Frontier Days and Thunderbirds

It was more than fitting that most of my time at Frontier Park was spent at the Indian Village.  The dancing and drumming demonstration was excellent, as was the regalia.  Rain threatened throughout the show but didn't stop it.  Miss Denver Pow Wow (seen above) was the most colorful and active dancer by far.  And she also just happened to be drop dead gorgeous!  The vendors were also excellent.  My only regret was filling up on a huge sandwich before I went there and didn't have room for an Indian Taco. 

I had planned to go back to Frontier Days this afternoon after watching the Thunderbirds show this morning, but so far I'm just not up for it.  Partly, I think, because of LaVerne's legacy of caring deeply for animals and great dislike of any mistreatment of them.  Certainly rodeos would be high on her list of places to avoid.  Perhaps that's why I have little interest in the rodeo part of all this.  On the other hand, I would like to have been a judge in the chuck wagon cooking contest!

Each camp was meticulously setup and ready for cooking, with some already having coffee boiling over an open fire.  It was fun to watch.

Watching the Thunderbirds show this morning from a front row seat was a very fine way to finish the touring part of this journey.  I could hear the narrator, the music, the cockpit communications and of course the roar of the jets as they came over the stands at tree top level, shaking the ground and me with it.  The legend of the Thunderbird was recited before the flying began, and it had been so long since I'd seen the show that I'd forgotten it was a part of it.  How appropriate.  They also swore in 34 new Air Force enlistees and honored all who are now serving.  A fine tribute. 

And finally, they flew by one more time while "God Bless America" played over the sound system and I was flooded with emotions once again.  Just like a good Disney movie, they make you laugh, they make you cry and they make you glad that you're alive.  I'm very grateful for this journey I'm on and I look forward to the visiting part, seeing people I love and care about and meeting new ones.  Thanks for stopping by!

Moran to Cheyenne

The road from Moran to Cheyenne, WY is one of the prettiest I've ever traveled.  The landscape is constantly changing and there are miles and miles of nothingness, except the beauty of nature.  I thoroughly enjoyed it! 

Antelope were fairly easy to spot, but more difficult to photograph.  I got a fairly good look at this one.

The view from this knoll was awesome.  It seemed like I could see for a hundred miles or more and the air was crystal clear. 

All day long I had seen a thunderstorm building on the horizon and hoped I would get set up before it hit.  And I did, but just barely.  The thunder beings brought strong winds, heavy rain and big marble-sized hail about 5 minutes after I finished setting up and went to the office to check in.  I was stranded in the office until it let up a little, then I hopped on the Burg and rode through rain and hail to the trailer, thankfully a very short ride. 

As I entered the trailer, I could see the skylight over the bed was broken and water was pouring in.  I quickly put plastic over the bed and then grabbed the duct tape for a makeshift diverter.  It worked, sorta.  Then I found the other 2 skylights were also damaged, but they weren't leaking like the first one.  Welcome to Cheyenne from the thunder beings!

The USAF Thunderbirds practised on Monday and were clearly visible over the RV park.  It was a huge thrill to see them again and they watered my eyes, as always.  Their show will center over the community college, about a mile from here.  I will go down there for a front row seat, which I haven't done in many, many years.   

In a few minutes I'm going to Frontier Park and see the festivities there for the first time.  Yesterday was spent drying things out and getting the skylights repaired.  I was very glad that a repairman was able to come so quickly and do a good job at a reasonable price.  Business was booming for him, an independent sole proprietor, and I was glad for his good fortune. 

After weeks of being behind, I am finally caught up with this blog.  It has been very frustrating at times to want to post and not be able to.  Thanks for hanging with me and I hope you've enjoyed reading and looking as much as I have enjoyed doing it!  Oh yeah!

The Grand Tetons, part 2

The rivers near Grand Teton were mostly fast and furious, especially the Snake River.  But this gentle oxbow was a fine place to enjoy calm and see the place from a different perspective.

At Colter Bay Village on Jackson Lake, there is a native American museum that blew my socks off.  It had been a private collection and was truly some of the finest bead work I've ever seen.  I may post a pic, but the pics just don't capture the beauty of the works.  No flash was allowed, as light causes damage to the works over time.  It was very moving. 

Before visiting the museum, I had an experience that reminded of how quickly our lives can change.  An elderly lady and her daughter were walking down a pathway toward the marina when the older woman slipped and fell down.  The daughter and a bystander helped her up, so I continued on my way.  In a few minutes, I noticed the woman sitting on a bench with the daughter asking "mom are you okay?' and getting no response.  I went over and sat next to the lady, putting my arm around her and looking into her eyes.  Her expression was blank and her stare fixed.  The daughter was getting more upset by the moment and she said "I'm going to get help, will you stay with her?"  I said I would and off she went.  I continued talking to the woman and she continued to stare.  In a few minutes, she threw up down the front of her blouse, but that was her only movement.   Soon the daughter returned with a park ranger and shortly thereafter the EMT's arrived and took over.  It appeared she'd had a stroke.  I hope not, but the daughter's face told me she thought the same thing.  I was fine until it was over, and then I got the shakes.  Our lives can change in the blink of an eye, at any moment.  So, living life one moment at a time is the only way that really makes sense.  The daughter thanked me several times and all I could do was nod.  I had done so little, yet it meant so much to the daughter.  Sometimes that's all we can do.  Just be present.

On the ride back, another large collection of vehicles on the side of the road prompted me to stop and ask about what was happening.  There were 3 bull mooses feeding nearby so I had to go and check it out.  Sure am glad I did!  Another demonstration of moose drool at its finest!

Farewell to the Grand Tetons!  You are, indeed, grand!

The Grand Tetons!

