From the very first time man set eyes on Yellowstone, he recognized it as one of the most fantastic places on earth. No one Indian tribe claimed Yellowstone their own, it was sacred to all. John Coulter, the first white man to explore it, told such bizarre stories about it that it was called Coulter’s hell and Government expeditions were sent to explore it. In 1872, it became our first National Park and the template for all those that would follow. With Geysers, hot mud pots, waterfalls, hiking trails and loads of wildlife there is something for everyone. Yellowstone offers the closest thing to an African photographic safari the western hemisphere has to offer.

Grand Teton National Park preserves the most recognized mountain range on earth. The Tetons rise directly from the valley floor with a string of lovely lakes skirting their eastern base. Every time I ski Grand Targhee I sidestep up 20 feet from the uppermost trail for an unobstructed, eye level view of the Grand Tetons, magnificent. The Park is home to herds of Elk, Bison, Pronghorn, Mule and Whitetail Deer. Wolfs, Black and Grizzly Bears live in the Park as well.