Nice to Meet You

Friends trip in the Galapagos Islands. Towards the end of our week there, we visited the spectacular Gardiner Bay on Espanola Island. Sea lions covered the beach and swam with us in the bay. The spectacular travel setting, the wonderful late afternoon light, and the way the curve of the boy's body and the sea lion's mimic each other as they "say HI", makes this a perfect Pic moment!

Tsechu Festival in Thimphu, Bhutan

An organized tour is the only way to visit Bhutan and it costs a pretty penny, but that's how this tiny Buddhist country protected its unique culture. If you're lucky enough to go, you may see an elaborate religious celebration, such as Thimphu's Tsechu Festival.

Sunrise, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee

America's most visited national park is world renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life. From larger animals like bear, deer and elk, all the way down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world's temperate zone. The park is also a hiker's paradise, containing more than 800 miles of well-maintained trails and walking paths.

Emerald Pool, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Did you know the earth's crust is thinner underneath Yellowstone National Park than anywhere else in the world? Around the globe the crust is usually 5 miles thick: in Yellowstone it measures little more than 1 mile. Bison congregate around the resulting pools and hot springs because the sulfurous smell keeps insects away.

Cream Puffs, Wisconsin State Fair

Cream puffs are the most important part of the Wisconsin State Fair. The only thing as important as the legendary dessert, is the Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Contest. The contest features local businessman and television personalities. Brian Gotter, a local TV meteorologist is the current title-holder.

Lake Jackson, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

The granite and gneiss that make up the core of the Tetons are some of the oldest rocks in North America. Amazingly, despite the age of the rocks, the mountains themselves are some of the youngest in the world.

Tetons & Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

"Sudden" is one of the best words to describe the Teton Range. Their steep slopes jut abruptly out of the surrounding plains creating a breathtaking landscape enjoyed by nearly 4 million visitors each year. In addition to the wonderful hiking and fishing opportunities in the summer, the Tetons are also home to some of the best ski slopes in the world.