“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV
Watching the sun rise on the Teton Range from a valley known as Jackson Hole in Wyoming is a very popular event. It was easy to understand why when Pam and I witnessed it last Wednesday morning. We had to get “up and going” early to be at a good viewing spot before sunrise. Of course the sun’s rays first illuminate that which is tallest and the orange glow on the granite peak of the Grand Teton signaled that the sun was indeed rising!
The light slowly bathes the peaks as the morning moments pass, working its way toward the valley. Some of the glaciers can now be seen. High elevation plateaus like this 60 mile valley were called “holes” by early settlers and mountain men. One well known trapper who came here in the early 1800’s named Jackson was good at his business of trapping beaver. He was so good that fellow trappers began calling the valley Jackson’s Hole. The “s” was later dropped. A large part of the valley and the mountains along the western border are in the Grand Teton National Park, one of America’s most beautiful places in my opinion.
It was around 30 degrees, but we were determined to hang around until the sun brought light to the valley. It actually didn’t take very long. I had planned to time it but in the moment I totally forgot. I realize 30 isn’t very cold but it seemed so because it was in the 90’s when we left home.
Just up the road with sunshine in the valley but still early in the day, a bull elk appears to be doing well with the ladies. I would call him the herd bull since he has managed to gather quite a large group of cows. It is mating season and he has likely had to fight for this spot and may still have to defend his territory against other guys in the neighborhood which have the same intentions. A mature bull elk is the most majestic of animals and my all time favorite animal to encounter in the wild. This group was some distance away, but I have encountered them as close as 6 or 7 yards in the wild. Super exciting as well as a bit unnerving!
Only a couple of miles from the elk herd, pronghorn had the same frenzy going on. A nice size buck was following this group of ladies, but a smaller competitor was nearby. PJ and I had a lot we wanted to see so we didn’t stay around to see if an altercation occurred, but it likely took place if the young dude came too close. Another fascinating thing about creation! Pronghorns are unique to North America and are our fastest animal, achieving 60 mph if needed! They are a beautiful and fun to watch run. They don’t bounce when running but have a level stride. Sometimes called antelope (which they aren’t), they can see about 8 times better than we can!
Turning away from the pronghorns to face west, what do we see…Mt. Moran looming above the morning fog. If you look closely in the clouds, the former full harvest moon is now a waning gibbous. The yellow trees are cottonwoods. Some aspens had wonderful color but in some spots had completely lost their leaves. The cottonwoods however, lined the rivers, creeks, and low areas with gold!
Do you remember the Texaco Star? Texaco is still around, but this gas price has been gone for over 50 years. Zooming in on the photo I noticed 26 cents/gallon. Oh, and don’t forget the 9 tenths. We bought gas nearby and paid $5.39, not twenty six and nine tenths. Folks would’ve shortened it and simply referred to the price as twenty six nine back in the day. Maybe some of you remember?
We happened upon a local artist at work painting the landscape before her. We figure local, but not positive since we chose not to interrupt. We did notice later, while looking at photos, that her cup was orange and had a paw of some type on it. I pulled it in close but could not read what was on it. It honestly looks a lot like a Clemson tiger paw, as in Clemson, South Carolina. I suppose had we noticed the yeti or whatever it is, we may have stopped and chatted (Pam would’ve asked a lot of questions). What was she viewing as she worked on the canvas?…
…this was the scene we were viewing while standing on the trail just above her.
Looking north along the Snake River. The Snake runs through the valley of Jackson Hole. A bull Moose and a cow (here we go again) had just gone into the brush on the right side. I didn’t get ready quick enough to get a photo. As it was now mid-morning, they were likely to remain in the thick until late afternoon.
Not to be out-moosed, we ventured to another area where these big deer were known to hang out. This girl was all alone and resting in the shade of a cottonwood tree. These, like many wild animals, can be very dangerous. I kept my distance. This is the best I could do zooming in since we did not haul long, heavy lenses and my camera all the way to Wyoming! Airports and airplanes are much more of a hassle than in the past, and seemingly getting worse. I was about 100 yards away I’m guessing!
Pam and I love old barns. This was located in a historic area known as Mormon Row. We had been here 8 years ago but did not photograph this particular barn. There were flags and markers indicating maybe some type restoration or excavation was to take place??
