Yellowstone National Park

 

 

The Oldest National Park

This was our second time to visit Yellowstone National Park. Our first visit was about 28 years ago when we went there with our son Brent, who was under two years old at that time. We saw some of the park on that short trip. We ran into snow flurries when we were at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone so we only took a brief look at the canyon. Since that brief trip we have always  wanted to return to this place!

From our experiences during that first visit we knew we would want more time to enjoy this very large and unique national park. We planned five full days for our adventures in Yellowstone! Our first day was a travel day from the southern entrance up to the West entrance pulling our trailer. We did a few stops along the route, which brought us to our new campground at Flat Rock in Island Park, Idaho.

 West Thumb Geyser Basin

We found parking for our truck and trailer at West Thumb Geyser Basin, which is adjacent to Lake Yellowstone. The water of the lake was a deep indigo blue, a stark contrast to the lighter blue hot springs along the shoreline. 

This Hot Spring is called the Abyss Pool. Hot Springs are the most common hydrothermal features in the park. They vary from frothing mocha-like boiling water to clear and calm pools of tremendous depth.

Old Faithful Geyser Basin

We also found a place to park the truck and trailer by Old Faithful Geyser Basin and saw the last part of an eruption of Old Faithful before taking the boardwalk to explore the hydrothermal features along the boardwalk trails.

Geysers erupt with steaming hot water. They are hot springs with narrow spaces in their plumbing, usually near the surface. The constrictions prevent water from circulating easily to the surface where heat would escape. The Old Faithful area has the most famous geysers; some eruptions can be predicted.

After this long day of walking the boardwalks through the geyser basins, we set up camp about 24 miles outside of the park for our three night stay at a National Forest campground.

 

 

 

Midway Geyser Basin

Our second day in the park we explored yet another geyser basin, where the highlight is Grand Prismatic Spring. A boardwalk takes you around the edge of this beautiful blue, green, yellow and orange spring, shrouded in steam. This is the world’s largest hot spring! The best way to see the spring is to take a hike up the adjacent hillside to an elevated viewing area. From here we could see the entire spring and surrounding basin area, and the boardwalk where we had walked a short time before. The people on the boardwalk, so tiny in the distance, gave perspective to just how large this spring and surrounding geyser basin were!

 

 

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Driving to Canyon Village to finally have our long awaited chance to see Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, brought us to a viewing point called "Brink of the Falls" which put us on a viewing area directly above the upper falls of Yellowstone River. We could really feel the power of the raging river as it fell away below us! Pictures just could not capture the experience! 

Continuing on our way we traveled along the south rim of the canyon for more views of the river far below. At the end of the South Rim Drive we reached Artist Point, with views of the lower falls and canyon.
 

Finally, we drove the North Rim drive out to Inspiration Point, the spot we saw just briefly so many years ago, that made us hope to return here one day. We are so glad we had this opportunity to see and explore both rims of this great canyon of the Yellowstone River, as well as the rest of the park more fully! If you haven't been to Yellowstone, I hope you can add it to your list of places to see!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psalm 65: 6-13

Who established the mountains by His strength,
Being clothed with power;
⁷ You who still the noise of the seas,
The noise of their waves,
And the tumult of the peoples.
⁸ They also who dwell in the farthest parts are afraid of Your signs;
You make the outgoings of the morning and evening ^[a]rejoice.

⁹ You ^[b]visit the earth and water it,
You greatly enrich it;
The river of God is full of water;
You provide their grain,
For so You have prepared it.
¹⁰ You water its ridges abundantly,
You settle its furrows;
You make it soft with showers,
You bless its growth.

¹¹ You crown the year with Your goodness,
And Your paths drip with abundance.
¹² They drop on the pastures of the wilderness,
And the little hills rejoice on every side.
¹³ The pastures are clothed with flocks;
The valleys also are covered with grain;
They shout for joy, they also sing.

 Norris Geyser Basin

On the way back toward the West entrance we visited Norris Geyser basin, the park's hottest, most dynamic geyser basin, containing Steamboat, the worlds tallest geyser. Unfortunately this geyser is very unpredictable and we did not witness any eruptions. Walking along these boardwalks you feel like you are on another planet!

