Day 147 - August 10, 2008

OK - this is it - the day we start back home - the end of "The Big Adventure".

What can I say? Words cannot describe how much we appreciated seeing the incredible sights of our western USA and meeting so many fantastic people. It truly was a dream come true and we are so very thankful to be able to make this journey. The picture below was taken as we were travelling from the Grand Tetons. Quite a fitting end to be blog wouldn't you say.

Stay tune next spring for the "Eastern Great Adventure and Canadian Maritime Provinces" (God willing and the stock market cooperates).

To all of you that followed us on our "Big Adventure" we are very grateful. We appreciate all your kind and supportive words. You helped to make this trip a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Happy Trails to You Until Next Spring. Keep well and healthy and enjoy each day to the best of your ability.

Day 146 - August 9, 2008

Today is another very special day for our family. Janet Franklin (Frank's sister) celebrates her birthday. Happy Birthday Janet!!!

Well, this is our last day of touring. I didn't feel strong enough to hike so we elected to do a driving tour. We started with a stop at the Jackson Lake Lodge. I thought we were at Disney World. This was really classy and had all sorts of high end shops. The interior was more on the contemporary side. Then it was on to a drive up Signal Mountain with more incredible sights. Next was a delightful visit at Jenny Lake Lodge (see below). We took a scenic drive to Jenny Lake, the Cathedral Group and the Marina but a storm was heading in so the pictures were not very good. I guess the weather knew it was our last day of "The Big Adventure" so it was going to shed a few tears too.

Chapel of the Sacred Heart

Jenny Lake Lodge. Although small, this was the one with the most charm. Their restaurant is 5 star and their wine cellar is among the best in the state. You must have reservations and it is coat and tie. Pretty different for a National Park. The price for a room here is $550 a night for two people but it does include breakfast, dinner, horseback riding and use of bicycles. If you need an extra special place for an extra special occasion, this is it.

View from the porch of Jenny Lake Lodge

Jenny Lake

Day 145 - August 8, 2008

Unfortunately today was a "lost day" as I was sick with a stomach problem which I believe stemmed from lunch meat that was not as fresh as it should be. Frank was a very good nurse and took very good care of me and we didn't leave the coach so no pictures.

Day 144 - August 7, 2008

Today we got an early start and went on a 3 mile Ranger led hike around Swan Lake and Heron Lake. It was awesome in its beauty. Then we went to a Ranger Lecture about the Teton Highlights. It was pretty neat because the Ranger was seasonal and during the year she is a teacher in Jacksonville, FL. Then we went on a very nice boat trip around Jackson Lake. It was pretty amazing because the Cpt of the boat was born and raised in Lakeland and lived around Lake Morton. He was actually a bag boy at the Publix which is now the Polk Public Museum. He was a retired Army Reservist and was also called up for the Desert Storm. There were so many parallels that it was unreal.

Then we went back to the campground and stayed put as I was not feeling well.

Grand Teton Range as reflected in Heron Lake. Is this not an incredible sight?

During our boat ride on Jackson Lake. This is a view of Mt. Moran.

Day 143 - Aug 6, 2008

Today we drove from Yellowstone to the Grand Tetons National Park. It was a short scenic drive and this time we actually got to stay in the Park and had full hookups for the coach. It sure makes it easier getting to all the different areas of the park.

The big event of the day was to drive to Jackson Hole to look for the perfect gus-cut hat for Frank. He has been looking for this hat since New Mexico. He saw one in Santa Fe but it wasn't the right size. He also saw one he liked in Sedonna, AZ but he didn't want to pay the price. He has been checking out western wear shops in every state. Well, thank goodness he found his perfect hat. Now I just have to talk him into letting me take his picture in his new found hat.

First view of the Grand Teton Range

Day 142 - August 5, 2008

Well, this was our last day in Yellowstone and we saved the best for last - Old Faithful.

