Update

ST LOUIS, MO - - We're alive and well in St. Louis visiting Lydia's relative.  To get here we crossed the rolling plains of Kansas; camped in Ellis and stopped in Lawrence (think Kansas Jayhawks) before working our way into Missouri for another night of camping.  Now, we're eating home cooked meals and sleeping in  rel bed...for another night at least.  After a short detour to the Chicago are it's off to north Carolina and then home.  The days of great scenic photos and animal shots are probably over. 

Cars and scenery

 MANITOU SPRINGS, CO - - Today's travels took us from early morning ice-covered windows in Leadville over a couple of 9,000' plus passes to Mantou Springs near the base of Pikes Peak.  (We were here on our way to Yellowstone in the Spring and got lucky that the same in-town campground had a vacancy.)  On our way we stopped for lunch at a US Forest Service info area where the view sums up our day's trip.  Quaking Aspen bracket a look out across the South Park Valley.  In the background is Harvard peak, one of the over 14,000' peaks in Colordo.

The 1926 Ford Model T Tudor Sedan (below) was gassing up in Leadville just before we left.  Note the wood spoke wheels.  It certainly is in better shape than the slightly wrose for wear model pictured in an earlier post.

Interstate facts

LEADVILLE, CO - - We spent a good portion of today (Tuesday) on I-70 as we made our way from Filmore, UT to Leadville.  At the Spotted Wolf Canyon viewpoint one could get a good idea of therigors of building the road.  On the left is the San Rafael Ridge, a 30 mile long ridge; on the right is Spotted Wolf Canyon.  When the road was started, workers could stand between the two and touch each side.  Once completed in 1970, the two lane road connected Fremont Junction with Green River Junction (UT).  An additional two lanes were added in 1980. 

Low milage, good air conditioning

FILMORE, UT - - Spotted in a field near the entrance to Great Basin National Park in Baker, NV.  Probably need  little work.  Given that we were in an area with 'rattlesnake' in it's name I didn't venture any closer than the front seat of the Magic Bus...it was Lydia's turn at the wheel.

Colorful bush, BIG problems

TONOPAH, NV - - This colorful plant - - rabbit brush - - is seen everywhere here in Tonopah.  We first encountered it in the Eastern Sierra mountains when we worked at Yosemite NP in 2008.  To some, it's just a nuisance. To allergy sufferers like me, the pollen is a catalyst for bouts of sneezing and puffy, itchy, watery eyes.  And allergy remedies, both over the counter and prescription, don't have the firepower to combat this nasty weed.

On the road to Tonopah, NV

Catching up #2

FLORENCE, OR - - A shiny Caddy and a "Low Rad" Merc before the invitation-only car show.

Catching up #1

FLORENCE, OR - - The day before the invitation-only car show in Florence.

Wave viewing

FLORENCE, OR - - Pacific Ocean waves pounding on the volcanic basalt shore of the Devils Churn create spectacular images.  Signs warn of rogue or sneaky waves with enough height to sweep unsuspecting photographers out to sea if not careful.  The area is part of one of our favorite spots on the Oregon Coast - - Cape Perpetua in the Suislaw National Forest. The area was named by Captain James Cook, who in 1787 passed the headland on St. Perpetua Day (in honor of the third century (female) Christian martyr and eventual Saint.)

All revved up

WALDPORT, OR - - It's amazing how a double espresso can  get things all revved up...like this Puffin in the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport Beach, OR.  Actually, the Puffin is taking a bath. The Aquarium was yesterday's main stop on our way down the coast.  Today?  We'll see what happens when the coastal fog lifts.  For now it's a coffee shop with wi-fi.  Check Lydia's blog via the link on this page for more photos.

On the trail of Chief Joseph and Lewis and Clark

THE DALLES, OR - - We spent Sunday following a scenic byway along a number of rivers including the Snake and the Columbia which Lewis and Clark traveled on their Northwest Passage to the Pacific.  Earlier in the day the trail combined with that which Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce traveled in a vain attempt to escape the U.S.Army and their orders to return to tribe to a reservation and away from their beloved land of their ancestors.  On our was we visited the Nez Perce National Historical Park in Spalding, ID. 

Heading West

OROFINO, ID - - Our jobs at Glacier National Park are behind us.  We finished yesterday and hustled away.  Two out of the final three days the weather was cold/windy/cloudy On Logan Pass; while some miles below the summit there were flowers to see (Fireweed) and green vistas.  The construction work on the Going-to -the-Sun road left our buses pretty muddy.  Note the "termination dust" on the peaks behind the bus...fresh snow was very visible on the high elevations.  But on our final day, it was mainly clouds and sun.  Now, we can get back to playing vacation for a month before getting home to Ormond.