GRAND TETONS

It was so cold--when we opened the door to the house the little light in front would turn on.  Shadows froze to the sidewalk, and the idea of weather-striping the border between Idaho and Canada sounded like a really good idea.  So what did we do?  DH and I went through with plans to visit an even colder place.

We drove over the border and up the mountains to Jackson, Wyoming.  We’d made reservations weeks earlier to enjoy a little out of town time, and once temperatures go below zero what’s a few more degrees?

We took our snowshoes but never saw a rational reason to use them.

 We just stayed in the Subaru and drove into Grand Teton National Park to see the sights.

If you look carefully in this photo you can see what is called "diamond dust,"
or tiny ice crystals in the air that reflect sunlight.  This phenomenon happens
when the air is well below freezing.

 Even at double-digit below, the scenery is jaw-dropping gorgeous.

Although the Grand Teton looked like she was trying to warm up 

by wrapping herself in clouds.

 Most of the time we had trouble even seeing the top of the 13,776 foot (4,199m) peak.

Still, you can see why she is called, The Grand.

 These mountains rise out of the valley floor like fangs.  

They change from moment to moment 

depending on weather, lighting and the viewing angle.

 Down at the end of the line is Mount Moran.  

We can see her from our home two hours away in Idaho.  

Up close she is magnificent.  

This kind of sight is well worth braving Arctic weather. 

Although it was nice to have a warm room to go back to.

I took a bazillion photos.  Next time I’ll show you the elk.