National parks, natural beauty and a bit of Disney wonder! COMPLETED - Page 34 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
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Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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I gotta say I love the look of the Tetons NP! Really pretty. You seemed to have exceptionally good weather - is that common there in September?
I don't think it is. I think I put in my pre-trip report (all that time ago now... back in August 2011 ) that there was, at one point, snow in the forecast at the end of August for Yellowstone and I know that they do start to shut the parks down in September. I think we were just exceptionally lucky with the temperatures and weather we got during these few days.
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Isn't that crystal clear lake water beautiful? It's amazing how clear it is! Bummer you didn't have time for a boat ride. But you're right, that was a very long drive ahead of you, wow!
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Great updates!
Where did you get your National Park Passport? Did you order it? I want to get one before our trip this summer so we can get our stamps
You'd have to ask Terri that, as it was a present from her... although I did see them at most of the National Parks shops we went to - and incidentally that's usually where you get the stamps as well.
Sunday 11 September – part four: off back into the “real” world
Our final stop in the Grand Tetons was at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Centre. My guidebook told me that this was a dazzling building and, as we neared it, I could clearly see that. It was stunning.
Inside, it was just as breathtaking. This is really the first stop they want you to make as you enter the park, giving credence to my theory that coming from the south and then heading to Yellowstone is the way to go. It’s a great introduction to the Grand Tetons and I particularly liked all the animal identification sections, where you could feel their fur. Some didn’t feel nearly as nice as I thought it would.
I got my passport stamped and, after a final restroom stop before hitting the road we were off on our long journey.
It took a while before we left the national park proper and on the way, oddly, we saw Jackson Hole Airport. Not what you expect to see in a national park – and they had full size planes on the ground as well!
We were soon entering Jackson, Wyoming and you could immediately see the difference, the second you were outside the park boundary. I’m sure this is how both Yellowstone and Grand Tetons would’ve ended up, had they not been protected. It was a bit like Disneyland, if you’ve been there, you’re suddenly outside the park and there’s the outside and “real” world waiting for you...
As we were back in the “real” world, Mark took the opportunity to fill up with gas at the bargain basement price of $57 for a full tank of gas. I’m sorry, but that is bargain basement, when you’re used to paying $110, trust me...
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Great visit to the Grand Tetons--I don't know why but your TR has me envisioning an RV in my retirement future!
That would be so cool, wouldn't it? Actually I can't help but think that now I understand the attraction of getting one, as it would be great on a trip like this.
You know, if you start forgetting to do your daily updates you're going to end up on Princess Sharon's list of slackers! Anyway, the water in Jenny Lake was so clear. Just makes you want to jump right in! Can't wait to hear about the next leg of your trip.
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I think I put in my pre-trip report (all that time ago now... back in August 2011 
) that there was, at one point, snow in the forecast at the end of August for Yellowstone and I know that they do start to shut the parks down in September. I think we were just exceptionally lucky with the temperatures and weather we got during these few days.
note to self - do not let real life interfere with PassPorter life again! 
although I did see them at most of the National Parks shops we went to - and incidentally that's usually where you get the stamps as well.
Anyway, the water in Jenny Lake was so clear. Just makes you want to jump right in! Can't wait to hear about the next leg of your trip.
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