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Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Jackson Wy - Teton NP - Nephew Ben (5/24 - 5/27)
On Saturday 5/24 we headed north through Idaho and then west to Jackson (Jackson Hole) ,Wyoming. My brother Jim's son,Ben, lives in this beautiful town at the foot of the Teton Mtn.'s. We had the opportunity to have two great meals with Ben on Friday and Saturday night. He has been living and playing here for two years and is very knowledgeable about the town and the surrounding mountains. In the summer, he climbs the mountains; and in the winter, he is on the surrounding slopes during the day, and working at night. He is definitely loving his life here, and after our visit we certainly understood why. What's not to like? The mountains, the wildlife, the town, the people are all great. I will say however, if you don't like snow this probably isn't the place for you. This past winter they stopped counting the inches of snow in the surrounding mountains after it hit 650 inches.
On Sunday, Ben took us into Teton NP to a trail at Jenny Lake. We walked about 2.8 miles around the lake. The snow hadn't really melted completely on the second half of the trail which made the walking a little difficult for the old folks. We did see a bull moose , a marmot, and other small wildlife on this walk. It was a very nice day and we really enjoyed Ben's company.
Saturday night we went to dinner with our new neighbor's, Chip and Barbara and Ben. The meal was OK but the company was great.
The weather hasn't been cooperating for us, except for our hiking day. We had a lot of rain, on and off the entire time we were in Jackson. We did, however, manage to spend a lot of time in the local shops. The downtown is very unique and the shops have a full range of outdoor gear, in addition to the regular tourist stuff. There are many very unique specialty shops that are very different than anything we have seen during our trip.
Thanks Ben for showing us around and sharing a few days of your life with us. We enjoyed it very much.
Life is Great!!
Bill and Eileen
On Sunday, Ben took us into Teton NP to a trail at Jenny Lake. We walked about 2.8 miles around the lake. The snow hadn't really melted completely on the second half of the trail which made the walking a little difficult for the old folks. We did see a bull moose , a marmot, and other small wildlife on this walk. It was a very nice day and we really enjoyed Ben's company.
Saturday night we went to dinner with our new neighbor's, Chip and Barbara and Ben. The meal was OK but the company was great.
The weather hasn't been cooperating for us, except for our hiking day. We had a lot of rain, on and off the entire time we were in Jackson. We did, however, manage to spend a lot of time in the local shops. The downtown is very unique and the shops have a full range of outdoor gear, in addition to the regular tourist stuff. There are many very unique specialty shops that are very different than anything we have seen during our trip.
Thanks Ben for showing us around and sharing a few days of your life with us. We enjoyed it very much.
Life is Great!!
Bill and Eileen
Salt Lake City - Temple Square 5/21 - 5/24
Our next stop was Salt lake City. We arrived on Wednesday afternoon after a ride in the rain. Our touring here included the Mormon Temple Area in the city. Thursday we took the tour given by two Mormon Sisters and got a much better understanding of the Mormon Religion. It is a very beautiful area of the city. The buildings belonging to the church were very impressive and the grounds are impeccable. We spent a few hours in the library which offers an unbelievable resource for tracking your genealogy. I was even able to find a copy of my grandfathers draft registration prior to WWI. This was really very cool. Some of the files that are maintained by the Mormon Church are available on line. We will certainly use this impressive resource in the future.
On Thursday night we were taken to dinner by Mike Kant, a friend and former colleague of mine from Bard. Mike treated us to a fabulous dinner at the Monaco Hotel in Salt Lake. We really had a great time catching up on things with Mike and the happenings at Bard. Thanks Mike for a great night.
The next day Mike and I were able to play 18 holes. We are both still learning this game. If I live to 185 I think I will master it. We had a great round and I though it would be best if I let Mike win. A very small amount of money exchanged hands as a result of my sacrifice.
On Friday afternoon we toured the new facilities at Bard Access and had the opportunity to catch up with Kristen Greeno, who is another friend and former colleague. Kristen and her husband Scott stopped by the RV Park late Friday afternoon and we had a very enjoyable visit.
Salt Lake is where we first met Chip and Barbara Massa who are on a trip similar to ours, exploring the US. Today we are in West Yellowstone, MT. We have essentially been one day behind Chip and Barbara since Salt Lake, visiting the same cities and National Parks. The really weird thing is that we have been in the RV site next to them in all three Parks. Totally unplanned. More on these nice folks later.
It was great catching up with old friends. Thanks again Mike for your hospitality. We really had a nice visit in Salt Lake.
Life is Good!!!
Bill and Eileen
On Thursday night we were taken to dinner by Mike Kant, a friend and former colleague of mine from Bard. Mike treated us to a fabulous dinner at the Monaco Hotel in Salt Lake. We really had a great time catching up on things with Mike and the happenings at Bard. Thanks Mike for a great night.
The next day Mike and I were able to play 18 holes. We are both still learning this game. If I live to 185 I think I will master it. We had a great round and I though it would be best if I let Mike win. A very small amount of money exchanged hands as a result of my sacrifice.
On Friday afternoon we toured the new facilities at Bard Access and had the opportunity to catch up with Kristen Greeno, who is another friend and former colleague. Kristen and her husband Scott stopped by the RV Park late Friday afternoon and we had a very enjoyable visit.
Salt Lake is where we first met Chip and Barbara Massa who are on a trip similar to ours, exploring the US. Today we are in West Yellowstone, MT. We have essentially been one day behind Chip and Barbara since Salt Lake, visiting the same cities and National Parks. The really weird thing is that we have been in the RV site next to them in all three Parks. Totally unplanned. More on these nice folks later.
It was great catching up with old friends. Thanks again Mike for your hospitality. We really had a nice visit in Salt Lake.
Life is Good!!!