Some of my photos on SSS are taken along paths and trails I walk on around home. I often try to find a place to walk when I’m away, and last week was no exception. The scenery was very different, as well as the altitude, which makes a difference too…less than 600 feet most places at home, but over 6,000 along this path. Snow King ski runs can be seen in the distance as I head back toward Jackson. BTW, the town is officially Jackson, Wyoming but mostly referred to as Jackson Hole.
Friendships are made in the blogging world, but rarely do those friends actually enjoy meeting face to face. What a treat for us to have Bill and Sue take the time to drive more than two hours from their home to Jackson last Sunday evening. We were thrilled to meet this wonderful couple, share stories, laugh, and eat a lot of pizza! They are long time readers and encouragers and we are thankful for them!
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone’s Lower Falls was spectacular from this vantage point. We had visited the Upper Falls a few years back on a visit to Yellowstone, but had never seen the Lower Falls. There is a trail to a landing at the top of the falls but time nor energy allowed us to go!
Looking the opposite direction…Beneath the falls the Yellowstone River continues its journey deep in the canyon below this very rugged landscape.
Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park is extremely low. This is just above the dam and locals told us the lake is almost at a level that would exist without the dam. You can see where the water would normally be. A lack of snow melt from last winter and a dry season combine to bring about this scene.
Happy Trails ’til we meet again…hopefully that’s next week!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch,Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Wonderful shots of the area, thank you for sharing your vacation! My photo memories each day for these past few weeks have brought these and many other locations of our great American road trip of 2016 back into mine and Mr. P’s minds. We took a paragliding advwnture off the peak of one of Jackson Hole’s ski slopes. It was so much fun! Your trip looked full of beauty!
Thank you Rita. I want to do a road trip but Pam is not that fond of my driving. We saw several paragliding from the mountain over at Teton Village but that adventure is not on my list. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Your wonderful trip brought back so many happy memories of my late beloved husband’s and my trip to the Grand Tetons, and Jackson Hole. I agree that the area is spectacular! You taught me something about the pronghorns and that they’re the fastest animal. How wonderful to meet up with readers of your blog that drove two hours to visit and have pizza. Thank you for sharing your photos and finding joy in the beauty of life.
Thank you Kitty. We see that many of our readers have at some time been to Jackson Hole. It is a “grand” area. It certainly was special to be close enough to long time readers and get the opportunity to meet. Hope you enjoy a great week!
Butch and Pam
Wow, what gorgeous pictures of the Tetons and surrounding areas. Makes me want to go back soon. We haven’t been to Jackson Hole in almost 20 years.
Thank you Rachel. It had been 8 years since our last trip to the area. It’s definitely a place that can draw you back again and again. We hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
These shots are fantastic! It’s been a few decades since we visited Jackson Hole. It is a magical place with so much beauty surrounding it. I know the weather is very different on top of the peaks vs. the valley. We took a ski lift up to one of the areas from the valley and it was snowing lightly up on the mountain, but not in the valley. I do remember it was cold everywhere in September when we visited as southerners. I love seeing all the wild animals. God has given us so much beauty in the United States to enjoy. I can’t imagine settling this part of the country so long ago. It definitely took grit and determination! Thank you for the awesome shots! Some were brand new to our eyes, that we didn’t get a chance to see while visiting so long ago, and others brought back many happy memories! I never tire of seeing those beautiful mountains. Your sunrise shots were magnificent and frame worthy! It was great to see all the lovely fall colors. The Tetons will take your breath away! The artist had a glorious view to paint. Your shots are so crisp and clear that you could frame a few of them as photographs or convert them to a canvas type painting via a website vendor. Armchair travel is fantastic when you don’t have the energy to fight the airport! Thanks again! Happy Sunday! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. We talked about what the early settlers and adventurers faced as they traveled west into the unknown and it’s hard to even imagine what that was like. We have also talked about the energy for fighting the airports and you are so right, it takes a lot these days and we don’t have as much as we used to. We pray you have a great week!
Butch and Pam
What a great vacation. Such a beautiful place. Blogland is a great place and magical in itself. We meet and bond with friends we might never have encountered in our lives through blogging. Glad you could meet up with blog friends. Have a great week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. Pam in particular has made many friends through the blog over a number of years and it’s just a fact of life that most we will never see face to face. So, it was really special to meet friends in person. Have a joyful week!
