Rocky Mountains High…..Colorado

Our last area to visit was the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. It was a lovely drive down from the Grand Tetons following the Oregon Trail. Old wagons and interesting scenery along the way. We made our way to Grand Lake where we based ourselves for two nights.

The view from our motel

We walked to see the Adams Falls named after the famous photographer (Ansell Adams) who took some great photos in this area

The lake that feeds these falls

We ventured up Trail Ridge Road which is the highest paved road in the USA but because of the amount of snow it was closed towards the top as they where still snow ploughing but nice scenery all the same

We then , because of the road closure took the long way round to the other side of the park and based ourselves at Estes Park. A beautiful town and stayed in a lovely condo for three nights.

Ran into a storm on the way up the mountain and then it started snowing. Very scary for 8 or so miles.

From here we drove from the other End of Trail Ridge Road and wow, the amount of snow they are ploughing through is just unbelievable

The view from Trail Ridge Road

Back in the valley

The frozen Bear Lake

Elk everywhere, in and out of the park

It was then time to leave this great place and make our way back to Denver for our flight to Los Angeles and then back to Sydney

Isabel ready for the last car ride of her adventure

The Grand Tetons & Aren’t They Grand

We’ve spent three great days in the Grand Teton National Park and wow, this place is just delightful. Still most places are closed with opening day supposedly as Memorial Day on the USA calendar which is next weekend, but by the look of the depth of snow we just can’t see this happening.

Signal Mountain Lodge had been opened for two weeks this season and the view from their dinning room was just breathtaking. We really enjoyed sitting here looking at this at meal times.

And our log cabin overlooked Jackson Lake too.

Jenny Lake (still frozen)

We found a road which lead us to a quant area of barns. Named Morman Row this was where the Mormans had settled quite some years ago. Quite a spectacular backdrop and now the subject of a very popular frig magnet.

Another barn

An original home on Morman Row

Then it was time to leave and head along the Oregan Trail and on to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Looking back on these spectacular mountains.

Another spectacular place to add to our “Favourite Sights” list.

Yellowstone

Due to the unseasonal late snow falls, causing lots of mudslides and avalanches that closed roads we changed our route, so after leaving Red Lodge we travelled the Bear Tooth Highway and the Chief Joseph Scenic Way in such a way we could enter the Park.

Changing scenery along the way

Finally after driving through lots of snow at Cooke City we were in the Park.

Waterfalls and huge canyons

Isabel having fun

We did lots of walking and on ice too but Izzy took the easy way

Yellowstone has lots of mud pools and geysers

Izzy with her mum and dad off to see some geysers

Then of course. we sat with lots of others just like all do when they come to Yellowstone, to sit and wait for Old Faithfull

A great few days. One black bear and two wolves.

East from Denver

Once off our flight from Denver we picked up our hire car and started heading east. Destination Mt. Rushmore. Leaving Colorado we travelled into Wyoming and spent the night in Torrington. Then it was on towards South Dakota. Bison country

Then somewhere I have always wanted to be

In the Black Hills of Dakota

Then our first glimpse of Mt.Rushmore

We drove back in the evening to view it under floodlights, then back next morning for a full walk through. It really was impressive and definitely a sight to see.

By staying two nights in Keystone we were really able to enjoy the area. Keystone is the nearest town to Mt.Rushmore and from there we were able to make a trip to the Badlands. Really interesting country

Then it was time to turn west again and we travelled back into Wyoming for a short time till we entered Montana. Our destination there to be the Little Bighorn Battlefield. It was Poo’s wish to see this. “Custers Last Stand”

The spot on the hill where he fell

The view of the battlefield from the hill

We then turned south heading for Yellowstone National Park