When The Gals Come To Visit

Okay, here it is . . . the long-awaited, much anticipated (by at least two people), and way overdue blog post.  I owe this to my dear friends Megan and Valerie because back in August, they brightened my world by coming all the way out from Oregon to visit.  They loaded up Esby (the dog) and spent 14 long hours in the car to spend a few days with us in our new home.  We had a great time.  I really enjoyed playing hostess to these two amazing ladies and getting to be a tourist in my own little town.  Thanks for the very special time and memories that will last a lifetime, my friends!

Hanging at the house.

 Esby and Isaac were fast friends.  At least Isaac thought so.  Esby might have been mostly annoyed about sharing toys and getting her tail yanked.

Val has all the cool technology.

Shopping for the perfect hat.  Score!

Enjoying our local Fremont Lake.

 

Ladies' Night!!  Now I can finally say I've been to the "World Famous" (so they claim) Corral Bar, as well as the Cowboy Bar.  Ah yes, Pinedale's pride.

 Some of us might be a little off target....

 We spent a day in Jackson and the Tetons.  Above: The obligatory Jackson photo.

Drumming was a common pastime during the trip.

  Somehow Valerie convinced Isaac that his head makes a fine drum.  We can't wait to see what Aunt Val teaches him next time.

 Hanging with the local wildlife.

There sure are a lot of antlers in Jackson.

Isaac is so blessed!

Val was the ever-patient sandwich dispenser at lunch time.

 

 Woo hoo!! Park time! 

 Jenny Lake

Cold Dog

 Cute Baby

  

Hiking back at home in the Winds.

Esby leads the way.

 

Always time to strike a pose.

Thanks for a wonderful time, ya'll!!  I miss you and can't wait for our next adventure together.

(Many of the photo credits go to Val.  Thanks for awesome shots!)

Weekend in the Wyomings

A couple of weekends ago, we headed to the The Wyomings to enjoy a fall weekend outdoors. 

The Wyoming Range runs north-south for about 80 miles and is west of Pinedale.  It is one of several mountain ranges on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. It is part of the Big Piney Ranger District, one of the areas Matt works in.

This mountain range has a different feel than our nearby Wind River Mountains.  It is less remote and rugged.  The range is more open, with rolling hills and wide valleys spotted with sagebrush and willows.  There are still plenty of rugged peaks tucked in the backcountry.  Coniferous forests mixed with aspen groves blanket the mountainsides.

A well-maintained, extensive network of gravel roads allowed us to explore much of the area.  I loved soaking up fall's colors and crisp, cool air.

We stayed here, in the Snyder Basin Guard Station.  Built in the 1930's by the CCC, it once served as a bunkhouse for forest rangers.  It is still owned and maintained by the Forest Service but is now year-round, rentable lodging for the public.  

The cabin provided us a very nice and cozy weekend home.  It is equipped with heat, lighting, cook stove, and refrigerator--all run on propane. During summer months (including our stay), there is also running water.  There is an outhouse located behind it.  The cabin has two rooms--the kitchen and the bedroom which has two bunkbeds.

On Saturday, we enjoyed a spectacular hike up the Long Hollow Trail.  We were rewarded with awesome views at the top.

The Wyomings are known for being a place of solitude.  Since they are not as well-known as their sister Wind River Mts, they usually provide opportunity to get away from the crowds (if there is such a thing in Wyoming).  We happen to be there on opening day of deer hunting season (hence Matt's attire).  This meant the forest felt downright overrun! We encountered at least four hunting parties along the trail.  Most were leaving empty handed, except for the two young boys hauling out a large buck.  Pretty impressive.

We are continually impressed at what a good hiker Isaac is.  He loves it!  He even seems genuinely to appreciate the natural beauty.  He often points at the trees, lakes, mountains, and valleys surrounding him and calls out in awe.  I just hope we don't wear him out before he's old enough to hike on his own two feet!

Lovin' Daddy.

Back at the cabin, playing the guitar.

On Sunday, we slowly made our way out of the mountains, stopping to sight see along the way.  We stopped for a while for Matt to fish the creek in the photo above.  He caught a large, beautiful cutthroat trout, and of course, I did not have the camera with me.  Bummer!

Playing the guitar, what else?

On our drive out on Sunday, we enjoyed views of the Red Cliffs set against vibrant fall yellows and oranges.

 

What a wonderful fall weekend!!  

(Isaac insisted on sitting by himself for this picture.  Uh oh! He's already becoming independent!)

We enjoyed our time at the cabin so much that I think we will have to make this an annual fall tradition.  I am grateful we had that weekend together because on the following Monday, Matt was assigned to work a fire and became practically absent from our lives.  Over the next seven days, he and Isaac got to see each other for a total of about an hour.  When Matt came home late last night, he announced, "I'm done!".  Daddy is back--yay!

Boulder Canyon Hike

Just another awesome day hiking together as a family, trying not to let go entirely of summer while embracing the cool fall weather that is already arriving.

We have about 50 different versions of the above picture from this summer, but I still love it.

Beautiful granite walls.

And a beautiful creek to spend a couple of hours on.

Up! Baby is about to walk into the water fully clothed and in leather shoes.

When Dad takes over, pants and shoes are tossed all together.

 

Let's face it.  Watching a baby play in the water is only entertaining for so long.

He is a cute one though.

We once again thoroughly enjoyed our day exploring our new home.  In fact, with every hike we do, it seems we have a new favorite.  This one was spectacular!