Butch and Pam
I know you’ve been west before and seeing photos of these magnificent vistas never ceases to amaze me. And all the animals, too! h my — moose and elk! It really is incredibly beautful. It’s so wonderful that Bill and Sue could meet you. That’s a hike but I’d drive that far!
Thank you Jeanie. It was nice to meet friends in person. We never tire of those vistas but all of our country has it’s own uniqueness and beauty. We wish you a delightful week!
Butch and Pam
Thank you for sharing . Looks like Pam and you had a very nice time.
Thank you Della. We did have an amazing trip and feel very blessed to still be able to go places. Hope you enjoy a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
What an absolute delight it was meeting you and sweet Pam in person, enjoying those charming southern accents, laughs and stories, and sharing (again, thank you) pizza together! Your stunning vacation photos really captured the majestic awe of this beautiful area…be still my heart! The sunrise upon the Tetons is so special, and as others have suggested, would also be beautiful framed! We are so glad you traveled West again and it worked out we were able to gather together dear friends!
Thank you Sue. So glad you guys were willing to drive so far. Bill shared interesting things about the history of the area and I really enjoyed learning some things. We didn’t know we had a noticeable accent (ha). That sunrise was most definitely worth getting up for. Maybe we will see you again sometime, you never know. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful photos! Thank you for this wonderful virtual tour. Hugs and blessings.
Thank you Maristella. Certainly glad you take these tours with us. We hope you have a wonderful spring week!
Butch and Pam
I look forward to your blog every week and enjoy your photos I am an amateur photographer and your photos inspire me. I also love that you give God credit for all the beauty in nature. I love nature photography. My husband and I live in upper East Tennessee which I imagine is not far from you. God bless you and keep the good photos coming. Carolyn
Thank you Carolyn. All things were created by Him and for Him that’s for certain. I worked a lot in east TN before retiring. Places like Johnson City, Bristol, Elizabethton, Morristown, Newport and all around. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
We live in Johnson City
Happy to see you had a nice vacation and safe trip. The moose reminded me of Bullwinkle! When we went to Wisconsin people said I had an accent but not my husband, which I thought was funny because we are both from the same area in Pennsylvania. We are in Fall weather here, hopefully it will arrive in your area soon.
Thank you Maryann. When people hear us talk they often guess correctly, but we hear Texas a lot too. We thought autumn weather was here but it looks like we may be close to 90 again by Thursday. Oh the days of Bullwinkle. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Such breathtaking scenery Butch! My favourite is of course the waterfall & the Pronghorns. I’m so glad you’re both having a lovely time away enjoying the cooler altitude & meeting up with old but new friends. A lovely combination. 😊
Blessings to you both, Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. We had a safe and nice trip and have arrived home to the heat which should be temporary. The pronghorn is the sole animal in it’s family and second fastest land animal in the world. We hope you have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Thank you Butch. 😊
It is so wonderful to know many of your readers have been and know the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. I don’t care how many times we visit the area…there is always something new to see….The awe and wonder of God’s creation is always another lesson in breathtaking beauty from our God. One of our sons camps once a year in the mountains watching the antics of the elk and moose up close and personal….as both species roam through their campsites. They are cautious because they know the dangers especially during rutting seasons. Once the Captain and I stayed in our motor home while large moose roamed leisurely through our campsite. I have to admit, I was more than a little nervous but the park ranger assured us that if we left them alone…most likely, they would leave us alone. Bears are another to leave alone. LOL. I believe my favorite way to observe the beautiful wildlife is on well traveled roads or with gorgeous photos such as yours and Pams.🥰
Thanks for sharing and glad you are home safe.
