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Published: June 21st 2015
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Thursday, 18 June, 2015
We left Casper, WY, and drove out highway 220 to Independence Rock, a large rock formation where travelers on the way west carved their names in the granite. We were last there in 1989, and then there was just a dirt road to the rock. Now there is a rest area and paved pathways. A little further down the road, we stopped at Devil's Gate, a pass through the mountains carved by the Sweetwater River. We drove on to Rawlins and took I-80 west to Rock Springs, then highway 191 south to Fire Hole Campground in Flaming Gorge NRA. The road down to the campground from the highway was over 9 miles long, and Kerry was sure it was the wrong road. Once we got there, though, it was as beautiful as we remembered, though a bit hot. The scenery was wonderful, colorful rock formations and the green waters of the Green River running through the canyon. There were rabbits everywhere and Jenna wanted to rename the campground Bunnyville. The campground was not crowded and it cooled off nicely overnight.
Friday, 19 June
We saw a jack rabbit
Independence
Names are faint now. on the way out of Fire Hole Canyon, a good start to the day. We drove north on 191 all the way to Grand Tetons National Park, a wonderful drive. Snow capped mountains urged us on and beautiful trees and rivers surrounded us. We entered the park at the south entrance and drove north to the Colter Bay campground, spotting a herd of buffalo along the way. There are no hookups where we are, but generators are allowed on this loop during daylight hours.
Saturday, 20 June
We all loaded into our truck for a day of viewing Grand Tetons NP. The Grand Teton Mountains are glorious and seeing them towering over Jackson and Jenny Lakes is postcard-beautiful. At the turn in for the Jenny Lakes visitor center we saw 2 magnificent elk, with velvety antlers, grazing in a field. At the visitor center we couldn't find a parking spot, so we drove on to a picnic area, where we ate lunch. We then went down to the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at Moose, WY. What an amazing and informative visitor center it is. Jenna listened to a ranger talk about invasive
Jenna
on Independence Rock species and completed requirements for her 4th Jr. Ranger badge, this one made of wood.
After supper we drove to Willow Flats looking for wildlife, but were a bit too early. At the Oxbow Bend turnout we saw a shiny brown black bear running across the field. Up the road we saw Canadian geese and a herd of elk gathering. We went to the patio at Jackson Lake Lodge in hopes of spying moose, but instead saw probably the same herd of elk move into Willow Flats. All in all, a wonderful day.
More later...
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barbara
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Fire Hole Canyon
Beautiful shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!