Buena Vista to South Fork

One more look at those peaks as we make our way south into San Luis Valley -- destination, South Fork.

We have made "the circle"!  South Fork is where we started our summer--after that month in Europe and Iceland. Back to same RV Park. Seems like a long time ago. 

Back to same fishing haunts, Beaver Creek Reservoir. Fishing not like earlier but we caught a couple. Just being out here is amazing.

One day we drove out to Big Meadow Lake and arrived just as morning fog was lifting off the lake. It was magical to witness the mountains beyond slowly coming into clear view! Not such good luck fishing here, so we hiked the trail around the lake.

And came upon a family of Musk Rats sunning on a log. Must have been more than one family--there were at least a dozen of them, babies to adults. Watched their antics for a long time.

RV Park had a hot tub which I enjoyed.

Did a little biking on rural roads around South Fork. Three nights here. Drive back the 20 miles and caught another live theater production at the Repertory theater there. Then drove farther to Fremons for their signature hamburgers. Would be unforgivable to be in the area and not stop at Fremons!

Steamboat to Buena Vista and a drive up a mountain

Moving on again--through Leadville on our way to Buena Vista, Colorado for three nights. Our first look at Collegiate Peaks. These are a series of "14ers" (mountain peaks the rise to at least 14,000 ft) that flank the Hiway from just out of Leadville south to maybe Poncha Springs. 

  We were never out of site of these mountains and I couldn't get over the changing visions  as weather and sunlight changes. 

Rain storm rolling in

Spent an evening soaking in Cottonwood Hot  Springs near Buena Vista.

Wondering around in the woods, of course 

Picnic lunch at Cottonwood Pass

Another stunning view from the Pass.

Found some Pica at the high elevation. They thrive in alpine rock piles and hibernate 8 months out of the year. They are pretty cute.

Not too late in year for wildflowers up here.

More views of the Collegiate.

Wyoming to Colorado

Last bit of Wyoming. . .this part is open land, agriculture and sage brush, cattle, oil and gas collection. 

Now we slip into Colorado making our way toward Steamboat Springs for two nights.

Late afternoon trek to find Fish Creek Falls. Oops you can't see the falls behind us!! teehee!

Here's the falls. Paved trail to the falls, popular spot. Finished just as a rain shower chased us back to Jeep.

    The rain came back the next morning. We had to wait for the ski hill gondola to open as wouldn't let people go during bad weather. Let up enough that we could finally go up the mountain. We actually rose above the clouds at the top which made for dramatic views.

The plan was to ride up and then hike down. Anticipated an fairly easy trail down--its down hill, right!!

  Wrong, not an easy hike as trail switch-backed back and forth down the steep mountain slope, in and out of forest and across ski runs. But the trail went through the fog layer and that was cool--literally.

But views were grand, we took our time, we were in no hurry and we were pretty proud of our accomplishment at the end! But we were pretty done for the day!! That will be my memory of Steamboat Springs!!

Idaho to Wyoming plus a dip into Utah and back to Wyoming.

Idaho Falls to Rock Springs, Wyoming.  Long days drive but through some glorious landscapes. Wheat fields for as far as the eye could see in Agricultural Idaho 

Then the road took us to Kelly Canyon where we caught up with Snake River again.

On past Paradise Reservoir near Wyoming boarder 

Then south through the Snake River Canyon and scenic byway where we left Snake River behind and began to follow the Green River.

Will cooked at camp that night.

Up early for a bike ride along path along that same Green River.

Then out for a day Jeep drive through The  Flaming Gorge. The byway circles the 90 mile long reservoir that ends at the Fontanelle Dam on that endless Green River. The dam is actually across the border into Utah. We packed a lunch and stopped at various points of interest and soaked in the amazing views, down one side of canyon and back up the other. 

Two nights here. Outstanding part of Wyoming.

Changing Direction

It's time to think about heading home. We are moving in a southerly direction and being more deliberate about thinking ahead to a route that eventually leads to Arizona. We finish the last bit of Montana with one more night back near Missoula, and then a night in Wisdom, Montana--enjoying the variety of scenery along the route.

Stopped and took in the Big Hole Battlefield National Nez Pierce Historic Site. Lodge Pole "teepees" mark the spot of a massacre of Nez Pierce tribal peoples as they fled the Army in part of the story of Chief Joseph's band fleeing the brutalities of reservation life and broken treaties. All across Montana there is Lewis and Clark sights, but also historic sites that trace the route of Chief Joseph and the Nez Pierce flight from soldiers bent on apprehending them. Another sad part of our history.

Then a night in Wisdom, Montana with playful Llamas next to our campground.

Next day we stopped to walk thru a ghost town at Bannack State Park. Gold was discovered here and a boom began. Last person to leave the town was in the 70's.  The structures that remain are stabilized and most are open to explore. Like this old hotel, which was originally built as a court house.

Now entering Idaho and ended the day at Idaho Falls where we hiked along an urban trail along the Snake River to the Falls.