YELLOWSTONE NP June 2010

For all you folks that have already visited Yellowstone, you probably recognize this particular Bison, located at the West Entrance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the many smoldering pits that were seen throughout the vast park.

 

 

Our approach to Old Faithful…

 

 

 

Thar she blows…

 

 

 

 

Cold, windy with intermittent drizzle/snow/sunshine. 

 

 

 

Our campground for the Yellowstone portion was a NFS Campground  located about 12 miles East of the Eastern Entrance called Rex Hale.  Water/Electric/toilets.  Located near a scenic river.

The campgrounds was situated between these high hills on both sides and consequently, the wind blew ALL THE TIME.  After our experience in Idaho Falls, we were somewhat gun shy when it came to the wind, but at least we knew the worst that could happen was be blown into the river, since there were no significant trees nearby.  But the wind never became that threatening.

Our plans were originally to proceed onto Mt Rushmore from here, but with all that had happened we decided to start our return trip back to Kentucky, still about 2,000 miles to our South.  We had planned a week here but are now only staying 3 days, leaving tomorrow.  In spite of a wide variety of weather and constant wind, we have thoroughly enjoyed our visit here. 

Provo to Idaho Falls June 2010

 

Roz and I kicked around our travel plans on to Yellowstone, torn between traveling up through Idaho and entering the Park via the Western entry or going up through Wyoming and the Tetons, entering the Park at the Southern entrance.  Wish we had chosen the latter….to be explained later….

Our route up through Idaho was not especially breathtaking, scenic, but not exactly what we had expected.  Lot of alfalfa and potato fields and irrigation canals.

As we neared Idaho Falls we started looking for an overnight location, finding a campgrounds on the banks of the Snake River about 25 miles East of Idaho Falls.  Narrow two-lane roads bordered on both sides by irrigation canals with fast flowing water all the way to the campgrounds. 

FHU site, on grass, under large cottonwood trees.  Beautiful…

We are located at the end of the line next to that LARGE tree…

 

 

 

Snake River, told it was some of the best trout fishing in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the significance the Large Tree played in our stay at this place…

During the middle of the night a brief storm came through as we slept soundly.  Suddenly there was a crash on top of the camper, it shaking violently, me jumping up with a scream, knowing we were gonna die right there on the banks of the Snake River…

Looking around with a flashlight for damage Roz points to the ceiling…I then see a large limb about six feet long and a foot in circumference protruding through the roof of the trailer…another had penetrated the refrigerator vent and destroying the unit.  Several other limbs had damaged the entry door and awnings.  Quite a night. 

The next morning I managed to clear the door enough to get outside and assess the events of the preceding night.

 

 

 

 

 

Roz and I figured we would be days before being able to become roadworthy.  But, with the help of the park owner and a few of his “people” and a couple of chain saws and roll of Duct Tape, we were on the road around 9AM.  I had already called my insurance company and they were very little help, telling me to do whatever I had to in order to get on the road and we’ll see you when you get home.. During our remaining trip of several thousand miles and a lot of rain the camper never leaked a drop…Duct Tape,  amazing stuff.

The end of this particular part of the saga was the camper was taken to Elkhart, In for repair after getting back to Kentucky, being there for the months of July to September and the tune of almost $13,000.  A new roof, door, awnings, refrigerator and various other stuff…but all indications are that the work was done to my satisfaction.

For the time being, onward and upward, to Yellowstone.

UTAH LAKE STATE PARK June 2010

 

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Zion NP however had to push off on up the road.  We got on I-15 and headed North with Provo, UT as our destination for the evening.  Great drive, beautiful weather, wonderful scenery. 

Arriving in Prove we found Utah State Park and made it our home for the next couple of days.  Really a nice park, W/E and a dump station.  Miles of paved walking/biking paths helped us keep up our walking routine. 

 

 

 

 

 

This was the morning view out our back window.

 

 

 

 

The campgrounds are located on this beautiful lake.  Utah Lake, thus, the name of the Park.

 

 

 

This was our site, complete with a covered picnic area with grill and table.

 

 

 

A nice peaceful site with cattle grazing behind the campground.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spent three days here doing not much of anything.  Did venture into downtown Provo and did a little shopping.  Love this part of the country.  Tomorrow it is on up into Idaho….

