“In wilderness is the preservation of the world.”
Henry David Thoreau

National Park Week began last Saturday and runs through this weekend.

While one can make nature and landscape photographs anywhere, there's something undeniably special about the parks. I frequently work inside NPS properties. In addition to living next to door to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton, quite a few other parks are located within reasonable driving distance: no air travel required.

A friend assured me before I moved to the Intermountain West that my perspective about distances would change once I got here. At the time I scoffed at the idea, but he turned out to be correct. I now consider a five-hour drive a relatively inconsequential excursion. Not quite run-to-the-grocery-store minor, but certainly nothing earth-shattering. In this regard, the version of me who lived in the Northeast has little relation to the person I have become.

With that mindset, Utah's Magnificent Five are easy peasey. In the opposite direction, there's Glacier. Add to the list Death Valley, which - while further - is straightforward and feels quicker than its 11-hours. Badlands. Crater Lake. 

I've driven to Grand Canyon's North Rim and the Redwoods, too, although those involve more significant time behind the wheel. (I will admit that since having been injured as a passenger in a vehicle rollover, sitting in a car for a long time is more of a challenge than it used to be.) 

At any rate, proximity has made it possible for a kid from the Midwest - who grew up living nowhere near any national parks - to have more opportunities to be inspired by them than I could ever have imagined.

In honor of National Park Week, I'm sharing a handful of images from some of these magnificent locations.

SENTINELMajestic Mount Moran

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

"Sentinel"
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

THROUGH THE FOGGrand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming "Through the Fog"
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

TOWERING SANDSTONEThe monoliths at Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers are even more striking in warm, evening light.

Arches National Park, Utah "Towering Sandstone"
Arches National Park, Utah

EMISSARIES FROM ANTIQUITYCoastal redwoods (Sequoia Sempervirens) grow in a narrow strip along the Pacific Ocean. The tallest trees on earth, they reach nearly 380 feet in height. Here, two of them create a frame through which more of their cousins are visible in the magical fog resulting from heavy rain.

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Redwood National and State Parks, California "Emissaries From Antiquity"
Redwood National and State Parks, California

LIME LINESEarly spring color in the Blue Ridge Mountains at Shenandoah National Park creates interesting patterns in lime green. Dappled late-day light enhances the effect.

Near Rockfish Gap, Virginia "Lime Lines"
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

FEELING MISTYAs early morning fog rolls over Jordan Pond, the shoreline dances in and out of sight. Low water levels expose a great deal of pink granite.

Acadia National Park, Maine "Feeling Misty"
Acadia National Park, Maine

SHIFTING SANDMesquite Flat Sand Dunes

Death Valley National Park, California "Shifting Sand"
Death Valley National Park, California

In Local News

Speaking of National Parks, Yellowstone is now partially open to vehicle traffic. The west entrance at West Yellowstone, Montana welcomed guests starting last Friday. The east, south and northeast (Beartooth Highway) entrances will reopen during the month of May. If you're planning on visiting, I strongly advise signing up for text alerts regarding road conditions. It's not unusual for snow to fall this time of year (like yesterday, when a few inches accumulated); sometimes it's enough to temporarily shut things down. Text 82190 to 888-7777 and you'll be set.  

Grand Teton's Inner Loop Road is scheduled to open to vehicle traffic on May 1st. Be advised that some campgrounds won't open until mid- to late-May. Signal Mountain partially re-opens in the middle of May, but don't be surprised to find snowpack in your space - and expect mud. Colter Bay partially opens May 22nd. It's a good time to car camp if you can, at least for the next few weeks. It'll be drier at Gros Ventre, which partially opens beginning this Saturday.

Grand Targhee finished its winter season on Easter Sunday (with three inches of fresh powder, no less). The resort is now closed, but will reopen for summer operations on June 13th.

At Jackson Hole, which closed on April 16th, the tram's summer runs will begin on May 17th and mountain biking season starts on June 7th.