It’s that time of year when adventure-seekers are gearing up to take summer vacations. Destination vacations are some of the most pleasurable vacations to go on, and that’s why when I, Designer Jennie Dembowski at Street Level Studio, was given the opportunity to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks last summer, I jumped at the chance.

Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are a nature lover’s paradise comprised of lakes, canyons, rivers, and mountain ranges. Visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks was a trip of a lifetime — it was so refreshing to be enraptured by nature on this level, with its calmness, sights, and sounds.
 

Grand Teton National Park

A pre-dawn start to each day gave me and my family prime sunrises at popular viewing points like Oxbow bend and the Snake River with Mount Moran’s reflection, the most photographed area in the entire park. Other memorable lookout points included Colter Bay Marina, with its colorful array of boats and canoes resting on calm water in front of a mountain backdrop, and the summit of Signal Mountain, with views that seem go on forever.

While these views were awe-inspiring, the most adventurous part of Grand Teton was hiking to the various lookout points around Jenny Lake. This is where a good camera and even better hiking shoes are a must. It is apparent why this hike is so popular among tourists: the pure-white waters pouring over the top of Hidden Falls, the breathtaking views overlooking Jenny Lake while at 7,200 feet on top of Inspiration Point, and the magnificent perfection of Cascade Canyon.

Each day concluded at a small, remote wood cabin community in Grand Teton. Picture mountain views on one end, free-range cattle on another, and miles of hilly green pasture in between. No complaints here!

My photo of Colter Bay Marina, Grand Teton National Park
 

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is the world’s first national park and is located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Its diverse vegetation, famous geysers, and abundance of wildlife made Yellowstone an unforgettable experience. One of the most popular areas to spot wildlife was in Hayden Valley. Patience was a virtue when traveling in this valley, as herds of bison lazily crossed the road, sometimes coming within only a few feet from our car — a bit scary, but also entertaining.

As interesting as it was to be this close to wildlife, the extraordinary colors in some of the world’s most well-known geysers really drew my attention. The vibrant colors of the Emerald Pool and Morning Glory Pool were brilliant visions painted into the monochromatic landscape. Of course, my visit to Yellowstone would not have been complete without watching the legendary Old Faithful erupt. This geyser was discovered in 1870 and got its name due to its frequent eruptions — every 92 minutes, with water shooting as high as 135 feet into the air!

My photo of the Emerald Pool Geyser, Yellowstone National Park

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, which is roughly 20 miles long and 1,200 feet deep in some places, was one of the biggest highlights. The Lower and Upper Falls of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon can be seen from several breathtaking vantage points, all of which I was fortunate enough to see. The powerful cascade of water in the Lower Falls plunges 308 feet into the Yellowstone River. While smaller than its counterpart, the Upper Falls is equally as stunning — getting to be so close to the falls made this site a phenomenal display of nature at its best for me.

Whether big or small, vacations can create some of life’s most memorable moments and my vacation was an experience that will be forever close to my heart. Visit the National Park Service website for information to start planning your next adventure!

My photos of Cascade Canyon, Grand Teton (Left) and The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (Right)