East Glacier

On my way to Seattle I decided to take a detour and go up to Glacier National Park. I arrived on June 30 and stayed 2 nights in East Glacier near St. Mary's Lake. It was really windy but absolutely beautiful. The road that connects East and West Glaciers is called "Going to the Sun Road". It is named this because the road goes by a mountain called "Going to the Sun". The sun is a very important part of the Native American Tribe that lives near Glacier. Parts of this road were still closed because they were still removing snow. I was able to drive my car to Jackson Glacier but no further. Even though cars were not able to travel further, the rangers allowed us to walk 2 miles up the road. This was awesome because I got to see so much more than I would of from my car.

Nice and Cozy in my one woman tent.

A few Christmas ago Derek and Alexis got me the burner, pot, and spork. I had lasagna for dinner the first night and ...

Oatmeal for breakfast

This was the view I saw as I drove into St. Mary's entrance into the park.

In the middle of the lake is an island called Wild Goose Island

The mountains were so majestic and had little vegetation on them. West Glacier was the complete opposite.

St. Mary's Lake

The glaciers cause the water to be this beautiful blue but once the glaciers melt completely the color of the water will change.

I went on a boat ride on St. Mary's. It was so amazing. I recently purchased a new camera and I took more pictures than I needed to.

St. Mary's Waterfall

Pretty flower

I really loved East Glacier. I was only about 30 miles from the Canadian border. The town is really small, there are no showers, and it was such a refreshing experience.

Mormon Trail

On my way back from Logan, UT in June I decided to follow the Mormon /Oregon Trail. I have never traveled this route and it was awesome. I could actually see where the trail was. I left Logan at 10:00am and did not get back to Cheyenne till 12:30am. Then on my way up to Seattle I stopped and saw Ft. Laramie, Registration Rock, the ruts in the rocks from the wagons, and Independence Rock. It is amazing that people left their homes and walked across this often hostile terrain. Even though I took the pictures going West to East, I have put them in order from East to West since that is how the saints traveled.

So, Ft. Laramie was the eastern most part of the trail that I saw. The saints and other travels would stop at the Fort to trade and buy things. Ft. Laramie was also the half way point for the handcart companies.

This is from Registration Cliff which is just west of Ft. Laramie and near the Platte River.

Just east of Registration Cliff are ruts in the rock from the wagons. Some of the ruts are really deep.

This section of the trail and ruts was the deepest. I can't imagine traveling through the rocks and sand. This area had a lot of white sand too.

This area as also quite hilly and I sure very hard to travel through.

Independence Rock. I have been told that Parley P. Pratt and Willard Richards carved their initials in this rock but I could not find it. Independence Rock is very close to Martins' Cove and was a marker that people recognized.

I wasn't sure if we were allowed to climb to the top so I just walked around. Then I saw a dad with four kids (the youngest being about 4 and barefooted) climbing so I joined them. It was really windy on top but very cool to see. There were TONS of names carved all over the rock. I still didn't not find Parley's or Willard's but it was cool to see.

This was one of the clearest names I could see, many have faded.

In the distance is Martin's Cove and Devils Gate (which is the where the slit is). The Martin's Handcart was rescued here but many saints died.

This shot was taken near the Willie Handcart visitors center, which I did not know existed till I was driving by. I made a quick u-turn to check it out. Unfortunately it was 7:30pm and the center was closed. So, I just took a quick picture of the Sweetwater which the saints crossed many times.

This is the area in which the Willie Handcart company was rescued by saints from Salt Lake. There is a monument here signed by President Hinckley, President Monson, and President Faust regarding the 2nd rescue or Temple Work. This is the Sweetwater River.

This shot was taken west of South Pass but you can see it in the distance.

These are examples of graves that one might of used to bury family members who died along the way.

This picture reminds me of the primary song, "Pioneer Children sang as they walked and walked and walked."

As you drive down the highway there are markers like these all over showing where the trail is.

Here is an old ferry at the Green River. Some saints actually set up camp and built a ferry and earned money taking pioneers from one side to the other.

The Green River. This is where I joined up with the trails. I really enjoyed stopping at taking pictures of these sites. It gave me a better idea of what the saints went through and a great appreciation for their faith.

Parting the Sheep Sea

While Owen and I were biking we came upon a herd of sheep at a watering hole. It reminded me of movies filmed in England when the tourist come upon sheep in the road and they slowly drive their car through the sheep. That is exactly what we did; we slowly road our bikes as the sheep sea parted.

Before

After

21 Mile bike ride

Owen and I decided to ride the 21 mile loop at Soapstone. Last time we rode this loop we started at the Canyon Rim Trail and rode over to the Mahogany Trail. This time we started at the Mahogany Trail and rode down the Canyon Rim Trail. As we were riding I was thinking, "Why in the world did we ride up the Canyon Rim Trail last time" It is a really hard ride and today's was A LOT easier.

I am still smiling after the uphill

Owen with Red Mountain Open Space in the background

I really love riding my bike; I just feel so free

When we got up on one rim we saw Turkey Vultures flying overhead

With all the snow and rain, Red Mountain Open Space was just beautiful

You can see part of the trail in the distance that we went up

Jackson Hole

Since I am leaving Wyoming and heading to Seattle, I wanted to see Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons National Forrest before I left. So, after getting back from HB Sandra and I headed up to Jackson. We camped out near Jackson lake and were able to do a little hiking and site seeing. The Tetons are amazing.

We shot a elk and cooked it up. Actually we bought a steak at Alberstons and had steak, corn on the cob, and tinfoil potatoes one night. The next night we ate at Bubbas BBQ.

Beautiful sunset

This is on our hike around Jackson Lake

I won't tell you how many shots I took of the Grand Tetons but it is in the hundreds; it was just so beautiful.

One evening we saw a whole bunch of what we think were elk and moose.

Sleeping nice and cozy

Huntington Beach

Nikki, Sandra, and I decided that it was time for another Huntington Beach trip. It has been about 2 years since we went. So, we packed up the car and enjoyed a 12+ hr. road trip. As is tradition, when Nikki is driving we get caught in some kind of traffic jam. But we eventually made it and spend 4 days body-boarding, shopping, and eating more than we needed to.

As we left Las Vegas the traffic slowed Californians were making their way back home after a weekend in Vegas.

Ruby's is one of our favorite places to eat. They have great shakes and fried zucchini

Me, Sandra and Nikki

Sandra and Nikki ride the waves

A beautiful sunset

There were a few days that were overcast but we made the most of it.

I am enjoyed relaxing on the beach, listening to music, and reading. Of course I had to use my towel to stay warm.

Renting a wetsuit was the best money I spent the whole trip

Holly catching a wave. I really enjoyed body-boarding; it is one of my favorite things to do.

I always take picture of the surfers too. Not sure who this is but I think I took a good picture of him.