Vacation Day 11 - Grand Teton National Park

in travel •  7 years ago 

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We got up bright and early the morning of July 17, ate breakfast at the campground's little "restaurant/grill," packed up our pop-up, and began making our way south through Wyoming on our way to Estes Park, Colorado.

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We first came back through Yellowstone National Park, then through some national forest that isn't named on the damn map.

Then we entered Grand Teton National Park!

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Above and below is Mount Moran. It is located in the Northern Teton Range. This peak demonstrates all the geologic forces that created the Tetons. Ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks make up its core. Sedimentary rocks cap the summit. Little Ice Age glaciers flank its sides.

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Can you see the black line of rock coming down the peak's eastern face? That is a vein (or dike) of black diabase rock. Almost a billion years ago, molten magma seeped through cracks in the bedrock. Later, the surrounding rock erroded away, causing the dike to protrude.

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Now, can you see the ripples in all that snow? It isn't just snow, it's a glacier! I had never seen one in person.

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And now a bonus photo of me walking the pups, Willie Nelson and Emma Jane.

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I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of these beautiful photos. I can barely recall the details of my trip out there because I was a toddler and my family didn't invite me on any other trips out there. I have to go back! You've reminded me that my grandpa picked a damn beautiful place to rest forever.
Im incredibly jealous of your vacation! :)

Aww! Thank you for your appreciation. He certainly did pick a gorgeous place. I hope you can go back one day and visit.