Lions and tigers and bears...oh, no - wolves and squirrels and bears

July 31 – Happy Birthday Shiloh!  I sent a fat card and her gifts through Amazon so hope she enjoys them tonight when she opens them!

Another great day!  First we did “house” stuff again after breakfast and Bill did his walk.  His allergy vial FINALLY came today.  He’s called about it and found they sent it to the Ocoee allergy office instead to here as he told them.  Geez!

I put a piece of trim wood back up in the bedroom that came off and I did the nasty job of cleaning the flush ball in the toilet and sprayed it with silicone in hopes it shuts properly for a while. I’m thinking it is going to need some parts and someone will have to install those parts, guess who? I worked on repairing my other frog, the small one, that took a leap off the window a few days ago in one of the dastardly rains with wind. This one lost an arm in a bend and it’s very difficult to get it to stay in place long enough for it to set. I looked all around and under the RV to locate the hydraulic pump and reservoir that we need to drain and fill with new fluid for the leveling legs. The joys of RV living!

One of the resident wolves

Another of the painted buffalo

After lunch we went to West Yellowstone again. We stopped at the hardware store for fill dirt for all the Vole holes (they're like rodents with no tail) that are all over our small yard. While there I found replacement grommets for my stove grates & Bill picked up some postcards. We stopped at the post office to mail a few cards & books to my sister, then at the General Store, it's like an old fashion TG&Y store. We only left with more postcards.

Bear

Then we headed to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center.  Timing was everything as we arrived 5 minutes before the scheduled feeding of the Wolves.  There are 3 sets of wolves in different pens and we saw them all.  They were only showing the feeding of one pair.  They lured them in their den and shut them in while they scattered bones, moose poop and red fox urine.  The theory is once they let them back out they will smell those things to make them think they are still in the wild, at least that’s what we thought it was about.

Chattering Squirrels

Then we visited the ground squirrels.  They are cute!  There was a pair laying there chattering to each other and all of a sudden they attacked and very like a ball rolling all over.  Of course I had just turned off the camera so didn’t a photo of the squirrel ball.

They have 8 grizzly bears and rotate them out every day.  Today we saw 3, not sure which 3 as they had photos and the names of the 8 along the fence.  I’m not very adept at matching a bear photo to the bear.  They were very active and were in their private pool and out walking around.  They didn’t pay a bit of attention to us.  They are mostly there because they became attracted to human food and were foraging in trash cans and rather than put them down they came to live at the Discovery Center.

Injured Bald Eagles

There’s also a bird section.  They have bald eagles, a falcon, peregrine, golden eagle, rough legged hawk, and a vulture.  I didn’t take photo of the vulture; they are so nasty and ugly.  All of the birds were there because of injuries and they can no longer survive in the wild.

All in all it was pretty nice.  They have a nice collection of stuffed animals in the main building and lots of information on poaching and bears in Yellowstone.

We checked out the gift shop and felt the love of a giant grizzly.

While Bill walked to the car, I went next door to the shop with the .50 ice cream cones and got 2 for us and he picked me up at the exit door.  I was much better at filling them fuller today!

Then it was drive back the 14 miles to home.  I worked on my frog again and then made tacos for dinner.  Wasn’t in the mood for any fancy cooking and didn’t think Bill wanted to grill.  It was good and we enjoyed the change of pace.

Bill found a shark movie on TV that was a stupid crappy movie!  River sharks, yeah, right!  They advertised the upcoming “Sharknado” movie which I’m sure he’s going to want to see!  Ugh!  

Another fly by...

July 30 -  Cleaning day once again, but not until we had a nice breakfast of cranberry bread, eggs, fruit and ham.  I did the floors and Bill took his walk and then he dusted the bedroom and did the big living room rug.  We changed the bed and I did a load of regular laundry and one of our kitchen rugs.

When I got to the bathroom and started on the shower I noticed it was draining even slower than yesterday.  I checked our tank and it was not full so grabbed a screwdriver and took the drain cover off and got my nifty flexible drain tool and OMG, it looked like I pulled out a dead mouse!  It truly was that big of a wad of nasty!  I can rest assured it should drain MUCH better now.  I cleaned all the parts and put it back together.  Should not let it go that long again!!!

As soon as I put my rugs out on the picnic table we got a shower.  Luckily I had the rubber side up so they didn’t actually get soggy on the “rug” side.  I put some more unneeded items in storage and hunted up my trusty gardening tool that I will use along the front of the Laundromat to get the rest of the giant weeds out.  Then Bill will put some mulch or bark down so things look nice.  I might do that tomorrow.  If we get more rain they will be easier to get up before it all dries out again.

The owners left Thursday evening for Utah for a weekend long Family reunion.  It’s the husband’s side.  He and 4 of his siblings are still alive and being a large family they will have various get togethers in several different locations.  Some will be for the entire group and some for each wing of the family.  They are due back some time Tuesday.  So far the only call to them was to let them know to get a Sam’s bag of popcorn for the machine in the Laundromat.  We didn’t tell them we have another dryer down and the soda machine.  That stuff can wait!

