a morning storm.
To see the next leg, look to your left, and click on
"Heading east toward Omaha & Hampshire"