The Yellowstone Experience

Posted on August 8. 2016 by Merilee

West Yellowstone, MT

August 8, 2016

We have been exploring the Yellowstone National Park and finding many great landscapes and wildlife.  Staying near the west entrance gives us the opportunity to drive along the beautiful Madison River.

_DSC6392_3_4_2016-07-28-YNP-Madison-Rvr-ortn-pmOne of the most powerful sights in Yellowstone is the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River as it flows through the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

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We spent some time waiting for the Great Fountain Geyser to erupt in the Lower Geyser Basin.  It was worth the wait.

_DSC7165-2016-08-02-Fountain-Geyser-smlThe wildflowers are blooming along the Madison River near Mt. Haynes.  A lovely place to hike and enjoy the river.

_DSC7574_5_6_2016-08-06--Madison-Rv-ortnThe wildlife is just amazing and a thrill to spot them in the wild.  We watched a very large herd of buffalo come down from the hillsides, cross the Yellowstone River and head into Hayden Valley to graze.  A wonder to see.

DSC_7385-2016-07-29-YNP-Hayden-Valley-buffalo-ortn-txtA lone elk grazing along the Madison.  I was pressed to a large boulder and watched it graze for quite a while.  The camera noise finally gave me away.

DSC_7516-2016-08-05-Elk-Madison-Rvr-am-crp-enhanceda gray wolf

_DSC6537-2016-07-31-Grizzly-Wolf-DCGrizzly bear

_DSC6735-2016-07-31-Grizzly-Wolf-dc-grizzlyThe iconic Bald Eagle.

_DSC6859-2016-08-01-Grizzly-Wolf-DC-bald-eagle-crpCanada Geese are plentiful along the Madison.

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on the road again

Posted on July 24. 2016 by Merilee

Mexican Hat, Utah

The Valley of the Gods

We are happily back on the road again after a much needed break.  Did not exactly escape the heat of Phoenix in Monument Valley where is was over 100 degrees.  Headed to the little monument valley called the Valley of the Gods.  It is a scenic sandstone valley that features stunning geologic formations.  The statuesque formations are sculpted from Cedar Mesa sandstone dating to the Permian period, around 250 million years ago.  Eroded by water, wind and ice over millions of years, the rock was carved into the unique buttes, monoliths (single massive stone or rock), pinnacles and other geological features as seen today.

A view of the Navajo Warriors defending the Valley for eternity.

_DSC6053_4_5_2016-07-24-Valley-of-Gods-ortna jeep view of the winding road through the valley on a hot summer morning.

_DSC6044_5_6_2016-07-24-Valley-of-Gods-jeepOne of the unique monuments in the valley.

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December in the arboretum

Posted on December 22. 2015 by Merilee

December 21, 2015

Superior, Arizona

I had the pleasure of roaming the paths of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum today.  It feels like late fall here in the desert but the calendar says the first day of winter.  There were not many blooms to discover as many plants were covered as protection from our recent cold spell.

As stated, “The Mission of Boyce Thompson Arboretum is to instill in people an appreciation of plants through the fostering of educational, recreational, research, and conservation opportunities associated with arid-land plants.” One cannot help but learn about the many varieties of desert plants on display in natural settings.

This stately cottonwood was still showing a beautiful yellow glow.

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A proud saguaro ribs left after the cactus dies.

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a shot from a cactus garden

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Moab contrasts

Posted on October 9. 2015 by Merilee

Moab, Utah

October 9, 2015

As we prepare to depart from Moab, I wanted to leave you with some of my impressions.

Welcome to Mars.  The red rock is always a thrill to see.

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A lonely cottonwood stands in the desert sands along Potash Rd near Canyonlands National Park.

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Thelma and Louise point along the Potash Rd to the Schafer Trail as the Colorado River winds its way through Canyonlands.  The final scene of the movie was shot at these cliffs.

_DSC1740_1_2_2015-09-23-Potash-to-Schafer-Trl-Thelma-Louise-ortnWe love to head up the LaSal Loop into the Manti-LaSal National Forest to enjoy the aspens in their fall splendor.  This was taken from Geyser Pass Rd with LaSal Mountain peak.

_DSC2448_49_50_2015-10-01-Geyser-Pass-Rd-Manti-LaSal-NF-crp2The aspen groves along Geyser Pass are now my favorite stop.  The eyes are upon you.

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Fall in Moab

Posted on September 30. 2015 by Merilee

Moab, Utah

September 29, 2015

One of the best drive near Moab to view fall aspens and scrub oak colors is the La Sal Loop.  We took a side trip up to Oowah Lake in the  Manti La Sal National Forest.  The drive up was full of fall color.

_DSC2025_6_7_2015-09-29-LaSal-Loop-aspensThe required jeep shot

_DSC2045_2015-09-29-LaSal-Loop-JeepA view of the color around Oowah Lake.  Peace and quiet….priceless.

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Colorado gold

Posted on September 20. 2015 by Merilee

September 19, 2015

Silverton to Ironton Park, Colorado

We enjoyed a beautiful foliage ride starting from Ironton Park up Corkscrew Gulch to the Animas Loop.  The foliage colors are coming out strong.

The Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge steam train stopping at the Silverton was like a step back in time.

_DSC1242_2015-09-19-Silverton-train-station-crpThe aspens were gorgeous in the sunlight at Eureka, Colorado.

_DSC1189_90_91_2015-09-19-EurekaFinally, we stopped at my favorite aspen grove in Ironton Park.  I love to hike high up into the aspens and enjoy the many great views.

_DSC1362_3_4_2015-09-19-Ironton-aspensSadly we are bringing our Colorado summer to an end.  It was a great time enjoying the mountains, wildflowers, great jeep trails and good friends.

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