We’ll be leaving our campsite setup today for some day hiking up in the hills. I want to checkout a canyon that goes around the back side of the nearby mountains. It also makes for a great lunch spot.
The first half of the day driving through Yellowstone was excellent, but now the girls say goodbye to Wyoming and the park, and head to the Top Of The World. We couldn’t drive this far in the winter, but it sure looks like it was a scenic drive. I hear they really enjoyed visiting Little Big Horn Battlefield. Lots of excellent Native American history. Looks like the goodbye to Wyoming didn’t last that long, as they head to Gillette for the night. ...
The ladies head out early from their hotel in Gardiner just outside the entrance to Yellowstone. They actually stayed in the same hotel I was in this past winter. It’s really interesting to compare the photos from that trip here. They spent some quality time enjoying the Mammoth Hot Springs along with a couple of very cute birds. Check out this area in the winter here. Then it’s on through Lamar Valley, the really beautiful area of the park. Plenty of wildlife, including a shaggy black bear. And here’s the area in the winter. ...
Today we’ve made it to the Marsh Fork and Dirk’s first pickup point. We won’t be leaving from here, but it’s a nice sign we’re on track. This is an incredible spot with a great campsite overlooking the riverbed.
Following yesterday’s long drive to Salt Lake City, the girls start with an early morning run at City Creek Canyon. Then a bit of exploring around the capital, including this cool looking eatery called Spoon Me. Pretty cool logo. The billboards in Utah totally rock. A few other sights, but otherwise not much to see. Rolling into Idaho, it’s time for lunch and a frisbee break for Gracie. I’m sure Gracie was jealous of the awesome doggie trailer. Nice twist on the motorcycle sidecar approach. ...
Today is a bunch of riverbed hiking. The ice is a great walking surface, cools us off, provides a great water source, and cuts down on the bugs. What’s not to love?
After a short day yesterday, the girls are planning on twelve hours of driving through Nevada and Utah to Salt Lake City. Not much to see in Nevada on the first half of the day, except for a few oddities. Gracie gets a frisbee lunch break in Elko, while the girls get to stretch their legs. Gracie finds a stuffed traveling companion to keep her company the rest of the way. ...
Today we’re up and over Carter Pass to the north side of the Brooks Range. There are so many beautiful colors and flowers in the tundra. The going definitely gets tougher as we head along sheep trails through the scree. Spring Creek cuts a stunning canyon on this side of the mountains.
Charlotte and Monica have fully loaded and decorated the car for the long drive to Bootjack. The Ritchey is riding on the back, while my road bike (her name is Sweetness) enjoys the luxurious interior. Time to load the dog and hit the road. First stop is the Jelly Belly factory near Sacramento. I know they’ve bought at least a few bags of belly flops. After checking in at the hotel in Truckee, it’s off to Lake Tahoe for a run around the Tahoe Rim Trail. Plenty of people lined up for the big fireworks display, but the girls are a bit too tired, and there’s another long day ahead tomorrow. ...
It’s been really hot, but we have to stay covered to avoid being eaten alive. The hiking is pretty easy as we make our way north to Carter Pass and the Continental Divide. I love hiking on tundra.