When colonial explorers started venturing into the Teton landscape, their drawings, writings and even scientific descriptions of Grand Tetons and Yellowstone (the boiling mud pits, geysers, and the towering sharp peaks) were written off as side effect of delusion, caused by years in isolation. As more and more explorers survived the perilous journey, and more native accounts of the “Yellow River” were believed, people were in awe of the unbelievably harsh beauty, and Yellowstone became the first National Park in the United States in 1872. Grand Teton followed soon after.
The fact that anyone came (or comes) to this beyond epic place and thought “you know what…a golf course or hotel would look good here” is absolutely ridiculous. You could make a building out of pure ornate gold and it would still pale in comparison to the intricate, epic world between the Teton Mountains. Humans (specifically today) are mere visitors. Small blips in the carved storybook of history, trying our best to be relevant in a timeline that far outlives our species. It’s so interesting to witness and be a part of the mass summer migration to this place. Each person taking back with them whatever they look for or are capable of carrying (wonder, social status, relaxation, new experiences, souvenirs and/or a run in with the harsh, beautiful, and turbulent reality of beauty.)
Thank you for the honor Tetons, even for the second time you are simply epic (but only because I will never have the words), so epic will have to suffice for now.
Yellowstone
Haddie
Epic just epic…that is all I have to say. Experiencing Yellowstone for not one, but two times in my short life is one heck of a blessing. I hope these photos do the other worldly unique place a little sliver of justice. Enjoy!
Keith
Looks amazing, smells terrible. Truly an incredible coincidence of geological conditions that results in an awe inspiring landscape. Glad we got to see it before the caldera blows (all those fuzzy cows are gunna get cooked).
Grand Tetons
Haddie
While we were in the Grand Tetons, the fourth largest fire in North America was burning just over the hills in the Wind River Range. The smoke billowing and collecting in the valley between the ranges with ash falling as your wake up alarm. We had to cut our time short, because I was starting to get quite sick from the smoke and ash. The smoke did force us to slow down and watch (so we didn’t die climbing a mountain).
Keith
Really pretty rocks. Wildfire smoke was terrible though. Super sad we didn’t get to climb the pretty rocks. We’re planning to come back to climb the rocks.
