We've spent the past week driving around the countries most iconic national parks, bringing our count up to 7 so far this trip! Theodore Roosevelt, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and Glacier were out of this world. All so unique and different.
We'd been so exited about heading West and are so glad to be here. The East Coast was great, we were able to see a lot of family and friends and meet new people, but something about the West Coast is just so magical. Everything is so vast and you just want to say "holy shit" everywhere you look. Not only that- the variety is something that is just totally unmatched. On the East Coast there was a lot of really beautiful forests, but all through the Appalachian Mountain Range were very similar landscapes. On the contrary, North Dakota offered us badlands, Wyoming offered us insane mountains and wildlife, Montana's sky (totally get why it's called Big Sky Country now) was incredible along with the insane glacial climate, it all just couldn't be any different from each other and I've thoroughly enjoyed every single second exploring this beautiful region. Some highlights included bison walking right up next to us as we were driving through Yellowstone, taking in the views along the Going-To-The-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, and just gazing at the shear size of the Tetons. We also swam in Firehole River in Yellowstone. The river is fed by both snow melt and hot springs, making it a perfect 70 degree temperature year round. Incredible!
I think the thing that makes places like Yellowstone, Tetons, and Glacier so spectacular is just how very small you feel. It's the same reason I love camping so much- getting out in the middle of nowhere with no one in sight and staring up at the starry sky on a moonless night. You feel like a speck on a speck on a speck and it's something that has always helped me put everyday struggles and stressors into perspective. We all have a significant role in this life, sure, but there is something about Mother Nature that reminds me that that thing I was overanalyzing all week about some arbitrary problem created by other humans doesn't really matter in the long run.
Something that does matter in the long run, however, is climate change. As I walked through Grand Teton NP and Glacier NP reading the plaques provided and learning how climate change is affecting these grand spaces, I was so disheartened. The glaciers on the Tetons as well as in Glacier NP will cease to exist as soon as 20 years from now. To think my children may not be able to experience these things as they exist today is heartbreaking. And the insane thing is, we are doing nothing about it. Glacial climates are so essential to providing fresh drinking water and providing electricity by dams from glacial run off and they will be completely gone before we know it. I'm just glad we were able to experience them now.
Here are some highlights from this beautiful stretch of our trip:
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| Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
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| Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
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| Chief Joseph Scenic Hwy; en route to Yellowstone. |
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| Campsite along Chief Joseph Scenic Hwy, thanks iOverlander! |
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| Campsight along Chief Joseph Scenic Hwy; not a bad view! |
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| About to make lunch with a view of the Tetons! |
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| Grand Teton National Park, stunning! |
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| Quick potty break for the pup, Tetons in the background! |
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| Cute little bison right outside of our van! |
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| Bison EVERYWHERE. |
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| Captured one on the Go Pro while Zach is recording it walking right next to us!. |
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