Yellowstone

Sadly, we left old friends, but not without having had a great time rehashing old stories and times. The trip to Boise and McCall was our start on our dream journey to see as many of the National Parks as we can. Our first park on that journey is Yellowstone National Park.

One thing I have always wanted to do was to fly fish in one of the western rivers that one reads about in all the fishing magazines. Yep…..That’s me in the Yellowstone river tossing a fly out there for all those hungry cutthroat trout that weren’t very appreciative of my technique!!! I have now waded for trout in the famous Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park.

We had arranged to meet friends Matt and Alice from Sunshine Key in Florida who had decided to join us on our quest of the National Parks. That’s us at the Continental Divide in Yellowstone Park.

The Park is beyond what we expected with its natural beauty and the animals. We no sooner arrived through the West Gate when we spotted an eagle and herd of Elk.

The biggest animals we saw regularly were the Buffalo…TATONKA!!

The beauty of land is unbelievable and we took picture after picture from the northern end of the park with higher elevations and some of the upper stretches of the yellowstone…

….and through the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone….

…..to where it empties into Yellowstone lake

Of course we took in the mudpots, Old Faithful,hot springs, etc

I only posted a few pictures but you can see a few more on Marge's blog www.morephotosfrommarge.blogspot.com

McCall, Idaho

Everyone finally arrived in Boise and it was good to see everyone. Its been 49 years and really longer that we have know each other and we are having a great time

When arrived in McCall we located ourselves at Ponderosa State Park where we are to stay for the next 4 days. The campsite is close to where our friends are staying and the park is one of the nicest we have seen in a long time. Essentially it consists of a pull through to the side of the main road that allows complete privacy on the door side of the coach and with an area for firebox picnic table and room for a screen room. We had visitors too!

And our friends too !

We had a cookout at the motorhome one evening and enjoyed Payette Lake with a pontoon boat trip that ended with a snack and swim on the North Shore. The trip on the boat was a wonderful way to see the lake

The water was great !

Only one of us overdid!

While we didn’t imbibe too many liquids, we did enjoy the evening meals. We did end our last evening with an excellent meal at the “Shore Lodge” on Lake Payette.

What a great week!

Boise, Idaho

We were the first of a group of old (and I do mean old!!) classmates from high school (class of 1960) that decided some months ago to meet in Boise then go on to McCall Idaho for golf, whitewater rafting, boating, fishing, hiking and food.  Bob and Pam have a place there and we were first to arrive.  We proceeded to a campsite nearby on the Boise River and its river walk.  The rest of our group is arriving over the next day or two from all over the country.             

The picture above is from downtown Boise just under one major bridges viewed from the riverwalk.    Boise is a beautiful!   Downtown is active and there are people walking about everywhere.  The riverwalk I keep mentioning is for hiking walking fishing running and biking.   Five of us rode bikes some 14 miles exploring it and city that runs through it.   Once everyone arrives we head north to McCall.

Fort Bridger, Wyoming

When traveling we try to go for a few days then stop and spend two nights in one spot to take a break from the driving.   One such stop was Fort Bridger, Wyoming, a major point along the Oregon Trail that many settlers took on their move West.  Below is a replica of the stockade fort as it originally stood.

The stockade fort was only 100 feet by 100 feet and had a similar protected area for stock off to the side.  Inside was Jim Bridger’s quarters and the trading post area along with a blacksmiths spot for repair of wagons and other services to the travelers

In later years the fort became a military post that was upgraded substantially with masonry buildings and nice residences.

Today, Fort Bridger was a nice respite on our trip West and the town while still a farming community is still a nice stop along the I-80 corridor West.