We showered up and left just after 5 for West Yellowstone.  We tried a new place for dinner, The Buffalo Bar.  The service was excellent and they make a nice salad with spring lettuce, olives, croutons, tomato (all very fresh).  Bill enjoyed his buffalo meatloaf with mashed potatoes and I had two salads and ribs with a huckleberry bbq sauce.  Need I say it was tasty sauce and the meat fell off the bones.

The next fly fishing champion

After dinner we stopped at a gift shop to browse until time for Bill’s fly fishing lesson. Prices are so high but the best deal is a tiny little cone of soft serve (you do it yourself) for .50.  They have vanilla, chocolate and HUCKLEBERRY!  Just enough to satisfy that sweet tooth!

We parked at the lesson spot and I walked down to look again at the slippers I liked last week.  I did try them on, but they really are not as durable as I like since I wear them outside all the time.  Then I called Jared and caught up on things with him.  By the time I finished and walked back I did get to see Bill cast a few times and then he was right behind me when I got to the car.

We drove around town a few minutes, seriously, that’s all the time it takes and refreshed our minds on where certain places were.  Then we headed home where we read and relaxed.  I fell asleep in the recliner!

Excitement on the job!

July 28/29 – Two more days ticked off the work calendar.  Actually 2 not so bad days at all, seems we are now in a bit of a lull.  Kids go back to school in August in lots of places so I think things will slow down in the campground until the Eclipse weekend.  An hour or so south of us will be at 100% and they say there will be 100,000 people in the valley to see it.  Where we are they are saying 98%.  I ordered a solar filter for my camera, now to see if can set the settings correctly for it to work.  If not, we received 5 pair of solar sunglasses (disposable ones) with my filter order that we can at least view it.

The Laundromat was as busy as always as the summer cabin people come in and the seasonals here but the phones were fairly quiet as were the walk-ins looking for space.  Friday night we had one open spot and Saturday there were 6 or so.  We did get a last minute tenter and 2 RV’s but that was fine.

Each day I worked had a “special” event!  Friday we closed at 7 and walked out at 7:15, that was a first!  Saturday one of the 2 hummingbirds that have been feeding at my feeder somehow got in the laundromat.  Well, he got in the open door as we leave both doors open to create a nice breeze and keep the stagnant water smell to a minimum.  I was very worried we could not get him out or that we’d hurt him in the process.  I got a straw broom and he would sit on it but as soon as I moved it he’d fly off to the window again.  I kept creeping it to the door and got him a window panel closer, so I was pleased to be making progress.  Then as I got him to the door he flew further over and passed the door and was at another window panel.  Then he dropped down behind a sign in that panel but continued to drop and suddenly flew left and out the door.  Later when I got home he was back on the feeder.  As a matter of fact, I just heard him go by the open window of the RV.  It’s very quiet out today and you can hear the whirr of his speedy little wings.

We had our leftover grilled items for dinner with the last deviled eggs and some cranberry slaw with poppyseed dressing.  Then it was a bit of TV and read until we couldn’t keep our eyes open.

Lazy day....

July 27 – Another cold morning!  It got down to 48 last night and took a while to warm up this morning.  It’s our last day off and nothing major planned.  It rained hard last night so I’m sure it was a very cold rain.  When there’s rain here there’s also wind.  The slide toppers were "just a flappin"!

Bill said he was tired of eggs this morning so I made bacon and fruit and I finished off my fried grits.  He headed out for his walk and to the mail box.  He also cut the grass where one RV had been for several months so it was tidy for the next guest. He’s always doing “stuff” for the park on his day off.

I was cabinet cleaning and while outside to put some things underneath, Bill was coming back from his walk and hollered that the people behind him in the car were from Apopka.  They were headed to the trash bins and stopped and we had a nice chat.  Silly me, after they drove off I thought we should see if they are in a camping club or might want to join ours.  They will be here til Saturday I think, so Bill can watch for them and go over and see if they are interested, well, he IS the club president!

We spoke with Barb and Ron and ironed out some of our travel plans together for October.   Later I called and made the reservations so we’re good to go now from September 25 through October 13.  We will talk and work on the rest on our next days off.  We decided to stay longer in 3 places and to do day trips instead of moving the RV every couple of days.  We’re very excited to be travelling with them since we don’t get to see them that much. 

This afternoon we took a drive.  Bill has wanted to drive down Red Rock Road since we got here so we did.  We checked out the Red Rock Campground 5 miles down the road and along the field near it there was a small herd of antelope but they were too far off the road for a good photo.  Then we drove to Big Springs to see if the moose and calf might be out, but no luck today.  There were a lot of people on the bridge feeding the fish and the birds.  On the way back we spotted a much larger herd of antelope even further off the road and they were starting to retreat to the woods.  I’m pretty sure it was due to the storm coming in.

