Saturday 7th May:

Following H’way 21 north east of Boise, our first stop was at Idaho City. 

By 1884/65 it was the largest town in the north-west territories, and actually produced more gold than the famous Klondike.

Production of gold continued until 1942 when the US joined WWII and the town disappeared. Today it has a population of 400.

This is one collectors house....with everything.

Whilst walking the town we heard gun shots and went to explore. Discovered it was the local “Cowboy Fast Draw Club” having a competition.

Talked to the guys, they use real single action 45 Colt revolvers, standard holsters, real shells but wax bullets. The timing is all electronically controlled. Old Style Western clothing and a big smile a must. Both the Guys and Gals looked like all were enjoying the return to the cowboy era.

See www.idahoshootists.com

Enjoyed a pancake and maple syrup at Calamity Jane’s then followed the Ponderosa Trail (H’way 21 and 75). Snow is all around us as we crest the mountains at 2,500metres or 7,500Ft.

We had been told of a couple of nice camp sites but both were deep in snow so continued over the range and down the other side eventually finding a great position. It is the start of a trail head so we have our own private toilet available to us.

There is no wind so pre-dinner drinks is in the snow, followed by dinner around the camp fire.

A great evening.

Camp 81:   Ponderosa Camp,  Cost $ Zero

N43* 49.011 W114* 35.720

Today: 356 Kms 

Total: 19,955 Kms.

Sunday 8th May:

Mothers Day and Lyn was pleased to have cards from home. (Pre-packed into the luggage before I left home in March). With light snow still falling around us, breakfast in bed, percolated coffee and Sockeye Salmon on Bagels with Cottage Cheese went over well.

Prepared dinner of Beef Stroganoff in the Dream Pot and have a bottle of Champagne on ice for this evening

Continued our drive down H’way 75 between snow covered mountains.

Then towards Craters of the Moon.

It was very cold and very windy, but still a very interesting site.

If you are into geology, like me, splatter cones, cinder cones, Pa’hoehoe and Ah’Ah lava flows are all around you.

This area has been erupting every 2,000 years so we are due for another one soon.

Camp 82:   Outside Blackfoot Camp,  Cost $ Zero

N43* 14.696 W112* 19.024

Today: 277 Kms 

Total: 20,232 Kms.

This camp was OK until a couple of motor bikes and a quad bike drove in and around and around. Then a vehicle came and did the same...so time to drop the roof and move on.  Camp was then at the Blackfoot Walmart. Nice and quiet there.

Monday 9th May:

Today is cold, raining, and overcast so started late, then eventually drove to Idaho Falls where we checked out an Army Disposal store with lots of interesting stuff.

Still raining so Lyn suggested a movie, so that is how our afternoon disappeared very quickly.

Now heading to The Grand Tetons.

Snow all around us, eventually finding a track so camp was just off the road.

In the morning, after snowing all night.

Camp 83:   Snow Camp,  Cost $ Zero

N43* 34.422 W111* 11.087

Today: 169 Kms 

Total: 20,402 Kms.

Tuesday 10th May:

Crossing the Teton Pass at 8,431Ft (2570metres) the road was covered in snow and ice and on the down hill side - slippery.

It was great for the skiers who were enjoying a

late season.

Camped up early in a very deep snowed Signal Mountain National Park Campground, on Jackson Lake.

At this stage we can not see any mountains because of the low cloud and light sleet.

Camp 84:   Jackson Lake- Grand Tetons Camp,  Cost $20.50

N43* 50.588 W110* 36.755

Today: 111 Kms 

Total: 20,513 Kms.

Wednesday 11th May:

As we rose, the sun was shining and slowly burnt away the clouds, before us was this wonderful scene.

Jackson Lake was frozen over and all around us a full metre of snow.

Fortunately it was not cold and no wind.

Had to do the Bacon and Eggs thing at the only table available, even then we had to do a snow walk.

All the other tables were still buried in snow.

Soon the jacket was off because it was warm.

Strange siting with deep snow all around and yet very comfortable.

We slowly drove the park sucking up the views. Every corner providing another prospective and another photographic opportunity.

Jenny Lake.

At the south Jenny Lake boat ramp we sat enjoying our late morning coffee and listened to the rumble of the avalanches in the mountains. Finally catching some gravitational erosion.

Then the wild life tour.

Elk by the hundreds, and bison and moose in the far distance.

Camp 85:   Gros Ventre-  Grand Tetons Camp,  Cost $20.50

N43* 37.025 W110* 39.754

Today: 122 Kms 

Total: 20,635 Kms.

Thursday 12th May:

Spent another day in the Tetons waiting for the south entrance of Yellowstone to open tomorrow. Whilst Lyn prepared pea and ham soup in the dream pot, I carried out some more and ongoing repairs to the vehicle.

This moose visited the camp last night and slowly eat his way around the area.

Returned to the same camp as the previous night at Jackson Lake

Camp 86:   Jackson Lake- Grand Tetons Camp,  Cost $20.50

N43* 50.588 W110* 36.755

Today: 102 Kms 

Total: 20,738   Kms.

Had to take one final shot of the sunset:

Friday 13th May:

We are only one third of our way through Yellowstone National Park and already it has lived up to its international fame.

The South entrance opened today and the road bordered by more than a metre and a half of snow.

Checked out ‘Old Faithfuls’ 12.30 blast, then slowly walked the 5km loop around so many incredible geysers.

Then amongst all that geological stuff these Bison roamed across our path.

Quite amazing what mother nature can do, and note that it is in this environment that life began on our primeval planet

Camp is at the  Madison Camp Grounds.

Camp 87:   Love those Geysers Camp,  Cost $22.00

N44* 38.720 W110* 51.948

Today: 149 Kms 

Total: 20,887 Kms.

Saturday 14th May:

Yellowstone continues to impress.

The travelling day started with a Bison Blockage on the road

They just ambled along having no concern for the traffic. We, and about 20 other vehicles just stopped and enjoyed the experience.

Explored more geysers and then on to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. An impressive creation from lava flows, hot spring activity, mineral deposits and flowing water.

Drove nearly all the circle of the park wanting to see a Black, Brown or Grizzly Bear.

Actually gave up and just before we pulled into the camping area at Mammoth Hot Springs...there it is, a Grizzly!

Camp 88:   Grizzly Bear Camp (Mammoth Springs)

Cost $14.00

N44* 58.405 W110* 41.633

Today: 168 Kms 

Total: 21,056 Kms.

Sunday 15th May:

Started the day with a quick visit to the information centre.

Then walked about 5kms around the travertine terraces created by the build up of calcium carbonate over the decades.

This is on the upper terraces.

And this on the lower. The colours are due to microscopic organisms living in these extreme conditions.

Elk, Mule Dear and yes another Grizzly, but too far away to photograph.

This is where the Indians out smarted the Calvary who were tracking them down with a vendetta after the General Custer defeat.

( The name derived because the Indians left an injured person there who the soldiers later killed)

On H’way  296 we pass these colourful hills.

Found a track down to a fishing area on the Clarks Fork River

Camp 89:   Fisherman’s  Camp

Cost $Zero

N44* 53.151 W109* 08.333

Today: 222 Kms 

Total: 21,278 Kms.

Tomorrow into Billings for new tyres.