Get Your Camping Face On

More pics of our first jaunt into Grand Teton National Park to come . . .

4th of July Wyoming Style

Our first July 4th in Wyoming.  We celebrated in style . . . sort of.  Isaac's bib (thanks Bethany!) was the closest to red, white, and blue that any of us thought to put on.

 First event of the day: Isaac's (and mama's) first rodeo.

I was secretly hoping he was only mildly interested,

because I don't ever want to watch him doing this.

I am reassured.  He seems to think it looks like questionable behavior.

After the rodeo, it was on to Pinedale's 4th celebration at the beautiful park right in downtown.

This is lovely Pine Creek that flows through the park and town.  Yes, you would be correct if you thought Matt and Isaac might have spent some time in the water.

 Isaac seems to feel the same way about the picnic as he did the rodeo.

Very first popsicle.

And his very first Oreo ever.  Later for dessert, he had some scrumptious homemade cake.  What happened to mom and dad's better judgement this day?

Not a great picture, but I'm in it!

Isaac made a couple of new friends--two 7-month old girls, to be exact.  Matt and I made new friends also but have no pics of them.  When babies are around, you often forget to take pictures of the adults.

Happy July 4th!

Fontenelle Smoke

Demarcation of the smoke from the Fontenelle Fire is clearly visible from our house today.  The fire started on Sunday.  It has grown from 300 acres early yesterday to 12,000 acres today.

Above is the view from our house looking south . . .

west . . .

east . . .

and north.

Yes, this lovely half of a trailer home is what we gaze upon as we look out our front windows.  I've been purposely avoiding displaying it in any pictures because I don't want it to be the impression folks have of our new place.  Yes, it's an eye sore, and no, I don't think it's going away.  The lot behind it has been leveled and a "foundation" put in place.  Looks like the owners got about half way through the project and quit.  I have a feeling it has been sitting there a long time.  We have yet to ask any neighbors about it but will when we get a chance.  Anyway, what's important is that we are not letting it get to us.  Usually, on a non-smoke day, we have gorgeous views of the mountains in the this direction and continuing to the east.  I have perfected looking beyond the black plastic to the beautiful granite peaks in the distance.  I only see the forest, not the one ugly tree.

Photographer's Point Hike

We enjoyed our first hike in the Wind River Mts on Saturday.  The hike was 9 miles roundtrip which we feared might be pushing it for Isaac.  He did great!  We do think that's about the limit though.

The hike begins at Elkhart Park Trailhead, only a 25-minute drive from town.

It is a beautiful, pleasant trail covering fairly easy terrain.  Total elevation gain is only 1,000 feet.

Although it was an easy 4.5 miles to our destination, I started feeling the effects of altitude towards the end.  Photographer's Point is at about 10,400 feet, only 800 feet less than the summit of Mt Hood!

What's for lunch?

We had this spectacular viewpoint to ourselves the whole time.

The view is the northern part of the Wind River Range.  Fremont Peak is the prominent peak on the far right in the above photo.  At 13,743 feet, it is the second highest in the range.

We definitely have a little climber on our hands!!

Happy to be settling into our new home.

Much love,

J, M, & I