2013-08 Bear Lake Wildlife Refuge, National Oregon California Trail Center in Montpelier, ID

Our last of many trips to Bear Lake Wildlife Refuge, we did not see as many birds but finally saw a moose. See if you can spot him! This moose was standing directly across the canal from us as Gary was fishing and had it not moved around, we never would have seen it.

We also visited the Oregon Trail Center which was terrific. Montpelier is about the half-way point on the trail and was known as Clover Creek at that time. Most fascinating fact I learned on the tour: every man, woman, and child was required to bring 21 pounds of coffee beans (at $1.50 per pound, that's a huge cost at that time). This was to chew to give them extra endurance for the gruelling journey.

Pics from Bear Lake NWR and Oregon Trail Center

2013-08 Leigh Lake, Grand Teton NP

Our KOA's owner Stuart suggested Leigh Lake and we are so glad he shared this little gem with us! We arrived very early in the tetons to get our backcountry permit for a campsite on Leigh Lake, but unfortunately would not get a spot that first night. So we spent our first night at Colter Bay Campground (Jenny Lake and Signal Mountain were also full). We had stayed at Colter Bay years ago in the RV and had a grizzly bear in our campsite. Glad for no such appearance this time when we're in a flimsy little tent!

Our second night, we packed up the kayak and headed to Leigh Lake. After paddling up String Lake with your gear, there's a portage to Leigh Lake and then paddle to your reserved campsite. We camped at the foot of Mt Moran at the mouth of a stream on a beauiful lake, in site #14B (there are about a dozen campsites on the entire lake). It was a fantastic site, only accessible by boat, and we had both deer and bear in our site overnight. Great experience...peaceful, quiet, and relaxing. Wish we could do it again!

This is a very special place.
pics from Leigh Lake trip

2013-07 Swindler - Blair family reunion

This was a great success - so glad so many folks made it to the reunion, and it was a wonderful visit. A big huge thank you so Sue and John for hosting the event!
Family Reunion Pics

2013-07 UT - Tony Grove Campground, hike to White Pine Lake in Logan Canyon

It has been unusually warm this summer so we were seeking high altitude camping. Tony Grove is over 8000 feet in Logan Canyon, so that's where we headed. It's about 45 minutes to this canyon which runs between Bear Lake and Logan, UT, then another 20 or so to the campground. It is a beautiful drive. Once again, got the last walk-in campsite available, and it also happened to be the best of all the walk-in sites! Really enjoyed this place (though the campground was not well kept, did not have potable water available, and the restrooms were a disgrace). Gary enjoyed swimming in the lake while I hiked the short trail around it. Then the next day we hiked from our campsite over to the trailhead and then we enjoyed the hike to White Pine Lake. http://logancanyonhiking.com/whitepine.htm   Well, let's say I enjoyed it while Gary mumbled and grumbled about the heat. (It was a bit warm even at this altitude - the sun would bake you quickly). Still, I say the very worst day hiking beats the best day in the office!!!

pics from Tony Gove Lake and White Pine Lake trail

2013-06 Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson WY

We took the tent one weekend and headed up to the tetons, stayed at Jenny Lake Campground. info on Jenny Lake campground. This is a busy place but the trails around the lakes are fantastic. Would like to stay here again to hike more of the trails! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Lake We hiked along String Lake  and over to Leigh Lake to scope out the kayak portage, so that we could return on another trip and backcounty camp on Leigh Lake. Wow, what a gorgeous place. Stunningly beautiful.

pics from our stay at Jenny Lake

2013-05 Lava Hot Springs

Lava Hot Springs is managed by the city of Lava Hot Springs, and is very well maintained and beautifully landscaped, though we found the pools to be a bit too hot for all-day relaxing. The river is very popular for tubing, though looked a bit dangerous early in the season. http://www.lavahotsprings.org/ 
We will be back to this spot.

our pics from Lava Hot Springs in May

2013-05 Finally arrived in Montpelier, ID for our summer gig

We're here for the summer working at our first KOA. Very lucky to work 4 days on, 3 off so we can go exploring. We have several hot springs to check out, hiking trails, and a few touristy spots including caves, fossil digging, an excellent Oregon Trail museum, and of course, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks all within striking distance.

Pics from our wanderings around Montpelier