Bill and Eileen
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Bryce Canyon - Panquitch, UT. 5/18-5/21
On Sunday 5/18 we left Moab and traveled across Utah and down to Bryce Canyon. This is National Park #5. We hit a little snow on the way. The mountains in Utah and now Wyoming are still getting periods of snow. Fortunately, the roads were fine but it did make a mess of my nice, clean bus.
Bryce Canyon was another marvelous NP. The state of Utah is very unique and extremely beautiful. Bryce has very different slot canyons, tall spires called Hoodoo's, and beautiful colors. The trails are very steep and mostly difficult. We drove the entire park, stopping at the various look outs and we returned on day two to hike a trail called Mossy Cave Trail. This walk has a waterfall that has water about half the year. There is also a cave that leaks water from the top and is full of moss. There was still some ice under the walls even with the outside temperatures in the 70's.
We also hiked a trail in the nearby Dixie National Forest. The area is called Red Canyon and has many of the Hoodoos that we saw from the top of Bryce. Bryce Canyon is so beautiful that it has been difficult to decide which pictures to post. We have had lousey Internet service since we left Moab, so it may be a while until I post the pictures. After I post the Bryce pictures, I will report on our visit to Salt Lake City, Jackson, Wyoming, and Teton National Park. Tomorrow we leave for Yellowstone National Park. The weather has been very wet with rain in the valleys and snow in the mountains. We have had great visits with friends and family at our last two stops and continue to meet really nice people on our journey.
Life is Great!!!
Bill and Eileen
Bryce Canyon was another marvelous NP. The state of Utah is very unique and extremely beautiful. Bryce has very different slot canyons, tall spires called Hoodoo's, and beautiful colors. The trails are very steep and mostly difficult. We drove the entire park, stopping at the various look outs and we returned on day two to hike a trail called Mossy Cave Trail. This walk has a waterfall that has water about half the year. There is also a cave that leaks water from the top and is full of moss. There was still some ice under the walls even with the outside temperatures in the 70's.
We also hiked a trail in the nearby Dixie National Forest. The area is called Red Canyon and has many of the Hoodoos that we saw from the top of Bryce. Bryce Canyon is so beautiful that it has been difficult to decide which pictures to post. We have had lousey Internet service since we left Moab, so it may be a while until I post the pictures. After I post the Bryce pictures, I will report on our visit to Salt Lake City, Jackson, Wyoming, and Teton National Park. Tomorrow we leave for Yellowstone National Park. The weather has been very wet with rain in the valleys and snow in the mountains. We have had great visits with friends and family at our last two stops and continue to meet really nice people on our journey.
Life is Great!!!
Bill and Eileen
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Canyonlands NP - Colorado River Cruise 5/16/2008
Just when you think it can't get any better, it does. Yesterday we toured Canyonlands NP which is #4 on the list. This park has three distinct areas covering 527 square miles. We visited the closest and most accessible area called the Island in the Sky District. This area is quite different than Arches NP; which is less than 50 miles away. In this section of the park you essentially are above the massive gorges and geologic formations. We attended a Ranger talk on the geology of the area and were entertained by a nice young Ranger from New York. The talk was given at the Grand View Point Overlook. We sat looking at a view that can extend 100 miles, while we heard how the park was formed over the past 300 million years. Quit interesting. The views from here are fantastic.
This park is were the young Colorado river joins the Green River to form the mighty Colorado. It is essentially these two rivers that have eroded this portion of the Colorado Plateau that was lifted up in some geological event that happened some ten million years ago. The river then continues on to do some work at a place called the Grand Canyon.
We walked the White Rim Overlook trail about 1.8 miles which is near Grand View Point. At the end of this trail you walk out unto a narrow peninsula that has a 270 degree view about 1000 feet below and 50 to 70 miles out. It was so far the most incredible view of the trip. Breathtaking is the only way to describe it.
We also visited a view point over the Green river and took another trail to the Mesa Arch which is one of only 50 Arches found in Canyonlands. The topography below this arch drops approximately 500 feet directly down. Really amazing.
After a great day at the park we came back and rested for our evening adventure. Right next to the campground we are in there is concession called "Canyonlands by Night". We had a nice dinner at their hall then we boarded a boat with 140 other people for a cruise up the Colorado River where they do a "Sound and Light Show" after dark. The show talks about the history of the region and the settlement of Moab up until present day. While the narration is going on the cliffs along the river are being lighted. It was a very relaxing and interesting experience. We had a great day and night once again. Enjoy the PICS.
"Life is Good"
Bill and Eileen
This park is were the young Colorado river joins the Green River to form the mighty Colorado. It is essentially these two rivers that have eroded this portion of the Colorado Plateau that was lifted up in some geological event that happened some ten million years ago. The river then continues on to do some work at a place called the Grand Canyon.
We walked the White Rim Overlook trail about 1.8 miles which is near Grand View Point. At the end of this trail you walk out unto a narrow peninsula that has a 270 degree view about 1000 feet below and 50 to 70 miles out. It was so far the most incredible view of the trip. Breathtaking is the only way to describe it.
We also visited a view point over the Green river and took another trail to the Mesa Arch which is one of only 50 Arches found in Canyonlands. The topography below this arch drops approximately 500 feet directly down. Really amazing.
After a great day at the park we came back and rested for our evening adventure. Right next to the campground we are in there is concession called "Canyonlands by Night". We had a nice dinner at their hall then we boarded a boat with 140 other people for a cruise up the Colorado River where they do a "Sound and Light Show" after dark. The show talks about the history of the region and the settlement of Moab up until present day. While the narration is going on the cliffs along the river are being lighted. It was a very relaxing and interesting experience. We had a great day and night once again. Enjoy the PICS.
"Life is Good"
Bill and Eileen
Thursday, May 15, 2008
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