Tag Archives: Gondola

Grand Tetons: Mormon Row, Snake River and Jackson Hole

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Heading north towards the Snake River Overlook, I had several places I wanted to visit along the way, starting with the Chapel of the Transfiguration.  This small church, sitting at the base of the Grand Tetons, draws visitors with its beautiful views.  From the window behind the altar, a picturesque scene provides an unobstructed panorama of the Grand Tetons.   I imagine I would have been distracted by this picturesque scene while attending church here, but then again, it would always be a reminder of God’s beautiful creation.

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Located in the park’s Moose area, the Chapel of the Transfiguration is an Episcopal Church located just inside of the South Entrance.  Erected in 1925, this congregation an active community providing services for both Episcopalians as well as Eucharists during the summer season.

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Traveling north, I found a short detour that led me to Mormon Row.  During the summer months, this area is one of the best places to see bison and small herds of pronghorn antelope.   It is the perfect backdrop for photographing the farm structures that were once home to Mormon settlers in the early 1900s.

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At the last minute, I decided to take the one-mile gravel road to Lower Schwabacher Landing, once used as a starting point for rafting trips.  Here, artists once painted some of the most familiar sites of the Teton Range and remains a perfect picnic spot to enjoy the view of the peaks.

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I finally reached my afternoon destination. Made famous by world-renowned,  photographer, Ansel Adams, the view of Snake River is spectacular.  I can clearly see why  photographing the overlook has become an obsession for photographers.   I spent a few moments imagining myself as an early explorer, witnessing this view for the first time, but needed to start making my way towards Rendevous Mountain at Jackson Hole.

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Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is more popular with skiers during the wintertime, but during the summer a gondola ride up to Rendezvous Mountain is irresistible. The Bridger Gondola provides breathtaking views of the resort below taking only 9 minutes to reach a climb of over 9,000 feet.

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The gentle hum of the gondola is therapeutic as the climb continues upwards affording unobstructed sights of Teton Village below.  Open only from 4:30PM to 9PM during off-season hours, there is a snack shop and restaurant for taking in the views.    It is a perfect time to reflect on all that I experienced here in Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone.  I am already looking forward to a future visit where I have promised myself to hike more, explore more and make it another trip to remember.

What are some of your most memorable visits to Grand Teton?  What would you add to your itinerary on your next visit?  I would love to hear about your adventure if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading about my adventure to Grand Tetons National Park!  Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Grand Teton National Park
PO Box 170
Moose, WY  83012
Telephone:  307 739 3399

  • Admission Fee:   Each entrance fee covers 7 days of park entry.  Private Vehicle: $35; Motorcycle:  $30 and Hiker/Biker: $20  which only applies to visitors 16 years old and older entering the park by foot, bicycle, etc.    An annual Pass for Grand Teton National Park is $70 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. The Grand Teton National Park accepts the America the Beautiful Pass which allows access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for a cost of $80 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase.  Check out their website for more information:  https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
  • Hours:  Open daily, 24 hours;  Refer to the Grand Teton National Park website for the operating hours of the Visitor Centers.
  • Amenities:  camping, hiking, boating, skiing, biking, bird watching, climbing and mountaineering, fishing, horseback riding, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, Visitor’s Centers which provide interpretive exhibits and park information and Ranger programs. Guided tours are also available in the park.
  • Scenic View:  Scenic drives throughout the park include the Teton Park Road, Jenny Lake Scenic Drive and Signal Mountain Summit Road.
  • Length of Visit:  To maximize your visit to Grand Teton National Park one would need at least a couple of days to experience all that the park provides.
  • Tips for Your Visit:  The park is open year around, but winter time can be a challenging during snow and ice. If you are looking for animals, winter is the time that they hibernate.   Spring is a wonderful time to visit because you can see newborn babies.  When viewing wildlife, you must stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yard from all other animals in the park.  For photographers, you may already know that dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph animals and you will want to bring a telephoto lens for capturing them from far distances.  Signal Mountain is perfect for sunsets.

