Days 1&2 - Fly & Drive


If you know me, you know that I am a sucker for finding a good deal on travel, and OF COURSE that extends to when I'm traveling for work! My theory is that if I'm going to spend extra money on either a flight or on time out exploring, exploring is gonna win every time. In that line of thinking, my mom & I boarded a Frontier flight out of Kansas City to Denver with our additional (FREE thanks to their Kids Fly Free policy!) passenger, and tucked into our hotel for the evening.


Our next day was a long one, culminating in our arrival to Colter Bay Campground in Grand Teton National Park. I set up our tent in the dark, we packed into our warm pajamas & cozy sleeping bags, and spent the night dreaming of the adventures to come.


(P.S. Several of these landscape images are for sale in my print shop!)

 

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A dramatic mountain silhouette against a moody cloudy sunset sky creates a striking dark landscape panorama.
Dramatic silhouette of mountain peaks against a moody sunset sky with dark clouds.
Dramatic sunset behind mountain silhouettes with dark moody clouds and golden light breaking through in wilderness landscape.

 

Day 3: Yellowstone National Park


We loaded up in the car bright and early, and headed north from Colter Bay toward Yellowstone National Park. We watched the fog gently rise off of Jackson Lake, saw an elk grazing in a meadow dotted with steam vents, and took in the eruption of Old Faithful before lunch! As we continued on our loop around, we stopped at Grand Prismatic Spring, eyed both bison & grizzlies from afar, and marveled at the majesty of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It's truly no wonder why this was designated as America's first National Park!

 

Scenic mountain landscape with fog rolling over hills and trees during a misty morning at sunrise.
Panoramic view of a misty mountain lake surrounded by evergreen forests at dusk.
Misty forest landscape at dawn with silhouetted pine trees creating a moody atmospheric scene.
People enjoying outdoor activities in a natural setting during autumn.
Scenic forest landscape with tall evergreen trees and golden grass in the foreground.
Steam rising from geothermal features against bright blue sky in Yellowstone National Park.
Cascading waterfall flows through a rocky canyon surrounded by golden-lit pine trees in a mountainous wilderness.
Steam rises from geothermal features in Yellowstone National Park's grassland under bright blue skies.
Family walking together on a wooden boardwalk at a national park on a sunny day.
Panoramic view of geothermal activity with steam rising across snowy landscape.
Young child in light blue hoodie and white pants takes a photo with a camera on wooden deck steps.
Young child in light blue jacket smiling while holding a device on wooden boardwalk.
Steam rises from geothermal features along a colorful mineral-crusted landscape in Yellowstone National Park.
Colorful mineral deposits and steam flow down snowy hillside into dark waters at Yellowstone's thermal features.
Steaming hot springs and geothermal pools in Yellowstone's volcanic landscape.
Steaming geothermal pool at Yellowstone National Park with bright blue water and mineral deposits.
Panoramic view of colorful geothermal hot springs and mineral deposits at Yellowstone National Park under blue sky.
Cars drive along a winding mountain road through dense evergreen forest in winter.
A panoramic view of wild bison roaming near a road in a mountainous forest landscape.
Panoramic view of golden grasslands beneath rugged mountain peaks and dramatic cloudy skies in Yellowstone National Park.
Rolling hills and grasslands stretch across a vast mountain landscape under cloudy skies.
Rugged desert hillside terrain with brown rocky slopes stretching across a mountainous landscape.
Wildlife grazes in a rocky mountain terrain with evergreen forest in background.
Panoramic view of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with cascading waterfalls and forested cliffs under cloudy skies.
Majestic Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River cascades down a steep canyon surrounded by evergreen forest.
Deep canyon walls of Yellowstone with a rushing river flowing through rocky terrain below.
Upper Falls at Yellowstone National Park cascades dramatically over rocky cliffs surrounded by evergreen forest.
Golden grass illuminated by sunset light in a natural landscape.
American bison grazing in a grassy meadow with dead trees scattered in the background.
Vibrant orange sunset over a calm lake with silhouetted shoreline reflecting on the water.

 

Day 4: Grand Teton National Park


Location was the name of the game for this day! We woke up in the tent, and promptly headed over to Colter Bay Beach to skip some rocks & take in the mountains rising over Jackson Lake. Once the toddler had her fill of rock-throwing excitement, we moved on to check out Moose Flats Overlook, Sacred Heart Church, Schwabacher Landing, and of course the iconic Mormon Row. After a dinner of some delicious pizza at Dornan's just outside the park, we headed back to take in one of the most gorgeous sunsets I have EVER seen reflecting off the surface of Colter Bay. We tucked into our sleeping bag cocoons, and I prepared for the sunrise elopement I had to look forward to in the morning!

