Waking Up to the Beauty of the Grand Tetons

16 March 202423 September 2024

Having arrived in Jackson around midnight, I missed the opportunity to experience the extraordinary splendor of the Grand Tetons. I was so excited to begin exploring the ethereal beauty of this national park and wildly anticipated the journey that was ahead of me over the next couple of days.

Entering the park from the south, the first glimpse of the magical peaks were spectacular. With scenery as gorgeous as this, I knew I was about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime.

Within minutes of my drive, a herd of elk crossed the road, hardly noticing the cars coming to a stop. The eloquence in their gait was one of careless grace as they reached the grassy knoll on the opposite side. The bull, imperiously leading his harem of does, stood out among the pack with his eight point rack identifying him as the leader of this domain.

My plan for the day was to drive as far north of the park as possible and backtrack through the Grand Tetons before heading east towards home. My first stop on this agenda was Colter Bay where I would hike the short trail near the marina.

Strolling the serene path I realized that, regardless of where I am, the Grand Tetons are a central fixture within the park. Robust and dominating the skyline, their snowy peaks are a welcome site. I could not resist the gorgeous backdrop against the beautiful sailboats anchored in the cove.

The weather was perfect for hiking the Lakeshore Trail. The trailhead, originating at the marina, was a 45-minute figure eight path. I strolled along the beach and crossed over the causeway which led to an island on the other side.

The trek took an unexpected shift through the woods where fir trees lined the path on each side. The shadows from the morning light offered protection from the sun and there was a momentary coolness to the air.

I completed the hike and after standing in awe of the marina, began my trek towards Jenny Lake. I was so excited to board the ferry to explore Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls. Reaching the southern part of the lake, I was just in time for the water taxi which runs every fifteen minutes. The round trip fare was $18 and well worth the serene trek across the water. The ferry arrived on the west side of Jenny Lake and drops visitors off at Cascade Canyon trailhead.

The afternoon was spectacular spent hiking, but I had only a short time to visit Mormon Row and the Snake River Lookout. With a half a day ahead of me, I had so much more to explore and I felt I was just getting started.

Have you visited the Grand Tetons? What were some of your activities during your stay? I would love to hear about your adventure if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below! Many thanks for reading my post about the Grand Tetons and I hope you stick around to check out my next post about this fabulous location! 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.

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.

What to Read:

Where the Water Goes, by David Owen
Great Alone, by Kristin Hannah
Where the Forest Meets the Stars, by Glendy Vanderah
Journey, by James A. Michener
The Cocktail Hour in Jackson Hole, by Donald Hough

Photo Guide for The Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole:

Oxbow Bend
Schwabacher Landing
Mormon Row
Snake River Overlook
String Lake Roadway
Willow Flats Overlook
Elk Ranch Flats Turnout

Corinth, a Biblical and Historical Perspective

29 August 20232 February 2025

The mainland in Greece holds such contrast to its beautiful Mediterranean islands and sailboats in the harbor. When I learned that our cruise itinerary included an excursion to Corinth, I was not certain what to expect. I only knew that this city was significant to Christians as a stop on St. Paul’s missionary tour and that a canal was built to connect the Gulf of Corinth to the Saronic Gulf as a major trade route.

Ancient Corinth is little over an hour bus ride west of Athens and our first stop was at the Corinth Canal. We had the opportunity to cross the bridge to marvel at this engineering phenomenon which took decades to complete. Visitors can cross over one of two bridges to take a closer look at the depth and length of the passageway. At its deepest, it measures 26 feet. Carved through solid rock, this sensational man-made canal became a major trade route for Greece after its completion.

Once we had finished our stop at the Corinth Canal, we had a few moments to explore the nearby shop before boarding the bus for a trip to the ruins of Ancient Corinth.

Spread out, and found undisturbed in the middle of nowhere, we arrived at the archaeological site and museum of Ancient Corinth. The location was surrounded by fields and hills, where a small Greek Orthodox Church provided solace to a sheep herder with his flock making their way to the next pasture.

