What I Learned in Wyoming

The answer to last week's question is...yes, life without internet is possible, even enjoyable. The magnificent views definitely help to offset the sketchy outside communication. While visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, I didn't quite catch any bison standing in a steaming geyser basin, but I did get this...

Midway Geyser Basin; Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

and this...

Grand Teton National Park; Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Surely I can Photoshop them together, yes?

No? Well then, will you accept a moose in a marsh? 

Roadside in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

This was my first time venturing out to western Wyoming, and the trip was well worth it. Yellowstone is an odd combination of raw, freaky nature and civilization. I have to admit that the Counting Crows' lyric [correction thanks to Janie Junebug: 'twas Joni Mitchell's lyric (but it was the Counting Crows I heard singing it (my musical repertoire doesn't really go any earlier than the 80s (sorry Joni)))] "paved paradise to put up a parking lot" resided at the back of my brain pretty much the whole time I was there, but that's not really fair, because the management of the place exhibits a tremendous respect for the protection of Yellowstone's natural gifts, yet they also have a mandate to make the enjoyment of these gifts easily accessible to the public. And the property is enormous, so there is plenty of untouched wilderness.

Exiting through Yellowstone's south entrance toward the Teton Range is like leaving the quirky treasure box of grandma's house to go out and party with your cool, younger cousin. The ski/outdoor adventure culture is so much more apparent in Grand Teton National Park and all of Jackson Hole, and one quick stop at the park's visitor center will have you giggling at the marked upgrade in technology and overall presentation...*ahem* not that technology matters when you're taking in scenic wonders. *un-ahem* 

As per usual, I learned a few things during my adventure, and I'd like to share five of those things with you in case you ever make a similar trek:

1. Elk can and will cross a creek. And when they do, you will never see a more giant collective step backward by the humans.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

2. A sweet & friendly doggie at a gas station can be just as memorable as all the elk, moose, bison and pronghorns on the range.

Gas Station, Somewhere in Wyoming

3. No matter how many times you politely remind your family of the designated---and separate---areas for technology, food and toiletries in your minuscule hotel room, they won't listen.

Video Cameras & Tissues mingling with Waterbottles & Coffee - the Horror!

4.  When taking a tram to the top of a mountain, even though you've chosen the easy way up, flip-flops are not an excellent choice in footwear. There are slippery rocks up there. And snow.

Top of Rendezvous Mountain; Jackson Hole, Wyoming

5. The view is much sweeter when you've actually climbed your way up there.

What used to be babies looking out from Inspiration Point in Grand Teton National Park