Yellowstone National Park - part 1

Yellowstone National Park, the first national park, is one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world and should be on everyone's bucket list. The Troll family spent 8 days in the park and would have been happy to spend even more time there enjoying the natural wonders, gazing upon the amazing magnificent scenery and observing the diverse wildlife. 

The Trolls encourage you to make every effort to go see this amazing park for yourself. Take your time, take your warm clothes, take your binoculars and by all means, take your camera. Trust the Trolls, you want to see this for yourself! 

Be prepared to have patience as the buffalo often
block the roads as they cross or simply slowly walk
down the middle of them.

Steam rises from thermal vents alongside of a road
as the bison play.

Old Faithful

At the Old Faithful Lodge

Inside the Old Faithful Inn. Built in 1903 - 1904, the inn now
has 325 guest rooms and is a National Historic Landmark.  

You can watch Old Faithful erupt from the inn. Even if you
don't stay here, you should go inside to marvel at the huge
stone fireplace, wrought iron clock, and the majestic lobby
with its 80-foot exposed roof ridge above 2 floors of
balconies. 

Lil Dude along the Firehole River in the western part
of the park.

Along Firehole River near its confluence with the
Nez Perce Creek.

A rarely seen member of the Troll Family, Streaker Troll,
along the Firehole River above Goose Lake.  

Streaker Troll on the Firehole River in the Lower Geyser Basin.

Grand Teton National Park

About 10 miles south of Yellowstone National Park in northwestern Wyoming lies the 40-mile-long mountain range known as the Grand Tetons. Encompassing the tallest peaks of the spectacularly beautiful range as well as the town and area known as Jackson Hole is the Grand Teton National Park. The park was first created in 1929 and only included the mountains, but the Jackson Hole town and valley was included in a 1950 expansion.

Rising over 7,000 feet in height, the majestic Grand Teton mountains are famous the world over for their rugged beauty. The park has many streams and small lakes located in pristine settings which can only be accessed by hiking some of the 200+ miles of trails, but the largest is 15-mile-long Jackson Lake which is easily accessible from the main road that traverses the park. Most people do not know that hidden in the deep recesses in the heights of the mountains are 12 different active glaciers. Rocks found in the park have been dated to be 2.7 billion years old, older than any other rocks found in any of the other national parks in America.

The Ranger on duty at the park entrance was happy
to meet Lil Dude Troll!

Much of the flora and fauna is the same as it was in prehistoric times. Over 1,000 species of plants, dozens of mammals and more than 300 species of birds can be found within the park's boundaries. 

Lil Dude Troll thoroughly enjoyed his visit to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson and he recommends it for anyone who enjoys and appreciates the beauty found in nature. Plan on spending at least a few days, bring your hiking shoes and warm clothing (even in the middle of summer it is cold and there is snow in the higher elevations!) and by all means, do not forget your camera!

Coming into the Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton Mountains in the background

The historical Snake River

Park map in the Colter Bay
Visitor Center

Looking for souvenirs in the Colter Bay Gift Shop

Mixing in with the bones & fur available for kids to
touch in the Colter Bay Visitor Center exhibition

Colter Bay outside of the Visitor Center

Lake Jackson and the Tetons