Coyotes in the Draw

We went back to Happy Jack last Sunday, going to Blue Ridge branch for church on the way up. Each afternoon at 3 o'clock we heard such a ruckus just down the draw from us. There must be quite a pack of coyotes down there. It seems it was feeding time for the pups at three because we didn't hear anything from them until then. At that time we would hear a lot of high pitched yapping. Then it was quiet again until 10:30 or 11 p.m. when the whole pack seemed to go hunting. There was so much howling and barking and yapping. Finally on Tuesday evening Warren took the RZR down and 3/8 of a mile from our camp he came across the coyotes and scattered them. I was at the camp and what a chaos I heard! The dogs scattered in every direction, even though Warren only actually saw one. I could hear them scatter and then howl to one another. It was such an adventure! I can tell you, I was so happy to be sleeping in a trailer and not a tent! On July 4th weekend when Natalie and Tyler camped with us in the same spot we saw one coyote casually lope along the side of our camp, just taking his time. It made Tyler a little nervous that it didn't seen to be afraid of us! I don't blame him.
We had Meagan here with us for a few short hours and ended our visit with a brunch this morning. Kari, Anita and the kids, Angie, Justin and their kids and Natalie and her kids came. We had a good time, but I think it was a little noisy for Meagan. We are a bit much when we all get together. Scott was on a MIA outing with his ward and Jeff and Tyler had to work. We missed Zoe too. She had an activity day.

Pronghorn Antelope

I'M HOME!

After four whole weeks on the road, we are finally home again. Warren could sell the house and stay on the road forever, but that's definitely NOT for me. I love being home.
A quick explanation of the slide show posted last. I had spotty Internet on the road, so here's the explanation. While we were in Lander, Wyoming we found out there was this unique feature just six miles up the canyon from there. It is called 'the sinks' and has been know about for many hundreds of years. The large river, Popo Agie (ashee) with huge boulders comes down the canyon and then totally disappears into a large cave. It re-emerges 1/4 mile down the canyon, seeping out along the bottom of the mountain. Not too many years ago a test was done to see if the same water comes out that disappears up river. It took the dye over two hours to show up 1/4 mile down river. The theory is that there are unknown numbers of shafts and tunnels underground that the water swirls around before coming back out. Very interesting!
We saw so many Pronghorn antelope throughout Wyoming and at Martin's Cove we saw two deer with their fawns. We also saw another deer at Rattlesnake Pass. The missionaries told us seeing a deer is a big deal, but antelope aren't anything to talk about because there are so many of them.
We drove from Lander, Wyoming to Springville, Utah on Thursday. On Friday Theresa, Melanie and I made apricot jam at Theresa's house with apricots from her very loaded tree. On Saturday Warren went off-roading with Kevin and spent the day with him. I spent some time with Theresa, but she was very busy doing yard and house stuff with Tom, so I went back to the trailer for a much needed nap. Saturday night we all met at Pizza Factory (Theresa, Melanie, Eric and Kevin and their families). After dinner we went to Theresa's house for root beer floats. On Sunday Warren and I drove as far as Jacob's Lake, where we spent the night. Monday we drove home. YEAH!

To Mormon Trail Sites

My Yellowstone bears.  They live in the trailer.

The Firehole River

Warren at the Firehole River

The majestic Tetons

On the way to Lander, Wyoming

going to Lander, Wyoming

In Yellowstone Part

The Teton's of Idaho

 Devil's Gate

 Entrance to Martin's Cove

 In Martin's Cove

 Martin's Cove marker

 Independence Rock

Independence Rock

Independence Rock

 Mormon Trail marker

Wagon tracks still mark the prarie. 

 PoPo Agie River Sinks.  Here the rive disappears into the ground.

 The river sinking.

Splint Rock on the Mormon Trail

The Yellowstone and Teton pictures are from Sunday and Monday. I am near Lander, Wyo.
Today, Wednesday, we spent 11 hours on the road. We drove from our camp spot to the site of the Willy handcart company rescue on the Sweetwater River. This is also the site of the sixth crossing of the Sweetwater. Then we drove to Independence Rock and walked around that for a total of about 2 1/2 miles. Along the way we saw Split Rock and Devil's Gate, two famous landmarks. Devil's Gate was NOT where the pioneers crossed, it was just a landmark. However, they did cross next to Devil's Gate in a pass called Rattle Snake Pass. The bottom of Devil's Gate is the Sweetwater River channel. Then we went to Martin's Cove. This was a very spiritual and emotional experience. On one side of the cove the dead were laid and covered with branches because the ground was so frozen. But before the men of the burial detail could get back to the campground part of the cove they could already hear the wolves digging up the dead. What horrible things those saints had to endure.
In a few days we will finally be back home for a little while.

