Rocky Mountain National Park (or An Ode to Mountains)

I love mountains. When I was a kid, I thought I lived near some nice mountains. Then I went to Europe in college and stayed at a hotel on the summit of Mt. Pilatus in the Swiss Alps. Those were Mountains compared to what I had grown up with. But it wasn't until I drove through the Big Horn Mountains on my first cross-country trip that I really found out what mountains were. And now I am addicted to them. So Rocky Mountain National Park was a much-anticipated stop, which did not disappoint.

See? Mountains everywhere you look. It's like God took two-thirds of Colorado and crumpled it up like a piece of copy paper and then tried to smooth it back out again, only you can't really smooth paper back out; thus, the many ranges and peaks of the Colorado Rockies were formed.

Mountains so tall that nothing grows on top of them. Mountains that are, well, rocky.

And mountains that are covered with snow. Even in July.

Bear Lake was probably my favorite place in the park. I went later in the day, finishing up my short hike around the lake just before sunset, so it wasn't too crowded. The altitude kicked my butt a little, even though I had just slept at 8,000 feet in Yellowstone a few days before. I just love how the blues were so blue and the greens were so green, especially against the stark gray of the mountains. And how the mountains stand so proudly and resolutely above the rest of the world, like sentinels watching over humanity and nature.

RMNP also has some cool wildlife. Here's a Stellar's jay, which is so brilliantly blue and beautiful.

I also saw a TON of elk. At the top of Trail Ridge Road, which runs over the mountains at a top elevation of around 12,000 feet, I saw about ten bull elk grazing in a field.

This guy was my favorite, even though he wouldn't pick his head up for me.

Up at the Alpine Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road, a huge herd of mamas and babies congregated.

On the other side of the mountains, I saw several moose grazing along the banks of the teeny, tiny Colorado River, more like a stream at this early stage of its journey.

Another thing I was really looking forward to was seeing tons of wildflowers. I didn't see tons, but the ones I did encounter embodied everything I love about wildflowers; they were sweet, colorful, delicate yet hardy, bringing a mini-party to the harsh mountaintop.

I definitely plan to return to RMNP one day, hopefully earlier in the season so I can see even more flowers. And one day I'd like to come in the fall to hear the elk bugling. It's really a beautiful place.

Grand Teton National Park

Located in Wyoming in between Yellowstone National Park and the town of Jackson, WY, Grand Teton National Park is truly stunning. The park is linked to Yellowstone by the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. As you head south out of Yellowstone to drop into the Snake River valley, you are treated to glimpses of the jagged Teton peaks.

The road then turns and begins to follow Jackson Lake, providing views of the Tetons in profile. I don't think any picture can truly do justice to the majesty of these mountains, which tower over Jackson Hole with (Hole being the early settlers' word for valley) with elevations ranging from 11,000 to 13,000 feet.

Another stunning view of the Tetons:

The view of Mt. Moran from the Oxbow Bend overlook, with the mountain reflected in the Snake River.

This is the view from Signal Mountain. If you visit the Tetons (which you should if you're in Yellowstone, even for a day), take the time to drive up Signal Mountain Road. The views of Jackson Hole are stunning.

Another view from a turn-out on Signal Mountain.

This is Jenny Lake, which is amazingly blue up close. You can hike around it or take a boat across, which I will definitely do the next time I'm out there.

Below is the Chapel of the Transfiguration in the Menors Ferry Historic District. The view from inside is amazing as well, but I didn't really get any good snaps.

These last two shots are from Mormon Row, where the early settlers tried to make a go of it. Unfortunately, the land wasn't right for farming, but their buildings remain as a testament to their pioneering spirits. 

A Much Needed Break From Driving

Sorry about the gobbledy-gook posts, everyone. I sent them from my phone, and I'm not sure why that happened. They were both letting you know that I am currently safe in Alaska!! I got to my dad's place yesterday evening. It is amazing beautiful here. I'm glad that I don't have to drive anywhere for a while, though!!

Here are few pictures from my travels along the Alaska Highway.

Here's the marker at the beginning of the Alaska Highway. There was no one around to take my picture, and it was to windy to do a self-timed shot..

A panoramic view of the Rockies. There are so many mountains around here; it's absolutely crazy!

Stone sheep licking minerals off the highway in Northern Rocky Mountains Provincal Park. I got tons of shots of these guys, especially the cute little one that's in the middle.

Liard River Hot Springs.....I've never been in a natural hot spring before. It was really cool (well, actually, really hot). Very relaxing apart from the voracious mosquitoes!

I saw a whole herd of bison on the road. This big guy seemed to be in charge, and he kept giving me the evil eye, like he didn't want me to move or go anywhere!

This was taken at Kluane Lake (I think-I saw so many lakes it's hard to remember) at about nine pm. Look how high the sun is in the sky!!!

At the US-Canadian border! It definitely was a feeling of accomplishment.

The Matanuska glacier. These are the Chugach Mountains, I think. There are so many mountain ranges around here, it's crazy. Every time you think that you've just seen the biggest mountain ever, you see a bigger one! The Wrangell-St. Elias mountains are huge-I don't have any pictures of those, but I'll get some on the way home. I can't wait to see Denali!!