I first saw the Tetons when my father took us there for a family vacation in the early 1970s. I immediately fell in love with their grandeur and variety. I returned in 1979 on a camping trip with a college buddy (Ann Arbor to the Grand Canyon to the Tetons to Yellowstone and back, in an un-airconditioned Volkswagen Rabbit in 15 days… ahhhh college memories!). I have wanted to get back there ever since.

This trip was doubly sweet because I got to fly my own plane. Stopping for lunch in Moose Junction provided a fitting welcome back:

After lunch, we drove north to Jenny Lake

We stopped at Jackson Lake Lodge to savor the vista from its “porch” across the valley.

There was a moose grazing in the waters just off camera but she was shy and asked that I not photograph her since I did not have the lens necessary to do justice to her face.

We continued north through the park and stopped for some fall foliage.

Yes, that photo really was taken on September 16. Get ready; the snow will be a flyin’ soon.

At the end of the day, we were rewarded with this view to the south along Jackson Lake and the Tetons.

We did actually get into Yellowstone between the last photo and the penultimate shot. But those pictures have to wait for the next posting. Y’all come back now!