We got a massive rain again (and wind) and I just knew once again there would be no grilling.  Around 6 it left us behind and moved on so Bill grilled burgers, chicken and hot links.  I made a small bowl of slaw, deviled eggs and corn on the cob and we were good to go!  Now we’re set for lunch tomorrow and dinner on Saturday.

I decided I would get my shower and wash my hair so I don’t have to in the morning for work.  Bill and I watched a Jack Reacher movie and I finished yesterday’s blog and posted it and am now finishing today’s and posting it.  No late night since we’re working tomorrow.

Shopping Day

July 26 – It was cold this morning again.  Think it’s to be expected for several days.  That means no higher than 80 also but it was only 76 or so.  Nice!

Since Bill’s car appointment wasn’t until 3:30 there was no rush getting around.  I did another load of laundry and Bill walked and did guy stuff outside.  It was a beautiful day out for sure.  After lunch we left just after 1 for Rexburg.  We side tracked and stopped in ST. Anthony so I could go to the liquor store where I got a bottle of Huckleberry Vodka.  Now to find the appropriate items to complete Huckleberry Lemonade!

Our first stop in Rexburg was the jeweler for Bill to get a new band on his favorite watch.  That didn’t take long and next Bill waited in the car while I did my Albertson’s shopping.  Since we don’t get a paper I put their app on my phone and can tick off a list of what’s in the ad that I’m interested in, then at check out I just put in my phone number on the payment kiosk and it applies all the discounts.  Made things much more efficient and no ad in my hands while walking the store.

Bill dropped me off at Wal-mart while he went to Ford to get his car done.  I knew it would take a while and I had a long list so after picking up his script I went department by department.  Every time I go to a Wal-mart I wish it was laid out the same as ours in Ocoee.  At least today I was not in a hurry so could backtrack and ask where things were.  I saved the fresh or frozen items for the very last on the list, and then not until Bill said things were wrapped up at Ford.

I was ready and waiting when he pulled up.  What a deal he got at Ford!  Only $25 for the parts, no labor charge to replace all the clips to his spoiler on the front.  They were going to wash it but since I was waiting for him, he couldn’t do it as the wait was too long.

The ride home was uneventful but there was a traffic stop due to some road work.  Didn’t hold us up for long.  The temperature started going down and by the time we got home it was 66 and a rather cold wind blowing.  Brrr! 

Once again my plan to grill out was foiled by wind.  Instead I made VERY thin crust pizza with the Italian flatout bread I bought.  Also found out that one of the pizza pans in the RV won’t fit in the convection oven, so under the RV is goes to take out when we get home.  I’ve been trying to eliminate some things this trip that haven’t been used since we moved in, giving me more storage for gifts, souvenirs and groceries.

So the pizza was either good or we were just hungry!  I made salads and later we had ice cream bars (huckleberry, of course)!  I’ve got to stop with the ice cream, my shorts are getting too tight!

Just hanging out!

July 25 – It got cold last night, down in the 40’s and today the high was 78 but took a long time to get there.  Didn’t need the AC all day.  Might need heat tonight!

We thought we were going to Rexburg today but the Ford dealer didn’t call that Bill’s parts were in so he called and found out they were!  Not surprising.  He couldn’t get an appointment for today but for tomorrow afternoon at 3:30.

I did a load of laundry and caught up on downloading photos from yesterday and caught up writing the blog and posting it.  I made some calls and made some cards I needed to put in the mail.  Bill did some outside stuff and after lunch took the mail to the post office. 

There were two hummingbirds today! 

I made a big dinner, pickle steaks, baked white potato for Bill and baked sweet potato for me and fresh green beans.  I planned to make a chocolate pudding cake but didn’t have enough cocoa powder, it’s now on the shopping list.  Dinner took a while to cook once I prepped it so I got to spend some time reading for a while.  I think I have my shopping list for tomorrow ready to go.  We won’t leave until after lunch since the car appointment is so late.

Dinner was good and the leftovers are always better! 

A great day to be at Yellowstone!

July 24 – Time to play tourist again!  We didn’t get an early start since we’re not really in a race to see it all in one day.  However, when we reached the traffic light in West Yellowstone before the entrance to the park there was some back up.  Bill was a little antsy about it as we’ve heard horror stories of 2-3 hour waits to get in.  Not the case today.  One line was the “Express” lane for pass holders and return ticket holders.  The odd thing is they didn’t even want you to stop and prove you are a pass holder or return ticket holder, the ranger was flagging everyone right through.  Bill tried to find out about getting a Senior pass and she was slightly rude since we actually stopped.  We found out, for all of my readers, that August 28 this year, the price of the now $10 for life Senior pass will increase to $80.  We both have a pass but in the event we lose one or something, we thought it would be wise for us to each buy another one.  We’re not sure if they register them or not so will find out before we end up getting our old ones cancelled.  You have to be 62 so I got my last summer.

