The vigilent and the not-so

 WEST GLACIER, MT - - Photographing the various species of prairie dogs we see in our travels is a favorite exercise...sort of like playing a game of 'wack-a-mole.'  They inhabit an underground warren of tunnels and above ground observation points so they can zip between if danger lurks.  Usually, the youngsters haven't figured this out yet, but enjoy playing the game.

This youngster popped up right near me...and posed

On alert.  One move and they disappear.

In northern Montana

     WEST GLACIER, MT - -  In the past week we've hustled our way to Glacier Campground (right outside Glacier NP) and established a base to hang out at until after the Fourth.  Like all our other recent forays, we found GNP half open with the only real reason to go to the park closed until sometime after the Fourth.  Heavy snows near the top of Going to the sun road haven't yet been cleared by plowing and an increased risk of avalanche still prevails.  So, we've been taking photos as usual.

Just in case...this snowplow is ready.

A mountain goat posing...but not for long

A teepee; VW camper van and snowy vistas

Hospital chopper on a lunch run to Polebridge Mercantile

Time for a trail ride, without the finger in the photo

Salmon River scenic byway

 

MISSOULA, MT - -  The name of the route we traveled from Salmon, ID to Missoula, MT doesn't do justice to it's history.  Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery passed this way (1805) on their journey to the Pacific to find a Northwest passage..  Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce were also travelers on part of this trail through the Bitteroot range in 1877  fleeing a contingent of soldiers intent on putting the tribe on a reservation.

Craters of the moon...astronaut training ground

Eons old lava spout..with non-astronaut

Arid yet plant life finds a way to grow.

Lichen clings to a lava mound

 ARCO, ID - - We're in Arco, ID, a small spot on the highway made famous as the first town in world to utilize atomic power converted electricity.  Plus, 20 miles away lies Craters of the Moon National Monument.  The park was used as a training ground (1969-72 / Apollo program) for astronauts preparing for a moon landing and exploration.  We've been here before and it was nice to visit again, but photos don't do the lava landscape justice.

There are signs...and then there are SIGNS

Blah info

Now we add a  bit of humor...and you can't wait for the next sign

     MONTPELIER, ID- - Usually highway signs are pretty blah:  Road work ahead; Speed limit 99; Watch for pedestrians.  Sometimes states /areas get a bit creative to keep drivers alert on long, boring, high speed highway sections.  Our drive from Lander, WY to Montpelier, ID was a good example.

Some rivers run wild

A buffalo sculpture; blue skies and windy.

LANDER, WY - - We were on our way north from our Mountain Meadow cabin to spend a few days in Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.  At about the one-third mark, we came a huge Wyoming DOT telesign announcing all entrances to Yellowstone were closed.  As we tried to get info via a scant cell signal, a gentleman also stuck in the traffic, told us there was bad flooding at the park and surrounding areas.

     The rapid melting of recent deep snowfall at high elevations in the general area combined with heavy rain combined to produce tremendous runoff which the Yellowstone and Wind River couldn't handle.  The result: tourists stranded in Yellowstone requiring evacuation; citizens living in towns near the park flooded with roads trashed and bridges washed away.

     So, here we are spending a second night in Lander.  We need to head North toward the parks to get to roads leading West and, eventually, Oregon.  The rains have stopped but there are winds gusting 20-30mph which makes the van sway and weave.  It's not all bad...last night's temp was 37.
 

On the road...first edition

On the road to Steamboat Springs

This geological formation is named "The finger"

A great restaurant in Steamboat

 LANDER, WY - - In between spotty wi fi and hard to come by camping we've been on the road a lot.  So rather than focus on one location I've posted some of the best flics.  Not all, but some.  A special nod to the Medicine Bow National Forest and the Snowy Range Mountains.

Plenty of snow above 10,000

56 people died in a crash into Medicine Bow Peak in 1955

Nothing like a small cabin (Mountain Meadow Cabins) when the winds are 30 mph-plus at 10,200'

Antler decorations in Walden, CO where we ate lunch

Cascade Falls

Lower Cascade Falls powered by snow melt

Fancy red flowers on spiky plants

OURAY, CO - - About the only direction you can go in Ouray is up.  Then. of course, you must go down.  So, in our up and down wanderings we came to Lower Cascade Falls.  Actually there are seven (higher) waterfalls on Cascade Creek mainly fed by snow melt.  Look closely at about center left of the photo under the big tree for a blue jacket...(hint - it's not me) and Lydia.  When the going gets really tough, the old guy stays behind to take photos.

     There are flowers everywhere and these red ones caught my eye...mainly for the color but also because they seem to grow in large clumps and have spikes on the stems.
 

Hangtime in Ouray, CO

The backyard goes to 9,000'+

 OURAY, CO - - We're spending a few extra days in Ouray (pronounced U-ray) because the campground is nice and we have plenty of time.  You can tell you're 'out there' since they water all the gravel side streets to keep the dust down. Deer wander into backyards along main street, but we've seen that before in other locations.  The temps are down to high 40's at night then zip up 30+ degrees in the daytime with humidity in the very low teens.

     I'm having computer trouble so I can't edit / crop photos and various other  challenges.  It's work around them or find an Apple store and purchase a new Mac.

     There is a hiking trailhead right outside the gate of the campground which leads to a perimeter loop around the town.  I got about a half-mile up and then headed back down.  A great trail for younger legs and high confidence / balance...quit while you're ahead and wait for another day.

Deer on a forage mission

Keep the dust down

4 weeks; 3,000 miles

The road goes on forever...in Kansas

 OURAY, CO - - I'm back.  We've done a lot of traveling since the posts from NC.  Some weather was good and some was heavy rain...plus lots of strong wind.  In between, we managed to make some repairs to the Silver Bullet when an engine problem cropped up.  (240,000miles will do that).  The West Virginia driving was very up /down / twisty and on roadways which could use a bit of tlc.  After WVA the miles were no shorter and no less boring.  Now we are in the Southwest corner of Colorado.

Can't travel without coffee...Cortez, CO

Ancient ruins in Mesa Verde NP

Surfing the Arkansas River in Salida, CO