St. Anthony Sand Dunes and Craters of the Moon-July 7,2010

We joined up with our friends Roy and Carolyn Trout again for a trip to the St. Anthony Sand Dunes and Craters of the Moom national Monument and Preserve in Idaho.

We didn't have four wheelers or dune buggies, although that would have been fun, but we uust stopped by St. Anthony Sand Dunes to check it out.

                       We seen this pasture of sheep and had to get out to take a few pictures.

Aren't they cute!

Off to Craters of the Moon, a very interesting place. It was formed by lava from volcanoes. It is called Craters of the Moon because the rugged terrain is much like on the moon. Astronauts have trained here because of the terrian.

                                                 There were pretty flowers all around...

This is a big ash hill that had a path ot the top. Randy, Roy and Carolyn stayed at the bottom while I climbed to the top. It is steeper than it looks!

                                                 The view from the top was awesome!

Grand Teton National Park-June 28, 2010

We took a nice drive down through Idaho and across a pass(I don't remember what it was called)into Jackson Hole, Wy. A nice little town but very touristy like West Yellowstone.

We left out of Jackson Hole and entered Grand Teton National Park. The Tetons were beautiful and so was the other scenery, but Randy didn't like it as much as Yellowstone.

Whitewater Rafting- June 22, 2010

The Campground we were working at got us free whitewater rafting down the Galatin River. Me, Randy, Jim (one of the managers) and Tom and Margaret (fellow Workampers) went together. We had a great time. The water was cold around 40 degrees, and we got wet, especially me and Randy because we were sitting in the front! Afterwards we had a nice picnic lunch that Eileen(Jim's wife)made for us. This was out first rafting trip and we loved it. Can't wait to do it again!

Old Faithful-May 16, 2010

Well you can't go to YNP without going to see Old Faithful. We were lucky when we got there, it was due to go off in about 20 minutes. Some may wonder what;s so great about water shooting up out of the ground. I can't explain it, it just is! Old Faithful is the most popular geyser but there are so many more and they are all amazing.

Over looking Old Faithful is the Old Faithful Inn. It was built during the winter of 1903-1904. The rustic architecture made from lodgepole pines is absolutely gorgeous.

                                        The Interior is amazing, made with logs and limbs.

                        Old Faithful Inn was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone- May 9, 2010

Yellowstone National Park is absolutely one of the most spectacular places. Our first time in there was still a lot of snow in certain areas.

We met our friends Roy and Carolyn Trout at the Canyon Visitor Center. They were working for the summer in Cody, Wy. This was the first of several times we got together for an excurtion.

                                              The canyon has the most beautiful views...

                                                              A few more great pics!

                                                          And if you love waterfalls...

It was a great day spending time with our friends and seeing the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone!

West Yellowstone, MT

We arrived in West Yellowstone on May 3, 2010. It was a beautiful drive down from Bozeman. W saw buffalo on the side of the road.

This was new to us so we were in amazement of seeing buffalo just wandering around freely. This one was down by the dock at the campground we worked at on Hebgen Lake.

This was the view from our front door. Awesome!

This would be our home for the next 3 months.

Battle of Little Bighorn-Montana-May 2, 2010

Our next stop was at the Battle of Little Bighorn in Southeast Montana. The Battle of Little Bighorn also known as "Custer's Last Stand" took place on June 25, 1876 in Southeast Montana near the Little Bighorn River. Souix and Cheyenne with Cheifs Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse resisted US Government to confine their people to reservations. In late spring, more than 10,000 Native Americans gathered along the Little Bighorn River. Instead of waiting for more troops George Armstrong Custer went on to the Little Bighorn Valley. Custer and his men, the 7th Calvary Regiment, were killed in less than an hour. Making it the worst American military disaster ever. Within 5 years the US Government confined almost all the Sioux and Cheyenne to reservations. And that concludes my very short history lesson for the day! I love going to places with so much history! Here are some pictures of Little Bighorn Valley.

                                  The markers represent where soldiers fell during the battle.

                                                           This is where Custer fell.

                                                                     The Monument

                                                             The National Cemetary