Monday July 28 2008

Joe Cut Down our Dying Pine Tree Today

Loading the Lopped Off Limbs


Dragging it away with a chain

Demise of a Friend

Beverly and Gloria packed up their suitcases and left this morning about 8:30. They will drive back to Salt Lake and both have evening flights. Before they left they took the sheets off their beds and got laundry started. We sure had a nice time together. I'm trying not to be depressed that they are gone, but I will miss them. Our trips were wonderful. My head is full of all the beautiful scenes we saw together.

Well I've told you how lots of our pine trees around the area are dying. I am sad to see so many dead trees through all the country we traveled. This morning Joe cut down our big lodgepole pine in the front yard. It was all brown and dying. He used the chain saw, and had me push it over the right direction as he made the final cut. Then he tied it to a chain and hauled it away. It looks pretty empty in that spot, but not all that bad either. It was the demise of a friend that offered us shade and a sheltering presence. Many times the dogs would lay under its branches on a hot day, or friends would gather in lawn chairs beneath it. We still have the smaller one which may not be infected. Or we may loose it too. We brought them both home from our headgate in the foothills and planted them about 25 years ago.

Tis the season of those tiny flying "bugs" that are so small they can come right in through the screens and leave their dead bodies all over every level surface or hopping around like fleas if still alive. All the light fixtures get full of them. They will bite too.

This morning I weeded around some of the shrubs and those look lots better. I'll make up the beds, do more laundry, and water my flowers and plants. Tomorrow is chemo treatment day again. So I plan to meet the shuttle. I have to call Oncology to find out where to meet it this time.

Check back in a few days for the two blogs which are missing!

Sunday July 27 2008

Lynn and Bev at Big Sandy Lodge

Cattle at Dutch Joe Meadow

Notice the dead trees

Big Sandy Openings


Sego Lilies 1

Sego Lilies 2

This morning Gloria fixed us some spicy fried potatoes with eggs, and toasted cornbread. Jerry came and mowed another section of the hay meadow. It seems the hay is still a little more wet than it should be. We got things cleaned up, Beverly vacuumed, Gloria mopped and I made us a picnic lunch. We took the dogs and drove up to Big Sandy Openings. I guess we were gone about five hours. It was another really nice day weatherwise, although for a while it did cloud up and we got a few little sprinkles.

We saw no real sign of any individuals of the Rainbow Family, but there was still quite a conglomeration of vehicles and camps at the Dutch Joe campground. We went to the Lodge to show that to Gloria. A skinny guy came over to see if we needed help and said he was Ward or Wendell or some "W" name and he was down doing the laundry. Told us just to go ahead and look around. We didn't go inside because they were staining the logs. I didn't want to anyway, but thought Beverly should take Gloria in to look. Beverly took quite a few pictures of the place and the lake, I didn't even want to take pictures, but wished later that I had. We all photographed all the way up and back though.

We went over to the campground. Only a medium number of cars were parked there and very few of the campsites in use. We hadn't seen much traffic on the road either.

Remember when I showed you the pictures of the "Altar Rock" a year or so ago. The theory is that perhaps early Native Americans had balanced very large boulders on some small ones -Or that the glaciers had naturally left them that way. Well I took more pictures of that rock and we found two other smaller ones further back on that rock bluff, stacked exactly the same way, with the one rock underneath pointed east (what I call the front) and the other two rocks underneath at the north side (back) of the boulder. So got photos of those too.

At the Dutch Joe Meadows there were large patches of Sego Lilies blooming. They are so beautiful so I had to get out and admire them. And got the photo of the cattle there.

We got back home in time to heat up some leftovers for dinner. Then looked at old family photographs and discussed who was who and whether we could recognize any of them in other photos or not. Lots of discussion on family history. Crashed into bed and because the TV is still broken, tried to watch "Tootsie" again. I keep missing parts by falling asleep in it, so start it over. Still haven't seen it all. Another few times and I should know it by heart.

Photos of the "Altar Rocks"

Something "constructed"or

naturally left suspended by the glaciers?

