Day 2: The Silver Pearl and her crew sailed through Nevada and set anchor in Rupert, Idaho, where we enjoyed the luxury of cable TV (Iron Chef America, battle oatmeal with Cat Cora? Yes, please!) and hot showers. During this leg of the trip, I came to several realizations:
1) Nevada's landscape is monotonous, to say the least.
2) Idaho doesn't really care if you want to see a historical or picturesque landmark. You're on your own. Oh, you wanted a sign to give you a heads up? Bah! Never.
3) The state of Idaho really does live up to all of its stereotypes: Acres upon acres of agricultural fields, cowboys, and Mormon temples up the wazoo.
4) I would much rather live by rivers, streams, and mountains than by the ocean. The ocean is great and all, but I can't imagine living somewhere where I can't see mountains.
Twin Falls scenic lookout. The picture doesn't do it justice.
Day 3: Stranded in Rupert, Idaho. The 50 mph wind warnings weren't so appealing. Or safe. Especially when towing a mammoth trailer. So what does one do in Rupert? Good question. The majority of our time was spent driving around looking at fields of corn, alfalfa, and the like. Or pulling over to snap photos of a local elk farm.
We also drove over to the wildlife refuge in town. Since my only exposure to wildlife refuges was the one in VanWa, I had fairly high expectations. Here's the main attraction of the refuge:
Ironic, much? We did manage to see a bird. And a few grasshoppers. We did see a huuuge group of giant white pelicans. But those were outside the refuge. Ohhh Idaho.
Day 4: Finally leave Idaho and reach the Grand Tetons National Park (Wyoming), where we stay for the night. They're not called the Grand Tetons for nothing, let me tell ya. The group of mountains kind of reminded me of Castle Crags on crack. I'll upload more pictures of the park later.
Day 5: Grab some souvenirs at the Colter Bay gift shop (to include the most adorable porcupine puppet I have ever laid my eyes on) and head off, finally, to Yellowstone! I think the mountain air is affecting me (the elevation is 6,667 feet here in West Yellowstone) because it's 9:07 pm I'm dead tired. My grandma status has reached a whole new level. Anyways, I will definitely include more exciting tidbits about Yellowstone in the days to come, but for now, I will leave you with my favorite photo of the day.
I ♥ elk.
Wish me luck as I ferociously search for bears and moose tomorrow. I'm determined!
wait, what? oatmeal? how did i miss? and did you say mountains over ocean?? the loucks' are rubbing off on you. it's the arc'tryx fleece seeping into yr blood!
ReplyDeleteyou took that picture at twin falls? whaaa? that's ridiculously gorgeous.
bummer on the nwr. truly you were spoiled in VanWa. truly. i laughed aloud at the feature wire structure. i can hear the buzzing from here.
and yl get a porcupine puppet but not a hedgehog?!?!
i ♥ elk, too.
No I took this in Yosemite! But believe me, this porcupine rivals the cuteness of that hedgehog we left in Portland.
ReplyDeleteHahahhaha when I say yosemite, I mean yellowstone. Shoot, mom, dad, and I keep saying yosemite... Hehe.
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