Thank you Kari. Awe and wonder, good descriptions of our reactions to such beauty. We did note that many of our readers have visited the Tetons and Yellowstone. Pam and I were in Jasper, Alberta once during the elk rut and two fighting bulls almost took out a porch post on the cabin we were staying in. Through the years I’ve encountered a lot of wildlife out in the wild away from everything, some that could definitely pose a threat, but all went well. These days we agree, viewing from the road is not a bad idea. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Good morning, dear Richardsons! What an amazing trip you had, full of amazing adventures. And how lovely to meet up with blog friends. That definitely looked like a Clemson tumbler! Pam and I are alike…I have never met a stranger and talk to everybody! That is one of the areas I have never visited (in 1975 my parents were on vacation there when my father died of a massive heart attack; I guess I’ve never had the heart to visit…sorry, that’s definitely Debbie Downer, ugh). But it is cooler here and we got a little rain, life is good!
Thank you Roxanne. We kinda wish we had noticed the tumbler when we were there but didn’t until looking at the photos at home. We knew you lost your father many years ago but didn’t remember those details. With that memory it’s understandable that you might not wish to visit. We all must handle those type things in our own way so it isn’t a downer, just reality. Glad you shared it. We got a little rain but warming back up tomorrow. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
This was a wonderful adventure to take with you and lots of memories for me when I was there about 10 yrs ago. It is just breathtaking. God gives us so much of the beauty of nature to see. Have a blessed day full of your memories from your trip and thanks for sharing.
Hellllooooo! I wasn’t home on Sunday, so I missed this post.
You brought back so many wonderful memories. We were there with the kids long ago. God’s country for sure. And we see it through your pictures.
How fabulous to meet up with friends through blogging. I love it.
I am so glad you experienced cold temps, saw beautiful sunrises on mountain peaks, and saw lots of wildlife.
Oh, by the way. We have a herd of pronghorn in Prescott, AZ. We enjoy seeing them when we visit there. And I concur. They are not antelope.
Happy Trails to you!
Thank you Nancy. The pronghorn looked like an antelope to some of the early explorers and to some they looked like goats hence their Latin name which is literally “antelope goat”. By habit I call them antelope most times. So many readers have memories of visiting Jackson Hole. We’d love to take our grands someday but we are older grandparents…we’ll see. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Butch & Pam,
I’m so happy I was able to read and save these pictures to my Pinterest. Your photos are STUNNING.
I was in tears…ONLY because I LONG to get in my car and head west to see the beautiful mountains and Aspens (Quakies!) so golden this time of year. In 2010, my favorite trip with my youngest son was to Jackson. He and I rented ATV’s and have a very funny story. Also, we took a chuck wagon ride and I hiked to Jenny Lake! My oldest son made the wise decision to go on a mission trip that summer, but he would’ve enjoyed the float trip on the Snake River.
When I saw the Teton’s for the first time I had only seen the Smoky’s and Rockies, and the Ozarks small mountains. I saw the jaggednesss and amazing views–the “holes” and spectacular peaks–wow! THOSE were mountains! It was one of my all-time favorite places and I was to go back there this past May, but had to cancel due to the progression of my “C”. But I WILL get back there! My precious neighbor and I were talking about going on a road trip to Utah to see her kids!
Aren’t pronghorns just amazing??
How can others view these majestic places and NOT believe in our beloved and King Creator! Praise God for a safe trip and the memories! And meeting up with fellow bloggers? PRECIOUS!!! You both look amazing!
Happy trails to you both! You’re in my prayers DAILY!!
Love you, PAM!!
Thank you Karla. Hiking to and around Jenny Lake is very popular. The trailheads in that area were quite busy with hikers, parking was a problem. Utah is in our discussions for next year, Lord willing. What is striking about the Teton Range is there are no foothills. They just rise straight out of the valley. Hope you can get back there one day. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
What a beautifully written piece! My heart skipped a beat reading this because we have experienced the exact Wyoming magic. The cooler weather, the stunning Tetons, and the incredible wildlife – it really is the ultimate adventure. You captured the spirit of the area so perfectly! Your post is absolutely wonderful and brought back the sweetest memories for me!
Thank you Mary. We have been amazed at how many of our readers have experienced Jackson Hole, and of course loved it. It is quite an adventure, and would have to be one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Thankful for sweet memories. Have an enjoyable week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful photos and narration. It brought back a lot of memories from when we were there. I am shocked by the lake as when I was there it was very full. Visiting from Thursday Favorite Things
Thanks so much, Amy. When we were there in 2018, the lake was full. They had little snow during winter, which means no snow melting and filling lakes. Thanks so much for your visit.