Rolling Along With The Reynolds

Jim and Cindy's Adventure Blog traveling all over the USA

Travel Blog

Rocky Mtn High

A very quick two nights spent in Loveland, CO.

Day trip into the Rocky Mountain National Park, entered from Estes Park.

 

Crystal clear skies made for crystal clear air; that “Rocky Mountain High” is no joke. The air smells so good, and at elevations close to 12,000 feet made for spectacular sights.

The park has three different eco zones according to elevation: the Montane (greenest and most bio-diverse), the subalpine (with lodgepole pines, fir and spruce trees and lakes) and the alpine (my favorite, with tiny wildflowers and winds reaching 100 MPH!).

The grand finale sight while exiting the park was a Moose and her calf getting a drink of water in the lower meadow.

 

Rocky Mtn Park pictures (Album 2023-52)

 

 

 

 

Hot Springs pics (Album 2023-51)

 

Hobo Hot Springs

Today was a travel day from Dubois to Rawlins Wyoming.
We’re only here for the night, but found a wonderful hot spring to soak in this late afternoon; featuring the super hot “Lobster Pot” at 117 degrees! Boiled there for less than a minute, lol. Then there was the “Not-So-Hot” pool at 107, and another cooler pool right in the river. It was a perfect way to enjoy our last day in Wyoming, as tomorrow we begin our eastward route to head back to Florida.

 

 

 

 

 

The Grand Tetons

Majestic. Saturday, 9/2/2023; a perfect day and a perfect window of sunny weather in between rain days. We set off at 9 AM, crossed over the Continental Divide (at elevation 9,584), further higher still at Togwotee Pass (9,655 feet), arrived in the National Park and had an EPIC day that didn’t end until arriving back to camp just as the Cinderella pumpkin bell rang at midnight.

First up was the Elk Ranch Flats turnout. Bison were present, but too far away to really see well without binoculars. Closer up however were wild horses. The beautiful scene presents a vast panorama of Mt. Moran, Grand Teton and Rockchuck Peak. Low clouds kept the tips of these mounts hidden (yet their glory popped out later!).
Because of the recent rains and soggy trails, we decided to keep hikes to a minimum and enjoy the scenic drives. However I wanted to try one special hike up to Hidden Falls/Inspiration Point on the other side of Jenny Lake. We took the 15 minute boat shuttle across the water and the mile hike did not disappoint.
Our next stop was a quick visit to Colter Bay Marina & Campground. Last year the waters were so low, in fact the Marina was closed due to the bay being bone dry! It was so different this year to discover the water was back and the Marina was full of happy boaters. Amazing how nature can bounce back.
Knowing we only had this one day to experience this corner of Wyoming paradise, we made a rather hasty decision to drive another 1.5 hours north up to Yellowstone via the John Rockefeller Parkway. It was 5 PM by this time and the golden hour was approaching. It turned out to be the best decision of the day, because we arrived at Old Faithful at 7:00 just in time to snag a bench seat for the 7:20 eruption right at sunset! Spectacular!
After grabbing dinner at the Old Faithful Lodge, it was time to turn around and head home. So much to see, so little time. Sigh, Yellowstone will have to wait till next year.
But wait, there’s more to this day, or rather, night. Driving back south on the Parkway was a bit challenging in the dark. Road construction (or more accurately road re-building) is still underway from last years devastating floods, so the new asphalt was dark dark black and still awaiting center reflective paint. 30MpH though was a safe speed even though I had a chunk of cars behind me. Entering back into Grand Teton National Park, we pulled over on the first turnout by Jackson Lake to let ‘em all go by. Boy did they miss out by not stopping to smell the roses; the stars were out and twinkling in crystal clear cloudless skies. And all of a sudden we gasped at the sight silently floating overhead; a Starlink satellite train!
By this time of night as we left the Park for the final hour back to Dubois the moon rose. A godsend of natural light to complete the drive back through Togwotee Pass and the Continental divide. The sights here up high were just as stunning as they were during the day – but with the moon, stars, and the Milky Way!
And the final picture on this post features the Wind River highlighted by moonlight back at camp at 12:04 am on Sept 3rd. just 6 hours later was the sunrise birthday pic that I posted earlier.
We’re so blessed to have this RVLife and be in constant amazement of this country. God Bless the USA!

 

Grand Teton Pics (Album 2023-50)

 

 

 

 

Wind River Canyon and Dubois, WY (Album 2023-49)

 

Wind River Canyon

Travel Day from Thermopolis to Dubois Wyoming. What a treat to drive on the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway through the Indian Reservation! Even though we had a dirty windshield and a cloudy day, the sights were jaw dropping. It feels as if you’re traveling in a Jurassic Park world. The raging river is hugged by the Scenic Byway on one side, while the other side features a train railroad.
“A GEOLOGIC MASTERPIECE: The 2,500 foot-deep canyon is a feast for the eyes with the oldest layers of rock dating back to the Precambrian era, over 2.5 billion years ago. Highlights include Boysen State Park, Owl Creek Mountains, the “Wedding of the Waters’ and the Bighorn River.”
And so excited to revisit Windhaven RV Park in Dubois. We snagged a premium camping spot right on the river, what a gorgeous relaxing view straight out the front windows. Cheers!

 

 

 

 

 

Thermopolis pictures (Album 2023-48)

Heading

Left Gillette today and drove up and over the BigHorn mountains. Got up to 9,679 feet in elevation!
We’ve landed in Thermopolis Wyoming for 2 nights to soak in the hot springs.

 

Floating in 103degree mineral waters under the Blue Supermoon in Thermopolis Wyoming at the “Fountain of Youth RV Park”. Loving Life!

 

Thermopolis Wyoming, I’m so happy we decided to visit this town this year (last year we drove right through it without stopping). Home to Hot Springs State Park, a magical place, as a nice local lady called it. The springs here, although similar in looks to Yellowstone springs, are different in the way the waters get heated.
* The Park offers a lovely scenic drive up into the mountains where bison roam, and spectacular swirled rock formations I’ve never seen anywhere else.
* Bubbling infinity pools, suspension bridge, and teepee fountains are featured.
* While in Thermopolis, we also drove through beautiful neighborhoods full of stately deer and went to the top of Red Mountain to look down upon the town of 2,500 and just beyond the Wind River Canyon.
* The Fountain of Youth RV Park was a wonderful setting with their very own spring and large swimming/soaking pools. Just on the other side of the fence from our site was another bubbling spring that hilariously was a mystery the first night; we couldn’t see the source, yet heard something off in the bushes guessing it was grazing cattle.