 

Roosevelt Tower Entrance

After breaking camp and hooking up the trailer in the morning we drove to the northern area of the park, where we set up a new campsite outside of the original entrance of the Yellowstone National Park, where you can see the Roosevelt Tower Entrance in the town of Gardiner. The landscape changed dramatically as we drove north, traveling through beautiful pine forests to amazing rolling hills along rivers and streams. 

 

 

Lamar Valley

We took a drive through the Lamar Valley, which is home to a great deal of wildlife. Large herds of bison grazed on the green valleys, while so many baby bison frolicked and played and napped alongside them. We saw Elk, Pronghorn and deer along the roadside as well. And we saw a petrified tree! Heading back toward our campsite we finally saw two black bears grazing near the roadway. What a great day filled with wildlife and beautiful landscapes!

 

 Mammoth Hot Springs

On our last day in Yellowstone we visited Mammoth Hot Springs. A roadside sign on the way to the springs told us we were at the 45th parallel of latitude, half way between the equator and the North Pole. The overnight temps here take after the cold northern latitudes, but the daytime temps were in the eighties! Maybe the climate can't decide to be hot or cold. Here are a few pictures of this unique place.

Last Sunday we enjoyed an interdenominational evening worship service in the amphitheater in  Grand Teton National Park.We found that there is a group of young men and women, who apply for jobs at the National Parks, live in the dorms with other staff and build relationships with them to give an opportunity to attend the Sunday Service that they put together. One of the young women gave an excellent teaching about Jesus healing the paralytic who was lowered through the roof to Jesus. This was a story of two miracles: salvation and physical healing. It was so great to see that this organization is seeking to reach those who work at and visit the National Parks!

This week we hope to visit a Calvary Chapel on our route from Yellowstone up into Montana.

Looking forward to our upcoming adventures! I hope you are enjoying the blog as well.

Thanks for all your prayers for our safety and health!

Wyoming

J

If you read last week's post, did you figure out where this week's post would highlight? We are in Jackson Hole, Wyoming! From Utah we traveled north, crossing back and forth between Idaho and Wyoming to our destination near Alpine, Idaho. This put us about an hour away from Jackson, Wyoming and 1 1/2 hours from Grand Teton National Park.

 

Town square in Jackson, Wyoming is surrounded by elk antler arches on all four corners of the square. Elk shed their  antlers each season and the Boy Scouts collect them from the Elk Reserve and auction them off each May. The arches provide a very popular spot for a selfie or group photo!

In Jackson we enjoyed dinner at Teton Hand Fire Pizza. The restaurant is located in an historical movie Theater building. The building owner and the restaurant owner collaborated to repurpose the building into a place where the community could still gather. Keeping some key aspects of the building (marquee, ticket booth and movie posters) they gutted, stabilized and rebuilt the interior. A balcony area seats diners with a view of the main dining area below and the open pizza kitchen. While dining the show is now watching the talented crew make pizzas and cook them to perfection in the wood fired ovens. Delicious food and unique atmosphere.

 

 

Grand Teton National Park

Driving the Grand Teton Loop Road affords spectacular views of the Glacier topped Teton Mountains rising out of the Jackson Hole Valley. Unlike most U-shaped valleys, Jackson Hole is flat, the mountains rising sharply upward from the land and lakes at its base.

Overlooks, trailheads, rivers and lakes along the loop offer different ways to view and enjoy the Grand Teton National Park.

Leigh Lake Trail was a delightful path which started with a short walk from the parking to String Lake. Ascending some log steps we reached our trailhead along Leigh Lake, a gorgeous glacier fed lake with the Teton Range in the background. Every bend of the trail brought a new view into sight. The tree lined trail and partly cloudy skies helped with the 80 degree heat.This was a highlight for Steve and I here in Grand Teton National Park.

 

 

 

Mormon Row

Mormon Row is an area inside the National Park where a number of Mormon Families homesteaded. A number of buildings and a canal flowing with fresh water still show how they built not just individual farms, but a community working together

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schwabacher's Landing

Another favorite area for both Steve and I was this area along the river with stunning views of the mountains and reflections in the water. The sky was moody and overcast and the mountain peaks are almost hard to discern from the clouds. It was so peaceful here. In one area of the trail a small wedding was being held...a natural cathedral surrounding the wedding party. 

