Saturday, August 4, 2018

August 4 - Horseback riding

Something a little different today. Linda and I went on a trail ride. Lots of fun and great scenery as we traversed up hills and down hills. Thankful those horses were sure-footed. It was a rocky trail through the Targhee National Forest which crossed us into Idaho. Our last stretch of trail back to the ranch had us ford the Salt River. Neither one of  us were sure about that part but we all made it back safe. 





Linda’s horse talking to us. Her horse also did yoga.


The mountains in the background are the Salt Mountains. 

 This is Boone, my horse.


Attempting to get on. That’s a tall horse. 




Beautiful country. Had great weather.   



Then when we got back to the camper, we decided to go kayaking one more time on the Snake River. It was peaceful until the boat people woke up. 







As the sun sets on another great vacation, we have to leave Wyoming. Really like it here. Mornings are cool, 40s and 50s, then it warms up to high 70s or 80s. Sometimes there is a little breeze, too. 

August 3 - Backpacker’s Return

Today was a lazy day. Decided to stay in Alpine, do a little shopping and sit by the river reading while Lenny played rock (Reuben slept). 

The backpackers (Shannon and Carl, Bill, Nate and Wyatt, John and Kya and John’s friend Dave) returned in time for us to have a fire and feed them. Lots of stories about their time off the grid. 








Friday, August 3, 2018

August 2 - West Yellowstone

Trekked again to Yellowstone but drove into the West entrance so we could go north to Mammoth. We were in 3 states within 3 hours!  Saw lots more hot springs and bubbling waters and waterfalls. AND some wildlife. Saw a herd of elk, some buffalo and Linda saw a bear. Cars were stopped. People running everywhere. Some even went into the woods for a closer look. Did they NOT understand that bears can kill?  Or were they just dumb?

Continued up the road that was under construction. That took us a lot longer to traverse. Finally got through that and came near Mammoth. 

First was roaring mountain. Puffs of hot steam coming out of the rock. 



Then it was on to GoldenGate road. Oh my. Linda and I are glad we didn’t have to stop it. It was one of the most challenging roads to build in the park. 



Upper terrace hot springs near Mammoth. 



Here are more pics of the different hot springs around Mammoth. We road around some of the different hot springs and then Linda hiked up a wooden path to see them a little closer. 











Starting back down, we stopped to see Undine falls. Linda and I had seen a FB post on 7 waterfalls to see. We saw all but one - Firehole. Too many people waiting to park. 



As we came out of the park at the west entrance, we stopped in West Yellowstone. Really a cute town. Had ice cream. 

It was a long day but lots of fun. 

August 1 - kayaking and a Rodeo in Jackson

Kayaking started off our day. So relaxing. The water was like glass. The Snake River runs right in front of our campground so all Linda and I had to do was unload crap from the back of the truck and then load the kayaks. Made it to the river. Ahhhhh





Then it was on to a Rodeo Linda had booked for us. Sooooo much fun but wonder what their bodies feel like the next day!







Wednesday, August 1, 2018

July 31 - a trek to Yellowstone

Today was spent in Yellowstone. Drove up through the southern entrance which took us past the mighty Tetons. Beautiful blue sky day with temps that started in the 50s and ended up in the 80s. 

Since pets aren’t allowed in the National Parks, we had to kennel Lenny and Reuben. They weren’t too happy. 

Headed to seeded Old Faithful first. On the way we stopped to see Lewis Falls and Kepler Cascades. 

























On the road again to see Gibbon Falls



Next was at the brink of the Lower Falls. Can you see the green cast to the water?  





Kept going to the Upper Falls, near the brink and saw a rainbow. 



On the road again and we see a buffalo. We were beginning to think there wasn’t any wildlife left in Yellowstone. Saw about 6-8 buffs. 



Stopped at Mud Volcano. 



In the same area was the Dragon’s Mouth Spring. That was cool to see 



Saw an elk as we headed back home. 



After picking up the boys at the DodJax kennel, we decided to stop in Wilson, a little town that has great hiking trails and supposedly moose cross there. But we went luck enouyto see one. 

Long day but did and saw a lot.