Bev and Gloria Discuss the "Altar Rocks"

One of the Boulders From a Distance

Boulder on the Same Bluff

Another View of the Same Largest Boulder Shown Above - It sits with this end facing east
sitting on one rock under that end and two on the other end. Notice it has fallen from its other half in the back and I just can't imagine that it then placed itself right on that rather large boulder in the front and the rocks behind too. Ice and frost cause large boulders to break this way. Notice there is another large crack in it.

Another view of a Second Smaller Boulder on Three Rocks .

Third Boulder Also Balanced on 3 Smaller Rocks
Some other rocks are around
but not under the boulder

GLORIA'S JOURNAL FOR JULY 27

I did a load of laundry, fixed fried potatoes and eggs for breakfast. Beverly vacuumed and I scrubbed the kitchen and laundry room floors. You made us lunch to take on the picnic to the lodge. This was the day, on the way to the lodge, that Beverly got the call from Brent about getting the bleach in his eye. The good little dogs played in the river and we heard the fish jumping. Food was excellent.

We drove on up to see the lodge, which seemed a little deserted compared to the old days. Then we drove up to the campground.

We stopped and looked at the Indian rocks and speculated on what the possibilities were for them being there. We saw antelope and cows. When we got home we started looking at cousin Maryann's photo albums and noticed that the pictures of Yellowstone were taken from exactly the same spots we had just visited.

I did my packing with the clean clothes from the morning laundry. Lights out about 11 so I can get up early to start back home. Realized I will have lots of warm memories from this visit and will miss Lynn and the puppies and Joe too.

Saturday July 26 2008

ANOTHER DAY'S ENTRY FROM GLORIA'S JOURNAL

We had a warm continental breakfast at the motel. It was better than the previous morning, even though nothing was hot. We stopped at Subway on the way out of town and got sandwiches for lunch. We were heading out of town by 9:30. We stopped in Mammoth on a scenic drive loop at the hot springs at the upper level and saw some beautiful springs and didn't have to do all the hiking that the uninformed tourists had to do by stopping at the lower level. How lucky we were! Remember all those levels of boardwalks and stairs and walkways? You stayed in the car and worked on the blog. The next stop was Sulphur Caldrons and buffalo - 3 of them laying in the dust/dirt near the caldrons of boiling mud. Then we went to Dragons Mouth. The awesome steam venting out of a cave with the boiling water escaping and roaring as it exited the mouth of the cave. Mud Volcano was next. It used to erupt 85' in the air. Now it just bubbles at ground level, but it's still amazing to see that.

We drove the road running along the Yellowstone River and saw geese, buffalo and lots of elk. We stopped about 12 for lunch and ate on a log next to the beautiful Yellowstone River. I put my toes in the water and it was COLD. Next was Yellowstone Lake and it was huge. Surrounded by mountains and trees. The rivers and creeks and lakes are all still so crystal clear. Reminds me of Lake Mead when we were kids and we could see down to all the rocks and the bottom below.

We went to the visitor center and beach at the lake and then went to the Lake Hotel. The bathrooms had nice, old tile floors and MARBLE toilet stalls. Very elegant! The lobby had etched glass windows and doors that were gorgeous and had scenes of nature and wildlife. We went to one of the boat marinas and I took pictures for Bob because he likes boats. We crossed the continental divide at 7,988 feet. We also were at the 45th parallel today. Then we went to 35 foot Lewis Falls and then left Yellowstone behind. But, we drove right into Teton National Park. Very different than Yellowstone but certainly has it's own beauty.

We saw Jackson Lake and the Colter Indian Museum. It was a very interesting stop. We went to the beach at Jackson Lake and the water there seemed warm and there were actually people in the water there. There was still a lot of haze in the atmosphere from all the fires, as there was in Yellowstone, so seeing the crystal clear view of the mountains wasn't possible. We went to the old soda fountain/cafeteria at the Jackson Lake Lodge. You and Beverly had chocolate malts and I had a lemonade.

We drove out of the park and on to Jackson where we had Mexican dinner at the Merry Piglets. Service was terrible and slow but the food was pretty good. You drove the rest of the way home. When we got to Pinedale you showed us the new Pinedale Clinic medical and care facilities and the aquatic center and Fremont Lake. We got to your house about 9 and unloaded everything and let the mosquitoes in the house. I noticed the stars again when I put the light out in my bedroom. They show up so brilliantly in your sky because there are no lights to turn off their twinkling!

