Wednesday Words - Chouinard

Going back to a simpler life is not a step backward. ~Yvon Chouinard

#Simplelifeisforme

Happy, happy!!

These two are celebrating the two today...happy, happy!! Enjoy your STL trip; go Cards!

#STLCARDS

Jenny Lake Hike and then some...

We hiked Jenny lake today. Well, not the whole lake but a portion of it and then on up to the Hidden Falls. Great view, if you are doing the lake go the extra distance to see the falls, we ate our lunch there. On the way back we did the shoreline trail. I'm so glad we did the horse trail (highline route) on the way in because that was the absolutely BEST view. At the shoreline it was nice but the view from higher up was most stunning!

We also went around Moose Pond on our way back with the hope of seeing another moose sighting but no such sighting occurred! Bummer! The meadows brimming of wild flowers were so pretty, so many and everywhere you looked. Indian Paintbrush were plentiful. I don't know the varieties very well, but there were yellow, blue, white, red, pink, purple ones of all shapes and sizes!Another little bit of eye candy.

It was a LOOOOONG hike at 6.2 miles but it was a good hike! Loved all the views and fresh air! The scents were awesome as we passed the pine and cedar trees; so pungent and the fields of sage were incredible aromatic! A feast for our noses for sure!

Look very closely the picture above... there is a yellow warbler on the branch. He was the brightest yellow, it was almost like he was not real, but we saw him fly so he was!!! He was on the highline portion of the hike going in.

#GrandTetons

Bubblers, Poofers and Spouters

We stopped at Old Faithful, the most famous of all Spouters. I suppose a visit to Yellowstone wouldn't be complete without stopping to take in this icon. Our timing was good as he was set to go just after we arrived on scene. He is only erupting every 91 minutes or so nowadays, he used to spout more frequently but his pipes are changing and his frequency is less. The film we watched at the visitor center says he will eventually stop erupting completely if you can imagine that...

I personally like the poofers. They had their own special aroma, mostly sulpherish but some had slightly other scents. There are so many of these in the park but many cannot be seen if the temperature and humidity are not just right. Best to see them on cool mornings.

The Norris Geyser basin, or more specifically the Porcelain Basin within the Norris Geyser basin was a great stop. We popped our last evening in the park as it was hitting dusk. We were camped in Norris Campground so it was an easy stop on our way home. Worth the stop, had we had more time we would have done the longer hike to see the other side of this area but we were losing daylight so we did what we could.

 

On our way out this morning to the Tetons we walked one of the artist paint pot areas and got to see some great bubblers. I love the bubblers especially the mud ones. We had been on the hunt for them and met with limited success. There were watery ones, with little mud, but I really wanted to see the goopy muddy ones...we hadn't really spotted any so when we came upon them this morning I was really glad we took the time to stop on our way out!

#YNP

Uncle Tom's Trail

 On my word, I was huffing and puffing but I made it...seriously, this is NOT for the faint of heart for sure! Even taking it slow I was winded. View was pretty cool! Worth all those stairs...all 328 of them...I guess. I ate Twizzlers later as a reward! LOL

 

#YNP

Bears...yes, real live ones!

It's always a thrill to see wild life so seeing a bear, then another and then a mama and her cub was the bomb diggity!!!

First sighting was a yearling just outside our campground in Glacier. Ranger Mike had told us to be on the look out for this little guy who seemed to enjoy the area. We watched him foraged in the field, turning over rocks and just hang out in the area. Lots of other people also stopped to get a pic, we were walking back from the camp store when we saw him.

A little playful fella!

Next sighting was in Yellowstone as we were driving north on the park road towards Mammoth. I spotted him on my right as he made his way over and around the rocks, we stopped to watch him and he crossed the road RIGHT in front of us before disappearing among the rocks on the other side! It was certainly an amazing sight as he just meandered along.

The latest sighting was again here in Yellowstone as we stopped along the driving route to check out a petrified tree. We had to park in the upper parking and we were walking down when a passerbyer stopped to warn us of a mama bear and her cub just up ahead. COOL, we were excited! We made our way on up and there they were. Just frolicking in the grass and on a log, they were steadily making their way along and going further into the meadow. It was very fun to watch them, the cub was so inquisitive and exploring it all, going up ahead, then lagging behind as they traversed the landscape.
 

I have to say I loved seeing the wild life in Yellowstone, but I am sorely UNimpressed with YNP; especially after being at Glacier. The Rangers and staff are much more professional and actually enforce rules. Especially, cars parking in RV slots. We could not park at several pullouts due to cars being in the designated spaces at Yellowstone.

#BEARSohmy

Wednesday Words - Ashe

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

~Arthur Ashe



SURFING the River

 

 
Paddle Out!
 

 

Riding the "WAVE"

 

 
Coming out, tired but sooooooo stoked to have gotten wet!!
 

MiRV who loves, I mean really LOVES, the water and surfing has had dry gills since we left Florida. So when he learned about a spot in Missoula Montana that you can surf on the river he was determined to make sure we stopped through so he could check it out!

He was so stoked after we stopped on Sunday and also a bit disappointed since we got there too late in the day to go that day However, we would be hitting it the next day for sure! And we did and he was uber excited! It was awesome and he enjoyed it immensely! It was also fun to watch...well, except for a few wipeouts which made my heart beat really rapidly!

The team at Strongwater Mountain Surf Co was great; especially KB! Guy knows his stuff and has a love for the sport!