We started our touring with a drive through Fishhole Canyon. We saw a great waterfall and encountered a swimming area (but we didn't try it out). Then it was on to the Old Faithful Visitors Center to get the possible eruptions times of Old Faithful and of course to get our Passport Stamp. Then we went over to Black Sand Basin for a great Ranger program from a very experienced Ranger who had so much great information. Then we headed back to Old Faithful for the eruption. It was incredible. It was like Disney World - tons of people waiting for the show. They even tried to do the wave amongst all the visitors on the benches. Then we took the Geyser Hill Trail and had the opportunity to view several more geysers, springs and pools. On our way back home we did the Fishhole Lake Drive for more thermal features.

So tomorrow we bid a fond farewell to Yellowstone. It has been all I expected and more. You should see the map they hand out to you at the entrance - ours must have 20 pieces of scotch tape on it to hold it together. I think we did a rip roaring job of seeing as much of the park as we could. I will always have very fond memories of this visit and the awesome sights we have been blessed to see.

Tomorrow it is on the Grand Tetons. We will actually be staying in the park so I don't know if we will have any wifi capabilities. So, the blog may not be updated for a few days. The Grand Tetons will be our last touring stop. I can only say that this has truly been a "Big Adventure". We are so incredibly thankful to be able to pursue our dreams and have the "Western Big Adventure".

Firehole Falls

Hey Lindsey, does this look familiar?

Can you believe it - Old Faithful. What an awesome treat. I even got sprayed with some of the water from the eruption. Priceless!!!!

Yellowstone National Park - White Dome Geyser

Day 141 - August 4, 2005

Today we had a busy day of touring. We covered the area from Norris to Mammoth Hot Springs. As we drove along the route we saw Roaring Mountain, the Obsidian Cliff (where ancient peoples of North America gathered to collect this hard, black rock that was used to make weapons and implements), Sheepeater Cliffs and hiked quite a bit at the Upper and Lower terraces. Then we spent some time at the Albright Visitor's Center looking at the exhibits and viewing a movie. We made a trip into the neighboring town of Gardiner to eat at the famous Helen's Corral Drive-In for an awesome hamburger. Then we also got the picture of the Roosevelt Arch. At 6:00 we attended a Ranger Program about Ft. Yellowstone. After the area was named a national park there was still quite a bit of illegal activity so the military was sent in for several years to maintain order - hence there are the wonderful buildings which comprise Ft. Yellowstone.

As you can see we had quite a full day. We have 1 more day in Yellowstone then it is on to our last touring stop - the Grand Tetons. So, we are really winding down. I want to take this opportunity to say a special thanks to Frank. He has driven me across country and all around and stopped at all the turnoffs and scenic viewing areas and hasn't complained at all. He just calls it "Driving Miss Daisey". Without Frank this trip could not happen. He has been a fabulous driver and companion!!!

Is this not another incredible sight? We hiked through the Upper ad Lower terraces. It was quite amazing strolling among them as you can observe Mother Nature going about the business of mixing and matching heat, water, limestone, and rock fractures to sculpt the area.
The Boiling River meets the Gardiner River and makes a great swimming area. Where the Boiling River comes in, the water is extremely hot and then it meets the cold water of the Gardiner River. Frank said this looked like Baptismal Day!!!

I couldn't resist trying out the water too!

Can you believe this - here we are walking along a trail and then we spy an elk in the river taking a drink of water. This was truly incredible.

The Roosevelt Arch at the Northern Entrance to the Park

At the close of day, the flag was lowered. I am helping the Park Ranger fold the flag. It was a very special moment.

Liberty Cap - this 37' tall Liberty Cap, which was created by a hot spring that was active in one location for a long time. Its internal pressure was sufficient to raise the water to a great height, allowing mineral deposits to build slowly and continuously for perhaps hundred of years. Estimated to be 2500 years old and now dormant, Liberty Cap was named in 1871 by the Hayden Survey because it resembled the peaked knit caps symbolizing freedom and liberty during the French Revolution.

Roaring Mountain - A patch of ground totally devoid of brush and plant life, covered with trees and stumps from the fire. Its bareness is attributed to the fact that, as steam vents developed here, the ground became too hot and acidic, which bleached and crumbed the rock, taking the undergrowth with it. Historian say that the noise from the Roaring Mountain was once so loud that it could be heard as far as 4 miles away; these days it is nearly silent.