It was really a great day in the park.  A little traffic back ups in a couple of the parking areas but other than that we enjoyed beautiful weather, a picnic lunch, and wonderful sights!  We chose the northern loop today, which is one of the roads less traveled.  Actually the traffic itself is not bad all, it’s the stops and “villages” where you rejoin the masses.

Gibbon Falls

Our first stop was Gibbon Falls, a beautiful and brilliant falls with

an 84 foot drop.  You can’t get as close as some of the other falls, but it’s still a site to see.  Back on the loop road traffic stopped so we knew there was a wildlife sighting.  Sure enough, there was one male bison resting along the road.

A little further up the road is Artists Paintpots.  The parking was a bit dicey so Bill let me out thinking I’d be back shortly while he found parking.  Well, I had my walk for the day!  It was 3 tenths of a mile to one site and 6 tenths to another.  It was warm out and I didn’t bring water and

Blood Geyser

the dryness of the air quickly dries my nose and throat, therefore, I knew I was only going to the first stop.  It was a little disappointing but Blood Geyser was pretty nice.  To go either direction to another site was 3 tenths a mile more and I really didn’t want to make a mile walk and have Bill wondering if I fell in.

At the intersection to go west or north, we went west where our

Virginia Cascades

first stop on that section of loop road was Virginia Cascades.  These are more narrow falls that cascade 60 feet down from Gibbons River.  It is one of the 45 named waterfalls along the paved roadways of the park.

There wasn’t a picnic roadside area along the way so once we reached Canyon Village wes topped for lunch.  We visited the restrooms and the visitor center and then scoped out a spot at one of the 4 large picnic tables right outside the VC. Three of the tables were pretty much filled and the 4^th had one young lady working her phone to death so I asked if we could share the table.  She said sure, she was just waiting on friends.  As soon as we sat on the opposite side, an Asian man sat beside her without asking, then his wife sat by me but asked.   Then another Asian man claimed space on the other side of the young woman and called his grandson over and so the lady left and sat on the concrete leaning again a stone pillar.  We enjoyed our picnic from our new collapsible cooler we received last summer for volunteering at Sherando Lake.  Perfect size!  The comedy at lunch was the Asian family was spread out at 2 tables and for lunch they were slicing Spam out the can and wrapping it with white bread.  The teenage grandson took one bite and gave it back to his grandpa, then got his dad to get him a hot dog, which he ate with no condiments.  I’m not sure which was worse!

Second level of Upper Falls with the blowback

We packed up the cooler and took a short detour to see the Upper Falls and Lower Falls.  The road to the Lower Rim to see the Lower Falls was backed up onto the main road, therefore we chose the “road less travelled” , the Upper Rim where we got the parking spot right beside the walkway to the falls viewing area.  Since we were so close you could almost touch the falls, we missed seeing the 109 foot drop all at once.  The Lower falls is the tallest in Yellowstone at 308 feet but we’d seen it and Bill didn’t want to get hung up waiting.  The Upper Falls has a tremendous rushing current over the first drop and as the fall space narrows the second drop is even more forceful creating a huge misting blowback which is beautiful.  I think if the sun was in the right spot you’d get another nice rainbow.

Once we had our share of photos, we walked up the hill to the car and back on the loop

road going north.  As we came around a bend I saw the most glorious field of yellow and told Bill to take the next pull off.   I had no idea it was a major pull off but we got a spot and I took some of my favorite photos of the yellow fields and scant forests edging their way to the top of Mount Washburn.  I later learned this is the most popular day hike in Yellowstone.  We could see several groups of hikers zigzagging their way up the hill.  If only I were in better shape!

As we rounded the corner of the road where Tower Falls is, I immediately recognized the gift shop as where we got great ice cream our last time here.  Some things are burned into the brain, even at my age! 

Tower Falls with its guards

We found a good parking spot and decided to earn our ice cream by walking out to the falls first.  The fall plunges 132 feet, but what is different is the landscape.  The pinnacles surround the falls like guards on duty.  The area along the Yellowstone River flow has some unusual rock formations as well.

The line for the ice cream was long and the prices

Strange formations

were pretty steep, not unlike the falls!  I didn’t want to spend $3.25 for one scoop.  I saw refrigerated items along the back wall of store and thought maybe there was a freezer one but, alas, no.  But my eagle eye spotted the corner of an independent ice cream freezer where I landed huckleberry ice cream sandwiches for .99 a piece.  While I was at the register paying for my find, a man asked where I found them and he was on his way to scoop some up for his family.