ZION NATIONAL PARK 2010

 

This was our campgrounds while at Zion.  We had a beautiful drive into the Park entering form the East and going through the tunnels, then down the winding road into the Park. 

This is our campsite, sort of crowded, but close to the action.

 

 

 

In this photo a large boulder had broken off the side of the cliff and fallen to the ground.  Sounded like an explosion had take place.  The dust cloud is still visible.

 

Private vehicles were not allowed in the Park except the campgrounds.  Shuttle busses provided the transportation from our campgrounds to the Visitors Center then onto other areas within the Park.

 

Our Golden Access  Card provided free access into the Park. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the beautiful here there were quite a few visitors, but with the expanse of the place the crowds were quite dispersed allowing for some privacy in our walks.

The Virgin River runs through the Park and immediately behind our campground.

Not enough adjectives to properly describe the beauty of this place. 

Tomorrow we move on up the road into Utah, not too sure exactly where yet.  Till then……..

The Grand Canyon---June 2010

Walked up to the ledge overlooking this amazingly beautiful view and was awestruck.  I drive up into the parking lot, go through the Visitors Center and don’t appreciate exactly where I am until we take a little walk and get to this point.  Breathtaking.  Can’t take those pictures fast enough.  To some folks this may be old hat stuff, but to this old country boy from the flatlands of Kentucky, this is a Big Deal….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That little stream above doesn’t look like much, but it is actually a Class VI rapids…over a mile below our position.

One of the walking trails around the rim. 

Photos do not do this place justice, especially with this beautiful weather, but these few will give one an idea of the grandeur of this place.

Tomorrow we start over to Zion NP, Utah.  Our Creator certainly made a beautiful world for his creatures to enjoy. 

JUNE 2010 UPDATE

 

Here it is June already and Roz and I are preparing for our Yellowstone trip…Leaving Kentucky our first night on the road was spent at a really nice Corps Campground called Blue Springs…appropriately named since the grounds were located near a huge springs gushing from the side of a hill.

An unbelievable amount of water from this spring creating a river of beautiful, clear blue water.  Would definitely return here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next stop was Tulsa, Ok for a couple of days at another not-so-great Corps park, Heyburn Campground. 

 

From Tulsa it was on to Amarillo, Tx for an overnight.  Nothing special there.  Then it was on to New Mexico where we stayed at Kirkland AFB FamCamp.  Good place to overnight, but definitely not a destination location unless we could spend more time and visit the sights Albuquerque had to offer.  Maybe next time.

From New Mexico it was on to Flagstaff, Az where we stayed at a terrific place called Camp Navajo, an Army National Guard installation. 

Entering Arizona Roz and I stopped at the Welcome Station for a little break and ran into this couple from Mississippi traveling on a Honda Trike.  This adventurous couple were enroute to Yellowstone.  Last year the two had

traveled to The Grand Canyon on the Trike.  Really envied this couple.

 

 

 

 

This is the entrance to Camp Navajo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sedona, Az Post Office.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grand Canyon Adventure will continue tomorrow….

2010 Adventure Log--Update

 

After such a long time since entries, where does one start?  I  suppose a good place would be our first outing of this year….leaving Kentucky in late January for a Bluegrass Festival in sunny South Georgia.

Enroute  our first stop-over was a military RV campground on the shores of Lake Allatoona just north of Atlanta.  Cold…17 degrees overnight.  Next night was a little more comfortable, Grassy ond, the Fam-Camp for Moody AFB 20 miles south of Valdosta, Ga.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed several comfortable days at this relaxing place before heading on down to Camp Blanding in Stark, Florida.  This was also a very relaxing location situated on the shores of Lake Kingsley, a very deep and clear lake.

 

 

 

 

 

In this part of the country it is always a good idea to keep in mind that there are creatures in the lakes that are capable of EATING YOU…specifically, alligators.

After leaving this area we ventured on up into the Brunswick, Georgia area to a great FamCamp at Kings Bay Naval Sub Base located at St Marys, Ga. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Really hated to leave this wonderful place, but after a week it was time to slowly make our way back home to Kentucky, in late February…just the place I wanted to be.  Just leave me here till about April or so.  The remainder of the trip was uneventful and returned home with a lot of great memories of good times had with my little honey, Roz.  Stay tuned…more adventures to follow.