Here we are again, just eight weeks into our journey.  When I think about all we have seen, and learned, it seems a lot longer.  Not feeling so much like a vacation anymore . . .

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks - - well, let me tell you that these two 'old dogs' have had many new lessons during the last three weeks!  Some (including me) might say too many . . .

We have learned to appreciate nightly thunderstorms since they cool the 90+ temperatures we have had for more than a month now.  And, those storms usually end with amazing skies, like the one over the lake below, on our last night in Wyoming.  However, there are down sides to these storms as well, like when the lightning knocks out the power at the campground resulting in a fried wire at the junction box in our trailer.  (Of course, until that was fixed we had no A/C.)  While waiting for the fix-it person we decided it was wwwaaayyy too hot to sit in Kodie the trailer, so we went into the little town of Craig, CO, to try to stay cool in museums and stores.  All was fine until we came out to Kermit the Tahoe, only to find that the A/C had died in the car!  Since that happened on a Sunday, we had to drive to our next destination (Glenwood Springs, CO) to find a fix.  $1,100.00 later, we were back in business!!! :(

While we were in Glenwood Springs we drove up to Aspen, the most expensive city in the country, where we purchased a latte and an americano for a mere $10.50!!!  Obviously, we didn't stay there long, but went up to Maroon Bells for the afternoon instead.  Incredible place - - apparently the most photographed mountain peaks in the US.  I can see why, however, it was cloudy that day (still in the 90's though), which did not make for great photos.  Took 'em anyway - - got to do it!

We've also learned that bikers in CO are a little on the shady side of crazy!  While we've been visiting the area on the west slopes of the Rockies, every 'scenic' excursion we take is UP, UP, UP - - sometimes up to 10,000 feet.  Each and every time we're on the road to one of these marvelous locations, I look out my car window, and there are bikers riding the same speed as I am going, all the while talking and laughing and breathing!!!  We decided they are all 'show offs', just trying to make us feel old.  If we tried that they'd have to pull our tongues out of the spokes at the very first turn:).  Speaking of elevations, we learned that all the walk-about paths at these beautiful spots are a little ways from the car, and walking just short distances made us aware of how little air there is at those heights.  We were thinking of shopping for a scrapper, like they make for boots, except the one we need is to get the dirt and rocks off our tongues after these little high-altitude walks!!

The image below is taken some 2,000 feet above the Gunnison River at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  The park is already well over 8,000 feet elevation, and the little white specks you can see in the river are 20-foot waterfalls!

The day we went to the Black Canyon we learned another lesson.  It is always a good idea to turn the water off at the spigot when leaving the campsite for the day.  If you don't, you run the risk of having the water filter inside come lose and when you return, you will see water pouring from every corner of the bottom of the trailer.  Quite a sight, I must say!!!  Quick fix, and no damage - - just another lesson.  A little heavy breathing on my sidekick's part, however.

We've learned that the Colorado River is much smaller than we expected, at least in this area.  Our creeks in WA are as large.  We also learned to appreciate the CO State Parks folk who decided it was prudent to close the park where we were to stay, until they trapped the bear that was harassing the campers.  This resulted in a change of camping venue to one of the best spots we're ever stayed at.  Thank you, thank you!

This past few weeks have been family time for us.  Saw my Colorado brother, a cousin of Jerry's and his wife, and met the aunt and uncle and cousin of our son-in-law, John.  Marvelous folks all - - John's relatives own and operate a winery in Palisade, near where we are staying.  Really enjoyed meeting them and visiting their winery.  It was great to re-connect with Pat and Tiye and really appreciated their hospitality!  Great dinners and delicious local-made candy.  They say when you are on the road full-time, it is important to stay connected, so this was a great time for us.

John's relatives, Davy and Bennett, and cousin Theresa, taught us all about Moscow Mule - - a most wonderful hot weather refreshment.  (Rick and Bob - - you gotta try this one!)  THANK YOU to the Price's for that, as well as some great wines and beautiful copper mugs!   Another wonderful lesson learned:)

We learned that they have very weird road names in this area of CO!  I totally understand the concept of letters going one direction and numbers the other.  However, it you ever get lost in this neck of the woods, I hope you can count - - their numbered roads go in fractions!  For example, there is 29 Road, 29.3 Road, 29 5/8 Road, 29 3/4 Road - - well, you get the picture.  I guess it all has to do with distances - - I personally think their traffic engineers have been enjoying too many Moscow Mules!!!