Chapel of the Transfiguration
Grand Teton National Park
Chapel of the Transfiguration Road
Moose, Wyoming  83001
Telephone:  307 733 2603

  • Admission Fee:  Free
  • Hours:  Besides the church services, the hours of operation are not posted.  I arrived at 9AM during the weekday and it was unlocked.
  • Scenic View:   Gorgeous view of the Grand Tetons from the large picture window
  • Length of Time to Spend Here:  Less than an hour.
  • Tips for Your Visit:  The Chapel of the Transfiguration is an active congregation and church services are offered on Sundays at 8AM and 10PM during the summer season. The church played a major role in the movie, Spencer’s Mountain, featuring Henry Fonda and Maureen O’Hara.

Mormon Row
Grand Teton National Park
Located outside of Moose Junction
Moose, Wyoming  83001

Lower Schwabacher Landing
Grand Teton National Park
Moose, Wyoming  83001

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Tram Address:
3265 West Village Drive
Teton Village, Wyoming  83025
Telephone:  307 733 2292

  • Admission Fee:  Free; Additional charge for tram tickets ($35 for round trip access; $84 to ride all summer)
  • Hours:  Open daily from 9 – 5; Refer to the website for winter/ski hours
  • Amenities:  Tram/Lift tickets, Grand Adventure Pass, Bike Rentals, Paragliding, Kids Summer Camps, Daycare, Lodging, Spa, Vacation Rentals, Restaurant (at the base of the mountain and at the top). Great for hiking, biking and skiing!
  • Scenic View:   Gorgeous view of the Grand Tetons and the surrounding area from the top of the lift
  • Length of Time to Spend Here:  Varies depending on activities
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Tram/Lift tickets are free after 5PM.  Be prepared for the elevation as it may cause some shortness of breath.   Some shops and restaurants at the top of the lift close at 5, but there are restaurants at the base of the resort as well.  Piste was opened until 9PM during the summer.

Note:  The information I have provided does not include the winter season as I visited during the summer.  Visit the resort’s website for more information regarding ski packages, etc.  https://www.jacksonhole.com/

Where to Stay:

Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa
3385 Cody Lane
Teton Village, WY  83025
Telephone: 307 201 6066

Where to Eat:

The Deck @ Piste
Rendezvous Mountain
Jackson Hole, Wyoming 83025
Telephone:  307 732 3177

I ordered the Southern Belle made from White Wine with Orange and Passion Fruit. In addition, I had a glass of Henry Estate Pinot Noir to accompany my House Meatballs and Fries.

For more information about Grand Teton National Park, visit the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm.

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Venice, A Beautiful Journey

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It had been such a long day of making connections in four different countries, all in a period of 24 hours.  I was ecstatic to finally have arrived in Venice, Italy.   My flight from Columbus, Ohio was delayed so I missed my connection in New Jersey, and since my vacation coincided with the Venice Film Festival, flights were booked. I asked the customer service agent to be creative in getting me to my destination after learning that it may take me a couple of days to reach Venice.  I had a cruise ship to catch the next evening and didn’t want to miss it.   She was happy to help me out and gave me an updated itinerary through Heathrow which required me to pick up transportation to Gatwick.   I managed to leave from the US, travel to the UK, make a quick stop in Germany, hop on a flight to Paris and reach my final destination of Venice.   I was incredibly impressed with the handling of my air transportation and could not thank the airlines enough realizing that my luggage had actually arrived.  What an amazing adventure.

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Departing my flight, I picked up my luggage and searched for the ATVO ticket counter at the Marco Polo Airport.  Outside of baggage claim, I purchased my ticket and boarded the comfortable coach which  provided non-stop service to Piazzale Roma, taking only 20 – 25 minutes.

There was a large dropoff for buses and soon I found a small kiosk where an attendant sold me a Vaparetto ticket for the day.  It was late in the afternoon, so it only made sense to take the Express Route 1.  This vaparetto runs along the Grand Canal and is the most convenient way to reach St. Mark’s Square quickly.  Route 2 is the more scenic route, but as the sun was setting, I wanted to make it to my hotel before dark.

My first glimpse of Venice was indescribable.  A city unlike any other, I was in awe of its beautiful architecture and couldn’t wait for morning to venture along its waterways.  Having researched the archipelago, I wanted to explore more of its significant history and infamous art.