Another incredible experience in this journey called life! Honestly, we are so blessed and I have to pinch myself some days cause we are so incredibly fortunate to be able to do what we are doing; love this life!!!

#strongwaterrocks!

Red Bus Tour

 

 
Logan Pass-notice the wildflowers

Lake MacDonald Lodge View 

Our Red Bus!!

A couple of days ago we went on a Red Bus Tour. It was enjoyable, we learned lots of neat, interesting facts from our "jammer" aka driver, Ken. Our tour started in Apgar went across the Going to the Sun Road then up to Many Glacier before coming back along the same path. It was a beautiful crisp morning! It sprinkled a bit on our way back (MiRV was our drivers helper to put the canvas top back on/off) but even so the views were magnificent!!! Truly beyond words! While riding the free shuttle gets you to most of the same places it's the stories and information that really add to the beauty of this place. It was a great day for a Red Bus Tour!

MiRV helping put our canvas top back on when the afternoon rain moved in.

We will enjoy a few more days here in Glacier before making our way south.

#REDBUSTOURS

Wednesday Words - Sheeran

I cannot tell you the

key to success, but

the key to failure

is trying to please

everyone.

 

~Ed Sheeran

 



Avalanche Lake Hike

After a late start and extremely long wait for the shuttle bus we were finally at Avalanche. We quickly set out for Avalanche Lake and never looked back; we even looped through Trail of the Cedars on our way back in and walked the two loops of the campground. Pretty scenery, lots of timber and a beautiful lake with extraordinary shades of blue. We took a nice break and just soaked up out surroundings upon arrival. The chipmunks were scampering around all around us!

It was a glorious day but I'm beat! The hike was lots of ups and downs so going and coming was a lot of work! A 500 foot gain in two miles is a lot in my book!

Tomorrow is our rescheduled Red Bus Tour!!! So excited...life is short, live it!

#GNP
#motorcylcesaredangerous

Rising Sun!

I'm so glad we decided to trek on up to the St Mary area! Awesome!! We saw a yearling black bear who was just on the outskirts of our campground, totally, totally cool and a little bit scary! But Ranger Mike had already told us about him so we were prepared! He told us to just clap our hands and he would go on.

We did more hiking here. Hidden Lake Trail was on my list and we went to the overlook (3.0 out an back) the rest of the trail to the lake was closed due to grizzly activity. The view from the overlook was unparalleled. The mountain goats we saw along the way were bonus as were the marmots!

Our other hike was to St Mary Falls then on to Virginia Falls, both well worth the trail which was often ankle twisting worthy and wet and a but muddy and slippery in many places! Thankfully, we didn't need our bear spray! Really stunning views that just take your breath away!

#GNP

MOOSE!!!

 
We're here!!!
 

 

 
 Two Medicine; Aster Falls hike view

It happened, we got to see a M.O.O.S.E! Not just any moose either. It was a BIG bull moose with antlers! Oh me, it was incredible! We were coming back down the trail from Aster Falls when a family alerted us to a moose just having taken a bath in the second pond down the trail. We arrived at said pond but no moose, I'm not giving up; being vigilant in looking and watching for a moose. Let's be real I'm also scanning for a bear...yes, a bear and really I have no interest in seeing said bear, but you must stay vigilant! I've got bear spray, MiRV has bear spray we are prepared but I prefer to NOT see/encounter bears. 

Anywho we are skipping down the trail, or walking and I see movement to my left and lo and behold it's a moose. Inside I squealed! Outwardly, I grabbed MiRVs shirt and motioned silently making moose antlers with my hands near my ears. I'm just savvy like that! He got it and quickly caught sight of the moose and his eyes got huge. Yes, we were seeing a moose in the wild laying in the timber just chewing it's cud. WOW! What a thrill. We stood at a safe distance and just watched for quite some time alerting other hikers as they approached. It was amazing!

 
 The Moose!!!!

 

 Isn't he just GORGEOUS!!!

The hike had incredible views and there was a snow H on the side of the mountain that made me miss Mrs Bud!! Seeing the moose was of course THE highlight! Today we are making our way to the St Mary area of the park. We have enjoyed spending the last few days in Two Medicine campground but are ready to continue to explore this most awesome park!

#moosesighting #glaciernationalpark

Wednesday Words - Robbins

We all make mistakes but that doesn't invalidate the contributions we make in the course of our lives. Perfection is not heroism; humanity is.

 

~Tony Robbins

 



Great Falls Adventure

Yesterday we went on an adventure to see all the falls of this cities namesake. We had already stopped at Black Eagle Falls on our way into town so we hit up all the others. We enjoyed a leisure drive to each spot. Some more stunning but all naturally beautiful in their own way.

Thankfully, it was a moderately warm day and not as hot as it had been. There was also plenty of shade at most stops. Of course we brought snacks and liquid for our journey!

After fall touring was done we stopped for a bite to eat and continued to enjoy our time with the Slaughters! Great day, beautiful scenery!

Another reunion!

We love the ability to meet up with those we've crossed paths with and this was no exception! Enjoyed dinner last night with these former Eastsiders...they are making it work in GFs and doing their best to take care of our Airmen.

Oh, and I tried bison. Yep, I did! Had a bison burger and it was really good! Not greasy at all and quite mild in taste. Very enjoyable! It had bleu cheese crumbles on it and bacon, too! I chose poutine for my side. Not at all as good as what I had in Maine but still pretty good.

We will be hanging out here over the 4th then head up into Glacier NP next week!

#eastsiders

Wednesday Words - Nouwen

Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.

 

~Henri Nouwen