Grand Teton National Park

Hovering in the Clouds

Rainy Day at Jenny Lake

The Grand Tetons are a geologic wonder. Ten to thirteen thousand foot granite walls rising out of the ground with beautiful lakes at their bases.  The mountains became a National Park in 1929 but it was the forethought of dreamers and doers who managed to save the valley acres for an addition to the park.  John D Rockefeller, Jr. managed to buy up more than 35,000 acres hiding his identity behind the Snake River Land Company.  After years of Rockefeller trying to give the land to the U.S. Government to enlarge the Park  he was finally successful in 1950. 

Our country is very fortunate that we have had citizens with forethought and the ability to make things happen.  Rockefeller was also insured the beauty of Acadia National Park was preserved for all of us to enjoy.

We loved exploring all the sights. Highlights included looking for wild animals who were definitely hiding.  At dusk when they all come out to feed and play we only saw a seagull, swan, several ducks, blue herons sitting in a dead tree, and four elk.  To see them all who were searching could only see them with binoculars. We did hear the elk bugling.

  

Sky clearing at the end of the day

Glacier View

Meditation site in a world of beauty

Male Sandhill Crane in the Sagebrush

Dusk - Looking for Wildlife

A hidden gem

In recent years, Laurence S. Rockefeller gifted the National Park Service with his family’s summer retreat the JY Ranch property of 1100 acres.  This property has been turned into a nature preserve.  The preserve’s visitors’ center is inspirational and moving.  It is a LEED building and the displays are exquisite  and not to be missed.  

Rockefeller Preserve Visitors' Center

Can you spot the elk or is it a moose???