Friday July 25 2008

VARIOUS PICTURES FROM YELLOWSTONE:

(Note from Lynn: I procrastinated getting these two days written and FORGOT what all we did so Gloria helped me with this entry from her journal. Thanks, Glory. Our route was north toward Gardiner, only about 100 miles. But it took us all day with our stops and sightseeing to get up there. We are going to miss the leg that Old Faithful and many of the geyser basins are on. I was sorry for Gloria to miss seeing Old Faithful. )

THIS ENTRY IS FROM GLORIA'S JOURNAL:

The 25th was the morning we had the not so good continental breakfast, that was barely cold cereal and bagels and apple juice. No fruit and nothing hot. Little muffins too, I think. We left West Yellowstone and arrived at the park entrance about 10:30 and used your Golden Age Passport and saved $25.00. I commented about the big 1988 fire and most of the regrown trees being only 6 to 8 feet tall. Hot steam vents were all over and very different and unique.

When we were in West Yellowstone and driving around before dinner, Beverly saw a church and thought the sign said Our Lady of the Pipes when it was actually PINES. Today she was a sign and thought it said SHOWER cars use pullouts and it actually said SLOWER cars use pullouts. She thought man, there must be lots of cars with people that need showers for them to post a sign about it. (Funny, but you had to be 3 women on a trip together to really enjoy it).

The first place we saw was Terrace Hot Springs. Next, 84' Gibbon Falls. The Madison River, Canyon Village at 7,918 feet, Virginia Cascade drive. That was really pretty! and the Cascade Falls. I bought a new journal and a souvenir mug at Canyon Village. You and Beverly got ice cream cones.

Next was Upper Falls of The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We also saw the Lower Falls and Brinks Falls. Then we picnicked at a picnic table in the campground and had the goodies from home and Falers. We topped out at Dunraven Pass & Mt Washburn at 8,859'.

When we started down the other side is when we saw the motorcycle accident. and later buffalo down in the valley on the way down. Flowers we saw during the day were black eyed Susan's, lupine, Indian paintbrush, wild dill. On the north side of Mount Washburn we saw first 2 deer, then a beautiful moose lying in a stream bed. Then the buffalo (butt) very slowly walking right down the middle of the road on the yellow line across the bridge over the Lamar River with cars following. We also saw 2 big bull elk in velvet laying near a stream just before we got into Mammoth. There were cars trying to stop and look but as almost everywhere this time, a ranger was waving the traffic on by.

We saw a beautiful marsh with 2 shades of green grasses - light and dark. We drove into Mammoth Hot Springs and took some pictures of the hot springs. On the way out of town we saw 2 cow elk and 1 baby in the middle of town in the middle of the road.

We got to our motel in Gardiner about 5. Settled in and then we went to Pandrolino's Italian for dinner. It was supposed to be a gourmet place, making all their own pasta, bread and everything fresh. But we all had stomach aches afterwards. Maybe it was just too rich.

Thursday July 24 2008

Tetons at Wilson WY

Tetons at Driggs ID west side of mtns.

What is it? It smelled wonderful!

Henry's Fork of the Snake River Canyon

Lower Mesa Falls

It is the higher one I think - 315' or so


Us, hot sweaty and panting

Rock Formation and River

Below Upper Mesa Falls

Big Falls Visitor Center

National Register of Historic Places 1918

Puff Ball - Several people say its salsify,
a bad invasive weed.

Click to enlarge for reading

Big Falls Visitor Center

Used to be a Lodge

Brink of Upper Mesa Falls

Upper Mesa Falls

is the less high one 114' -but you get closer to it

The Walkway

Upper Mesa Falls

Wall showing misty microclimate

Bev and Mom

Check one off the bucket list

Cranesbill

It’s Pioneer Day, a big LDS history celebration. It’s a beautiful sunny morning and probably will be in the 70s again.

