 Into Thin Air in the Rockies: Photos 21 to 42 |
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Into Thin Air in the Rockies: Photos 21 to 42
North America » United States » Colorado » Grand Junction
November 13th 2006 by Waltzing Matilda
October 21 - November 9, 2006
Billings, Mont. - near Grand Junction, Colo.
23,699 miles to date
1,315 miles this leg
We were gasping for air Nov. 7, and not just because we’d spent two weeks at altitude. But because the preliminary election results showed a flip-flop of party power in both the U.S. House and Senate, and we could hardly believe so many voters had come to their senses.
One of the national events that pushed us take a year to travel the country was the 2004 RE-election of George W. Bush. Surrounded by like-minded liberal and solidly Democratic citizens of Port Townsend, we realized we were sorely out of touch with the apparent majority of Americans, and this was worrisome. Who were these people who believed in Bush bravado? We wanted to meet them and find out why. Was it true there were “two Americas” out there? If so, we wanted to find where the lines were drawn. It was quite simply a matter of patriotic duty.
So, after 10 months of informal polling, here are our top three theories for why Bush was granted a second term:
(1) Family tradition. Patriarchal patterns die
Full Text Entry: Into Thin Air in the Rockies
TB: [diary=101178]
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November 14th 2006 - Lorraine Price:
Shelly and Jeff, after your visit here a few months ago, I too have enjoyed reading your various escapades and adventures. I have similar thoughts as you, regarding the political situation in this country. I'm crossing my fingers things are going to get better! You must be getting close to home now. All the best during the remainder of your travels. P.S. David is happy at Cal Poly, SLO, as is Drew at NU, and Leah is merrily marching and riding. All the best.
November 16th 2006 - Audrey:
Y'all are making me homesick for the Colorado Rockies. Luke and I are taking Evelyn that way for the holidays at the end of December to meet all of her grandparents and her great-grandma, plus paying tribute to her great-grandpa's memory. I am sooo looking forward to having you meet Evelyn and to play some olde time tunes with you guys again. Hope you are bringing back some "new" ones for us to learn. :-)
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Saratoga Hot Springs
We soaked in two free, public mineral hot springs in Wyoming: one in Thermopolis and this one in Saratoga. How great is that!
Ice on the River
We actually camped overnight in Matilda next to a river that was carrying patches of ice downstream the next morning! This is the North Platte in southern Wyoming, laced with doilies of ice.
Herding Duty
A fairly typical Wyoming rangeland scene that I captured out the car window as we traveled on Route 287 mid-state.
Wyoming Sky
Wyoming is all about wind, clouds and sky, anchored by mountains. This scene was shot near Laramie. Notice the snow fencing in foreground.
Foosball Table
On display at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyo., was this unique foosball table with U.S. Cavalry soldiers competing against the Indians.
Jeff & George
In Billings, Mont., we spent quality time with Jeff's high school classmate George and his family.
Pompeys Pillar
The Jeff-n-George photo was taken atop this rock formation along the Yellowstone River, dubbed Pompeys Pillar by William Clark when his 1806 expedition passed by.
Austin & Jared
George's kids Austin (up) & Jared (down) on a faultline running through Billings. Wife/mother Serena is in the background.
Billings Bluffs
These are the impressive bluffs that line Billings, the largest town in Montana. Jared is poised to descend one of the staircases cut into the rock.
George & the Uke
George's professional guitar background led him to easily pick up Jeff's new ukelele and make it sing.
George's Motorcycle
Jeff was thrilled to be able to take a ride on George's Kawasaki 1600 Vulcan motorcycle. Their suburban home in the background.
Wind River Range Sunset
This is an unretouched sunset over the Wind River Range from our friends' Riverton, Wyo., front yard. Yes, with the ghouls and ghosties up for Halloween.
Cowgal & Hoedowner
We had to dress up for Halloween, so Shelly borrowed a long duster and hat, and with a stick horse was a COWGAL. Jeff wore overalls and a straw hat and by plucking his banjo showed himself to be a HOE... [more]
Halloween Hosts
Our Halloween hosts were Dan (inflatable baby), Kelli (inflatable chef), their kids Grover (cow), Charli (Tigger) & Eme (dragon in the stroller). Grandparents Kayce & Grover (Sr.).
Riverton Kids
And here are the kids out of costume, playing on their slide: Grover, 4, Charli, upside down and 2-1/2, and little Emerson ("Eme"), 1-1/2.
Cody to Riverton, Wyo.
The approach from Cody to Riverton, Wyo., is full of views like these. The road is one of the most scenic we've encountered.
Wind River Canyon
The road winds on through the Wind River Canyon, a narrow gorge that shares the river ledge with a railroad track.
Dubois Cabins
Dubois, Wyo., is the next Jackson Hole, they say, and these mostly second and third homes up in the hills seem to lend credence to that.
The Ramshorns
The Ramshorn mountains above the Wind River valley near Dubois, Wyo. Some of these peaks are 12-13,000 feet high.
Wyoming Waiter
No, not all Wyoming waiters look like this one, but this was the fellow who served us at the Wild West-themed Dubois murder mystery dinner!
2 Comments - Add Public Comment or Send Private Message
November 14th 2006 - Lorraine Price:
Shelly and Jeff, after your visit here a few months ago, I too have enjoyed reading your various escapades and adventures. I have similar thoughts as you, regarding the political situation in this country. I'm crossing my fingers things are going to get better! You must be getting close to home now. All the best during the remainder of your travels. P.S. David is happy at Cal Poly, SLO, as is Drew at NU, and Leah is merrily marching and riding. All the best.
November 16th 2006 - Audrey:
Y'all are making me homesick for the Colorado Rockies. Luke and I are taking Evelyn that way for the holidays at the end of December to meet all of her grandparents and her great-grandma, plus paying tribute to her great-grandpa's memory. I am sooo looking forward to having you meet Evelyn and to play some olde time tunes with you guys again. Hope you are bringing back some "new" ones for us to learn. :-)
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The text and photos of this article remain the copyright of the Author (Shelly & Jeff Randall). Under no circumstances should the photos or text be used without the express written permission of the Author (Shelly & Jeff Randall). If you wish to use or publish photos or text from this article - please
Contact Shelly & Jeff Randall.