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I validated my ticket by holding it up against the electronic ticket reader before boarding  Within 20 minutes, I hopped off the Vaparetto at the Piazza San Marco stop, then dragged my luggage over crowded bridges and stairs. I reached Venice during the golden hour, the perfect time for taking photos.  I could not resist snapping a few photos before tackling the winding streets to Campo Manin.

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I crossed over a set of stairs that passed the Bridge of Sighs, one of the most famous of the Venetian bridges.  I read that it is customary to kiss under the bridge on a gondola ride to guarantee eternal love.

My hotel was perfectly located between St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, so I navigated through the walkways until I reached my room for the night.  The map and directions were pretty lengthy, but eventually I stopped by a nearby shop, where the owner confirmed I was heading in the right direction.

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The sun was setting over Venice and I was only a couple of minutes from my hotel.

Reliving the past 24 hours, I couldn’t believe I had actually made it to Venice, a place so magical and mysterious.  It is no surprise that all who visit fall in love with this magnificent, one of a kind city, surrounded by water.  I am so excited for the opportunity to wake early for sunrise and spend more time in St. Mark’s Square in the morning hours, another perfect time for taking photos.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Venice?  What are some of your favorite attractions and restaurants?  I would love to hear about your experience if you will kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading about my arrival into Venice!!  Happy Travels!

Where to Stay:

The Centaur Hotel
San Marco
Campo Manin 4297/a
30124, Venice (Italy)
Tel. +39 041.5225832

Where to Eat:

Ristorante Rosa Rossa
Sestiere San Marco 3709
30122, Venice (Italy)
Tel. +39 041 523 4605

I was obsessed with the Caprese Salad here….and the Prosecco.

What to Eat: 

  • Aperol Spritz is made with Prosecco (bubbly) wine, Aperol and a splash of soda.
  • Bellini’s were invented at Harry’s Bar and is my favorite brunch drink made with Prosecco and peach puree.
  • Seafood, especially sea bass. Black goby is a local fish from the lagoon and another local dish is fried sardines.
  • Vegetables from the Rialto Market
  • Instead of pasta, Venice serves rice and polenta.  Rice and peas (risi e bisi) is a very popular dish.
  • Appetizers such as Venetian meat and cheese (the salami is amazing!) or cicchetti (similar to Spain’s tapas) are small servings that are the right portions.  Baccala Mantecato is a topping for cicchetti made of creamed white fish.
  • Polpetta are deep fried meatballs
  • For lunch, the locals will order Tramezzino (sandwich) which is triangular in shape.
  • Dishes served with Nero di Seppia (Squid Ink Sauce) are a delicacy and the squid ink is very dark, so it may come as a surprise when your dish arrives.
  • Fritto Misto (Fried Fish and Seafood) can also include fried vegetables.
  • Venetian cookies (Buranelli – from the island of Burano and Sfogliatine) can be purchased at the local bakery.

What to Read: 

  • Donna Leon has a series of crime novels all based in Venice.
  • The Glassblower of Murano, by Marina Fiorato
  • A Venetian Affair, by Andrea di Robilant
  • The City of Falling Angels, by John Berendt
  • Dead Lagoon, by Michael Dibdin
  • A Thousand Days in Venice, by Marlena De Biasi

Photo Guide for Venice: 

  • The Bridge of Sighs leads to the waterfront dungeons and is best photographed from the Ponte della Paglia.
  • Burano is one of the islands within the Veneto was once a community of fishermen.  The colorful homes can seen from a distance as the vaparetto approaches. The colors of the island and reflections make memorable photographs.
  • Piazza San Marco / St. Mark’s Square is the main meeting place in Venice to explore the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile and the Clock.
  • Pont de l’Academie translates as the Academia Bridge and is the second most popular bridge behind the Rialto Bridge.
  • The Rialto Bridge at Sunrise and Sunset;  Take a trip on the vaparetto along the Grand Canal for some amazing photo opportunities.
  • Rivi degli Schiavoni is where the gondolas are “parked” with the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore in the background.
  • St. Mark’s Campanile is the bell tower in the square.  Visitors can purchase tickets to ride up to the top for spectacular views of the lagoon and nearby buildings.
  • If you can visit during the Venice Carnival celebration, you will have many opportunities for some amazing, dramatic photos of people dressed in costume.