Rode the bike a little over 200 miles today.  Rode through the Grand Tetons all the way back into the south entrance of Yellowstone which had been closed due to fire.  Passed the National Museum of Wildlife Art.  There was a beautiful bronze of a herd of buffalo outside – can’t imagine the art inside.  Also went by the National Elk Refuge.  Just an FYI – did not even see as much as a rabbit today!  But really didn’t matter – perfect weather, beautiful scenery.  Went into Jackson Hole.  Had ice cream in the main square at a place called Moo’s Gourmet Ice Cream.  To die for delicious!  But a kiddie cup (as in VERY small) was $4.00.  But oh so good.  Also went into an art gallery (Alan is sitting on one of the benches in front of).  OMG.  One picture had a price tag of $62,000.  Another was of a white wolf – $16,000.  My favorite was a life size buffalo – only $8,000.  And the sculptures – exquisite detail.  No pictures were allowed – security cameras everywhere to say the least.  I don’t have a wall or a spot big enough at home to accommodate half the items in that store.

Made in America!

One of the sculptures in front of the art studio. Mark Twain looking for Big Al.

Just being a tourist and helmet hair!

This arches are made entirely of elks horns. The Boy Scouts collect them and an auction is held every May to raise money.

Big Al looking for a handout

In the Grand Tetons

Pretty big fire as you can see – I think this is part of the 33,000+ acres that burned

This is part of the fire that closed the road leading into the south end of Yellowstone

Boy Scout of America teaching Big Al the ways of the woods

Big Al waiting for his ride

Where is my ride?

It was a travel day today.  Decided to leave Yellow Stone and head towards Jackson Hole to do some riding in the Tetons.  Little  did we know that they would be opening the south entrance later in the day – we could have stayed where we were.  That was ok – went the long way around on Route 26 along the Snake River.  Beautiful drive.  Would like to do over just on the bike.  Started off with a lovely breakfast (courtesy of Laure), saw some beautiful scenery along the way, arrived at a KOA in Jackson Hole, WY.    It seems somebody booked us into Brigham City, UT instead of Jackson Hole, WY.  They could not accommodate us so had to drive another 45 minutes to an RV place called – ready – The Tavern and RV!  You registered at the tavern, went to pretty much the back parking lot and ta da – RV sites.  The showers were in the back of the tavern!  If you see an older (not old) woman sitting on the corner of 89 in Alpine, WY please stop and give her a ride.  Also, she will work for food.  P.S. He would not let me keep the dog.

New friends Lyn, Julie and Brant – great company around our first camp fire last night

Doesn’t breakfast look yummy.

Just a couple of random pictures along the Snake River – highly recommend a bike ride along Route 26

Today was a museum day – went to the Yellowstone Museum and the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center.  Plus it was a down day for chores as in grocery shopping, laundry, etc.  Got the bike loaded up for tomorrow,  Headed out towards Jackson Hole, WY in the morning.  The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is a non profit educational center and basically a sanctuary for several grizzly bears, wolfs, eagles and several raptors.

Alan playing tourist at the Yellowstone Museum

Where is Big Al? In the background is Snaggle Tooth, a famous grizzly from way back when, then two idiots shot him for unknown reasons. They were fined $200 each.

Alan and Laure being tourists!

There are several fires around the area, one has burned over 33,000 acres already

Don’t really like to take pictures of captive animals. These places are usually necessary because of human encroachment

Three eagles who will never fly again

There are several grizzlys in this enclosure. Almost all relocated to this place because of – you guessed it – mankind

Took the truck today – it’s easier to stop – did a different part of the park – just took our time and cruised.  Did quite a bit of walking up to various sites.  It is amazing the idiots around that leave trash, don’t stay on the trails. They must think the signs don’t apply to them or have no concept of the reasons behind the signs.  They have no clue how to respect nature or how to appropriately enjoy it.  Ugh!

Big Al just chilling with his mom

There are a couple of small fires about 10 miles from us

Just cruising In Yellowstone on the bike for two days – did about 215 miles so far – keep stopping to see what there is to see.  Here is some random pictures.  You could take a thousand pictures and it wouldn’t be enough.

Fire in the hills

Boy Scout America with our neighbor

The idiot in the blue parker was trying to face off with the buffalo, in this serene picture if there was a video attached all you would hear is his mother screaming in the background

Love the lawn ornament

The Old Faithful lodge – quite impressive – 3 stories in the open foyer – suppose to be the biggest log structure in the world

Old Faithful did do her thing for us!

Travel day today – easy day – arrived at Yellowstone, set up home and just relaxed

The Pauls have arrived and it’s not raining!

Played tourist in Salt Lake City today – went to Temple Square, Antelope Island

This is the Tabernacle Organ – it has 206 ranks, totaling 11,623 pipes

View from balcony – this conference center seats 21.000 people, largest stadium of this design

This is the organ in the conference center – a five manual console controls 7,708 pipes of its 130 ranks. We were able to listen to the gentleman in the far left corner at the 2 p.m. rehearsal. This particular person has been playing for 40 years. The keyboard console is crazy.

The Morman conference center has volunteers that offer personal tours. Enjoyed immensely his depth of knowledge.

This speaks for itself, artistic talent and symbolism was inspiring.

Went to the Cathedral of the Madeleine also

Went to Antelope Island

Here are the buffalo

Here is what was on the menu in the park

Guess who is doing guess what – please refer to the last two pictures

Waded into Salt Lake – you have to first walk thru millions of tiny black flies – weird how it looks like the ground is moving as you walk – but this is why it it is a stop over for so many migratory birds.

Big Al has decided that we should upgrade our traveling accommodations – so not happening

Today was a travel/museum day – went from Vernal to Salt Lake City

Just rolling by enjoying the view

They just had to stop for lunch in the middle of nowhere – something about the view again

Ma – look what followed me home today

Travel day today – went as far as Vernal, Utah.  Took back roads instead of Interstate 70.  Worth the extra time.  A feast for the eyes and food for the soul.  Wish we could video and wrap in a ribbon for you to see.  Headed for Salt Lake City tomorrow

They finally took me with them – I was beginning to worry.

Utah is dinosaur land – nothing like a pink dinosaur to great you

These baskets go on for 7 blocks.

The local florist starts these baskets in February – they are watered and fertilized every other day at 2 in the morning

Look how big – we wanted to take home but this won’t fit in the trailer – we tried!

Left my brother Armand’s today – but left late so stayed at the campsite one more night – got up and it was 48 degrees – bit chilly

No Pony Express, no oxen, maybe someone will push me, I’m starting to get a complex, they did’t even dress me up with a bow today

This in one of the local free ranging cows. Apparently he thinks he is a bird. Keeps coming up the driveway, drinking out of the bird bath then tipping it over.