Petrified Tree

It’s a short drive to the Tower-Roosevelt area which speaks for

Teddy Roosevelt as it’s more rustic with horse back trail riding. You can take a stagecoach tour from there as well.  The hotel sets way back off the road and you have to drive in to see it.  There’s a small Park office along the main road.  Not far passed Tower-Roosevelt is a fairly long turn off to see the Petrified Tree.  On the road in Bill was complaining about how much money was spent to build the road to see ONE petrified tree.  But that’s not all we got to see.  He let me out at the tree as it sits high on the wall of the mountain and he planned to turn around and pick me back up.  I took my photo of the tree and turned around to face the valley below as I noticed down at the end where Bill was

turning around there was a crowd gathered.  That could only mean one thing:  wildlife.  I was so excited that I got to take some great photos of a black bear and her cub.  They were too far away at first and once they started moving in my direction the grass was so tall at times I couldn’t see them.  Then just for me, they emerged onto a dead tree along the ground and baby followed mama up and very carefully back down another log.  Shortly after, they hit tall grass again and seemed to be heading on down the valley where it was much more wooded and “private”.  Bill got to see them but there were some later comers, who were pretty disappointed.   Wow, bison, elk and black bear, it was a great day! 

It really is Mammoth

On the way to Mammoth Hot Springs we passed turn offs for 2 more water falls, but Bill was “falled” out.  We stopped as soon as we sighted “Mammoth Hot Springs” for a photo and upon entering the village there was a herd of elk but no where to stop.  The village was much busier than when we

Right in front of Mammoth

visited there 2 years ago.  It looks like there were renovations going on at the local hotel but it didn’t deter people from hustling and bustling around.  When we drove passed the springs I took another photo of one section up close and on the way we went.

We passed another herd of elk but again, there was no place to pull off so close to the

Butt shot

village.  A few miles further away I spotted a huge herd of elk, most of which were back in behind some trees in a field but Bill turned around and I got out to see what I could get on my camera.  It started raining or I would have walked in a bit but I zoomed as best I could with my camera and got a few decent shots.

We u-turned again and headed on our merry way, and until it wasn’t quite so “merry”.  There was road construction and we were stopped 20 minutes or so.  Bill opened the

windows and turned the car off and eventually cars came from the opposite direction.  He counted 74 vehicles passed us.  I kept my trusty camera in hand and searched the trees and shrubbery along my side of the road for any sign of wildlife, and there she was.  A little fawn who looked right at me and waited just long enough for me to get a great photo.  Bill got to see her too and then all there was only a butt shot left.

When our turn finally came we could only drive so fast as the road was packed gravel and some broken pavement on and off.   It was several miles before we hit the “good” road.  We could see where we ran into the same issue 2 years ago, The road was really nice and wide.  It’s a slow process with such a short season for major road work.

Since we had bypassed Norris Geyser Basin this morning with the hope that the afternoon

Second from the left is Bill

would be less crowded, we made our last stop in the park at 4:30.  We didn’t stay long as we felt some big rain drops and didn’t want to get caught without our umbrellas for the walk back to the car.  The geysers that are viewable from the initial walkway aren’t terribly spectacular but the basin itself is very large.  There are walkways all over and there were people on most of them.  Even as we left and were back on the main road I could see more of the basin through the trees.

Traffic moved along nicely until about half way from the Madison intersection to West Yellowstone.  Then there was another small herd of elk but again, no where to park.  In many places where cars used to pull over, the park service has put logs along the road or cut up logs and done a crisscross display along the road.  I know the theory is to keep cars from stopping so traffic doesn’t bog down and it works well in most areas. 

We got home about 6 which was nice and we had a truly awesome day!  I did do one post but after heating up the last of the lasagna and making a salad for dinner, I was ready to just chill!

Food and fishing

July 23 – Our day of rest, since it’s Sunday, always starts with sleeping in and big breakfast!  Then the “rest” ends.  It’s cleaning day and the start of several days of laundry.  I don’t like doing but one load a day so it goes on until it’s all caught up!

Once all the “housework” was done I changed the cloudy sugar water in my hummingbird feeder as Sue and I had seen at least one hummer at the feeder but I think my water got “punky”.  I had a couple of cups leftover from the first batch in the fridge so once it warmed up some I switched it out. 

After lunch I showered and sat out to relax and read and watch for birds.  No luck!  We left for West Yellowstone just after 5 so we could get dinner and then Bill went to his free fly fishing lesson at 7.

The Mexican restaurants all have the best ratings, but they are in buses so not really where I want to have my one night out for the week.  The “Spanish” restaurant with great reviews is closed on Sunday, strike 2!  So we opted for Madison Crossing Lounge.  We hit a homer!  We arrived while it was only ¼ full and the menu selections were great, lots of variety.  I started off with a Huckleberry Lemonade Cocktail.  Oh boy, was it yummy, so much that I could have had a second!  Bill had a flat iron steak with baked potato and a squash medley (which he especially raved about).  He said he was surprised how tender his steak was as he’d never tried a flat iron steak before.  I had a Buffalo sirloin steak salad with feta cheese, raspberries and an assortment of other vegetables.  Would have liked a bit more of the creamy raspberry dressing but made do.  May be going back there again!

