This land is your land

My first love in photography is birds, but I’ve developed a strong interest in landscape photography. As a retirement gift to myself, I bought a wide-angle lens just for shots like this. Our first trip post-retirement was to three of our glorious National Parks, Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. This is in Glacier.

In the center of the frame is Grinnell Peak, and that’s Swiftcurrent lake in the foreground. They’re on the East side of the park, which is also the less crowded side. There’s only one hotel on that side of the park, and it’s a beauty. It’s built in the style of a Swiss chalet. I’m sure it’s not an inexpensive place to stay, and I’m also sure it books up quickly for the summer months. But if I were going back to Glacier, I’d want to stay here. This shot was taken from near the dock immediately behind the hotel.

I will say again here I think Ken Burns was exactly right when he subtitled his documentary on our National Parks “America’s Best Idea.” I am humbled, amazed and so thankful that a century ago there were wealthy and powerful Americans who worked to protect and preserve huge tracts of lands, so that you and I could enjoy sights like this.