Yellowstone... Wyoming

Slow start this morning, sleeping in. I crossed over into beautiful Wyoming; it's so green and treed. First stop was at the historical Mason Hotel and Smith and Candlers General Store. I guess these two guys came from Las Vegas and began the mercantile store to provide supplies to all. Once inside Yellowstone National Park, it's obvious why fly fishing is so popular here. This road runs along the Firehole River, beautiful, full of men with those long knee pants for fishing? ...but wayyyyy to cold to be swimming like some nut I saw in it. 

 It's pouring and no cell service. Fountain Paint Pot is a

group of geysers on the way towards Old Faithful. I took a short walk to see them and was pleased to see the colors in the soil as well as the beautiful clear blue water in some of the holes. The ranger says the water in the pools is hot enough to cause 3rd degree burns. I'm in front of Spasm Geyser, and I'm soaked!!!

I've stopped at Old Faithful Lodge, hoping to find lunch, a warm cup of coffee, and a dry place to knit while I enjoy the moment in my surroundings. Luckily, the rain has slowed a bit, no need to wear the pancho, right now. No worries- my jacket is soaked!!! 

Raining -Old Faithful is sleeping in as well. He was suppose to go at 3:07; it's now 3:12 and nada.... it finally sprung about 3:20. I could feel the mist shower as it blew, and I was nearly 100' away. 

The sun is trying to peek out, so I'm hoping to get my clothes dried a bit. They're almost as wet as Samantha and I'd get when we danced in the rain... 

Heading south again, I stopped at Jackson Lake, more beautiful trees and even some colorful lupines. The next stop was Willow something which served as a great photo spot - the Grand Tetons- wow!! 

  

I managed to make a quick stop as I crossed the Continental Divide, and grabbed a picture with the Loporchio gnome and my camera's timer. Samantha would be so proud I figured it out! 

As you can see with these scenic pictures, Wyoming is BEAUTIFUL! Horses and trees everywhere...

The trees are green, the rivers are full, and the mountains are huge! However, there is still snow on the ground, and it's deserted here, too. I think it's a bit to isolated for me. While driving from Yellowstone, thru Grand Tetons, and then to Dubois, I have passed maybe 30 cars - no lie! Thank God I have a reliable car and plenty of fuel !!! Well, I guess I could pedal on my bike for help? NO. 

 I'm in for the night and have the Loporchio gnome, finally... he's settled in front of the fireplace.

It's stopped raining, but it's still pretty cold and gray.  Off to Casper and then Buffalo tomorrow, maybe to horseback ride. The water is way to cold to ride the rapids here. 

Off to knit and read. Hope all are well. :-)

Idaho and now Montana

Finally pictures. :-)

I started off this morning in Twin Falls, Idaho, excited to discover the hotel was right across the street from Costco. This was a good thing as my car was in need of fuel- big time; there haven't been many 76 stations since Nevada.

With car full and breakfast bar in hand, I set out to find the Snake River; yes that's what I wrote. I guess Twin Falls isn't really known except for when Evil Kanevil said he'd jump the Snake River. Once I found the river, I had to search for a place to get a picture; it appears the water lever is really low! The last picture I took here, in front of this river was with Salvador, 18 years ago.

Once out of Twin Falls, I headed for Pocatello to find the largest potato chips. Since it's Monday, the speed limit is down to 45 for road construction. I was slightly distracted by a headache and decided to stop for latte and lunch. Quaint town, something like Chubbuck, population was around 9,000. It was full of restaurants and off the beaten path, were houses along the Blackfoot River. Nice! Then I came upon a store that I dare say could be better than Kohl's. Yes, Salvador, I said Kohl's. It has everything.... clothes, Starbuck's coffee, yarn, food, everything!!!! Fred Meyer is huge, and I could have spent a lot more time in there strolling around.

I'm looking for things to do and pictures to take at this point. The trip has been great when with friends and family, but this solo traveling is not going to happen again. Luckily, Joseph was answering his text messages today, and even offered to fly out here to meet and travel with me, unlike another friend I thought was going to travel with me. :-( Thanks Lynn, Barb, Alice, Karen, and Paulette for your messages. They were good to hear so far from home!!!