Bill and his new best friend, Bob!

Bill wasn’t 100% sure where the lesson was, just the general outdoor area near the museum and old railroad station.  We did a drive by and didn’t see anyone so made a stop at a gift shop for a while.  Once we drove back there was a crowd.  We parked and he checked in and I walked back to the shopping area and spent my hour being amazed once again at the over priced items and how many people buy them.  I didn’t buy anything but did see a pair of slippers I might go back for.

As 8 PM approached, I headed back towards the fly fishing field.  I stopped at the police station and called Bill to pick me up there.  He said he liked the lesson but didn’t do very well.  He said he got a “D”!  That was his self-grading system.  The gentleman giving the lesson is Bob Jacklin, a well renown fly fisherman.  He owns a shop in town and has given free lessons in the same spot for 43 years.  The only fish he’s ever mounted is a 16 pound brown trout.  Since we should have one more Sunday off, Bill wants to go back and take the lesson again and then schedule his half day fishing excursion. 

We stopped at one of the grocery stores in town and I bought a pint of Huckleberry ice cream to share for our dessert.  It’s addictive!!!

Two more work days behind us

July 21/22 – Back to work days.  Not much to report.  We are still full every night, but the phones have slowed down some.  We had enough free time over the 2 days that I was able to show Sue how to cut her netting and showed her how I make my scrubbies.  It generated a lot of interest from several of the ladies in the Laundromat.  One says she’s going to have a friend teach her when she gets home.

It’s gotten a bit hotter now so Bill is trying to cool off more frequently.  I need to get more sunscreen and keep it on him.

We did find out that one of the couples who was to be here for the season is leaving on August 1.  Our work days will change from Friday and Saturday to Saturday and Sunday.  We will still work with Sue and Hank on Saturdays but we are on our own on Sundays!  Hopefully if I get in a pinch Elaine, Sue or Bev will be available to answer questions.

The owners’ son, Rick and his wife, Gina came up from Utah for the weekend.  We got to know them when we were here 2 years ago.  Gina and I worked together until she had to go home.  We got along really well and it was so good to see them both.  We could have talked for hours but with us working and them visiting other family that was here for the weekend there wasn't enough time.  We hope they get up again or we may try to meet for dinner on the night we stay down around Salt Lake on our way south.

Needless to say, I did not touch the computer for several days so have gotten myself behind in blogging and journaling.  Good thing we’re off for 5 days so I can play catch up!

Day trip

July 20 – Our last day off so we needed to put it to good use!  After breakfast and showers

Madison River

we left for Ennis, MT.  It’s a nice drive along the Madison River where the fly fishermen are plentiful and cabins and campground dot the riverbanks.  Rolling hills and a large plateau line the river on the south and larger rolling hills and field were along our right to the north.  It’s about 50 miles.

Georgia fly fisherman
we met

We no sooner got on the road and a young buck ran across the road in front of us and within a mile a doe did the same.  Two years ago there were lots of antelope along the road but we didn’t see any until we were almost to Ennis.  They chose to munch out where the commercial farm sprinkler was keeping the field plush green.  Smart!

We drove all through the short downtown and went to the Madison Grocery.  It has a pretty good selection of everything considering the size of the town.  I checked out some wine but passed.  We got a few things I had on my list and I checked on the huckleberry ice cream in case we wanted to pick some up on the way home.

There were several open parking spaces along Main Street.  I went in the kitchen shop and they still carry the flavored olive oils and balsamic vinegars so I left with a bottle of Blood Orange Oil and a bottle of Basil Infused Oil.  Bill had strolled down the street and found a dog to pet. I put my oils in the car and we went to lunch at Bear Trap Grille.  The café we had planned on going to had horrible reviews so we decided to try some place that rated better.  Excellent choice.  Bill had a turkey bacon and cheese sandwich that was so big he only ate half.  I went with a pork belly sandwich.  Yeah, sounds nasty and I asked the waitress if she knew what it tastes like and she’d never had one.  So I took a bold step and ordered it.  The hand cut French fries were crispy and hot and Bill ate part of them.  The sandwich, OMG, was delicious!  I can’t stress that enough.  The pork tasted like pork with a seasoning and was crispy around the edges which reminded me of pork rinds (which I love), BUT the best was the pepperata (sautéed and pickled onion and red pepper sweet relish).  At first I took off most of the peppers as I don’t like bell peppers, but one bite of that sweet combo and I put them all back on except for one I let Bill taste.  If we go back, I’m getting another one of those!

We walked off a little of lunch in neighboring shops and then stopped at the local ice cream shop.  Another first: soft serve huckleberry ice cream.  It was way better than I expected but more pink than purple. 

Virginia City

We drove 15 miles to Virginia City.  We spent the day there 2 years ago and took the train to neighboring Nevada City.  Been there, done that, so we parked and went in a couple of shops.  It was not nearly as crowded as our last visit.  I didn’t have to wait for people to move to take my pictures. 

