June 29th and 30th ~ Wrapping up the month of June
Stained glass – notice detail in the background
We kept a low profile the past couple of days. Short jaunts out in the Tetons to see Sacred Heart, an old log cabin style Catholic Church, look for more animals, visit the dam at Jackson Lake and a day trip up into Yellowstone National Park to try to size up camping locations for after the 4th of July.
But first a look at Sacred Heart Church. Much needed renovations were done by a generous donation from a family from New York and Wyoming as a tribute for those lost in the 9/11 tragedy.
Interior of a log-cabin style Catholic church, Sacred Heart
This log cabin style church is warm, charming, and even early in the morning we found it open. What was most noticeable was the beautiful stained glass window. It sat behind the altar which had a lone dried rose on top. Somehow that lone rose touched my soul.
Lone dried rose on the altar touched me
Jackson Lake, taken next to the dam
Yellowstone National Park south entrance is only about 8 miles north of Grand Tetons, where we are staying through the fourth of July.
Yellowstone National Park, South entrance
We were concerned about lodging, since all of the campsites where you could reserve space are very popular, so we decided on a whim to take a drive up to investigate our options.
The campgrounds in Yellowstone are dismally full and we will probably end up either camping in a state park or government land near the west entrance to the park unless we get lucky and can get to the site at Madison which is on a first come basis before it fills up.
Hayden Valley
Too many fires have left areas scarred
But while there, we checked out Hayden Valley where we saw several animals including bison, deer, a bear (too far away to photograph but saw through binoculars) and had dinner at Yellowstone Lake Lodge.
Large male bison strolling along the ridge above the road
Young buck grazing on green grass and blue flowers
Yellowstone Lake Lodge
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful for an opportunity to renew a wonderful memory of when we stayed at Yellowstone Lodge about ten years ago, dressed for dinner and enjoyed gourmet meals in their dining room while listening to a piano playing in the lounge. People now dress more casually, and the food is not as remembered, but still very good, and the views remain unblemished.
A Note From Abroad 
Great post. Simple and real. Oh yes, last week we drove by the West Entrance to Yellowstone and it looked like LA at rush hour. Couldn’t get out of there fast enough. So many people decided not to travel abroad this year, especially Europe and stayed at home. Continue to enjoy your trip.
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Thank you Cal. We are a bit concerned about finding a park in or near Yellowstone but trusting that something will work out.
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Loved Yellowstone! Saw lots of animals but never a bear in the wild, although we certainly carried our bear spray everywhere. We did get into Fishing Bridge campground by making the reservations there three months in advance and planning travel around our reservations. Gardiner had a nice private campground right at the entrance to Yellowstone where we stayed a few days too and could easily get in. For Zion I had to make six months in advance to get in and then not much of a choice on campsites. Love that the National Parks are so popular- don’t love that the campgrounds are so popular too! Really enjoying reliving the trip through your blog too. Thanks
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Nanci, we knew there would be a few spots where it could be challenging without a reservation, but we really wanted to keep our journey flexible so we could stay longer if we loved a place and move on when we felt ready. Tim has us set up well with solar panels so we can boondock for several days without any problems if we need to. Just part of our adventures!
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All the photos are gorgeous! Love the church!
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Thanks John! We have seen some grand churches around the world, but the simplicity of this one with the single dried rose, log walls, beautiful stained glass window and awesome setting touched us.
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Love your photos, especially the bison. We must have missed the little church during our visit – next time, right? There is so much beauty to see in both parks, it’s hard to see it all. Good luck with the campsite, get up early!
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Sandra, you are so right. Getting up VERY early on the morning we move on the 5th to try to grab a new campsite in Yellowstone. I’m really looking forward to spending time in Yellowstone again. Our favorite of the National Parks.
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What a beautiful stained glass window! Your photographs continue to delight.
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Thank you Joy
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Really enjoying our armchair trip with you, have a wonderful 4th of July. I remember Daryl and I enjoyed a 4th of July with our Daughter in Death Valley on our way Las Vegas. A memorable experience.
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Hello Gaye and DaryI! Thank you for the 4th of July wishes. Sending best wishes to both of you Down Under!
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Such lovely photos! Yellowstone is fun.
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I hope you find a place you like to camp! When we visited Yellowstone in 2006 we stayed at Red Rock RV park in Island Park, Idaho. We got reservations for a week just a few days before we arrived. it’s just a little bit farther from the west entrance than West Yellowstone, Montana. The RV park is surrounded by cattle pastures and has beautiful mountain views.
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That sounds lovely!
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Wonderful photos and I will have to check out that chapel. Did you see the Chapel of the Transfiguration in GTNP? Maggie
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No, sorry, we did not see that chapel.
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Pingback: Month of June Travels in our National Parks ~ Highlight Moments in Pictures | A Note From Abroad
The stained glass and your photo of Jackson Lake are equally stunning!
I love Yellowstone, and Hayden Valley in particular, but the fire damage on the west side of the park made me heartsick when we were last there in 2015.
I hope you had luck finding camping space!
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We were not able to get into Madison Junction Campground, but Norris worked out well. We plan on driving out through the NE corner which I believe will take us through part of the Lamar Valley. We have not spent much time in that section, so looking forward to seeing it.
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