We will see you next week from Yellowstone National Park!

 

Utah

 

We left Sedona on Sunday morning heading North through Flagstaff and Page and continuing on into Utah. After our two day, 600 miles of traveling we arrived at beautiful Jordanelle State Park, outside of Park City, Utah. The RV camping area is terraced uphill from a reservoir nestled between the hills. Lots of trees and well thought out sites provide everyone with views of the lake. Along the shoreline there are some cabins that can be rented and just offshore are a handful of small sailboats at anchor. This campground seems to attract a number of long term campers, some who will be here through September! We will be here for three nights, giving us a needed break after two long travel days.

The freeway speed limit here in Utah is 80 mph! Of course in our truck and trailer we don’t go THAT fast! Because of the long travel days this week, I am trying to help relieve Steve of some of the driving. Yesterday presented some new challenges for me in pulling the trailer. I started our day out with driving out of the campground and down (and up) the two miles of dirt road to the highway, (one lane each way, undivided), crossed the highway and pulled into the gas station. I got us back onto the highway and drove for about an hour and then Steve took over. Later in the day I got back behind the wheel on a stretch of Interstate 15, (two lanes each way, divided).  Seemed like a good place to practice pulling the trailer. Suddenly I saw a truck and trailer, two cars ahead, get hit with a rogue wind that pushed it part way into the lane to its left. I had a split second to slow down and tighten my grip on the steering wheel before we were broadsided by gusts as well. I don’t think we bucked around as much as the other rig, but it was a heart stopping moment. Thankfully no one hit any other vehicles and we all went on our way. Steve says I did just the right things and that my driving has been very good. He is learning how to be the navigator while I learn to be the driver.

Utah is a beautiful state…streams, waterfalls, lakes, roads ascending and descending from 6,000-8,500 foot summits, orchards, cattle ranches, and homesteads, beautiful snow capped mountains, puffy white clouds in bright blue skies, plateaus and cliffs, warm days and cool nights.

We stopped to buy some groceries at Smith’s, which is called Ralph’s in California. We expected a California sized grocery store, but this was Smith’s MARKETPLACE, like a Target or Wal-Mart with a grocery store, but bigger than any I have been to in California!  It was like being in a mall! Steve spoke to the cashier about how big the store was and she said another location has a bigger Marketplace that is two stories, the second story selling furniture. It sounds like IKEA. You must have to plan a whole day, and a large budget for shopping, if you live here!

PARK CITY AREA was beautiful, with so many Aspen Trees. A highlight was stopping to browse around at a ski resort and having the opportunity to share the Gospel with a young lady named Sophia. Steve spoke with her for about 45 minutes and shared his testimony, and also explained a lot about the Christian faith. Sophia does not know what to believe in other than a "higher power". She is 18 yrs. old and has already completed two years of college!  During his conversation with Sophia, Steve came to find out that between the things she has witnessed about the Mormon (LDS) Church while growing up in Utah and the philosophy of religion class she took in college, she has really been so confused that she is without any spiritual compass. Steve was able to encourage her to read the Gospel of John and she said that she was really interested in finding out who Jesus is. Please pray for Sophia and for more Divine Opportunities for us to share Christ with others!

McPOLIN FARM is an historic farm with the largest barn I have ever seen! 

After viewing the barn, restored house, and outbuildings such as bunk house and shed, we took an interpretive walk through a beautiful aspen grove. It was so stunning to be surrounded by trees as far as we could see! 

ANTELOPE ISLAND STATE PARK, is an island inside of the Great Salt Lake. It is a refuge to wildlife including bison and many kinds of birds. The views of the lake were amazing. Very hot and buggy this time of year though!

CAPITOL BUILDING, Salt Lake City

The capitol building was fun to visit. The architecture was so beautiful, and because the building is set into the hills, it offers amazing views of Salt Lake City. From there we went to dinner in downtown at a quirky Taco restaurant called Roctaco.  The menu was all tacos, but seemed to be an Asian/Mexican fusion. The food was creative and delicious. The interior design was so fun to look at while dining.

Where do you think we will be in our next week's blog?