As we approached Ennis on the drive back there was a mother antelope and 2 babies in a field that is part of the local rodeo grounds.  We turned around and pulled right up and they looked us over and moved a little farther away but didn’t run

One of the twins found a toy to play with

off.  The reason is the spot they were grazing in was plush green grass from a low spot in the field or a broken water pipe running under it. 

One last stop was back at the grocery and I got a box of huckleberry ice cream sandwiches and a box of chocolate coated huckleberry ice cream bars.  We’re saving the sandwiches to take home (yeah right!) I got a piece of dry ice to put in the cooler bag, can’t let that ice cream melt.  Who cares about my salad mix.

We did see more antelope on the way back but no deer bounding across the road.  Once stuff was put away I made our ice coffees and Bill put his new windshield wipers on the car while I called 2 places and made our reservations for camping in September.  We are now booked through September 22.  Don’t think I’ll get back to it until Sunday.  Tomorrow is a work day, aren’t we excited?

Bill was supposed to grill tonight but the wind picked up.  I think he orders it, so I poached our steelhead trout, microwaved our corn on the cob and heated leftover mixed veggies.  Before starting it all I put a rhubarb crisp in the toaster oven so dessert was covered.  Bill hates fish night but knows how GOOD it is for him.

I wrote some blog and posted one.  Maybe I’ll post this one tomorrow night if we don’t work too late!

A day at home

July 19 -  Sunday we had discussed driving to Ennis, MT today and have lunch at the little café there and tootle around but last night I told him I had a lot to do on the computer and paperwork to catch up on so we postponed. 

After I made a dozen egg/bacon “muffins” for work day breakfasts and did a load of laundry I settled in on and off on the computer.  I called my guy in Winter Garden, Jeff, that does all of our computer repairs, sales, etc and he walked me though some changes on my new Dell that were driving me crazy.  I ordered Shiloh’s birthday gift, a solar lense for my camera for the eclipse in August and ink for my printer.  I caught up on my journal, blog posts and email. 

Bill put some stuff away under the RV and visited the neighbors, walked the park and washed the front of the car after our trip yesterday.  I told him I didn’t want the TV on all day as I can’t concentrate and he could watch it outside if he wanted.  He came in and did some stuff on his computer and has been getting his phone photos transferred and setting up photo files and getting better organized on his laptop.

We enjoyed our afternoon iced coffees until it was time to get to work on dinner.  I made a small lasagna so we have leftover for one night when we work.  We each had a big salad and a piece of the pumpkin loaf for dessert.

I got to watch one of my favorite TV shows that is still on the air “Suits”.  Bill doesn’t care for it so he went to the neighbor’s and sat out with them.

I checked on where we are going to stay in Tucson and Camp Verde so I can call tomorrow and make those reservations.  Still looking at Canon City, CO which would be the next stop on the trip after AZ.

Time to read and relax a while!

Shopping and horse ride

July 18 – Today was shopping in Rexburg!  Oh joy! 

Our first stop was Wal-mart to drop off a script, then to the Ford dealer.  Bill has called last week about ordering the little clips to secure the bottom part of the front bumper and they said they’d need to see it.  So they saw it and ordered the clips.

Next was to find the JC Penney store that is listed when I google “shopping Rexburg” and the cataract doctor.  Well, in seaching for the Penney’s we landed at an optometrist office and they said to get the sun “overglasses” like Bill got from his cataract surgery would be $50.  I told him no, I’d order them online.  He wants a pair to wear while weed eating to protect his regular glasses and a pair to wear.   While in the office I told him to ask about Penney’s.  There is none.

We were just a few blocks from ACE so he dropped me there to do my return then we circled the block and went to Great Harvest Breads for lunch.  I’d seen them in several places this side of the Mississippi and thought we’d give them a try.  First, what nice people there.  The staff and owner were very nice and we never felt rushed to order or leave.  They give out whole slices of their breads to try before picking what you want for your sandwich.  The sandwiches were huge and come with chips so I saved the chips for at home.  I was stuffed!  Bill couldn’t resist the little cinnamon buns they had for$1 for his dessert.  We talked a long time with the owner and she gave us a loaf of pumpkin chocolate chip bread.  Not a little mini loaf, a full size loaf.  I think she was about to put it on mark down as day old but we didn’t mind at all.  Bill said we will come back there again!

In one of the magazines we picked up yesterday I read about Rexburg’s history, the flood of

Ride 'em cowgirl!

1976 and the damage it did to their 1926 Carousel.  That was all I needed to know, so we hunted down the city park and I got to ride the restored 1926 Carousel for $1.25.  The music is the original rolls made in Ohio in the 1920’s.  Bill says I was the only adult but there were 2 others (with their kids and grandkids). 

