Tag Archives: Tetons

View from the Driver’s Seat

Six Days On The Road

 
Earlier this month I decided to visit a couple of my favorite parks. Since most of the roads out west had been cleared of snow my objective was to beat the crowds at the start of the busy vacation season. The plan was to see Spring arrive in both Grand Tetons and Yellowstone for a couple of days.

I loaded up the car with a small backpack of clothes, a heavy coat in case of cold weather, some of my camera gear and a bunch of snacks to eat along the way. I hit the road very early Sunday morning for a long day drive westward since my first stopover was Laramie about 1100 miles away.

This was my day-by-day itinerary:

  1. Grand Rapids to Laramie, Wyoming
  2. Laramie to Jackson, WY
  3. Jackson to Island Park, ID
  4. Island Park to Gillette, WY
  5. Gillette to Council Bluff, IA
  6. Council Bluffs to Grand Rapids

On this short six day schedule I was able to spend two days each in the Tetons and Yellowstone. As a bonus, on the way back home I spent a few hours at Devil’s Tower National Monument and Badlands National Park.

Along our amazing interstate highway system and rural roads is great scenery, famous landmarks and amazing structures. The views from the journey across the midsection of our country is just as exciting for me as the national parks themselves.

On this long drive I decided to document the 3800 mile trip. These photos are presented in roughly the same order as my travels. I haven’t included any photos of the Tetons and Yellowstone – I’ll save them for another article.



an electrical generating station near Annawan, IL

Rock Island, IL bridge crossing the Mississippi River to Iowa

the huge
World’s Biggest Truckstop in Walcott, IA

newly plowed field in central Iowa

wind generator farm near Lincoln, NE

an irrigator at Grand Island, NE

novel advertisement for Paulsen Cement near North Platte, NE

large feed lot in Ogallala, NE

semi hauling PVC piping near Sidney, NE

a Lincoln monument at Laramie, WY rest area

a small herd of antelope near Arlington, WY

bridge crossing North Platte River in Ft Steele, WY

speed limit sign near Walcott, WY

large refinery in Sinclair, WY

rock formations near Table Rock, WY

small rural town – Eden, Wyoming

animal safety overpass near Daniel, WY

resort cabins in Bondurant, WY

a selfie at elk arches in Jackson, WY

a view of the Tetons from the west in Victor, ID

the Yellowstone River near Emigrant, MT

a small refinery in Billings, MT

a semi hauling logs near Garyowen, MT

electrical power station in Gillette, WY

freight train traveling near Sundance, WY

low clouds over the Devil’s Tower National Monument

walkway to viewing area in the Badlands

one of the bighorn sheep in the Badlands

bridge crossing the Missouri River at Chamberlin, SD

beautiful Native American statue at rest area in Chamberlin, SD

utensils for dinner in Sioux City, IA

final mileage for this six day cross-country drive

 


 
After having driven 3800 miles, I made it back home late Friday night.

While I enjoyed my time in the Tetons and Yellowstone, I also enjoyed the road trip as well.
 
 
Written by Arnie Lee
 
 

Road Trip – Part 1

I just returned from another road trip, or should I say half of one. I was delivering an older van that’s been sitting in the driveway for a few years to my son and daughter-in-law who live in Reno, Nevada. In a straight shot, it’s just over 2000 miles from our home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. But I saw the drive as a chance to stop off and enjoy a couple of our magnificent national parks. Anyway, this was only a half of a road trip since I flew home after delivering the van.

I’ve taken to the road cross country dozens of times before so I know the routine. Waking at 4am, I leave Grand Rapids, point the van towards the West and go. Indiana, Illinois and Iowa are a breeze. And while I don’t mean to disparage any part of the trip, Interstate 80 through Nebraska is one of the least interesting 450 miles unless you like seeing corn and wheat fields galore. Afterwards, the slowly rising mountains of Wyoming are a welcome sight. By about 9pm, I pull into Rawlins, Wyoming for a late dinner and some sleep.

I’m up early the next morning and leave the interstate for the northern trek towards Moran Junction – the Tetons and Yellowstone. What a lovely part of the world with vast cattle ranches, scenic buttes, craggy overhangs, deep cut gorges, abundant wildlife. Without having to leave the vehicle, I’m thrilled to view the scenery.

My first order of business is to visit the Tetons where the mountains just pop up from the earth without any intervening foothills. This range across the valley known as Jackson Hole is simply breathtaking.

After driving 1600 miles, I’m more than ready for a hike and head for the trailhead at Taggert Lake. It’s early September and there are many other outdoor lovers enjoying the same sights along the trail.

Next on my agenda is a hop over to South Jenny Lake. Having visited this area several times before with my family, I have an emotional attachment to the lake and its energizing surroundings.

Then on to Oxbow Bend where the Snake River winds through the tree-lined valley. You’ll recognize the view from this iconic location – there’s a myriad of Oxbow Bend photographs that adorn walls and calendars everywhere. From this spot, just point your camera at the mountains, click and you’ll capture an unforgettable view for yourself.

Over to the Jackson Lake Dam. Here the water from the various rivers in Yellowstone collect and feed the Snake River. After the water passes through the dam, it serves the farms and citizens of Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. And by the way, the white water rafting downstream is very exciting!

My last stop in the Tetons is at Colter Bay. This is not only a popular camping area, but its large marina handles water craft for the crowd that enjoys the amazing Jackson Lake surroundings and vistas.

At this point, I head north along the John D Rockefeller Jr Memorial Parkway which connects Grand Teton National Park with Yellowstone National Park.

If you’re still with me, you can continue with my visit to Yellowstone National Park in Part 2 of the road trip.