Sunday, October 01, 2006

452


My plan was to go over the Teton Pass early in the morning. I did get up before the sun, but being spontaneous I decided to drive up to Grand Targhee Ski Resort that is just outside of Victor. The fall colors were AMAZING and I watched the sunrise over the Grand Teton Mountain….

Then when I finally came down out of the mountains, I stopped for coffee and it was nearly 10 when I headed over the pass. I had to stop at the top… it’s something of a tradition for me. When I drove to college my freshman year it was my first stop and I remember sitting on the hill side and praying about my future. It is a very vivid memory for me. Once again I stopped to pray about my future. These things just come around full circle.

On the other side of the Teton Mountains, I drove past Teton Village and into Teton National Park via the back road to Moose. It was spectacular. At one point took a road that was supposed to lead to a trailhead and when a sign appeared about a mile in that said high clearance recommended… I took the dare. It was almost as good as Archangel Road for my Alaska friends. So I bounced my way down the dirt road until I saw a clearing with some buildings. So I got my camera, my arsenal of lenses, tripod and headed out across a grassy meadow. It turned out to be historic buildings that the forest service is trying to save… and oh so picturesque right there in front of the Grand Teton Mountain. It reminded me of being in the Swiss Alps with my friend, Anita… it just made you want to sing.

The fall colors are at their peak and it makes me extra photo-happy. I drove on through the park, stopping every once in awhile. Had lunch at a picnic area and downloaded the 237 photos that I had already shot that morning and tried to take a little nap in my car. It didn’t work because someone spotted some elk from the parking lot. So that was that. I drove onward to Signal Mountain Summit and on the road met a mama mule deer and her two babies. At the top…with a stunning view… I had some time with God in his amazing creation. Who could ask for a better sanctuary?!

I headed back to Jackson, my destination for the night. My one last stop was at the famous Snake River Overlook at sunset for my attempt at looking professional. By the time sunset had started there were at least 8 other people lined up with their tripods and fancy cameras. My little set up looked pretty pathetic… but I tried to look like I knew what I was doing. 150 photos later, I was freezing and ran back to my car.

So my eyes are tired of drinking in the landscapes around me and I am off to bed. Tomorrow... Yellowstone! And many more pictures

Oh yeah, the total photo count for the day… 452

7 comments:

Anita said...

There really isn't a sufficient adjective to describe the scenery you caputured on your camera. Thanks for sharing some incredible shots! I am envious of all that you've seen that have yet to see!

Thank you Lord for the gift of sight and the gift of awe inspiring creation. Who are we that he blesses us with a tiny taste of heaven? Can you even imagine what HEAVEN will look like?? I can't wait!

Soak in each day and each moment of your trip! Until we can travel together again...

Anita

Anonymous said...

What an inspiration your words & pictures are. God is truly glorious in his creation. I realize I'm going to have to make Shane take a week to get to SD this spring so we can see the parks with the kids (more for ME ;-) It doesn't matter how many pictures you take they are all different and beautiful.

Love from All,
SKKDD Lambing

Anonymous said...

Oh my! You do the mountains justice with your amazing photos!! I can't wait for my calendar :). If you can take 452 pictures in Teton park and around there I can't wait to see how many Yellowstone inspires!

I hope you are enjoying the quiet time with God and nature. If you need noise, just remember Joseph not wanting to nap, or Lizzy "Want you, Carrie, Want YOU!"

Misty

Anonymous said...

AMAZING! Carrie those are beautiful shots! Hope you're having a great journey, I look forward to reading more. ~AB

Anonymous said...

My oh my, you are becoming verbose in your old age sister. I love the photos, and the text brings back fond memories of your first Christmas in Japan when you faxed us a letter at Grandpa and Grandma's house. That was the year of our great road trip when we rented a car and toured the country. Mom had just be diagnosed with MS. When I remember that trip I still think that you were in the car with us, laughing with mom through her tears. Maybe because you were.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26

Love
Shane

Anonymous said...

Great job Carrie, Grandma and I wrote earlier on here, but with me not quite knowing what I was doing, I'm not sure where it went, but oh well. Grandma said that your pictures reminder her of the trips to Idaho and the beautiful scenery along the way. She also said that she loved those Idaho potatoes the best! See you soon, Grandma
And I'm sure looking forward to having you with us in KS. We sure apprecitate your willingness to take the time to help us out. Do you think you'll be here this weekend? See you soon, Cynthia

Friar Tuck said...

you are such a gifted photographer