The RV park was full of these little guys, ground squirrels.  They look a lot like prairie dogs and I'm not sure I could tell the difference, but this is what I was told by the proprietor.  They owned the park and would often sit nearby and make a scolding sound.  Once when I was grilling, one came up and licked the leftovers off the rack while the coals were heating up.  Cute critters.

This was a typical view when riding toward the mountains.  They tend to dominate the landscape, as well they should, and overshadow the beauty of the valleys, until you take a closer look. 

On my first trip into Jackson Hole, a cloud of dust across the road indicated something was going on.  There was a large herd of horses from the Triangle X dude ranch crossing the road.  What a sight!  Once they and the dust had settled, I got this shot of them in their element. 

Jackson Hole seems to be a typical western town, with a very pretty square in the middle, the center of activity.  There were plenty of shops, a few with some very nice things, and many were just typical touristy type places.  I avoided the Million Dollar Saloon, as their prices indicated how they got their name, and chose a second story cafe overlooking the square.  It was a pleasant 72 degrees as I enjoyed a local brew and a chili dog.  Yum!

On the ride home, a collection of cars on the side of the road told me that something had been spotted.  So I pulled the Burg off to the side and finally got to see a moose.  This large cow was submerging her head totally, then munching the  river grass as the water ran from her jaws.  I was very glad that I drank Moose Drool Ales before I saw this sight, as I'm not sure I would have ever had one had I seen this first. 

This was the first time I had been to a "town" in over 2 weeks, and I must say I enjoyed it.  Then I started to feel restless and had to get out of town!  There was too much stimulation after so long a time without it. 

Yellowstone, Day 10

I had passed the Mud Volcano area along the Yellowstone River many times, always vowing to stop.  Thanks goodness I finally did!  I'm just amazed at what the thermal activity creates in textures, colors and smells.  It's as if micro-climates exist within just a few feet of each other.

Driftwood litters the landscape around the pools and usually doesn't catch my eye.  But this piece sure did.  I kept seeing a buffalo skull and could hardly stop staring at it.  

The Dragon's Mouth not only looked like one, it sounded like one, too.  It had the rhythm of ocean waves and was just as continuous.  Steaming water would rise and fall in the little pools nearby and were mesmerizing.  Once again, it was hard to leave. 

Yellowstone is the most beautiful and amazing natural beauty I've ever experienced and I would love to return someday.  But if I don't, I'm content an grateful that I was here.  It was the trip of my life and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.  I hope you've enjoyed sharing it with me.  And one last buffalo pic...

Yellowstone, Day 9

Near the end of my stay, I finally got a good, long look at a black bear.  This one was walking a log like an  expert logger and had a large crowd of onlookeers.  I didn't get to see a grizzly, but that's just another reason to come back again. 

The canyons were captivating one more time.  I could stare at them for days and be content. 

The big valleys in the northeastern part of the park held large herds of buffalo, the biggest I've ever seen.  They reminded me of "Dances With Wolves" and prompted me to watch the fine movie once again.  Then for my last night in the park, I dined at the Yellowstone Lake Lodge Restaurant and had bison tenderloin.  It was an enjoyable, though somewhat solemn meal, given all the wonderful creatures I had seen while there. 

My most favorite picture taken at Yellowstone is this simple pine against a grey sky. 

Yellowstone, Days 7&8

This little critter was too cute for words and an expert beggar.  But, I didn't give in.  He scolded me severely before heading up a nearby tree to scold me some more. 

This young elk was also too cute and very wobbly on those long stems for legs.  This one seemed to be the youngest of the bunch and got much attention from mama elk.

The water below these falls was some of the prettiest I saw and just begged to be fished, so I did.  Got a strike on the first cast and landed this feisty little brookie.  I caught several more in just a few minutes, releasing them all and having the best fishing of the whole trip. 

This yellow bouquet brightened my day and it was only one of many.  Such a cheery place, in the summertime.

Yellowstone, Day 6

Steamboat Point is on the north shore of Yellowstone Lake and gives a 30 mile view to the south on a clear day.  This is looking to the west toward Fishing Lake RV park, my home here for 10 days. 

Sylvan Pass is on the way to the east entrance to the park.  It is stark, cold and barren.  The winds whip through there and make it more than an interesting ride.  But the views make it worth it.

My book doesn't help me with the name of these orange flowers.  But they are everywhere at the higher altitudes and are beautiful!

The blue flowers were also everywhere and always adds to the show.  This pool, along the north shore of Yellowstone Lake, seem to capture the mood of the day - colorfully reflective. 

Yellowstone, Day 5

At some of these overlooks, you can feel the cool  mist rising from the water below.  It's a gentle and refreshing breeze, like a little gift from mother earth.  During these scalding hot days of summer, even the memory of cool can help a little bit.  Most of you probably know that if you double click on the picture, it will fill your screen.  Who knows, maybe triple clicking will also help you feel the breeze!

Officially this critter is known as a Yellow-bellied Marmot.  But it looks so much like its' cousin, the wood chuck, that I prefer its other name, the rock chuck. 

This thermal flat has more colors than I can name and it's big.  That's a person sitting on a bench along the boardwalk part way across.    The hues are so subtle and seem to flow from one to another with such ease. 

This is probably the most unique thing I've seen on this trip or maybe ever.  I call it gurgling rock because water gurgles from the top like a fountain.  Being on the Burg with such a wide range of vision helped me spot it as I was going down the road.  The deep red caught my eye so I turned around and took many pics.  None captured it very well, but this is one of the better ones.  I guess it to be about 8 or 9 feet high. 

This guy was about 10 feet away, so close I could smell him. 

Just another pretty river valley view. 

And finally, a steamed buffalo. All my relations!