Hikes-n-Falls

Has spring finally sprung? We'll see what this week is like before we make the official call, but spring must be on its way. Twas a stormy week at work, but I'm certain that's not why you stopped by, so here's the weekend debrief in pictures:
Friday I headed down to Pocatello to hike the Gibson Mountain Loop. The 8 mile loop takes you around the base of these mountains, then you climb the backside and hike down the ridge.

I opted to walk around.
A sign I could relate too....
...obviously.
Views from the top.
A lot of nothing for a really long ways in that direction.
You can see the thriving metropolis of Pocatello, and by thriving metropolis I mean...
Camera + binoculars, possibly just proving that it can be done.
I promise, it was a different sign.

Acrobatic equipment malfunctions.

Idaho Falls (I'm told this is as big as it gets). You can see the Mormon temple in the background.
The sound was impressive, but this was before my trip on Saturday...

Yearning for a holiness church and some more Spring sightseeing, I drove to Twin Falls (the city) Saturday evening, stopping at Shoshone Falls on the way. The Pastor and his family not only provided a place to stay, but one of those unbeatable home cooked Sunday dinner's complete with banana creme pie! Now if I can only keep my eyes open long enough to caption the rest of these pictures...
You can see why bridges over the Snake River aren't common.

Snake River
They charged 3 bucks to see this!?!
Or was it this?
Maybe this?
OK, OK, so it was this, the so called "Niagara of the West". So then I went a little picture crazy (think 100+ pictures for every $1 spent), and, well, you're left with all of these as the sun set over Shoshone Falls. (Some of them are worth clicking on to enlarge.)
One of my favorites.
The falls weren't the only pretty settings.
The placid Snake before it makes the plunge.
The power lines become a part of every tourists pictures. Photoshop anybody? (I'll send you the original.)
Happy Mother's Day!

Yellowstone in the Spring

There's Something About That Name!

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

There's just something about that name!

Master, Savior, Jesus

Like the fragrance after the rain.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Let all Heaven and Earth proclaim!

Kings and kingdoms

Will all pass away,

But there's something about that name.

- (c) William J. Gaither

As I've gone through this week, even while enjoying my fried ice cream, that song has permeated my thoughts. No matter what our trials, troubles or cares that we carry - Jesus, Jesus, Jesus...

Contrary to popular studies, if you wake up feeling refreshed, you probably overslept! But can waking up at 5:11AM really qualify as oversleeping? I'll let you ponder that one while I make a mad dash for the bus...

Despite the cloudy skies this weekend, my co-worker Eric and I took a trip to Yellowstone. Not all of the roads are open yet, but we still managed to see a number of fun things. Maybe these pictures will help (Eric gets credit for many of the pictures).

I wonder what they used before we built them roads!
Similar to a drowned rat... a drowned buffalo. Would you like to pet him? You'll notice that the buffalo and elk are rather ugly this time of year as they shed their winter coats.
Don't worry - I offered an Aspirin after they got done tussling.
At least he's not jaywalking!
Not looking so pretty. When they get their antlers back in the fall, they'll be much more impressive.
Buffalo and elk are common sights, but here's a wolf walking away from his lunch (I'm sparing you the picture of a bloody buffalo carcass, freshly killed that morning.)
Looking cool while everyone watched. As you can tell by the random picture taking finger, I was taking appropriate precautions by always keeping someone else (preferably slower) between myself and the wild animals.

For comparison, here's one of five coyote's we saw.
Old Faithful
Looking right down the valley...
...and looking left at the waterfall.

Don't you wish there were signs like this in life? Maybe then the "rough breaks" wouldn't turn us upside down... wait...

Bet you can't hold this one very long!
Random scenic pictures along the way.

While Eric was taking the good pictures...

...I was busy skipping rocks, one of those great activities that brings back so many fun memories from Lake Placid.

A view from the northern section of the park.
Eric found a photogenic tree...

...while Joe was busy photographing scenery through binoculars at high speeds. No wonder he didn't see...

...the pronghorn deer on his side of the road!

A fluorescent blue bird.

These next few pictures are from Mammoth Hot Springs.

"Liberty Cap" - a dormant hot spring cone.

Just remember that bacteria makes the pretty colors...

Eric in front of the Hot Springs.
Joe in front of the Hot Springs.
With Mother's Day just around the corner, I figured I better send one descent picture home!
At least they don't have to mow their lawn, but it sure would stink to have to pick up after them!
Get your binoculars out, because this grizzly is probably 500 yards away. I'm not sure who spots these guys. (Clicking on the picture will help a little.)
While we were playing in the river, this grizzly was playing by the road. By the time we got there, he was headed away.
A black bear up close.

Now we're looking forward to the rest of the park and Grand Teton National Park opening up in a few weeks and we'll be back for more! Do you think my new tent will hold back the bears?

Until next time, this is your open invitation! Enjoy.

70's, Snow and Kayaks

It has been a strange week! It started out sunny as could be with temperatures in the 70's, no jacket needed and windows open at night. Today when I opened the blinds, the wind was howling and everything was covered in snow! With more snow in the forecast, I'm not sure winter is over yet. Luckily, I was working second shift this week, so I had time to enjoy pancakes every morning, go rollerblading and enjoy the beautiful weather in the mornings.

On Saturday, we loaded up and headed back out for a second attempt at kayaking, on a different river. Similar to last weekend, the roads to our planned destination were still covered in snow. But after a unanimous vote, we decided to put in at the bridge crossing the main road, on an unknown river in hopes it would meet up with our intended destination. This was important since our getaway car was parked at the bottom of the river we intended on kayaking. Besides a dam we had to portage around, it all worked out in the end. So, while you Easterners are basking in near record high temperatures, here's a few pictures from our trip down Henry's Fork:
The river...
...and the kayakers. From left to right they are: Tyler - Ryan's fearless brother, Lauren - a relative (but not of anyone here), Ryan - our fearless leader and owner of all the equipment, Allen - Mr. Risk Adverse, and myself. Three of us are wearing "skirts" which keep the waves out of the kayak. The other two were on an open kayak, but no sympathy points because they also had neoprene wet suits and shoes keeping them warm. (Click on the picture to read their minds.)
Checking for spiders and drain plugs.
Tyler shows us how it's done. He's also the one who told us the water wasn't that cold. (What's that white stuff behind you? And why was the lake frozen?)
Trying to mimic Tyler, but apparently rowing is overrated.
Here's a little waterfall along the way. We also saw a few deer, families of woodchucks and some cranes, making for a beautiful trip.
This must be safer then it appears.
Allen making his way out of the rapids...
...convinced that his kayak does not steer straight...
...overcorrects.
Lauren and Ryan looking smug in the double.

And there you have it. No flips, no hypothermia and some good memories. Until next weekend, enjoy!