 

Snow-capped mountain peaks rise above a dense evergreen forest under cloudy skies in Grand Teton National Park.
Small child explores rocky shoreline with snow-capped mountains and lake in the background.
Family exploring a rocky beach shoreline with mountains and cloudy skies in the background.
People exploring the rocky shoreline of a mountain lake with snow-capped peaks in the background.
Scenic mountain landscape with rocky shoreline and lake reflecting cloudy skies in Grand Teton National Park.
Person searching for rocks and shells along a scenic mountain lake shoreline at sunset.
Panoramic view of snow-capped mountains with evergreen forest and a serene lake in Grand Teton National Park.
Majestic mountain peaks with snow caps and low-lying clouds in dramatic lighting.
Close-up view of horse hooves and legs walking on dirt ground.
Horses grazing in a fenced corral with mountain peaks and autumn trees in the background.
Panoramic view of snow-capped Teton mountain range with autumn grasslands in the foreground.
Panoramic view of jagged mountain peaks with low clouds in Grand Teton National Park.
Row of rustic log cabins nestled among pine trees at a mountain lodge retreat.
Interior of rustic wooden cabin with exposed beams and windows letting in natural light.
Historic rustic log cabin with wooden steps and overhanging roof in mountain wilderness setting.
Panoramic view of snow-capped Grand Teton mountains reflecting in Jenny Lake under blue skies.
Majestic mountain peak partially shrouded in white clouds against a vibrant blue sky in Grand Teton National Park.
Wide landscape view of Grand Teton mountain range with grazing cattle in foreground meadow.
Horses grazing in a grassy field with mountains and forest in the background.
Dramatic mountain range with jagged peaks rising above golden autumn meadows under a cloudy sky.
Panoramic mountain vista with evergreen forest and golden meadows under dramatic cloudy sky.
Natural stone seating area beneath large pine tree along wilderness trail.
Historic wooden Mormon Row barns with dramatic Grand Teton mountain range backdrop in Wyoming.
Desert landscape with scattered shrubs and a small stream winding through golden brush and sagebrush.
Grove of golden aspen trees with white bark stands against dark evergreens during autumn season.
Panoramic view of jagged mountain peaks under dramatic cloudy skies.
Golden autumn trees frame snow-dusted mountain peaks under dramatic cloudy skies.
Vibrant rainbow arches over rugged mountain landscape with stormy clouds.
Sage brush and evergreen trees dot the valley floor beneath towering mountain peaks.
Child in light jacket and blue patterned hat exploring outdoors against cloudy sky.
Sweeping vista of golden sagebrush plains with distant mountains at sunset.
Small figure explores sagebrush-covered terrain with mountain backdrop.
Autumn scene with golden leaves and natural foliage in warm sunlight.
Rocky shoreline with smooth river stones along a mountain lake.
Golden autumn trees frame distant mountain peaks across sage brush plains at sunset.
Mountain silhouettes reflect on calm water during dramatic sunset.
Scenic mountain lake at sunset with rocky shoreline and evergreen forest in the background.
Children enjoying sunset views by mountain lake in matching blue sweatshirts.
Dramatic mountain peaks silhouetted against moody cloudy skies at dusk.
Dramatic sunset clouds reflect on calm lake waters with silhouetted mountain peaks in Grand Teton National Park.

 

Days 5-7: Sunrise Elopement at Schwabacher Landing & the Journey Home


I rose bright and early to meet Kelly & Chris for their sunrise elopement ceremony at Schwabacher Landing. We made our way north through the park after they said their vows, finishing up our journey with some time skipping rocks at Colter Bay beach. I picked up Aspen & my mom from the campground, packed up camp, and started our journey back east! We split the drive from Grand Teton back to Denver into two days, then flew back to Kansas City!

 

A couple stands on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by autumn foliage and misty mountains in the background.
A couple shares an intimate moment at sunset by a lake with mountains and evergreen trees in the background.
Two hands hold a pair of gold wedding rings in an intimate close-up photograph.
Black and white wedding photo of a couple sharing a joyful moment by a misty lake while holding a floral bouquet.
Couple shares romantic moments against stunning mountain backdrop with fall foliage at Grand Teton National Park.
A couple embraces against the backdrop of the majestic Grand Teton mountains in Wyoming during sunset.
A couple in formal wedding attire sits together on a dirt path during golden hour with evergreen trees in the background.
A bride in a white wedding dress stands among autumn birch trees during golden hour.
Close-up view of white wedding dress hem and sneakers on rocky ground showing casual bridal style.
Two people in wedding attire stand on a rocky shoreline with snow-capped mountains and pristine lake waters in the background.
A winding dirt path curves through a misty forest with golden grass and evergreen trees in the background.
Tranquil mountain lake at sunset reflects evergreen trees and pink-tinted peaks in a misty wilderness landscape.
Three brown horses grazing in a golden field with tall grass during sunset.
A lone coyote walks through a frosty meadow in early morning light with dark forest in the background.
Dramatic orange and purple sunset sky over dark mountain silhouettes with wispy clouds stretching across the horizon.
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