Jim & Donna Ride into Wyoming

June 17th - Anxiously awaiting the arrival of their flight -

After several flight delays . . . THEY WERE FINALLY HERE!!!!!

Jim recently retired, so he and Donna came out for a little R&R.

Couldn't resist the opportunity for a cake!

After unpacking, we had a quiet dinner at home, caught up a little and called it a day.

The next day, we spent part of the day at Moose Point Lodge, just taking it easy before kicking our schedule into high gear. (Yep, this was a spreadsheet kind of a week.)

The elk made an appearance in the valley behind the house -

And the mergansers put on a show from the hot tub deck.

We headed down to the spring creeks behind the house so Jim could try his hand at fly-fishing.

He fishes like a pro!

While Don, Donna & I looked on with admiration.

Suddenly, the tranquility of the babbling creek was unexpectedly disrupted.

Two cow elk crossed Fish Creek.

What a treat!

And, we spotted this juvenile bald eagle in a tree along the trail.

And, then . . . we saw a moose!

And a merganser -

I made my way through the bushes to try and get a better shot of the moose.

Lupine -

That evening, we went to Jackson for dinner . . . but we started the evening off with a ride on the Cowboy Rollercoaster! (This was Jim's idea. We had never even heard of this attraction in Jackson.)

After our Cowboy Coaster ride (which really was fun), we took the Gondola to the summit of Snow King Mountain to Aurora for dinner - with a view

(L) The waiter thought we were having so much fun, he wanted to join us for a drink.

The next morning we were up early and headed to the Grand Teton National Park for breakfast at Jenny Lake Lodge and a quick tour of the Park before heading to Yellowstone.

We stopped at the Jenny Lake Overlook for some photos.

The Teton Mountain Range across Jackson Lake.

The Jackson Lake Dam

Jim & Donna at one of our favorite spots, Oxbow Bend.

Leeks Marina

Entering Yellowstone

Happy Campers!

LeHardy's Rapids

We had a picnic lunch at the Rapids before moving along.

(Thanks for the photo, Jim!)

Up in the Hayden Valley, we spotted a sow grizzly bear with two cubs of the year. Don pulled over and we all jumped out, cameras and binoculars in hand, to see if we could get a shot of the new little family.

Then the most amazing thing happened . . . she laid down and nursed those baby bears, right there in front of us!

The Yellowstone River

Bull Bison - after a roll in the dirt

We stopped a the Canyon Grill to check it out

American Buffalo . . . Our National Mammal

Old Faithful Lodge

40 years ago, Jim and Donna stayed at the Lodge on their honeymoon. We were delighted we could take them back in time to revisit this wonderful place.

Old Faithful . . . spouting off!

Heading home

The following morning, we drove up to Spring Creek Ranch for a trail ride

Click on any of the photos below to enlarge them for a better look.

Back at Moose Point Lodge after our ride - Double trouble in the Pine Tree!

That evening, we had dinner at Shooting Star.

The view from the Dining Room Patio

The following day, we took a road trip to Idaho . . . it's about 15 minutes from Wilson, over the Teton Pass.

DESTINATION: The Victor Emporium for milkshakes!!!!

Then it was back over the pass to Moose Point Lodge.

Later, we stopped by Shooting Star for a tour of the golf course

That evening, we had a drink at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

Before heading to the RODEO!

Click on any photo, if you'd like to see it enlarged.

The next morning, a deer joined us for breakfast

Then we went for a walk in the Park behind our house

Jim had hoped to improve on his catch record, but those cutthroat trout were playing hard to get.

But, he had great form!

Around the bend, I got distracted by a pair of sandhill cranes.

Still at it.

Further up the trail, we came across a mama moose with her newly born calf!

A Wild Rose

The next day, it was back into the Grand Teton National Park for one more look around.

We stopped by to see the Mormon Barns

And no visit to Jackson is complete without a gander at the Sleeping Indian!

In Town Square, Jim & Donna took a quick break on an old ski lift

Their last night in town, we headed to the Jackson Hole Playhouse for dinner and the show "Cat Ballou".

Sadly, all too soon the fun came to an end. Their week was up and it was time for them to head home. Thanks for visiting, Jim & Donna! Come back any time!!!!

Love, Barbara and Don