Grand Teton National Park lies just to the south of Yellowstone. In fact, the entry fee for one will get you into the other. Because of the close proximity, we certainly couldn't pass up a day trip down to see the beauty of the Tetons while we were staying in West Yellowstone.

The Grand Teton Range is part of the Rocky Mountains. The unique feature of the Tetons is they rise abruptly out of the surrounding terrain without any foot hills. The vertical rise of the jagged peaks contrasts with the flat, sage-covered valley.

The reason the Tetons rise so abruptly is there is a 40-mile long fault line that runs along the base of the range. The land to the west lifted skyward to form the mountains while the block of land to the east tilted downward and continues to dive below the western block lifting the western block even higher.

Approaching from the north, we first came to Jackson Lake. Jackson Lake was originally a natural, glacially-created lake. In 1906, Idaho farmers paid to have a dam built to turn the lake into a reservoir so the water could be used for irrigation. The lake is fed by the Snake River, which flows into Idaho after it leaves Jackson Lake. The original dam, which raised the level of the lake by 20 feet, was replaced so the level of the lake is now 30 to 39 feet above its natural level. Idaho farmers still have the rights to the water in Jackson Lake.

The photo below is a view of the Tetons from the marina behind Jackson Lake Lodge.

A little farther along Teton Park Road, we came to Mount Moran. Mount Moran is not only picturesque, but it is interesting because of a vertical black streak near the summit. This streak, or black dike as it is called, is a 150-foot thick layer of magma that was forced upward through a large, vertical crack before the mountain was uplifted. Erosion of the surrounding rock has left the black dike clearly visible.

The next stop along Teton Park Road is Jenny Lake, possibly the most picturesque area in the park. From the eastern shore, you can see several peaks of the Teton Range reflected in the lake. The photo below is the view across Jenny Lake looking a little to the south...

...and this shot is looking across the lake to the west.

Like most of the other lakes in the park, Jenny Lake was formed by a glacier. The glacier scooped out an indentation in the ground that filled with water when the glacier melted. Jenny Lake is about 200 feet deep.

Twelve named glaciers remain in Grand Teton National Park, the largest of which is Teton Glacier. Although the size varies, it is about 3,500 feet long and about 1,100 feet wide and moves about 30 feet a year. Teton Glacier is the white patch in the upper center part of the photo below.

As we approached the south end of the park, we took a short trip up a side road and down a dirt road to Mormon Row, which is an area that was homesteaded by predominantly Mormon settlers in the late 1800s. Some of the farm buildings remain, including several much-photographed barns like the one below.

The settlers had quite a view.

We saw several bison in the fields near Mormon Row, and a few of them decided to cross the road near where we were photographing the barn.

At the southern end of the national park is the Chapel of the Transfiguration. The chapel was built in 1925. The doors are unlocked 24/7 during the summer. The chapel can also be reserved for weddings.

There is a picture window behind the altar that frames the majestic Tetons. We couldn't help but be in awe of God as Creator.

Here we are standing in front of the chapel, which is built of Lodgepole pine cut in the valley.

A few miles beyond the south boundary of Teton National Park is the town of Jackson. Jackson Hole is the name of the area where the town of Jackson is located. It is called Jackson Hole because it is a valley surrounded by mountains. Jackson is a resort town that draws hoards of visitors each year, especially during ski season. Numerous celebrities visit Jackson and several of them, including Harrison Ford, Vice President Dick Cheney, Tiger Woods, and Sandra Bullock, maintain part-time residences in or near the town.

The main downtown area has a western look and feel about it, which you can see in the photo below. You can also see some of the ski slopes on the mountains in the background.

The carved door of this bar continues the western theme. The sidewalks are wood.

A stage coach passed by adding to the western feel of Jackson.

Right in the center of town is a park. All four corners of the park have arches made from shed elk antlers.

After we walked around the town and looked in a few shops, we stopped for a Dairy Queen then headed north back through Grand Teton National Park to our rig. We enjoyed changing views of the mountains as we drove along.

Back at the motor home, we took it easy after our all-day excursion. We would soon be heading off to our next destination in Idaho.