Oh, and we also learned that when PINTA (stands for 'Pain In The A- -'; that's what we named our GPS lady!) doesn't agree with the route we're taking, she constantly tries to correct our direction - - thought she was going to have a meltdown - - but we control the "off" button!!  However, when we turn her back on, there she goes again - - same ol' lecture . . . cell phone GPS is much quieter:)

I hope we're through with our lessons for a little while.  We have learned to appreciate the incredible beauty of this area, though, and feel that what we have seen here has just whetted (Marian - - is that a word???) our appetite for what is in store in Utah - - our next stop - - Arches and Canyonlands National Parks coming up beginning tomorrow.  Still expect the heat to continue, but hopefully the photo ops will keep us sane (well, that, and functioning A/C and a pool to dive into!).

The photo below is an example of the kind of scenery these Colorado folks see every day!  This bluff overlooks the wine country of Palisade - - pretty nice to look at, I must say.
 

If we're off the e-grid for awhile, the message below will explain . . .

 

Only five weeks into our journey and I must say we have been in a state of 'wow' on many occasions already!  Oh, the things we have seen!

We left northeast Idaho and headed into Wyoming, and we found it!!!  The 'west' that is . . . I am still pondering this though - - we left the west and headed east to find the 'west'.  This is still going 'round in my mind. :)  I know we found it (the 'west') because by simply looking at the listings in the local telephone directory, it becomes obvious:  sports clothes, jewelry, leather goods, boots are all sold at the local feed store; headings in the phone book include 'Grazing Associations' and 'Branding Inspectors'; and the listings under the title 'Oil' fill most of two pages!  Yep, I think we found it . . . I mean, how many other places would have a location called "Hell's Half Acre" and a community that has a festival honoring the 'jackalope'.  Really!  Of course, my trusty sidekick and co-pilot had to have a 'ka-boy' hat to help him fit in here.  He looks quite dashing in it, actually!

The other thing I am pondering is the fact that here in the 'west' one seldom sees anyone with a cell phone up to their ear, or texting away, while walking down the street.  Curious . . . perhaps they have other things on their minds - - like rounding up the cattle or sheep???

Our first Wyoming stop was the National Parks - - Yellowstone and Teton.  We have been there before but this time we had the time to really experience the beauty and uniqueness of this corner of the world.  I tried to make images that were a little different but on those occasions when I couldn't resist the iconic photos, I at least tried to keep my tripod legs out of the permanent holes left by others:):)
 

The wildlife is active and visible, of course.  In addition to many bison, herds of antelope, and a mama moose and her calf, we also were blessed to witness a wonderful interaction between species.  One early morning while we were out photographing, we saw two grizzly cubs, about half grown, actually playing with two coyotes in a meadow.  What a sight!

 
In Jackson, we also visited the National Museum of Wildlife Art - - amazing facility.  Blew us away!  (Speaking of Jackson - - Esty and Bill - - the Bar J is still alive and well.  We had a great evening there.)

We know that wolves have been reintroduced into the parks, and we were lucky enough to find one that insisted on traveling with us on our journey.  We named him Walter (the wolf).  We find him very photogenic and willing to have his portrait taken at a moment's notice!  He eats very little and sleeps through the night, so he is not a burden to have along . . . might have to get him a sweater for the colder seasons though.

While in Cody, WY, we decided to do what everyone else does in Cody, and have a completely 'tourist' kind of day - - and we did it all.  We fully enjoyed a day at the Buffalo Bill Museum (really five museums, all very well done), followed by dinner at Buffalo Bill's famous historic hotel "The Irma" and the nightly gun fight in the street outside.  Then we took in the Cody rodeo so I could practice some action shots using some camera features that I had not previously tried.  (Thanks for the encouragement to do this, John Parks!)

On another day, we took a trip on two scenic highways.  The Beartooth Highway extends from the northeast corner of Yellowstone to Red Lodge, Montana, and has been called the most beautiful highway in the US.  I cannot dispute that claim - - it was breathtaking!  We did a circle trip that also included the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.  Once again - - blown away.  It was so amazing, it was hard to drive and look at the same time, but at 11,000 feet, Jerry's gasping could be heard over the ooo's and ahhh's when he thought I was looking more than driving, and that alone helped me stay between the white lines!  Needless to say, we stopped often with cameras in hand.

We also stopped for a couple of days in Thermopolis, the site of the world's largest hot springs, where we enjoyed some soothing mineral pool time.  Now we're en route to Gillette, WY where we will attend the Escapee's RV Club rally, which promises lots of educational information on the life-style of full-time RVing.  After we've become 'educated', we'll leave Wyoming and head east to the South Dakota Badlands, then south toward northwest Colorado.

As you can probably guess, we're still loving the adventure and there still has been no bodily harm to one another - - that is a good thing!!  Going into our second month, I think it is actually beginning to feel less like a vacation and more like a life-style.

Until next blog - - happy trails to one and all.