Canadian Rockies

Yup - I'm back in the country. After a long weekend trip to Glacier, Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks (3 are in Canada), I've got plenty of pictures of the Canadian Rockies. So, while I weed through all the pictures, here's a peaceful picture overlooking Lake McDonald in Glacier NP our first morning.
Check back in a few days for more!

Grand Teton National Park

Another weekend = another great trip! And of course, lots more pictures as evidence. This weekend, Eric and I camped out at Grand Teton National Park, got up early for some pictures of the majestic mountains followed by a little hike around Phelps Lake. As usual, I'll let the pictures tell the stories.
Friday night we set up camp at Colter Bay, right next to Jackson Lake. Between the fire and my mummy bag, oh, and the thermals, sweatshirts, winter gloves and hat, it was nice and cozy!
I'm not sure what we were thinking, planning to get up early enough to see the sun hit the Teton Range as it came up in the morning. But I can assure you that most of my motivation was long gone by the time the alarm started ringing. But we survived the morning cold and got this picture before the sun even came up.
Here's a close-up.
You can see the sun just starting to cast it's radiant beams on the mountain tops. Back at camp we had a failed attempt at pancakes before reverting to instant oatmeal. Not quite as enticing but just as filling. Then it was off to get some different views and find our hike.
Now that's pretty! And if you click on it and look close, there's two elk mooning you.
Another great view.
These three otter's were about to jump the barricade and cross the road... until scary Joe came along and sent them retreating back to the water.

One last look at the ugly before diving in.
They didn't seem nearly as impressed by the view as we did.
Wow. What beauty! Even the moon beholds His beauty!

This is 5 pictures stitched together so you can get a better view of the whole Teton Range. (Click on it for the big picture.)

Here's a view with some wildflowers in the foreground.
Traveling down Mormon Row are a number of old homes and barns with views of the Teton's in the background.

You might think this is a duplicate of the last picture. But that's because you didn't notice the plane circling, landing gear down, ready to touch down at Jackson Airport. Do you think they would allow you to take pictures on your "portable electronic devices" when you swing by the mountains?
And another one...
...this time in black and white...
...or do you prefer sepia?
Nothing like getting in the way of a good view!
At least this one is a different barn. But alas, it was time for our hike. Fortunately, we had already gotten our "stunning views of the Teton Range", because I'm not convinced the hike description was totally accurate.
As we drove towards Phelps Lake, we passed by this moose...
...eating lunch and keeping a close eye on...
...her baby! Eric might have a few more close-up pictures when we get around to swapping pictures.
Although we were past the peak, there were still some wild flowers out.

Eric begs for someone to give him a little push into Phelps Lake. The hike took us around the perimeter of the lake. Anywhere else, these views would have been spectacular... talk about spoiled by God's beauty!
Death Canyon. And no, I don't know why...
...and neither does he.
While others were jumping off a rock that sat about 20 feet above the water, we were taking pictures of another great view of Death Canyon reflecting in the lake.

What's next? Well, this week my Mom and sister are coming out to see the Canadian Rockies! So, you might have to wait a week or two for the next round of updates, but they're sure to be good! Enjoy!

Grand Teton National Park (Part 2)

Here's a few more pictures from Eric's camera:
My perch as the sun came up.
The otter poses, but I bet he can't do a handstand!
Another great view of the Teton's.

Some do handstands... Eric jumps over the Teton's.
Eric is either braver or has a better zoom for the moose...
...and her baby.

I love how the clouds reflect in the lake.

Now, for those who would like a little more insight into church camp and the 4th of July parade I had a few pictures of last week... you need to check out Isaac's blog, Episode 102:

http://ikesguidetotheuniverse.blogspot.com/

Family, Friends and the Fourth

Where do you start when so much has happened? Do I start with my trip to the airport in a hail storm? Maybe the sprint through JFK airport (all in vain). A hike in the pouring rain? Did I mention being home for the first time in 6 months?!? Spending time with my family, friends, oh, and everyone else that crashed my backyard? Maybe I talk about how it rained every day, or the abounding ruts and puddles. Church camp is always a favorite and riding in a Boeing 777... well, you know that's an opportunity I couldn't pass up! How about home made ice cream cake, birthday shin digs and local fireworks on every side? OK, so better then all of that, were the camp services where the Holy Spirit settled in and young people were transformed for Christ. That indeed, would be the highlight.

These next few pictures are a poor representation of all that was jam packed into my week at home, but at least there's people in these ones!
I started out the week hiking with Joy down in the Catskills. This is the grand (or not-so-grand) view on top of Westkill Mt, in the pouring rain. The overlook was even less thrilling unless you think you can float on clouds.
Teaching Joy the handstand didn't seem too practical, so we settled for the inverted handstand.
And yes, I had to do the handstand.
Despite the dreariness of the day, the plentiful rain made for good scenery and great waterfalls...
...and wet hikers.

The waterfalls weren't big, but I love these next few pictures.

I think this is my favorite.
As I mentioned previously, my pictures don't come close to representing the zillions of things that took place this past week. Despite the rainy conditions, some of the young people were still vying for a hike, errr, mud slogging through the Plotterkill Preserve. The good news - the three waterfalls were amazing. Here's the last one from below... and before all the young people got wet.
I couldn't convince Lacey to let go of the tree for this picture at the top of the waterfall.

The girls contemplate how long it would take to reach the bottom if they jumped the falls.
Elsa and Lacey enjoy the spray.
Has anyone seen Richard? That's gotta give you a headache.
Here's the wet, muddy crew, well, except for Benji who was chasing the football down the cliff for the third time.

My only advice to George... never trust a state educated ex-con!

These next few pictures are from the annual July 4th parade at camp.
Is this the parade or the circus?
Fancy cars complete with Secret Service.
You don't have to have the best float as long as you have the best looking crew! (Go Schenectady!)
Mt. Rockwood!

Somebody better help Bill figure out his new camera phone.
Danielle and Lacey insisted on posing rather then paying attention.
My buddy Noah ensuring all the parade candy was picked up.
Who knew there were cute cowboys...
...and cowgirls in New York too?
There seems to be a little static between Isaac and Ange...

...but that's better then Steve who appears to have a little too much helium in his system. (Don't worry Mar, he'll return to normal in a minute or two.) If you look close, you'll notice Sis. Sickler shrugging it off as par for the course.
The little kids took a break from stomping in the mud puddles to sing a song.

Enjoy until next weekend!