Another painting from my “grand westward adventure,” Taggart and Tetons has become a personal favorite. The Taggart Lake Trail in Grand Teton National Park is a popular hike.  Comprised of a fairly easy 3.3 miles, the trail provides spectacular views of the Teton Mountains and surrounding landscape. I remember being excited as I rounded each turn in the trail, never knowing what amazing vista lay in wait. Huge boulders, vast slopes, tangled vegetation, mounded snow—each scene comprised a wonderland for this Florida boy! The crowning view, however, met me when I stepped onto the edge of Taggart Lake. In the distance, Grand Teton towered in the clear mountain air, and closer by, broken trees and boulders lay strewn about the ground in front of me. Due to the higher-than-average snowfall that year, thick patches of the pristine white precipitation lay about even in late May. The beautiful blues of tree shadows on the snow harmonized wonderfully with the mountains blued by distance. The green tones of the clear, cold lake, rocks, and evergreen trees were contrasted delightfully by the oranges, reds, and ochers of the shrubs, bushes, and fallen timber. The view absolutely captivated me, and I painted the scene with true joy back in my studio!