The Ancient Corinth Museum was a short walk from the ancient ruins. The structure houses many of the archaeological artifacts including sculptures and engravings that were found at the site. It was here where the tour began as our friendly guide proudly discussed the relics and treasures that were discovered during the excavation. We noticed that there were quite a few headless statues located in the open air courtyard and learned that instead of making new statues, it was easier to replace the heads to include the likeness of the new rulers.

Samples of ancient Greek writing was also uncovered during the dig and they were beautifully displayed at the museum. I admired the elegance of the language in script and our guide read each of them carefully. The tablets appeared similar to today’s English language, but yet so different, especially in the way it had sound.

After a visit to the museum, we were led outside to explore the historical site of Ancient Corinth. The Temple of Apollo stood forefront over this site which once rivaled the city of Athens in both wealth and power. The Doric columns stood tall and mighty as a layer of clouds rolled in over this magnificent place. Built by the Greeks in 550 BC, only seven of its thirty-eight columns remain.

Within a short walk from the temple, the Roman Market was one of the most impressive sites of the ruins. Stalls that had once been concealed, showed the layout and structure of this large shopping plaza, the center of socialization in Corinth. In the courtyard there was once an ancient Roman fountain, known as the Fountain of Pirene, which was said to be the favorite watering-hole of Pegasus, a mythical horse with wings.

Additional structures that have been excavated and identified to date include the Propyla A as well as the Periblos of Apollo and the Bema. The Bema refers to the raised platform where a Roman magistrate or ruler sat to make decisions and pass sentence. Biblical reference to the Bema in Corinth can be found in the book of Acts where Paul was brought before Gallio, the proconsul, by local Jews. The offense was that Paul was “persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law”. When Gallio refused to settle the matter, the Jews turned on the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the court. It would have been at this location where the beating took place.

A view of Akrokorinthos/Acrocorinth can be seen from the ruins of Ancient Corinth below. This town, translated as “Upper Corinth” is approximately a 30 minute drive with splendid views of the surrounding area. We were unable to visit this location, but learned that the views from here are spectacular.

The ancient site at Corinth continues on with its excavation and identification of archaeological ruins that have yet to be labeled or discovered. There still remains much work to be done on the site as a large portion of the city remains concealed beneath the countryside. It endures today as a strong spiritual and historical influence that draws thousands of visitors to this area each year. I can only imagine that with the unceasing work of researchers and archaeologists how their future progress will impact the history and findings of Ancient Corinth as we know it today.

Have you had the opportunity to explore archaeological sites that have made an impact on history? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to historic Corinth! Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Ancient Corinth
Archea Korinthos
200 07, Greece
Telephone: +30 2741 031207

Hours: Daily from 8AM to 7PM
Amenities: shop and limited snacks
Scenic View: Beautiful views of AcroCorinth above.
Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
Tips for Your Visit: Arrive early in the day as there is no protection from the sun. In addition bring bottled water and snacks as food is limited at the museum. Wear comfortable shoes for walking.

Where to Stay:

Apollonio
Sisifou 2, Ancient Corinth,
Peloponnese, Greece 20007
Telephone: +30 694 941 2888

Where to Eat:

Marinos Restaurant
Ancient Corinth,
Peloponnese, Greece, 20007
Telephone: +30 27410 31 130

What to Eat:

- - Baklava: made with puffed pastry, this dessert has chopped nuts (my favorite is pistachio), and is covered in honey.
  - Choriatiki: Greek salad
  - Dolmadakia/Dolmades: stuffed grape leaves
  - Ellinikos: Greek coffee
  - Gyros
  - Kataifi: similar to baklava, but rolled
  - Moussaka: Greek’s answer to lasagna
  - Pastitsio: pasta made with noodles, ground beef and a bechamel sauce
  - Retsina Wine: has been made over 2000 years
  - Souvlaki: meat on a skewer
  - Spanikopita: pastry filled with spinach and cheese
  - Tzatziki: a Greek sauce made with yogurt, garlic, olive oil and fresh dill

