Where RV Now

We were so happy that we were able to visit Bill & Tina’s at their new home in Boise. Beautiful home with a magnificent view. We were also very happy that Pastor Carl & Valerie were also vacationing in Boise from Sarasota Calvary Chapel. Bill & Tina took us biking, no cycling, I was told to it is called, on the Greenbelt. What a great place to ride. We stopped for a break at Tina & Bill’s daughter’s place for a quick rest. After our ride we went to various wineries. It was a wonderful day, with great friends & great wine.

Tina & Bill biking on the Greenbelt in Boise

Taking a break from biking

Wine tasting in the vineyards

WIne on the vine!

We spent two days in the Teton National Park / Jackson Hole WY area. How beautiful it is. The first day we took a ferry boat across Jenny Lake to hike up the mountain to the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. It was only 1 1/2 mile hike one way, but it seemed longer to me! But well worth the time & effort. The water falls were so majestic. Then further up the mountain to Inspiration Point the view was amazing. The following day we took a float trip down the Snake River. We saw several Bald Eagles along the river. Also saw Harrison Ford’s property that went on forever, and we saw Sandra Bullock’s house. Maybe next time I’ll be brave enough for a level 2 water trip.

Teton Mountains

Teton Mountains with snow in August

The Teton Mountains with snow in August!

Jenny Lake in Teton National Park

Lake Jenny, Teton Mountain National Park

Hidden Falls

Hidden Falls

Lee at Hidden Falls, Teton National Park

Hidden Falls, Teton National Park

On a ferry crossing Jenny Lake

On our way to the Snake River float trip

View of the Tetons from the Snake River

One of many Bald Eagles seen on our float trip

Sandra Bullock’s house on the Snake River

Our second day at Yellowstone started out early again with early morning fog. It was beautiful, however, dangerous. There were two wrecks on the way into the park. Our stops included the Mud Volcano Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs and Upper and Lower Canyon Falls. Very interesting how hot the water is. We got to sit in the Mammoth Hot Springs, where if you got too close to the hot springs coming into the creek which was freezing, you would burn yourself. Find a small pool in the middle and it was like sitting in a comfortable hot tub. If you plan on sitting in the hot springs, come more prepared than we were. You must have water shoes and come wearing you swimsuits. The canyon and water falls were well worth the drive. The north side of Yellowstone, other than those 2 stops, is nothing compared to the rest of Yellowstone, so it made an easier day. We are so glad we were able to come see Yellowstone National Park!

Buffalo herd in the morning fog

Sign at the Mud Volcano

Geyser at Mud Volcano

Upper Falls, Canyon Village area of Yellowstone

Lower Falls canyon

Elk napping in Mammoth Hot Springs town center

We had a great day at Cody, WY and at Yellowstone National Park. It was the first time there for both of us, so yes, we acted like the typical tourist. We had a wonderful dinner at the historic Irma Hotel, a chicken pot pie that was as big as a regular pie plate. Thank goodness we shared. During dinner, they had a gunfight in the street. After dinner, we went to the Cody Rodeo. This was the second rodeo Lee had ever been to. It goes on nightly during the summer months. Every evening a thunderstorm has come up on us here, it has reminded me of Florida weather a little. The sky and mountains are beautiful over the Shoshone River.

We got up early the next morning so that we could get a long day in at Yellowstone. Our first day was seeing the beautiful Firehole Falls, and all of the geysers. We were lucky to get to Old Faithful just in time to see her in action. Pretty amazing! I think our favorite geysers was the Black Sand Basin, the Spout and Cliff geyser. I really think they are more fun to watch because the erupt continuously. The Yellowstone Lake is beautiful. It’s sad to see all the evidence of fires over the past years, it takes 20 years I think, to reseed. Mother nature at work. It was really cool to see the wild buffalo just walking in the middle of the road with no worries about all the tourist snapping photos of them. We also were lucky enough to see moose and elk. I love seeing wild animals, I act like a little kid when I see them. It was a very full and long day. I would definitely recommend that when you come to see Yellowstone, get up EARLY! Later in the day it is impossible to get parking spaces at the Basins and other stops. Plus, wildlife is more active early in the mornings or early evenings.

Gunfighters at the historic Irma Hotel, Cody WY

Ride’em cowboy Cody WY Rodeo

Storm coming across Buffalo Bill Dam on the Shoshone River

Traffic stopper buffalo

Lee at Firehole Falls, Yellowstone State Park

Black Sand Basin, Spout Geyser

Black Sand Basin, Cliff Geyser

Old Faithful in action

Yellowstone Lake

Elk in Yellowstone State Park

Moose on the loose in Yellowstone Park

We were so happy that we were close enough to Gillette, WY to stop in on our former neighbors from Rogers, Arkansas. It was so good to see Susan, meet her husband Jack, and see Mary and her precious kids. We played cards with Susan and Mary, I won’t rub it in who won! Jack was the chef while we were in town. What a great cook he is. He can cook for us any time. Jack took us on a tour of the coal mine where he works. It was so very interesting. Let’s not wait so long for our next visit. Miss you girl friend!

Susan & Jack in Gillette WY

Dinner with Susan in Gillette WY

Enjoying time with Susan in Gillette WY

Susan, Mary & Carol at Mary’s beautiful home.

What a great time we had in Rapid City, SD. Our first stop was Bear Country, USA, a drive-thru wildlife park. We did this right when they opened at 7:30 in the morning, which I would highly recommend. The animals were active & close to the roadway, plus fewer cars & people at that time. We saw elk, reindeer, buffalo, mountain lions, and lots & lots of bears. After the drive-thru area there is a walkway that has more animals plus baby cubs. They were hilarious! This was one of our most favorite animals parks ever!

Our next stop was Mount Rushmore. What can I say about that? It’s funny how after hearing about it for 50 years, it didn’t seem as big as I was expecting. However, it was a great stop to make.

Next we took a drive thru the Black Hills of SD. We drove the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway. It is rated one of the top five scenic byways in the United States. It consists of Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, within the Custer State Park. There are several rock tunnels to drive through, some tunnels are only 9 feet wide. No RV’s or campers on this road. Sylvan Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes we have seem which is on the same route. Definitely worth a stop & walk around the lake area. Great place for a picnic and a swim.

Elk

I don’t do mornings….

“Big Foot”

Buffalo inside Bear Country USA

King of the Tree! Baby cub playing

Baby cubs in Bear Country USA, Rapid City, SD

Napping Arctic Wolves

Mount Rushmore, had to capture the Arkansas Flag in the picture.

Driving through tunnel in Custer State Park, SD

Tunnels in the Southern Black Hills

Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway in the Southern Black Hills, SD

Driving thru tunnel in the Black Hills, SD

Sylvan Lake, SD

Lee & Carol at Sylvan Lake, In the Black Hills, SD

Driving thru tunnel in Custer State Park, South Dakota