To Lander, Wyoming

On Sunday we continued our viewing of Yellowstone Park and drove to Grand Teton Park where we had a late lunch. We took a Fire Hole River loop in Yellowstone that neither one of us remember ever seeing before. There is a steep but beautiful climb down to the river for great swimming in a warm, clear river pool. We didn't swim, as we weren't prepared for a swimming hole. The Middle Geyser Basin, which had fantastically large blue pools was amazing. One of the best was Grand Prismatic Pool, which refracts the light and we were able to see all the colors of the prism in the steam rising from the pool. One of the pools dumps 4,000 gallons of boiling water into the Fire Hole River EVERY MINUTE!
We went back to Henry's Lake camp on Sunday night. On Monday we drove back to West Yellowstone, where we visited the Grizzle Encounter to see bears and wolves, then through Grand Teton Park, up through Togwotee Pass, at almost 10,000 feet elevation to Lander, Wyoming. The pass is between the spectacular Absaroka Range and the Wind River mountain range. It was a beautiful drive in spite of a 30 minute wait in a construction zone. On the way to Lander, coming down the pass, we saw at least 60 Pronghorn antelope in three different areas and a moose. We stayed at Twin Pines RV Resort south of Lander, Wyoming. Today, Tuesday, was a 'rest' day. That is to say we only spent five hours on the road instead of 9 to 10. We went to South Pass City, but were disappointed because it's a barely restored old mining town and had nothing to do with the South Pass of pioneer fame. Tomorrow we are going to Martin's Cove, Independence Rock and Devil's Gate, all east of here.

Yellowstone Park and pics

At the Sorensen reunion near grandma's house. Alisyn, Erich, John, Melanie, Hailie, Riley and Kelsie

Kelsie Conover and Riley Speer ham it up.

Hailie Conover and Riley Speer having some fun at the reunion.

Jeffy Conover is having fun at Bear Lake

Angie Speer is a mermaid at Bear Lake

Fire in Yellowstone Park. So sad to see such destruction.

Bison in Yellowstone Park

The Yellowstone Falls

Warren enjoying some pools at Yellowstone

There are a couple of huge Elk behind me, across the river.

Today, Saturday, August 2nd we went to Yellowstone Park. We saw about 30 elk, HUNDREDS of bison, a bald eagle and lots of Canada geese. Sadly we also saw a fire north of Fishing Bridge which was caused by a tree falling on some electrical wires. The fire spread accross the road and the river before it could be stopped. As we passed the fire on the west side of the road was still smoldering and the trees were all blackened and the underbrush burned. On the east side of the road the fire was still going strong. Tomorrow we are planning to go to Teton Park. We are having lots of fun, but tonight the trailer is ROCKING from strong winds. We are at Island Park Idaho. I hope the winds will die down soon so we can sleep!
Love to you all!

Road trip update

Bear Lake was so much fun. Monday we just set up camp and had a relaxing evening, letting the kids all play together. Tuesday was a great day at the beach and on the boat. Warren learned to waveboard behind John's boat and we watched Riley and Carson having lots of fun on the towed tube. On Wednesday it was very windy and it took us a long time to decide to go to the beach anyway. It was hot at the camp ground and the beach was much cooler, although we had to deal with blowing sand. The kids (Melanie's, Angie's and those of John's brother and neighbor just had so much fun playing in the water and swimming/wading all day. Inspite of liberal doses of sunblock, Angie's little redheads got pretty fried. On Thursday we got the thrill of watching Riley knee board. She is so brave. It was a great day at the beach and a fun evening going to Bear Lake Pizza with about 28 people in our group!
This morning, Aug. 1, Warren and I packed up our gear and drove to Henry's Lake camp ground, just outside West Yellowstone. Sadly there is a forest fire that started today just over the mountain from where we are. The wind is blowing to the west so we don't smell the smoke, even though we certainly see it. We are cautioned to keep all food and food containers inside, as there are bears in the area! Tomorrow we plan to go to Yellowstone Park. More about that later! Our best to you all!