Animals featured in the exhibit include grizzly bears, elk, Timber wolves, arctic waterfowl, trumpeter swans and sandhill cranes. The image below is a rendering of Old Faithful Entry Plaza, featuring a 25-foot geyser and Great Lodge, replicated from the Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone National Park.

Upon exiting the lodge, visitors will have access to several overlooks in the grizzly bear exhibit, including rock outcroppings, the Fishing Lodge with freshwater fish for the bears, and a rustic bridge that goes over Firehole Falls – providing views of both grey wolves and grizzly bears.

Find out how some newly orphaned grizzly cubs from Wyoming will make their home in Teton Trek, expected to open in October.

To read more about Teton Trek, visit memphiszoo.org/tetontrek. Or plan your visit of the entire zoo, which includes bonobos, giant pandas and polar bears! The Memphis Zoo will hope yet another new exhibit in 2011: the Zambezi River Hippo Camp.

Are you planning a visit to the Memphis Zoo?

(Photo courtesy Memphis Zoo)

Post from: Blisstree

Teton Trek to Open this Fall

Ideally, for my perfect vacation, I’d go to Italy. I’ve got a bad crush on Italy. However, rounding in at a close second would be Montana. Or maybe San Francisco… or Napa… hmmm, ok, I like a lot of places. Let’s pretend Montana would be my second choice though for this post’s sake.

In Montana, I’d rent this offbeat beauty:

The “Paradise Valley Tower House” is located in the heart of the Paradise Valley, Montana near Yellowstone Park, Paradise Valley, Livingston, Bozeman, Pine Creek, Chico Hot Springs and Big Sky – that makes this home fairly close to my favorite place in Montana; Red Lodge and Beartooth Highway. I liked Red Lodge and the highway so much that I named my son after it. Thus, the location works for me.

There are views of the Montana Rocky mountain and Yellowstone River from all five levels! There’s even a ladder to a roof deck, where I’m guessing the views might make you faint. This home has been featured on a Dwell cover (nice) and has won some nice awards as well.

Below the view from inside – seriously the sky is huge in Montana. Look at that. Just beautiful.

About the home (from the home’s website):

• “Very private 14 acre property in the heart of the Paradise Valley overlooking the Yellowstone River surrounded by 12,000 ft mountains, horse pastures, ranches and open fields.
• 3 bedrooms – 2 with queen beds & 1 with a full bed / 2 full bathrooms / kitchen loft / sleeps up to 5-6 people. Additional room available in the barn bunk house for an additional fee.
• Aproximately 1,750 sq ft on 4 levels plus 7 additional decks including rooftop view level.
• Roof deck is one of the highest “manmade” points in the Paradise Valley
• Stainless steel appliances, Corian countertops, kitchen island, Kohler bath fixtures, washer dryer, gas BBQ.
• WiFi Internet connection, Direct TV, DVD, Sony 36″ big screen, audiophile stereo system, gas fireplace.
• Steps to Yellowstone River fly fishing, kayaking and rafting.”

So, a little big for simple loving me, but I think I’d find a way to survive my vacation. The amazing architecture alone would sustain me.

Below – wouldn’t you know they’d show the house at twilight. Like I already wasn’t smitten.

It looks like you can rent the home for your vacation, or even possibly buy it, and have all for yourself all year long. Not sure if it’s still for sale though. You can find out, and see many more ridiculously gorgeous photos by visiting the home’s website.

Now that we’ve narrowed down where my ideal vacation would be (well, at least narrowed to five or so choices) where would you go? You can go anywhere on earth – where would that be? Chances are, I’d be able to find you an offbeat something to stay in.

Post from: Blisstree

My Ideal Offbeat Vacation Home