Grand Teton

There are no foothills so the Teton Range in Wyoming rises abruptly from the valley, and the lakes that formed behind moraines left by glaciers are beautiful with the mountains as a backdrop. There are still glaciers on the high slopes but they have receded about 25% in the past 50 years.

Of course it is still very smoky so we didn't see the range with any clarity but we could still appreciate the environment in the national park. I was really impressed by the National Elk Refuge - a huge area along a wetland. We saw Trumpeter Swans there. They nest in the reserve now but once were almost extinct outside Alaska. There were a lot of other birds there as well, and it looks like there are walking tracks throughout the reserve.

We also went the the National Museum of Wildlife Art across the road from the reserve. The building itself is designed to fit in with its setting, the paintings are impressive and beautifully displayed, and there is a sculpture trail outside. Oh, and the members' room has a view to die for, complete with telescope.