Sat & Sun June 17 & 18^th, 2017

Rain continued to pour through the night.  Pattering it was NOT!  It was pounding on the roof of the RV, reverberating the thin skin between us and the heavens!  We got up at the crack of dawn and walked the ½ mile to the corrals for our morning trail ride.  Upon arriving, we were told it was cancelled due to treacherous trail conditions (due to rain).  We were at the same time, overjoyed and disappointed.

What do you do now, at 7am?  Laundry and wifi connection would be my guess!!  Lenny managed to reschedule us for the Sunday ride giving us ample time to enjoy, be inspired, and appreciate our surroundings!

Afternoon brought us back to the Visitor’s Center, where we were to meet, Jerry, a ranger for a 3-mile nature hike.  To his amazement, and ours, over 50 people showed up – from all over the world!  He kept my attention for the most part, but as it got warmer, and buggier, I had to BUG out!

Before doing that, ie bugging out, I was amazed at all one can continue to learn at any age.  The hike took us to Swan Lake, and Heron Pond, through forests of Lodge Pole Pines and meadows of sage brush and arrow leaf balsam root flowers!  They were spectacular to behold – of the daisy family.  They became my favorite, also known as the cowboy’s toilet paper!

 

 

Returning back to camp, 4 hours later, we spent our down time puzzling and reading and anticipating our bbq dinner!

Following dinner, we had our requisite game of Yahtze  (Marie always wins),  and once again searched the night sky.  We finally came to the conclusion, that we don’t stay up late enough to see the stars!!  We’re confident they’re there, but it’s difficult to keep our eyes opened past 10.  AND at 10 it’s still light out – well dusky, anyway!

Sunday dawned sunny and cool.  We layered up in anticipation of our ride.  Walking the ½ mile there, we were wondering if the ride would be cancelled yet again, due to wildlife in the area.  This was not the case; the ride would go on as scheduled!  The staff was so well organized, better than any I have had contact with (which is not all that many!).  The horses were assigned and matched with rider in an orderly fashion.  My horse was Peabody – somewhat feisty since she wanted to ride ALONG the trail not ON the trail.  Lenny was riding Cloud – quite apropos since his work is mainly on the Cloud!!  Ed was assigned to Disney – taking him to the happiest place on earth.  Then there’s Marie…. Her horse’s name was Hat…perhaps because she wears it well!!!!

The ride took us back along the trail of yesterday’s hike, but from a different perspective.  It was “Critter”, our guide, who told us of the alternate name for the arrow leaf flower (cowboy toilet paper!).  It was a great 2-hour ride, with no negative impact, however, we were a little wobbly getting off!

We returned to the site, had a great breakfast, broke camp and headed for Jackson Hole Wyoming.

The ride took us through the south end of the Tetons.  I have to say here, that I was a little melancholy leaving those beautiful mountains.  I felt a kindred tug toward them. Maybe there’s some Shoshone blood in my veins, though I seriously doubt it!

Anyhow, we found a little chapel on the way and stopped for a photo op.  We missed mass…C’est la vie.  We tried to visit Jenny Lake on the way out of the park, but alas – there was a traffic jam just at the turn-off.  Being Father’s Day and all, I guess it was a good day for a family outing!

 

 

 

Arrival in Jackson Hole was under a mixed sky.  A bus was available for shuttle into town, relaxed, did a recognizance of the area (Virginian Lodge and RV Park), then went to town.  It reminded me of Nashville and Telluride.  We did some shopping had drinks and knoshes at the Million Dollar Cowboy then had an early dinner at Local.  Food was a tad different and mighty tasty too!   (Grits and a quinoa burger).

We took the “free” bus (paid for by the “lodging” tax), and our driver was quite the character.  He sounded like he might’ve been eastern European.  He asked us if we were American which took us by surprise.  Then he asked again – again we said a resounding YES!!  Then he wanted to know if we were in America between the 60’s and 80’s.  By now, we were hysterical and wondered what was up.  Turns out, he had a TRIVIA game he wanted us to play – “Name That Sitcom Theme Songs” – it was pretty funny – we were shouting out whatever came to mind- we got them ALL RIGHT! – No surprise there!!  As Marie says, we made America proud – we know our TV!  We exited the bus singing the Brady Bunch!!  A very happy ending!!

Monday June 19^th, 2017

Early morning wake-up and preparation for our white water rafting with the Barker-Ewing rafting co.  What a hoot – After deciding on what would be appropriate dress, we were given wet suits and booties to change into.  No need for clothing – bare minimum!

Our guide was Will, a young adventurer – with muscles.  There were 12 riders and 10 paddles so Marie and I opted not to be a rower.  We were seated in the center on the tubes.  Lenny was a captain and at the head.  Our ride took us on the Snake River – the same that Evil Knievel jumped over up in Idaho. 

The river was wild and wooly!!  The snow run-off made it high, fast and silty.  After brief instructions about commands and safety procedures, we took off.  Not so bad – at first.  Then the waves started rolling and hilarity ensued!!  When a wave broke over me and trickled down the inside front of the wetsuit, my scream was bloodcurdling – or so it felt to me!!  

The adventure was over all too soon, much to our disappointment!  Back to the RV, we made a swift getaway – next stop Landers, WY.

Our journey to Landers saw the landscape changed dramatically.  Gone were the snow topped mountains, replaced by rolling hills and rock formations – and a lot of wildlife and livestock.

As we pulled into our campground, Sleeping Bear, our first impression was not positive.  We were happily proved wrong.  Our site was on top of a hill with a panoramic vista. We enjoyed our final home cooked dinner, and had an opportunity to sit and relax in the open air.  Next stop, Cheyenne!

 

Tuesday, June 20^th, 2017

 

Though it wasn’t the longest day on the road, it sure felt like it.  Maybe because we know it’s the end of our fabulous trip.  Cheyenne was not what we expected at all.  After checking in at the Cheyenne KOA, we ventured into town.  Cheyenne is the capital, and we were not impressed at all.  The visitor’s center and depot museum was located at the rail yard.  The trolley tour and horse drawn carriage were already making their last trip – we missed both.  We decided to walk to Holiday Park to see the Big Boy (the largest steam locomotive ever built).  The neighborhood was depressed, yet there were some lovely homes from a bygone era that were deemed historic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the time we got back to the visitor’s center, we realized we missed the “shootout”.  It seems they pull in the sidewalks by 5!

Had dinner at Albany’s, a local pub/restaurant and went back to the RV.  We packed, and then had our final game of Yahtze!!  Eddie finally won!  A great ending to a great trip!