WE’RE OFF!! We got up before 6 and all four of us trying to use one bathroom to shower and get ready. We were able to load up Beverly’s rental car and be gone by 8. It’s a Ford Taurus SUV and should get a little better gas mileage than mine. By looking at the cargo space you wouldn’t know we’re only going for two nights. Joe rode along with us because the body shop in Pinedale had called a couple of days ago and said his truck is finally ready. So that was our first stop. Boy is it shiny and red! They painted the whole thing except for the roof. So Joe has his truck back. He’s disgusted that I’m leaving home again, and thought it would only be for overnight, but we’re going for three days / two nights.

Next stop was Ridley’s and we got some lunch stuff and ice for the cooler. We’ll picnic for part of our meals. We’re heading back to Jackson and will go over Teton Pass to Driggs, then toward Rexburg and Mesa Falls. Tonight we have a reservation at a Comfort Inn at West Yellowstone. And Friday at another Comfort Inn at Gardiner – near the north entrance.

We stopped in Wilson for gas at Pass Gas. Driving over Teton Pass was beautiful with the wildflowers. I’ve seen good wildflower years, but this has to be one of the best. In one place the Indian paintbrush was 3 feet high! Victor, Driggs and all the country around there has had massive development since I’ve last been there. Homes everywhere. Huge new buildings in the towns - which used to be small and unique. On past there we drove a long distance through the beautiful rolling farmlands with the back side of the Tetons to the east. It’s quite a spectacular view and would have been better if it hadn’t been so hazy.

Soon we came to Ashton where we turned onto the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. We drove along a VERY steep canyon on my side of the car for a ways. I just looked the other way until we got by there. We came to the Lower Mesa Falls which is the higher one – think I've read it's over 300’ high, but that may be wrong. It was a short walk to the falls on an asphalt path just off the road. We were some distance from this waterfall, but it was still quite a sight. After that we took our cooler to a picnic area and had lunch. It was a fitting repast for a queen.

Next it was on to the Upper Mesa Falls 3 or 4 more miles up the road. This one is further off the road, but it had a very nice wooden walkway with MENNNNY stairs, up and down, perhaps half a mile walk or so with a big change in elevation. And I did it. This fall is very close to the walkway. It’s just beautiful. Perhaps one notch lower on the “spectacular” chart than Yellowstone Falls. Both of the Mesa Falls flow through a lava formation with cliffs on each side. I took a lot of photos of both the falls. I had a smile on my face the whole time.

The strange thing is we came in from the farmlands and hardly gained any altitude, but the canyons cut down into the plateau. Perhaps this is why it’s called “Mesa” Falls. It looks like you are in the mountains where there were none to see from - say Ashton - as far as you can see to the horizon. We were on the west edge of Yellowstone, and the river heads at Shoshone Lake near Old Faithful.

Next we stopped at Island Lake Reservoir. It wasn’t that easy to find, signage isn’t that great, but we asked and then with directions stood on the shore of the large lake, and checked out a lodge there. We saw Henry’s Lake too. Island Park is beautiful, a large opening in the forests. Beverly drove most of the day, and then Gloria.

We arrived at our motel by 5:30 and got checked in to our room. Tried to find one thing or another to do – maybe even driving to Quake Lake which has a great interpretive center and sometimes there are mountain goats around there, or Old Faithful – both side trips for our route. Went out for dinner. Figured when we got done eating it was too late to drive around any more and actually see anything before dark so cruised the town. We did some shopping and I got two pairs of knit Columbia pants and a hoodie for 50% off. We checked out the movie theatre - Dark Knight – we didn’t want to go back for it at 9 p.m. and anyway neither of them wanted to see it. They have an IMAX movie about Yellowstone and we didn’t do that either - $10 apiece. So our next choice was Turner Classic Movies with an Edward G Robinson movie. Tomorrow morning we’ll head toward Gardiner and make a figure 8.

One thing I meant to say on Monday’s blog regarding the doctor’s report is that although the scan and tests sounded very good, he said again, I might have a week or a month, or a few months, or a few years. I wasn’t surprised at all, as he has told me that from the beginning. I wish I had asked what might happen in the short term scenario, since I’m feeling relatively good. Must be the possibility of some fast organ failure.