On the road again, heading out of Idaho, I finally reached Blackfoot, Idaho, home of the largest potato chips - made by Pringles. I learned more about potatoes than I thought I could. Blackfoot, Idaho is not only home to Happy Hour Ice Cream, but Idaho Potatoes. When I was inside the museum, I learned that the local rodeo queen was given the honor of wearing a potato sack dress. Eeekkkk.... Luckily, I won't ever be a rodeo queen; I can't imagine wearing that itchy thing.

  

When I was on the road again, I realized my little car really doesn't fit in here with all of these huge white trucks; yes, white trucks are everywhere!!! And in the back of them sit quads.

Eventually, I was on the open road towards Montana. At the next stop I decided to figure out how to use that darn camera timer. Samantha always set it, so this was a Google search for sure. But look, I figured it out. Not one picture, as I entered this National Forest, but two pictures, as I settled in just before the thunder storm hit. In the background you can see the beautiful green trees, and I can share the temperature has dropped enough to warrant jeans and a t-shirt. 

  

I'm in for the night, just inside Montana and will start out early tomorrow to see the Tetons.

This is the little town that had 1 radio station. It was small, and there was nothing around!!! Too isolated for me.

This is the train I saw just as I was leaving Reno. I actually hit 74 mph, speed limit was 75, and I still couldn't catch up with it. When I originally researched Nevada, other than the Silver State, and the obvious, gambling, they are known for their mining. Winnemucca and Elko? were supposedly established for herding animals. I'm not sure what was going to eat the shrubs out there - dry, dry!!!

I arrived in Idaho tonight, just before it started getting dark. While the Hilton is in town, similar to the Bakersfield area, all spread out, I did get to see the farms out the outside of town. It's like the city and farms are right next to each other. I saw a few more cattle than horses, but lots of horses being hauled in trailers. hmmmm maybe there is a show going on. I'm going to check in the morning as I head north towards Montana; I might find that cowboy yet - hee hee hee

I'm on mountain time now, so I need to get to bed so I can get into the gym tomorrow am before I have to check-out. While today's drive was through the hot and dry parts of Nevada, and southern Idaho, it was enjoyable - I didn't get lost and had ice-cream sandwiches like Samantha and I use to.

Good night. :-)

I'm traveling Hwy 93N, single lane to Twin Falls. I've got 2 hrs, so I'll text when arrive. My shoulder is really sore, so I'll drive into Wyoming, Old Faithful, tomorrow.

Deserted Roads

Puckerrubbish,NV

I can't believe the name, but it's accurate. The population is 28. While it's in the middle of nowhere, the station did have the favorite cookie ice-cream sandwiches Samantha and I always stopped for. Their restrooms weren't bad either. I guess the downfall is 1 radio station. It just announced today is the beginning of National Farrier Week. Strange, I've seen very few horses here in Northern Nevada? Next piece covered wildlife feeders, including fish? I'm not sure why someone wants to feed the wild fish. I thought you were suppose to catch them to feed yourself. If they're wildlife, they can't be called pond fed, can they?

On the road again...

Left Reno and now have a Bluetooth headset that works! Some young man felt sorry for me when I explained Samantha, my techie kid, wasn't here to help and neither of my students, Bryce or Bruce, were able to sync the last one. Josh, sales kid, says I can hear my text messages, too. I'm testing it, so text away. Ha ha ha

Crossing into Nevada...

Started off the day by saying good bye to the Munsters and extended family. I actually got Haifa to take a picture with me, after she said,"Bye Ms. Rocha."

Today was spent driving, but I did find a great yarn store in Fresno; thanks Will - good directions. I hear there is a fire at home, so Joseph is watching things closely.

Not sure Reno is the best place for me... it is much like Vegas - Yuck! Originally I thought I'd stay in a more reasonably priced

hotel, not what I decided after I got a look of the area. It's getting late, but I am going to the gym here in the Hampton and then to get some sleep! Long day driving into , Twin Falls, Idaho tomorrow and then Wyoming on Monday.

While I haven't had any pictures with the Loporchio gnome today;I do have this one with him at the lake. It's tough to drive and take pictures at the same time. Oh, and try to read the maps,too. I sure miss my navigator!!!