What to Read:

Ancient Corinth Site Guide, by Various Writers
Cure and Cult in Ancient Corinth by Mabel Lang
Demeter and Persephone in Ancient Corinth, by Ronald S. Stroud

Santorini: Life on a Volcano
Mykonos, Greece: Whitewashed and Wild
The Island of Delos: A Lesson in Greek Mythology
Corfu…the Favorite Vacation Destination for an Empress
The Site of Olympia and its Role in the Olympic Games
The Archaeological Museum at Olympia
Athens, Greece: A Living Museum

Exploring Norris Basin at Yellowstone National Park

24 November 201817 September 2024

Heading north, the plan for the day was to check out Norris Basin, explore Mammoth Hot Springs and begin making my way to Grand Teton National Park.

While the temperature was cold, the sun was shining bright as I put on my jacket and hiking boots to begin my next hike. The beautiful landscape ahead of me was surreal as I wandered the boardwalk exploring the unusual pools, gases and geysers.

Milky white liquids filled pools that seemed to be harmless, but their position along several major fault lines makes this location one of the hottest geyser basins in the park. Reaching temperatures of close to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, this may well be one of the hottest geyser basins in the world.

This area was abundant with sulfur and sulfuric acids making the water highly acidic and deadly to the trees and plants nearby. The surrounding countryside seemed desolate and barren. With an ever-changing environment, new geysers were being formed daily.

The journey was surreal as the boardwalk was only inches from the smoky haze coming from the ground below. Vegetation was few and far between, yet a single fir tree managed to rise out of the cauldron of steam seemingly unaffected by the poisonous gases.

South of the museum was a one-mile loop known as the Back Basin. I approached the Emerald Pool where, looking closely, I saw the slight bubbling of the pond. With its temperature just below boiling, it had a captivating color and clarity.

A short walk and I reached Steamboat Geyser which was spouting out hot water reaching only about 40 feet. It is known to erupt at distances of 300 feet, more than twice the size of Old Faithful, but this is a rare occasion, happening anytime within a span of 4 days to even 50 years.

The more predictable geysers were fun to watch as their eruptions could be determined like clockwork. With some surges occurring every few minutes, there were some lasting upwards to twenty minutes at a time. With an abundance of geological features, the basin is was one of the park’s more active areas in terms of exploding geysers and bubbling pools.

What is your favorite section of Yellowstone Park? Are you fascinated with the surging geysers or the colorful sulfuric pools. I would love to hear about your favorite memories of Yellowstone if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for taking the time to read my post about Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7381

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 Yellowstone National Park is $70 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. The Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone 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 and llama packing, 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: Take in the view of Grand Prismatic Spring from the Overlook off of the Fairy Falls Trailhead. For the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, you can see this beautiful waterfall from several locations offering different views of the falls: Brink of Lower Falls, Lookout Point, Uncle Tom’s Trail and Artist Point. Check out the stadium seating at Old Faithful for a front row seat of this geyser that erupts every 35 to 120 minutes. The park’s Twitter account, @GeyserNPS, the Geyser Activity Page on their website or the Geyser App lists the predicted times for Old Faithful.
Length of Visit: Three days is recommended to see all of the attractions at Yellowstone.
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. Summer is the busiest time for the park you may find road construction and traffic.

Where to Stay:

I was fortunate enough to stay at one of the lodges at Yellowstone. I absolutely loved staying at the park and have Melba Coleman to thank for assisting me in my reservation.

Where to Eat:

Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
Yellowstone Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7311

For a light lunch, I ordered the charcuterie plate which included meats, cheeses, olives, walnuts and whole grain crackers. It was the perfect location to enjoy the park sitting by a large viewing window, mesmerized by the spectacular view.