Yellowstone

Lots of snow here, especially at the South entrance where we came in. Thought it might be colder here but wasn't expecting winter.

But most roads are open and geysers are surely spouting so is as beautiful as ever.

Tetons

A 4 mile hike to Taggert Lake and back along the Beaver Creek Trail. Another beautiful morning in the Park. Other than cold nights, the weather has been almost perfect.

Taggert Lake in early morning calm.


Visited the National Museum of Western Art just outside of Jackson.


They had an Andy Warhol exhibit, who knew he did wildlife.

  Not so much wildlife today. Some good birding, however, and a deer that walked alongside out campsite while we were sitting outside

So interesting to see the variety of people visiting our national parks. License plates from every state in our nation and you hear languages from all over the world. We have a little game of trying to guess which country people are from. These parks are truly our national treasure.

Hike and wildlife

I actually hiked maybe four miles this morning in spite of my hip. Didn't feel any worse when finished so determined I can do this. Was a perfect day for hiking, or most anything. Had breakfast at Jackson Lake Lodge while it warmed up a bit, then spent the rest of the morning hiking, looking for wildlife, and checking things out
Got binocular looks at a moose with new calf near a marina, elk and bison along the park road, and a grizzly bear from the veranda of one of the lodges. All too far away to get good pictures but good enough to count as sightings.

That really is a grizzly bear.

This wildlife was easier to spot.


early morning reflection in Jackson Lake
Snake River

Grand Tetons

Got here about noon today. Already took a whole lot of pictures because these mountains are such a stunning range. Lots of snow which adds so much in any light.
It is early season here. Snow still piled up along the roads and many trails still closed. The lodges just opened completely a couple of days ago so things just getting going in the park.

Lots of room in the park campground, some sites still under snow.  We were able to get one of the few electric sites so I can use our electric blanket.  It's going to be close to 30 degrees when we wake up in the morning. Forecast promises that it will be warmer as week goes on. 

Wyoming already

Hung around this morning and did a scenic loop drive on the Mt Nebo area just out of town. Did a little birding but mostly stopped at the overlooks to marvel. Snow up there, infact could not finish entire loop as road still not completely  open. Right at edge of snow where it has melted we found Glacier Lilies! Pretty determined little flowers!!

Now driving in Wyoming.  A lot of the state looks like this. . .however we are headed to the Tetons and Yellowstone. It's going to change pretty fast.

a picture from this morning's loop road drive. (Don't know how to get the pictures in right order)

Another view as we drive to Evanston, Wyoming. Nothing special here, good place to get a few groceries, (and get my nails done.)

To Spanish Fork, Utah

Today was a driving day. Moved into Utah and just enjoyed the scenery as we puttered along hiway  89. Soon moved into picturesque ranch and lush agricultural lands in the Seiver River Valley. Ended at a municipal campground in the town of Spanish Fork. Very windy so had to tend to business driving but Will is loving it.

Lunch stop along the fast flowing Siever River.

No frills campground but was just fine. Quiet, and had basic hookups which is a first so far this trip. With our solar panel (and generator if need be) we don't need electricity but is nice. Having a water hookup is more appreciated.

North Rim Grand Canyon

We left RV parked in campground and drove the 50 miles to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and spent the day. We hiked a couple of rim trails--my hip held up pretty well,-- and drove the 25 mile park road out to Cape Royal stopping at all the overlooks and short hikes to vistas and interesting stuff. Very windy at the Canyon. Sun was warm but that wind was cold, couldn't get it right! Had a picnic lunch down a short trail to a rock wall with a natural "seep." Made reservations early and had a nice dinner at the Grand Lodge dining room to finish our day.

The sky looks like a Georgia O'Keefe painting.

You can see the Colorado River through a window in the rock.

Wi-Fi is practifacally non existent in northern Arizona and cell service is spotty. Thinking this is how it is going to be this summer especially as we move into Canada and Alaska next month. Life is so much easier when Google maps works.

Wupatki to Jacobs Lake

We were up early with the furnace on in RV this morning. But warmed up nicely as we spent the morning on a loop drive exploring Sunset Crater NM and the other half of the monument, the ruins of Wupatke.


Not a cloud in the sky! Made our way up hiway 89A to Marble Canyon and Navajo Bridge over Colorado River, along the Vermillion Cliffs to Jacobs Lake to another nice Forest Service campground.

Gone for the summer.

We couldn't wait another day! RV is ready to go and so are we! Besides it is getting a little warm in Tucson so we are heading to the mountains. It was 103 when he passed thru Phoenix. Stopped for a quick look at cliff dwellings at Montezuma Castle but not ready to stop yet. Up to Flagstaff and onto Sunset Crater National Monument. Bonita campground just outside the monument is a beautiful National Forest facility in the pines.


Water heater not working so Will got his tools out and did a little trouble shooting and fixed a connection problem in short order. He is handy to have along.

Picnic

Great evening with great friends. Pot luck picnic to celebrate another year of Fellowship and growing together thru our Monday night Bible Study. Connie, we missed you but Skip was a hit with that amazing chocolate cake.

Last fire

Last kiln fire for a while. I have been trying to paint on porcelain using some techniques I learned in China. This time I painted underglaze directly onto raw glazed greenware and then fired the whole thing just once. I need lots more practice but it does work beautifully. Will have to take up where I left off in the fall. . .because now it is time to get RV out of storage and packed up to head north. This week temps in Tucson will be 100 degrees, starting today.

Back yard

Am certainly enjoying our patio and back yard these days. We do spend a lot of time out there. Breakfast, morning coffee, afternoon tea, reading my Kindle, watching my bird feeders, any down time is out there.