An Unexpected End to the Summer Adventure

We have been experiencing a different view of the Northwest. We have been based out of Idaho Falls, ID since July 4th. A few of our side trips have been to Craters of the Moon, the first commercial nuclear power plant, and the first city totally powered by nuclear power. It was very interesting....didn't understand a lot of the technical aspects of it. We have gone from scenic trips to historical history trips. Idaho Falls is a very nice town about the size of Longview. The people are very nice and friendly and for that we appreciate it so much. We have taken a few hikes, mostly walks around the Snake River and through the Craters of the Moon.

We are having to cut our summer in beautiful and cool Jackson short and will be heading back to Texas the end of August so this will be our last blog of the summer.

Below are some scenes from Idaho.

Mustard field in Idaho

Mustard field with purple sky

Snake River near Idaho Falls

Lava flows in Craters of the Moon National Monument

More lava

Cave man in Craters of the Moon

Can't shave so this is my new look

Yellowstone

Just got back from 4 days in Yellowstone. It was beautiful and every part of it is so different. We had a wonderful time and did so much it would take a bit to long to tell about it. So we are just putting some of the pictures up.....hope you enjoy.

Right before we left for Yellowstone a moose showed up near the visitor center and Deeann got real close for some pictures.

This picture was taken just before Deeann interrupted his meal and he scared her off.

Elk have left the Elk Refuge, which is right out of my front door, but are plentiful in Yellowstone.

These elk were in the visitor area at Mammoth Hot Springs.

A bison road block.

Bison and calves.

This big grizzly caused quite a traffic jam. We watched him for about 30 minutes.

Lower Falls at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

On an up hill hike to Mystic Falls.

Mystic Falls, not too far from Old Faithful.
Here's one you probably have never seen - a picture of Old Faithful.

Hot pool near Old Faithful.

Lewis Falls.

Finally Getting To Hike

Well it took a while but finally the weather became good enough for us to hike. We hiked the first day at Laurence Rockefeller Preserve. Took our lunch and ate at Phelps Lake, sat by a meandering stream. The next day we hiked Taggart on a 4 mile one. There was still snow on the trails but it was manageable.

Snow packed trail
Taggart Lake

Jenny Lake

That day we saw a Moose that had just given birth to a calf. It is amazing how fast the Park Rangers can get to a place and control the crowds that gather. They are definitely the animals best friend. It got up to 70 that day and then back to the 30s at night. We have gone on two or three more hikes since then. They have a "shoot-out" on the Square every night. Watched that one night....really cute and loud. One night we went with other volunteers from the Visitor Center to the Bar-T-5-Ranch. You load up onto covered wagons and go to a chuck wagon dinner. The food was good and after dinner they have entertainment which was a lot of fun. It started raining but we were covered...the ride back was cold but at least we weren't wet. I thought weather in Texas changed fast....even faster here. A couple of days later just when I thought winter was over it started snowing again. Still in jeans and turtle necks...love it!!! One day we went to Spring Creek Resort. The views were beautiful of the Tetons and it was pretty fancy.

We took the back roads back to Jackson and stopped at Gros Ventre and saw the Slide. In 1925 a big part of the mountain slid down and formed a dam. Two years later it broke and wiped out the town of Kelly where six people were killed. The town was rebuilt...but the debris is still there. Really amazing. Yesterday we hiked Emma Matilda Lake near Colter Bay. It was a little more difficult than the others but well worth it. Most of our hikes are 4 to 5 miles which I thought was really good but I saw where there are some that are 18 miles. Maybe we can build up to that. We have been to the Silver Dollar Saloon to listen to bluegrass and other kinds of music....and people watching. Jackson has grown in size since Memorial Day...lots of tourist. Still having a wonderful time and enjoying every day.

Slide debris

Hopefully, last week of winter

Made it through the second week of work and then had a little time to play. Still no hiking yet as there is still snow on most of the trails. Hoping to hit the trail tomorrow, weather permitting. Last weekend was Old West Days in Jackson; big parade, music on the square, hotdogs and fun. Monday evening went to The Jackson Hootenanny with Dunhams and other visitor center staff. Lots of good ole down home fun. Went on a short two day trip to Idaho Falls Wednesday. Pretty scenery over Teton Pass and then back through the Snake River Canyon. Only a little flurry today, so looks like winter might be over.

Deeann at Elk Refuge

Eddie

Dunhams at the Hootenanny

Falls at Idaho Falls

Yellowstone bus at Old West Days parade

First Week of Work (if you want to call it that)

Well, have finished my first week of work (3 days) and am getting back into it; telling people where to go, what to see, where to eat, where to stay, selling park passes and other licenses. It's really a lot of fun meeting and talking to people from all over the world. One of my co-workers suggested I use one of our park highlight sheets to reduce the time I have to talk to people. I'll give it to them now, but only after I've told them everything on the sheet. It's more fun that way. It's amazing at how many foreigners are here this time of year and the length of some of their vacations. Most of the foreigners we see in the Visitor's Center are European.

It's still cold up here and activities in the park have really been delayed. Teton National Park had over 700 inches of snow this year, over 200 inches above normal. You can really tell it. All of the snow does add another view of the beauty up here. Had a picture of a frozen Jenny Lake in the last blog. Made a short trip into the park today and the lakes have really thawed. Today's picture of Jenny Lake shows only a few floating chunks of ice. Evidently wind is more of a factor in the melt than the temperature. Even though the lakes are thawing, there is still a lot of snow around and campground and hiking trail openings have been delayed.

Went back into the park today to have lunch at the Jackson Lake Lodge. Had snow flurries most of the way up and back. Didn't have a good few of the mountains as can be seen in the Jenny Lake picture below, but it was still beautiful.

Still a lot of snow around

Moose shedding winter coat and growing new antlers

At the Visitor Center, but not in work clothes

Jenny Lake today showing ice melt. Pretty good snow coming in so you can't see the mountains. I got back to the car just before it hit.

Made it to Jackson

Had a tough trip from Moab to Jackson. Rain and snow and a mud slide that caused an extra hour and half re-route. Finally got here and set up the Casita. Still have a bit left to do but putting it off to do some sightseeing and getting reacquainted with Jackson and the Tetons. Had lunch at Jackson Lake Lodge and the view was spectacular. Still a lot of snow and all trails are closed so no hiking yet. The lakes are frozen also...so no fishing yet. Start work tomorrow for three days then four days off to explore some more. Today was the start of Elk Fest on the square. Many were there selling antlers and big auction to support the Boy Scouts. Tomorrow is Chili Cook Off and next week is the start of Old West Days. Always something going on here and am glad to be back.

A frozen Jenny Lake

Buffalo in road

Moose on side of road

Elk Fest

Bison skulls for sale at Elk Fest

Halfway to Jackson

Had a fun stop in Moab, UT on way to Jackson. Beautiful area. Canyon Lands and Arches National Parks are spectacular. Went on a fairly challenging hike in Canyon Lands, but beautiful and away from maddening crowds. Got to Jackson Wednesday after driving through rain and snow on way from Moab and extra one and a half hour detour due to mud slide on our planned route. The Casita is now planted for the summer.

Deeann and Eddie under Balanced Rock

Windows Arches

Balanced Rock

View in Arches NP