I picked up a few sale items in Albertson’s and a piece of dry ice, then for my dessert I bought a Frosty from the Wendy's across the street and ate it while doing my shopping in Wal-mart.  Bill found some over glasses sunglasses in the Vision Center there for $24 so he was happy.  I got a new extra water hose to replace the one we sold to the “little old man” and our groceries and we headed towards the homestead!

Bill exited the highway in St. Anthony’s to find a store that we were told sells the best huckleberry ice cream.  Actually, we were quite surprised at the size of the town.  It was much larger than we expected as we only see an industrial area along the highway.  We found a Broulim’s grocery but didn’t see anything that we thought was what we were looking for.

Once we were home and unloaded we took a break and then I made Chicken Parmesan for dinner and for dessert we had raspberry cookie bars that Sue made and brought over.  They were quite tasty.

Teton-Yellowstone Loop

July 17 –  Today was tourist day!  We decided to take the scenic loop down and around the Grand Tetons, through Jackson, WY and up through Tetons National Park, into Yellowstone and back out the West Yellowstone entrance.  It’s about 263 miles and took us about 9 ½ hours.

I enjoy the country drive part through potato fields, hay fields and no traffic.  Technically we are on the loop in Island Park and just head south and make a left in Ashton, ID.   We have the view of the Tetons most of the way, and up close and

Huge stack of hay bales

personal once we reach Driggs, ID.  In Driggs it was bathroom break and close to lunch time.  They have a really nice Broulim’s grocery where we decided to enjoy lunch from their various deli stations.  Bill went with a hot pressed ham sandwich and I had orange chicken and broccoli chicken with a bit of fried rice.  All so tasty and good prices.  They had some good sales in the store but we didn’t want to keep things in our cooler bag for hours on end, but before we left we each got a kid cup of ice cream and ate them in the car.

There was an ACE in the plaza that we made a quick stop in to get some tiny rubber caps for a connection on the car for towing.  Who knows what happened to last one but this time we got 2 so we’re good for a while, we hope.

View of the valley

The drive into Jackson includes a fabulous view of the

Stop at the top

valley in addition to miles of 10% grade (for us it was downhill), which we are glad we were not in the RV.  There were several motorhomes, travel trailers and 5^th wheels whom we passed coming up, but can’t say we saw any brave enough to go down it. 

Jackson Hole as it used to be called was a place we thoroughly enjoyed many years ago on

Looks like a golf course on the side
of the mountain

our first trip there.  Now it’s a major tourist destination with

Antler Arch

inadequate parking, crowded streets and sidewalks and shops out the ying yang!   You get a good view of the ski slopes as you pass by.  We turned towards the park at the town square.  The antler arches still adorn the four corners but we didn’t stop this time but I nabbed a photo while Bill slowed for traffic.

We stopped at the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center for a bathroom break and to look for a t-shirt for Bill.  We picked up a few tourist magazines we think will be helpful while we’re here, then headed up the pike to the park!

Starting to get dark

After passing the local airport and the National Elk Refuge we made a stop at the Craig Thomas Discovery VC and I got new passport stamps for my book and we picked up more literature.  The view of the mountains is fantastic from there as they have a huge window on that side and an outdoor area you can view from.  We didn’t take much time as the skies were churning and we knew we were in for some nasty weather.

At Moose Junction we had to show our Senior pass and as

we pulled way the skies got darker and the temperature gauge on the car plummeted from 72 to 54 in a minute.  I stepped out to get a quick photo and suddenly was pummeled by hail.  I found one later in my hair!  We drove through and past it and the rest of our time in

As some of the weather passed

The Grand Tetons NP was beautiful.  At times we could look back and see it still behind us.  Jackson Lake is both huge and beautifully serene.  We managed a stop or 2 for photos before our final stop at Colter Bay Village.  As soon as we saw the “shopping” area we both knew this was where Bill got his t-shirt 2 years ago.  He had trouble deciding on one as they had many to chose from as well as an assortment of colors.  I ordered us beverages from the “café”.  He loves the Java Chocolate Chip Frappuccinos and I went with a hot beverage, Caramel Macchiato.  That was to hold us over until we got home and it did.

Between Teton and Yellowstone is the John D Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway.  It’s 8

Jackson Lake

miles of National Forest wilderness with a couple of trailheads and Snake River access. 

When entering Yellowstone from the south you get a different perspective of the park.  It’s more densely wooded and to your right you find the deep deep ravine of the Lewis

River with some nice falls but very little pull off space.  The spaces we found had trees blocking the view.  As you continue north the ravine becomes more shallow and fades away.  We crossed the Continental Divide twice.  Traffic picked up as soon as we approached Old Faithful and got worse, to stopping multiple times once we passed the geyser basins.  We thought for sure there were some elk or a buffalo causing the halt, but it

The down side of Yellowstone

did not appear to be the case.  We thought we’d never get out of the park!

The good news was we made it home safely, the bad news is there were no wild animal sightings!